Round 9 AFL Power Rankings & Predictions

And then there were none. We take a deep dive into the footy landscape with no undefeated teams left standing through 9 rounds.

Nothing beats being at the footy! Photo Courtesy of Adriano Rotolo under CC BY-NC-SA DEED 2.0.

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 Sydney were currently to play the 2nd placed GWS at a neutral venue, I would expect the 1st (Sydney) to win, based on the strength of their first 8 performances, recent Finals history and the quality of their available list.

LAUGHING STOCKS

18 – North Melbourne

When you’re going as bad as North Melbourne, all you can do is hope and pray that you’ll meet an equally shocking opponent. In upcoming opponents Gold Coast, the Kangas will meet another team that’s hopeless (just away from home). Whilst their upcoming fixture will feature a hostile pro-Gold Coast Darwin crowd, there may be no better opportunity for the Kangas to grab their 1st victory.

17 – Richmond

Were competitive to start the season, but the loss of key forward and midfield stocks has exposed their alarming lack of depth. Too much reliance on Balta, Taranto, Lynch and Co to get the job done. Will struggle in those players' absence, but should be better placed than fellow stragglers (Hawthorn and West Coast) to compete on their return. The rebuild is on!

EUROPE IN SEPTEMBER

16 – Hawthorn

It’s hard to tell if Hawthorn’s Round 8 victory was a reflection of an abysmal Bulldogs or an inspiring Hawks outfit, but I’ll give credit where credit is due. The Hawks engine room has bounced back strongly in 2 of their past 3 matches and they look a much-improved outfit, but it’s back-to-back strong performances against fellow subpar outfits that will really determine further ascension.

15 – West Coast

In my eyes, the Eagles have already surpassed expectations for season 2024. A return to stardom for some of their jets (like Elliot Yeo), the emergence of a generational talent (Harley Reid) and a team that’s rediscovered their identity. They might not chalk up many more wins, but if they can continue their youth development and veteran re-emergence, it’ll be a pretty successful rebuilding season for the yellow and blue.

ON THE ROPES

14 – Gold Coast

The gift that keeps on giving, the Suns continue to show their mediocrity. With the Lions on the ropes, the Suns failed to knock them into the canvas. Looking the same old, tried-and-tested Gold Coast outfit. Surely they can’t fall to the woeful Roos?

13 – Western Bulldogs

In a disastrous week, could the re-signing of former #1 draft-pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan reinvigorate their season?

Week in week out, the Bulldogs show their colours. They’re chameleons, hot one week, cold the next, with no consistency about them. They truly look like a team lacking an identity and energy. Unless things turn around quickly, it’ll be a damming off-season for a team with a promising list boasting more top-end talent than most.

12 – Adelaide

In winning 3 of their last 4, the Crows have had an early season turnaround. But remain behind the pack in the quest for a Top 8 spot, which leaves no room for error against a so-far underwhelming Brisbane side.

11 – St Kilda

Have been hugely disappointing through 9 rounds. With only one win against likely Top 8 opposition (in Collingwood), they’ve been far too inconsistent. Still a chance to make the Finals, but they need no more stumbling blocks, especially not against stragglers like Hawthorn.

GENUINE CHALLENGERS

10 – Brisbane

Are the Lions back?

Fresh off a mammoth Q-clash victory, the Lions are back on the winners’ list. Have shown their damaging best against average opposition, and I expect that to continue on Sunday afternoon. Need this win to stay in the Finals hunt!

9 – Essendon

Have done little wrong in the past month, but it’s hard to put too much faith in an Essendon team that has teased for so long. A victory over the Giants would go a long way towards affirming their Top 8 aspirations, but it still seems a bridge too far for the much-improved Dons.

8 – Fremantle

It’s not how you fall, but rather how you get up. Following a heartbreaking 2 game stretch, and a devastating Western Derby loss, the Dockers have more than picked up the pieces. Face a monster test against the high-flying Swans in a Friday night blockbuster. Should go right down to the wire in a season-defining matchup.

FINALS LOCKS

7 – Port Adelaide

If lives were dependent on Port’s goal-kicking, it would be a pretty grim world. Could not swat a fly if they tried, the Powers kicking was more reflective of half-time Auskick. Look set for another loss against the Cats, but are too good to miss the 8. A gripping contest at the Cattery presents.

6 – Carlton

Oh how the mighty have fallen, Carlton has endured an early season setback with an underwhelming fortnight. With arguably the best list in the competition, they will remain deeply entrenched in the Top 8, but it is their woeful inconsistency that continues to plague their Top 4 aspirations.

5 – Collingwood

Was there ever going to be anyone else to topple around the old-foe and reignite the flame on Collingwood’s Premiership repeat aspirations?

9 rounds in, and the cream is beginning to rise to the Top. Not sold on their Premiership or Top 4 aspirations, but the Pies have been admirable in the past month. Their pressure game is back to their elite 2023 levels and they look to have recaptured their ruthless edge. Another huge month ahead!

PREMIERSHIP CONTENDERS

4 – Geelong

The Cats have finally been toppled. After a goalless performance from their forward linchpins, the Cats fell in the closest of defeats. Will take confidence in their ability to stick with the Dees in a sub-par performance, and expect them to return to the winners list with a closely fought victory against the Power.

3 – Melbourne

Death, taxes and Melbourne – all things you can count on. The Dees have got to be one of the most consistent teams in the comp. A rock-solid backline, a super-strong midfield and a resilient forward mix, they’ve shown their Premiership credentials when tested. Might fall to Carlton in their upcoming matchup, but you can almost bet on them making the Top 4.

THE ONES TO BEAT

2 – GWS

Brutally dispatched in their Battle of the Bridge matchup, the Giants have finally fallen in the Power Rankings. Were left to rue the loss of midfield brutes Tom Green and Stephen Coniglio as the Swans' engine room gave them a hiding. Expect them to return to the winners list with a defeat of the much-improved Essendon.

1 – Sydney

Sydney should be proud of their impressive start to the season. But they’ll need to stay on top of their game if they’re to topple Freo in the West.

Have been bloody good against the very best, and that’s what a top side needs to do. Have beaten 3 genuine Top 8 sides in Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS and convincingly at that. A massive test presents in Freo in a Friday night fixture with huge ramifications for both.

PREDICTIONS

GAME OF THE ROUND — Carlton v Melbourne

Fresh off a Carlton v Collingwood Friday night blockbuster, the footy gods have delivered again. With two heavyweights locking horns in a likely Top 4 decider, it’ll be a fascinating Thursday night match-up. With Melbourne’s forward line dependant on good delivery, expect the midfield battle, and the on-ball guns in Cripps, Walsh, Viney and Petracca to have a huge say. Carlton to arrest the downhill momentum and pull off an upset for mine.

Geelong v Port Adelaide

Fremantle v Sydney

Hawthorn v St Kilda

Essendon v GWS

Richmond v Western Bulldogs

Gold Coast v North Melbourne

Collingwood v West Coast

Adelaide v Brisbane

Enjoy the week ahead. It promises to be an absolute cracker!