AFL Gather Round Power Rankings & Predictions
As we approach Gather Round, we look at all 18 AFL teams and where they sit in the early footy landscape.
POWER RANKINGS
Teams are ranked based on a variety of factors, nonetheless their list strength, current form, and expected future performance. For example, if the 1st placed team GWS were currently to play the 2nd placed Carlton at a neutral venue, I would expect the 1st (GWS) to win, based on the strength of their first 3 performances, recharge off the BYE, and the quality of their available list.
18 — West Coast
If West Coast fans asked Santa Claus for an improved side in 2024, he certainly hasn’t listened. Look lost without co-captain and forward linchpin Oscar Allen, the Eagles are yet to challenge for longer than a QTR to begin 2024. With an Adelaide Hills clash against a fuming Sydney side, expect a yellow and blue murder scene in country South Australia.
17 — Hawthorn
After a 36 point loss to the Cats, the Hawks remain firmly entrenched in the Bottom 3. Yet to recapture their end-of-2023 form, the Hawks seem locked into winless misery. Playing without any structure or gameplan, Sam Mitchell must take the blame for a hugely disappointing start. So too must their midfield mix, with mid-season draft poster boy Jai Newcombe looking a world away from his blistering best.
16 — North Melbourne
In their most disappointing match of the season, the Kangas slumped to a mammoth Good Friday loss. Have shown plenty in their opening 3 match-ups but will likely end up on the wrong side of another bloodbath as they face a fuming and disgruntled 0–3 Lions side. Look a key-back or 2 short of challenging on a week-by-week basis.
15 — Adelaide
If there were 2 words to sum up Adelaide’s season to date, they’d be woefully abysmal. Nothing more than yellow, green, and red witches hats to open the season, they showed an alarming lack of drive in Round 3 for a winless outfit. With skill errors a plenty, their game-breaking forward line failing to fire and a match coming against Top 2 fancies Melbourne, expect the Crows to slump to a 0–4 start. Have so much to offer, yet their season could well and truly be over after just getting started.
14 — Richmond
Having lost no fans in their opening to the season, the Tiges’ have been more than impressive. Aside from an Opening Round capitulation, the Tigers have stuck right with their more fancied Top 8 competition. Remain 1–3 to start the season, but the ladder posts a rather pessimistic outlook on a team not fancied to do anything of real subsistence in the 2024 season. With their recent experience and consistency, I fancy them to cause the big boilover of Gather Round.
13 — Gold Coast
Facing the red-hot GWS fresh off the BYE, the Suns have a chance to make a huge Gather Round Statement. Looking to re-invent themselves in the Damien Hardwick era, the Suns have so far failed to get their engine up and running. Can’t see them causing a boilover (or even challenging the 8), but with this consistently inconsistent, sometimes brilliant, sometimes shit Suns side, you just never know.
12 — St Kilda
Almost a week after their stunning victory over then-winless Reigning Premiers Collingwood, the Saints slumped to a hugely disappointing loss. Remain a brutal run and dashing force at their best, but for the moment, it remains few and far between. Have a chance to bounce back against the Tiges’, but if their lack of 4QTR long run is anything to go by, they will find themselves up against it to reign supreme in South Australia.
11 — Essendon
Turning heads with a stunning last-gasp win over the Saints, the Bombers did their Top 8 hopes no harm. Easily their best game of the season, the Dons willed themselves over the line against a team running on empty. Facing a big test in Port in an important Gather Round match-up, they will need to put their inconsistent start to the season behind them and deliver another 4QTR performance. One to watch.
10 — Geelong
Undefeated to open the season, the Cats are on a tear. With the emergence of up-and-coming talent in the likes of Bruhn, Dempsey, Ollie Henry and the agelessness of veterans Hawkins, Stewart and Cameron, the Cats remain right in the mix for a Top 8 spot. Will need to see how they stack up against more quality opposition, but for the time being, the Cats remain right in the Finals Hunt.
9 — Brisbane
If the BYE was meant to arrest the downhill Brisbane momentum, it did the complete opposite — there are now big danger signs in Queensland. After going undefeated at home in 2023, the Lions are winless and have their work cut out to claim a Top 8 spot. With a Top 4 appearance now appearing unlikely, Brisbane loom as the big disappointment story of 2024.
8 — Fremantle
After a 3–0 start to the season, Freo are sitting pretty. With one of the most potent young midfield mixes, a firing forward line, and a bolder, more daring backline, the Dockers have leapt onto the scene in 2024. But the quality of their opponents remains questionable, and after a dull affair in Round 3, they’ll need to rectify their slow starts and lack of composure to take down their more fancied Blue opponents.
7 — Collingwood
In a Grand Final rematch not worthy of the original, it was the Pies claiming the hard-earned victory. Looked to have settled after their 0–3 start to the season, they face low-hanging fruit in the form of historical rivals Hawthorn. Expect the next few weeks to be characterized by a Pie surge up the charts as they regain ground on the Top 8 following a disappointing start.
6 — Western Bulldogs
Disposing of the Eagles in ruthless fashion, the Bulldogs did their chances of a Top 4 spot no harm. Look to have settled after their first up capitulation against the Dees, will be interesting to see how they fare against finals hopefuls Gold Coast, who prove their biggest test (outside of Melbourne) yet.
5 — Port Adelaide
Fall back in the pack after their disappointing home loss to Melbourne. Remain firmly in the hunt for a Top 4 spot, but their ongoing inability to beat the comps best makes it difficult to truly assess them as Premiership Contenders. Should make light work of the Bombers at home on their way to a 3–1 start.
4 — Sydney
It was a disappointing Sunday afternoon, but for Sydney (as for all of us), it happens to the best of us. Will bounce back strong with a resounding win against West Coast, but the true test lies in how they present in the next few weeks before their early season BYE. Key duo Adams and Parker are not far away.
3 — Melbourne
In a massive Round 3 battle for Top 4 supremacy, it was the Dees coming out on top. With Harrison Petty and co, plugging the massive defensive hole left behind by the absence of back general Steven May, Melbourne continues to prove a tall order for all they come up against. If they continue to get their Forward mix right, could well lay claim to Premiership favouritism.
2 — Carlton
After a monumental upset with Sydney falling to Richmond on Sunday afternoon, the Blues elevate themselves to spot #2. With their potent forward lineup firing, they present as a tall order for anyone, none less so than a Freo team with an undersized backline. Expect Harry McKay to have another big game.
1 — GWS
Fresh off the BYE, the Giants are sitting pretty. With a nice reintroduction to footy coming up against the Suns, expect the Giants to continue on their merry way and reign supreme on the top of my Power Ranking well into the future.
ROUND 4 PREDICTIONS
Adelaide v Melbourne
Brisbane v North Melbourne
Port Adelaide v Essendon
West Coast v Sydney
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Fremantle v Carlton
The first of a mouthwatering Adelaide Oval Saturday Special sees the Dockers take on the Blues. With the victor to rise to a 4–0 opening, it poses as a huge game with massive Finals & potential Top 4 ramifications. Expect the Blues star-studded forward line to make the most of Freo’s undermanned backline, with the absence of key backs Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald finally stinging. Carlton to win by a couple of kicks.
Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Gold Coast v GWS
Richmond v St Kilda
Collingwood v Hawthorn
As we approach the QTR mark of the season, the Top 8 and the Power Rankings will begin to bear more resemblance. Here’s hoping Freo remains firmly in the hunt for Finals Action. Enjoy what presents as an enthralling Gather Round, and have a cracking week!
