AFL Insider Power Rankings: April 30 2007
1: West Coast Eagles 5-0 win-loss record (1 in last AFL Power Rankings)
If Jay Schulz had kicked more accurately it could say 4 and 1 for the Eagles, not 5 wins. They have a big test against the Bulldogs coming up.
2: Sydney Swans 3-2 (3)
The Swans could be in a little trouble if Kennelly and Ablett are out for an extended time, but they are hoping they will be available next week. Jolly continues to play great, and he will have a big battle with McIntosh next round.
3: Adelaide Crows 3-2 (2)
That was a close game but they didn't get the win, Adelaide once again slowed everything down but missed by a point. It is back to Adelaide next week and they should get a win.
4: Fremantle Dockers 2-3 (4)
That is two wins in a row, after three consecutive losses, and a trip to Brisbane is what could stop them getting to 3 and 3. Michael Johnson's play was good news, Jeff Farmer's incident was the bad news.
5: Port Adelaide Power 4-1 (5)
They will be hoping for rain every week, they washed over the Magpies and then drenched the Saints. They should swamp the Demons next round. Michael Wilson was very good this season so they will miss his contributions, but they have quite a few players who could be added to their lineup.
6: Western Bulldogs 3-2 (6)
The Bulldogs will take part in the AFL MotR as they visit the Eagles. McDougall wasn't fully fit but played for their VFL team, it seems that he won't make the trip to take on his former team.
7: Essendon Bombers 3-2 (7)
They didn't lose because Hille and Jetta didn't play, they probably lost because Bolton and Bradley did. Expect those two to once again line up for Bendigo. They must defeat the Hawks to regain their momentum.
8: Brisbane Lions 3-2 (11)
They certainly turned around their accuracy in front of goal from the previous week. Chris Johnson playing forward was a good move. Hadley is a bonus for them and they will eventually get Lappin back again too.
9: St Kilda Saints 2-3 (9)
It's back under the roof next week and a chance to get a win. Hayes and Thompson will be out. Riewoldt, Gehrig and Koschitzke might be too much for Carlton to stop.
10: Geelong Cats 2-3 (8)
The worst coach in the AFL might have been decided in the Kangaroos - Cats game. If they lose to Richmond, the worst coach might be turned into a former coach.
11: Hawthorn Hawks 3-2 (10)
They do miss Mark Williams, but it does allow Lance Franklin to have a bigger role in the forward line. The Hawks are overdoing the handballs, they might look at going more direct with kicks.
12: Collingwood Magpies 3-2 (12)
They are off to Adelaide, and will be very fresh after an extended break. Didak is back at 100%, and with him in the forward line they are a chance to win against any team.
14: Kangaroos 2-3 (14)
It's a win streak. But it won't be easy to extend it with the Swans their round 6 opponent.
13: Carlton Blues 2-3 (13)
Their future ruckman, Hampson, is playing as a key forward for the Bullants so that isn't helping. Cloke and Ackland put in the effort, and Cloke also put a few goals through too, but they are undersized for AFL ruckmen.
15: Richmond Tigers 0-5 (15)
They got to within 4 points of last year's AFL Premiers in the 4th quarter, so they must be doing something right. Newman and Raines are performing at half back, which should allow Deledio to stay in the middle. Polak is doing what the Tigers hoped he would do when they traded for him, and with him and McGuane helping Gaspar defend the tall forwards it should free J Bowden to play in a more attacking position. The Tigers will be confident as their current form is better than Geelong's.
16: Melbourne Demons 0-5 (16)
The Power return to the MCG to face the Demons, it wasn't long ago that the Power beat the Magpies there and that was with Tredrea not at his best, so the Demons are looking at another loss. Maybe Neitz will be back, but that may not be enough. If the Demons lose the next two games then it is time to look to next year, with playing the youngsters and sending their veterans to the surgeon so they are ready for next year.
If Jay Schulz had kicked more accurately it could say 4 and 1 for the Eagles, not 5 wins. They have a big test against the Bulldogs coming up.
2: Sydney Swans 3-2 (3)
The Swans could be in a little trouble if Kennelly and Ablett are out for an extended time, but they are hoping they will be available next week. Jolly continues to play great, and he will have a big battle with McIntosh next round.
3: Adelaide Crows 3-2 (2)
That was a close game but they didn't get the win, Adelaide once again slowed everything down but missed by a point. It is back to Adelaide next week and they should get a win.
4: Fremantle Dockers 2-3 (4)
That is two wins in a row, after three consecutive losses, and a trip to Brisbane is what could stop them getting to 3 and 3. Michael Johnson's play was good news, Jeff Farmer's incident was the bad news.
5: Port Adelaide Power 4-1 (5)
They will be hoping for rain every week, they washed over the Magpies and then drenched the Saints. They should swamp the Demons next round. Michael Wilson was very good this season so they will miss his contributions, but they have quite a few players who could be added to their lineup.
6: Western Bulldogs 3-2 (6)
The Bulldogs will take part in the AFL MotR as they visit the Eagles. McDougall wasn't fully fit but played for their VFL team, it seems that he won't make the trip to take on his former team.
7: Essendon Bombers 3-2 (7)
They didn't lose because Hille and Jetta didn't play, they probably lost because Bolton and Bradley did. Expect those two to once again line up for Bendigo. They must defeat the Hawks to regain their momentum.
8: Brisbane Lions 3-2 (11)
They certainly turned around their accuracy in front of goal from the previous week. Chris Johnson playing forward was a good move. Hadley is a bonus for them and they will eventually get Lappin back again too.
9: St Kilda Saints 2-3 (9)
It's back under the roof next week and a chance to get a win. Hayes and Thompson will be out. Riewoldt, Gehrig and Koschitzke might be too much for Carlton to stop.
10: Geelong Cats 2-3 (8)
The worst coach in the AFL might have been decided in the Kangaroos - Cats game. If they lose to Richmond, the worst coach might be turned into a former coach.
11: Hawthorn Hawks 3-2 (10)
They do miss Mark Williams, but it does allow Lance Franklin to have a bigger role in the forward line. The Hawks are overdoing the handballs, they might look at going more direct with kicks.
12: Collingwood Magpies 3-2 (12)
They are off to Adelaide, and will be very fresh after an extended break. Didak is back at 100%, and with him in the forward line they are a chance to win against any team.
14: Kangaroos 2-3 (14)
It's a win streak. But it won't be easy to extend it with the Swans their round 6 opponent.
13: Carlton Blues 2-3 (13)
Their future ruckman, Hampson, is playing as a key forward for the Bullants so that isn't helping. Cloke and Ackland put in the effort, and Cloke also put a few goals through too, but they are undersized for AFL ruckmen.
15: Richmond Tigers 0-5 (15)
They got to within 4 points of last year's AFL Premiers in the 4th quarter, so they must be doing something right. Newman and Raines are performing at half back, which should allow Deledio to stay in the middle. Polak is doing what the Tigers hoped he would do when they traded for him, and with him and McGuane helping Gaspar defend the tall forwards it should free J Bowden to play in a more attacking position. The Tigers will be confident as their current form is better than Geelong's.
16: Melbourne Demons 0-5 (16)
The Power return to the MCG to face the Demons, it wasn't long ago that the Power beat the Magpies there and that was with Tredrea not at his best, so the Demons are looking at another loss. Maybe Neitz will be back, but that may not be enough. If the Demons lose the next two games then it is time to look to next year, with playing the youngsters and sending their veterans to the surgeon so they are ready for next year.
