AFL Insider Power Rankings: April 2 2007
1: Western Bulldogs 1-0 win-loss record (2 in last AFL Power Rankings)
If they are good now, the expectations should go up as Darcy and Murphy will improve with some more games and Akermanis and McDougall can also do a lot more.
2: Fremantle Dockers 0-1 (1)
If Pavlich is suspended then they are in trouble, the charge should be thrown out. They will need to make some adjustments, maybe add some height to the back line, but they had good performances from many players and will be hoping Solomon again plays well when the Dockers play his former team.
3: West Coast Eagles 1-0 (4)
The team has more depth than anyone expected, Staker played well, Brown provided a marking target and Rosa had a big last quarter to seal the win. Of course they will be even better with Cox and Embley in the team.
4: Sydney Swans 0-1 (3)
Expect a big win streak now. Everitt was solid but will be better next game.
5: St Kilda Saints 1-0 (10)
Koschitzke, Hayes, Maguire, M Clarke, X Clarke, there were a lot of good stories from their first game. It could get even better with Riewoldt a possibility to play against Brisbane.
6: Essendon Bombers 1-0 (8)
The Lucas handball was the real highlight, as well as his 7 goals. If the Bombers win again on Sunday they will be well on the way to the finals that Sheedy predicted.
7: Port Adelaide Power 1-0 (9)
When the Power play the Crows in round 3 it is possible that the Power are 2 and 0 while the Crows are without a win. As the Power showed against Fremantle, they don't need Tredrea to win, but they will be even better when he does return.
8: Adelaide Crows 0-1 (5)
Things are looking a little troubling, but Ricciuto could be training again very soon.
9: Geelong Cats 0-1 (6)
Maybe King will help, but they need more than just another ruckman. Nathan Ablett is some good news and his confidence should be up after kicking three goals.
10: Melbourne Demons 0-1 (7)
Brock McLean could miss a month, and the Demons will miss him.
11: Carlton Blues 1-0 (12)
Their 5th win a row with "ClokeLand" manning the ruck. Cloke and Ackland joined Gibbs as they sung the club song for the first time after a real AFL game. They might sing it again next week as the Blues once again play a team that wasn't in the finals last season, Geelong.
12: Collingwood Magpies 1-0 (13)
More than slightly lucky, but a win is a win. Didak and Buckley will return soon so there is reason for optimism.
13: Brisbane Lions 1-0 (14)
They won without Bradshaw and with Brown contained. Their midfield will have a bigger test next round as Black, Lappin and Power go against Hayes, Dal Santo and Harvey.
14: Hawthorn Hawks 0-1 (11)
Will be very happy to have Crawford back, but the Hawks need more than that.
15: Richmond Tigers 0-1 (15)
It probably isn't the best time to be playing Sydney. The Tigers will again need another plan as Simmonds won't be ready as the Tigers face Everitt and Jolly.
16: Kangaroos 0-1 (16)
They are in trouble, and really need to win one of their next two games. There is plenty of reason for hope, as Thomas just needs to adjust his sights and he could be scoring plenty of goals, and McIntosh and Hale are playing well.
If they are good now, the expectations should go up as Darcy and Murphy will improve with some more games and Akermanis and McDougall can also do a lot more.
2: Fremantle Dockers 0-1 (1)
If Pavlich is suspended then they are in trouble, the charge should be thrown out. They will need to make some adjustments, maybe add some height to the back line, but they had good performances from many players and will be hoping Solomon again plays well when the Dockers play his former team.
3: West Coast Eagles 1-0 (4)
4: Sydney Swans 0-1 (3)
Expect a big win streak now. Everitt was solid but will be better next game.
5: St Kilda Saints 1-0 (10)
Koschitzke, Hayes, Maguire, M Clarke, X Clarke, there were a lot of good stories from their first game. It could get even better with Riewoldt a possibility to play against Brisbane.
6: Essendon Bombers 1-0 (8)
The Lucas handball was the real highlight, as well as his 7 goals. If the Bombers win again on Sunday they will be well on the way to the finals that Sheedy predicted.
7: Port Adelaide Power 1-0 (9)
When the Power play the Crows in round 3 it is possible that the Power are 2 and 0 while the Crows are without a win. As the Power showed against Fremantle, they don't need Tredrea to win, but they will be even better when he does return.
8: Adelaide Crows 0-1 (5)
Things are looking a little troubling, but Ricciuto could be training again very soon.
9: Geelong Cats 0-1 (6)
Maybe King will help, but they need more than just another ruckman. Nathan Ablett is some good news and his confidence should be up after kicking three goals.
10: Melbourne Demons 0-1 (7)
Brock McLean could miss a month, and the Demons will miss him.
11: Carlton Blues 1-0 (12)
Their 5th win a row with "ClokeLand" manning the ruck. Cloke and Ackland joined Gibbs as they sung the club song for the first time after a real AFL game. They might sing it again next week as the Blues once again play a team that wasn't in the finals last season, Geelong.
12: Collingwood Magpies 1-0 (13)
More than slightly lucky, but a win is a win. Didak and Buckley will return soon so there is reason for optimism.
13: Brisbane Lions 1-0 (14)
They won without Bradshaw and with Brown contained. Their midfield will have a bigger test next round as Black, Lappin and Power go against Hayes, Dal Santo and Harvey.
14: Hawthorn Hawks 0-1 (11)
Will be very happy to have Crawford back, but the Hawks need more than that.
15: Richmond Tigers 0-1 (15)
It probably isn't the best time to be playing Sydney. The Tigers will again need another plan as Simmonds won't be ready as the Tigers face Everitt and Jolly.
16: Kangaroos 0-1 (16)
They are in trouble, and really need to win one of their next two games. There is plenty of reason for hope, as Thomas just needs to adjust his sights and he could be scoring plenty of goals, and McIntosh and Hale are playing well.
Since these posts are called the "Power Rankings", it makes sense that Port Adelaide are powering up them.
What Rodan is doing is the most unexpected thing there, there were times last season when he played terrible in VFL games, now he is kicking goals and getting a lot of the football. While some of his problems in 2006 were due to him taking time to get back after his injuries, the change in him from last year is amazing.
But so far, hats off to them. We've already seen great debuts by Rodan and Krakouer, and a solid effort by Cockshell. Not sure what they saw in Rodan that made them blv he was ready to step up this year, but I guess that's what they get paid the big bucks! And Choco seems to know how to build a gameplan around the strengths of his squad - totally different style of play from what won the flag in '04. Far too early to call what the future of this list is, but aside from Tredders & Burgoyne, we've still got a LOT of players to come back in who insiders at the club rate very highly - Matt Thomas, Adam Thomson and Brad Symes are players to look out for. Our depth in 2 years time could be scary.
Keep up the top work. I love this blog!
Robert Gray is an interesting player from the 2006 draft picks, he is similar to Ebert as he can play a lot taller than his listed height.
One highlight of the Dockers-Power game was when Sandilands and Krakouer were both in the middle of the ground, Krakouer may have had a possession during that play. It is possible that those two players are the heaviest and lightest in the AFL.
Yep, Gray could be a chance at some stage this season. Will be difficult to force his way in tho. "Bruce" Willits is currently behind White (and Tredders of course), but good to have him in the wings. Big question mark over his kicking for goal - common weakness for some reason at Port - but hoping he'll step up. White is at a crossroads tho, so Willits may get his chance soon. They've persisted with him through a badly broken ankle early and some poor form. If he doesn't step up this year he's gone.
Another 2 highly rated Power youngsters to look out for... Greg Bentley and Nick Lower.