Sir Doug Nicholls Round AFL Power Rankings & Predictions
After a captivating few weeks, the footy gods have presented us with a pretty grim Round. Nevertheless, let’s dive into this week’s Power Rankings & Predictions.
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 9 performances, recent Finals history and the quality of their available list.
LAUGHING STOCKS
18 – North Melbourne
I’ve seriously run out of nice things to say about the Kangas. Have been absolutely abysmal for a large chunk of the season, their season somehow took a turn for the worse in Darwin. A mammoth defeat and an injury to rising star Colby McKercher puts a further dampener on another forgettable Kangaroos season. And there’s still 14 rounds left.
17 – Richmond
After a promising start to the season, Richmond’s season is now in a whimper. Have been woefully off the pace in the past few weeks, and their lack of depth has been horribly exposed. Simply cannot lift them above West Coast unless they rediscover their early-season mojo.
EUROPE IN SEPTEMBER
16 – West Coast/Waalitj Marawar
Despite being blown off the park against the Pies, the Eagles have shown real improvement in 2024. With renewed confidence in their backline and the revitalisation of their midfield, they pose a threat to visiting Top 8 challengers. Not quite ready for teams like the Dees yet.
15 – Hawthorn
Have been highly impressive in their back-to-back victories. Whilst the quality of their opponents leaves little to the imagination, they’ve proven they can stick it to the teams above them. A 3rd straight upset against Port in Adelaide would be a true coup.
14 – Gold Coast
Win at home all you want, the Suns look the least convincing of those in the Finals charge. Have blown their lesser-fancied opposition off the park, but are still far off the true contenders' pace. A rare upset of the Cats would go a long way towards convincing me otherwise.
13 – St Kilda/Euro-Yroke
Much like Brett Ratten’s tenure with an initial Finals showing in season 1, with higher expectations in season 2 under Ross Lyon, the Saints have been completely underwhelming. Their forward looks incredibly impotent, which spells trouble for a team facing one of the stiffest backlines in the comp. All but a glimmer of hope to make Finals now.
ON THE ROPES
12 – Adelaide/Kuwarna
Have done themselves no harm in the past 5 weeks. Beginning to look a lot more like a Finals side with the toppling of Port and Carlton. The big question remains whether this run can continue. Will bring down some big guns, but their Finals chances seem a little cooked.
11 – Western Bulldogs
After a devastating 2 week stretch, the Dogs jumped back onto the winners list with a monster victory over the Tigers. Face an out-of-form Giants outfit eager to put the disappointment of the last fortnight behind them. Just which Bulldogs outfit will we see this week?
10 – Brisbane
Are starting to play some much better footy. Not the team they were in 2023, but they’re beginning to turn their fortunes around. With some luck on the injury front and a rebuilding of their Gabba fortress, remain an outside chance to snag a Finals spot.
GENUINE CHALLENGERS
9 – Fremantle/Walyalup
After ripping into Port for their goal-kicking woes, the plague hit my mob, Freo. Absolutely abysmal forward half-showing (not for the 1st time this season), they’ll want to rectify it quickly. Haven’t beaten anyone of note, but with their weakened fixture, they’re still leading the charge outside the 8.
8 – Essendon
The most impressive team of 2024. Have come from the clouds to entrench themselves in the Top 8. Perhaps unlucky to be in 8th as one of the form teams in the competition, but a 2nd half of the season Essendon letdown has been seen before. Can they maintain their impressive start?
FINALS LOCKS
7 – Geelong
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still onboard the Geelong Finals train, but they’re beginning to look more like the bottom of the 8 team I was expecting. A 3rd straight loss to the struggling Gold Coast could make things really interesting, but that's a reach. All but locked into the Finals race.
6 – Port Adelaide/Yartapuulti
Port fans, let me apologise. A week after a dismal showdown performance, the Power have more than redeemed themselves with a stunning Kardinya Park upset. All but set for another Finals campaign, they’ll climb up the charts if they can show that they can consistently beat the best.
5 – Collingwood
Are quietly building an impressive Premiership resume. Responding strongly to early criticism, they’re reaping the benefits of a weakened fixture. Have a lot of room to make up if they’re to finish 5th on the ladder proper, but you just know anything’s possible, especially in September from this championship outfit.
PREMIERSHIP CONTENDERS
4 – Melbourne/Narrm
Were toppled on the weekend, but you just know what you’ll get from Melbourne. A strong midfield performance from a team built on a tough brand of footy. If they sort out their midfield mix, they’ll be a menace come September.
3 – Carlton
Surely I’ve learnt my lesson — Carlton is a bloody good team, and every few weeks they remind us of that. Huge win in besting the Dees, they continue to show their giant toppling ability. Form will fluctuate, but the Blues are the most dangerous team outside of Sydney.
THE ONES TO BEAT
2 – GWS
After a chart-topping start to the season, the Giants have endured a soul-crushing fortnight. Face a revitalised Bulldogs outfit in one of the ‘games of the round’, expect them to mark their return to the winners list with a statement victory. After all, they’re still one of the best.
1 – Sydney
Following a near-perfect display against Freo, the Swans are full of confidence. In scintillating form, they face fellow big guns Carlton in a massive contest. At Sydney’s home of footy, they’ll show the footy world why they’re #1.
PREDICTIONS
Gold Coast v Geelong
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Sydney v Carlton
In a week full of dour affairs, this giant blockbuster becomes even bigger must-see football. The only game remotely worth talking about, the star-studded Blues go battle against a quality Swans outfit. Expect the bloods’ to get the job done at home in front of their adoring fans, sending a clear message to the rest of the footy world that they’re the team to beat!
Collingwood v Adelaide/Kuwarna
GWS v Western Bulldogs
St Kilda/Euro-Yroke v Fremantle/Walyalup
Brisbane v Richmond
Essendon v North Melbourne
Port Adelaide/Yartapuulti v Hawthorn
West Coast/Waalitj Marawar v Melbourne/Narrm
That’s all she wrote for Round 10. See you again in Round 11 as we approach the halfway mark of the season!
