Some groups are accomplished and dusted for the season. There are just a few formalities earlier than the top of 12 months beak. Some groups actually need to make the finals and make their mark. They stood up.
Some different groups wanted a miracle to cease their crumbling world falling aside. I imagine they’ve been confirmed agnostic.
18. North Melbourne Kangaroos
North Melbourne have made some extra valiant efforts which have been eventual losses. I actually admire how a number of the outdated professionals, equivalent to Josh Walker and Todd Goldstein, frequently give their all.
17. West Coast Eagles
Josh Kennedy has had a stellar profession and sensible final recreation. He was let down by his staff. A staff of older gamers; they was champion gamers.
A dismal finish to a dismal season. The broom will come out over summer time. Maybe a brand new recreation plan, possibly a brand new coach positively some gamers pushed off into retirement.
16. Adelaide Crows
This was Adelaide’s likelihood to seize a late season victory. A robust portend for subsequent 12 months. And they had been as much as the problem.
Darcy Fogarty might be a star. Just wants the staff to carry round him.
15. Essendon Bombers
Essendon, some nice second half of the 12 months wins after which this efficiency towards the struggling Giants. From 4 factors behind Collingwood to being overwhelmed by 5 objectives by the Orange boys. When does the cricket begin?
14. Gold Coast Suns
Gold Coast challenged sides equivalent to Brisbane however succumbed to thirteenth positioned Hawks. A extremely disappointing fall means for the Suns.
Did the identical photo voltaic eclipse occur final 12 months? There is just one response to this, defeat the Cats subsequent week.
13. Hawthorn Hawks
Hawthorn towelled the Gold Coast in frigid Tasmania. Well accomplished and they’re exhibiting they’ve an upside for subsequent 12 months.
Tom Mitchell. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos by way of Getty Images)
12. GWS Giants
The Giants effort towards the opposite Sydney was extraordinarily poor. The win towards Essendon was reassuring however was it simply because the Dons faulted.
The Ferrari appears extra like Fiat in the mean time. And even then all 4 cylinders solely hearth each third week.
11 Port Adelaide
Port wanted to win towards the Magpies and completely needed to win towards the Tigers. This week’s effort was poor. They had been by no means actually within the recreation they usually didn’t roll the cube.
10. Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs adopted up a superb contact up by the Cats with a tepid effort towards the Dockers. All these desires and hopes of emulating 2016 have evaporated.
They appear to be they want some tall backman and a few tall forwards and one other two Marcus Bontempellis.
9. St Kilda Saints
St Kilda performed their elimination ultimate towards the Cats. They didn’t play badly however they met the Cats within the full drive. They had been blown away within the third quarter.
Dan Hanneberry retired damage, once more. That recruitment actually damage. Number one rule; don’t recruit gamers who’re frequently getting injured, regardless of how good they’re at their finest. I’m certain Hawthorn gained’t once more.
8 Carlton Blues
Carlton had been disappointing this weekend. They did make the rating respectable however had been they simply junk time objectives? This every week after being toasted by Adelaide.
A extremely disappointing time for the Blues. I really feel that they need to be eleventh however the Saints, Bulldogs and the Power are crumbling and are on the march down the power rankings.
7. Brisbane Lions
Brisbane actually outclassed the Blues however they appeared to take the foot of the accelerator. Just like they did towards the Tigers who beat them on the MCG.
I believe this staff may have a full personnel change to have any confidence on the MCG. Maybe 2028 might be their 12 months.
(*21*)
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
6. Richmond
Richmond after a really terrible hunch have made it via to the opposite facet. 2022 may have been 2021 revisited with the Tigers doing one other Bradbury.
They have stood up. They need to play finals and they’re going to play finals. It could be an unbelievable hunch to lose to Hawthorn and Essendon of their final two video games. Shai Bolton is pushing. He is somewhat inaccurate and he’s somewhat hit or miss however he may simply get away within the coming weeks.
The Tigers are taking part in within the finals, however I don’t suppose lots of the 5 groups ranked above them have too many fears of assembly them in September.
5. Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle had been on the skids. Couldn’t rating any objectives and couldn’t win video games towards high quality opposition. Saturday’s recreation was a rebound.
The Bulldogs ought to have been determined for a win. Rory Lobb and Matt Taberner lastly performed like key forwards ought to. With a few byes within the subsequent few week, they need to be champing on the bit in September.
4. Sydney Swans
The Swans have dropped a spot after a workman-like win over North. It isn’t a lot their fall however the Magpies elevation. Sydney are the darkish horse in this years eight.
They can beat anybody, however they appear to be a bit susceptible to virtually anybody.
3. Melbourne Demons
Melbourne aren’t taking part in badly. They have recovered from there mid 12 months hunch. It simply appears that different groups have had a little bit of suppose time on methods to knock the off.
Instead of being the impregnable flag favourites, I believe they’re now simply one other staff making up the eight.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos by way of Getty Images)
2. Collingwood
Well that limb I’ve been standing on broke and I got here crashing all the way down to earth.
Collingwood had been derided. The fortunate facet. The one which had a superb schedule towards the underside sides. The staff that stored falling over the road towards nothing groups. That has modified.
The Pies had their Waterloo towards the resurgent Demons. The 2021 premiers had been there to problem, to humiliate the uppity pretenders. Just like Wellington’s battle, the underrated Magpies gave Melbourne the chilly metal. They weren’t intimidated.
They withstood something final 12 months’s premiers needed to throw at them and gave it again. Good luck to the Demons taking part in towards these pretenders within the finals. They did beat them twice, however they had been fortunate each instances.
Jamie Elliot was being pushed into retirement in the beginning of the 12 months. If they maintain pushing he can tag with younger Dahlhaus on the Geelong retirement village.
1 Geelong Cats
The Cats had the Saints measure. St Kilda stored tempo till half time, totally on kicking accuracy then the Cats discovered one other gear, or two within the third quarter. It was a should win for the Saints to make the ultimate. Cats had been simply too good as they had been towards the Bulldogs the week earlier than. The Cats are cruising.
Tom Hawkins of the Cats competes with Jeremy Finlayson of the Power. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos by way of Getty Images)
Max Holmes is simply shy of twenty and has stepped up as a participant. Just just like the Cats, when he has the possibility he takes the sport on and with gusto. I believe he fairly loved Selwood and Dangerfield sitting the sport out.
So that’s my power rankings. What are your rankings?
