AFL Insider Power Rankings: August 6 2007
1: Geelong Cats 15-3 win-loss record (1 in last AFL Power Rankings)
They have different priorities than other teams in the AFL now. Top spot is guaranteed, so they might want to look ahead and get players ready for September. They might want to rest a couple of players and they also have their ruck dilemma to negotiate. The Cats won't be able to play three ruckmen during September.
2: West Coast Eagles 11-7 (2)
Just like the Power witnessed on Saturday, ladder positions mean little when the big rivals meet.
3: Hawthorn Hawks 11-7 (4)
With Franklin and Mitchell firing they can beat anyone, it was a big change for Hawthorn compared to last week when their two stars missed the game.
4: Port Adelaide Power 11-7 (3)
They stumbled a bit and can get back on track as they host Carlton on Saturday.
5: Sydney Swans 10-8 (7)
The Swans have everything under control, with a very good percentage and few injuries. They will be the team that other teams don't won't to play in September.
6: Collingwood Magpies 11-7 (5)
They have a very low percentage, so games against Richmond and Melbourne are going to be very useful for them.
7: Kangaroos 12-6 (6)
They now play the Eagles and Cats. So the finals have already started for the Kangaroos.
8: Western Bulldogs 9-8-1 (8)
They are probably happy to get away from the Friday games. Another reason for optimism is their next game is against Melbourne. They didn't lose against the Saints because they finally got some marks from taller players in their forward 50, Everitt and Skipper unexpectedly produced close to goals.
9: Brisbane Lions 9-8-1 (11)
They now play Hawthorn, Sydney, Adelaide and Geelong. Those games are going to be tough to win, but the same was said about their recent games against the Eagles, Magpies and Kangaroos. With Brown at his best, Brisbane can defeat anyone. Right now, Brown is at his best.
10: St Kilda Saints 9-8-1 (9)
Maybe pencil in a win against the Dockers, as the Saints have dome ground advantage, and pen in a win in the last round against Richmond. They probably need at least one more win, but that will be tough as they go to Sydney next week and host the Eagles in round 21.
11: Essendon Bombers 9-9 (10)
The season is on the line when they go to Subiaco next round, to play the Dockers. They will need to win on one of their trips out West to make the finals, they also play the Eagles there in round 22. Their other games should be wins, Carlton and Richmond at the MCG.
12: Adelaide Crows 9-9 (12)
With a big finish against the Power they kept their season going, but it could again be in a precarious situation as they travel to Geelong.
13: Fremantle Dockers 8-10 (13)
When they get it all working at the same time they are a very impressive team. The midfield with Hasleby, Bell and the Carrs was great against West Coast, the back line was very solid with McPharlin leading the way while Farmer kicked a few goals down the other end. To keep their slim finals hopes alive, the midfield will need to perform against Essendon, with young Warnock going against Essendon's veteran Hille. The Saints, Demons and Power are their opponents after the Bombers.
14: Carlton Blues 4-14 (16)
A new coach and a much better effort by the team in the last couple of games.
15: Melbourne Demons 3-15 (14)
On current form, the Demons should be able to wrap up pick 2 in the draft when they play Carlton in round 22. Apparently Coach Roos mentioned that Melbourne are not playing enough of their younger players, that would seem to be a correct statement.
16: Richmond Tigers 1-16-1 (15)
They are killing their young, small defenders. Asking Raines or Newman to play on bigger marking players is not a good idea.
They have different priorities than other teams in the AFL now. Top spot is guaranteed, so they might want to look ahead and get players ready for September. They might want to rest a couple of players and they also have their ruck dilemma to negotiate. The Cats won't be able to play three ruckmen during September.
2: West Coast Eagles 11-7 (2)
Just like the Power witnessed on Saturday, ladder positions mean little when the big rivals meet.
3: Hawthorn Hawks 11-7 (4)
With Franklin and Mitchell firing they can beat anyone, it was a big change for Hawthorn compared to last week when their two stars missed the game.
4: Port Adelaide Power 11-7 (3)
They stumbled a bit and can get back on track as they host Carlton on Saturday.
5: Sydney Swans 10-8 (7)
The Swans have everything under control, with a very good percentage and few injuries. They will be the team that other teams don't won't to play in September.
6: Collingwood Magpies 11-7 (5)
They have a very low percentage, so games against Richmond and Melbourne are going to be very useful for them.
7: Kangaroos 12-6 (6)
They now play the Eagles and Cats. So the finals have already started for the Kangaroos.
8: Western Bulldogs 9-8-1 (8)
They are probably happy to get away from the Friday games. Another reason for optimism is their next game is against Melbourne. They didn't lose against the Saints because they finally got some marks from taller players in their forward 50, Everitt and Skipper unexpectedly produced close to goals.
9: Brisbane Lions 9-8-1 (11)
They now play Hawthorn, Sydney, Adelaide and Geelong. Those games are going to be tough to win, but the same was said about their recent games against the Eagles, Magpies and Kangaroos. With Brown at his best, Brisbane can defeat anyone. Right now, Brown is at his best.
10: St Kilda Saints 9-8-1 (9)
Maybe pencil in a win against the Dockers, as the Saints have dome ground advantage, and pen in a win in the last round against Richmond. They probably need at least one more win, but that will be tough as they go to Sydney next week and host the Eagles in round 21.
11: Essendon Bombers 9-9 (10)
The season is on the line when they go to Subiaco next round, to play the Dockers. They will need to win on one of their trips out West to make the finals, they also play the Eagles there in round 22. Their other games should be wins, Carlton and Richmond at the MCG.
12: Adelaide Crows 9-9 (12)
With a big finish against the Power they kept their season going, but it could again be in a precarious situation as they travel to Geelong.
13: Fremantle Dockers 8-10 (13)
When they get it all working at the same time they are a very impressive team. The midfield with Hasleby, Bell and the Carrs was great against West Coast, the back line was very solid with McPharlin leading the way while Farmer kicked a few goals down the other end. To keep their slim finals hopes alive, the midfield will need to perform against Essendon, with young Warnock going against Essendon's veteran Hille. The Saints, Demons and Power are their opponents after the Bombers.
14: Carlton Blues 4-14 (16)
A new coach and a much better effort by the team in the last couple of games.
15: Melbourne Demons 3-15 (14)
On current form, the Demons should be able to wrap up pick 2 in the draft when they play Carlton in round 22. Apparently Coach Roos mentioned that Melbourne are not playing enough of their younger players, that would seem to be a correct statement.
16: Richmond Tigers 1-16-1 (15)
They are killing their young, small defenders. Asking Raines or Newman to play on bigger marking players is not a good idea.
