AFL Insider Power Rankings: July 2 2007
1: West Coast Eagles 9-4 win-loss record (1 in last AFL Power Rankings)
They lost at home against the Saints so a win away at Adelaide was not expected. Considering the players who missed, this win might have been bigger than their earlier win at Sydney. With Judd still out, it was a team effort that also had some unlikely players kicking multiple goals.
2: Geelong Cats 10-3 (2)
They play the Bombers, Magpies and Bulldogs now and can maintain top spot on the ladder as well as their unofficial designation as Victoria's best team if they continue to win. Bartel's availability will be very important, and Sydney put together a big run on the weekend after Bartel left the field. Sheedy disposed of one former student last round and will be eager to defeat another so this will be a big challenge for Thompson. The Geelong forward line is managing to get the job done but with Michael and Fletcher waiting for them it could be where the game is decided.
3: Hawthorn Hawks 9-4 (5)
They could be missing Boyle next week, but that could possibly improve the side as first round pick Mitch Thorp would surely be included. They might go with Jacobs instead of Thorp if they want an experienced player added to help Franklin and Roughead.
4: Adelaide Crows 7-6 (3)
The Crows were back to their low-scoring ways again. They need to put out an all points bulletin for someone who can kick goals. Their back line is their main strength but as Bassett hobbled off the field in this game there might need to be an adjustment made there too.
5: Collingwood Magpies 8-5 (6)
One more week without Rocca, and it is against the Saints who have found form and also have Gehrig coming off a big game. Amidst all the turmoil there, the play of Martin Clarke in his first two AFL games is something that deserves the headlines. Few players have played so well to start their career, and he has only be playing Australian football for a few months. Ben Reid's first AFL appearance showed that the Magpies got the better of that trade with Fremantle.
6: Western Bulldogs 7-6 (7)
They have been a bit disappointing in some of their recent losses, against the Kangaroos and also Sydney. The Bulldogs have a big game next round against the Power and the face a team that is playing well. Coach Eade has been threatening to makes a lot of changes and he might do it this week. Everitt will play his first game next week, that is something to look forward to.
7: Port Adelaide Power 8-5 (8)
Port play the Bulldogs and then the Eagles in the next two weeks. Those two matches could shape their entire season, two losses and they are in danger of missing the 8 and two wins would mean that the finals would be very likely.
8: Sydney Swans 6-7 (4)
The Swans - Dockers game in round 14 is very important to both teams and their chances of playing in the finals. Hall had his week off so maybe he comes back rejuvenated and able to lead Sydney back into the finals.
9: Essendon Bombers 8-5 (9)
When they win they win by the smallest margins and with only a few seconds on the clock. They have been "Houdini" for around half their wins, especially the game against Melbourne that was won in the final 10 seconds. Laycock's game would have been something they were very impressed with, and with Hille back this week the Bombers will be very strong in the ruck.
10: Kangaroos 8-5 (10)
Their next 3 games are against teams outside of the current top 8, if they win them all then finals are nearly guaranteed. They can't afford to drop 2 of those games, the game next week is against Richmond and the Kangaroos will expect to win that. The Kangaroos might need Petrie in the ruck next game, to help McIntosh against Pattison and Simmonds, if they do go with Petrie as a forward again they should not expect another 7 goals although 2 or 3 will be useful for them.
11: Fremantle Dockers 6-7 (11)
They managed to stay in touch with the top 8 but a loss to Sydney could finish them off next round. Farmer had a big game after serving his suspensions, they get Tarrant back this round.
12: St Kilda Saints 6-7 (12)
Their season is still alive after wins against the Eagles and Tigers. Hudghton is hurt again, but they do have Gwilt and possibly Maguire to replace him. Even Hamill is running around once more and isn't far off a return.
13: Melbourne Demons 2-11 (13)
They play Carlton next round and should win, as teams often win their first game with a new coach and teams returning from WA often lose the next week too. Last round's game against Essendon was actually similar to condensing Daniher's coaching time into one single game. He had a winning percentage of just under half the games, while Melbourne scored just under half the points scored for the match. Under Daniher the Demons had good years and bad years, in this game they also had big runs when they were dominant and other times when they couldn't get near the ball. Daniher's time at Melbourne will always be linked to Essendon, for several reasons but mainly due to the 2000 AFL Grand Final, and it was a fitting team for him to end his coaching days at Melbourne against.
14: Brisbane Lions 4-8-1 (15)
Their season is over as they now go to Perth to play the Eagles. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year, even if some of their expectations and early wins indicated they could contend now, and the Lions are now doing what is required as they see what their young players can do. Leuenberger is the one prospect they are waiting to see, and he should join other young Lions like Proud and Dzufer in the team soon.
15: Carlton Blues 4-9 (14)
They are still on target for the top pick but they can't win another game. Considering their last two games, there might be a small chance of that happening. Looking at big Kreuzer, and Carlton were there at Subiaco on Saturday when he played, the top pick might be a very good thing to get. Carlton did defeat Melbourne twice last year, so talk of the top pick could quickly go away if they win at the MCG.
16: Richmond Tigers 1-11-1 (16)
They are competitive every game now. With Brown back their forward line has more variety and when Simmonds has played a few games they will be much better in the middle. The Tigers are a bit short in the back line and the Kangaroos might try to exploit this with Petrie, Brown, Hale, Jones and Edwards next round. He seems to get a mention here every week, but again Jack Riewoldt was a star in the VFL and obviously should be in the Tigers' AFL side.
They lost at home against the Saints so a win away at Adelaide was not expected. Considering the players who missed, this win might have been bigger than their earlier win at Sydney. With Judd still out, it was a team effort that also had some unlikely players kicking multiple goals.
2: Geelong Cats 10-3 (2)
They play the Bombers, Magpies and Bulldogs now and can maintain top spot on the ladder as well as their unofficial designation as Victoria's best team if they continue to win. Bartel's availability will be very important, and Sydney put together a big run on the weekend after Bartel left the field. Sheedy disposed of one former student last round and will be eager to defeat another so this will be a big challenge for Thompson. The Geelong forward line is managing to get the job done but with Michael and Fletcher waiting for them it could be where the game is decided.
3: Hawthorn Hawks 9-4 (5)
They could be missing Boyle next week, but that could possibly improve the side as first round pick Mitch Thorp would surely be included. They might go with Jacobs instead of Thorp if they want an experienced player added to help Franklin and Roughead.
4: Adelaide Crows 7-6 (3)
The Crows were back to their low-scoring ways again. They need to put out an all points bulletin for someone who can kick goals. Their back line is their main strength but as Bassett hobbled off the field in this game there might need to be an adjustment made there too.
5: Collingwood Magpies 8-5 (6)
One more week without Rocca, and it is against the Saints who have found form and also have Gehrig coming off a big game. Amidst all the turmoil there, the play of Martin Clarke in his first two AFL games is something that deserves the headlines. Few players have played so well to start their career, and he has only be playing Australian football for a few months. Ben Reid's first AFL appearance showed that the Magpies got the better of that trade with Fremantle.
6: Western Bulldogs 7-6 (7)
They have been a bit disappointing in some of their recent losses, against the Kangaroos and also Sydney. The Bulldogs have a big game next round against the Power and the face a team that is playing well. Coach Eade has been threatening to makes a lot of changes and he might do it this week. Everitt will play his first game next week, that is something to look forward to.
7: Port Adelaide Power 8-5 (8)
Port play the Bulldogs and then the Eagles in the next two weeks. Those two matches could shape their entire season, two losses and they are in danger of missing the 8 and two wins would mean that the finals would be very likely.
8: Sydney Swans 6-7 (4)
The Swans - Dockers game in round 14 is very important to both teams and their chances of playing in the finals. Hall had his week off so maybe he comes back rejuvenated and able to lead Sydney back into the finals.
9: Essendon Bombers 8-5 (9)
When they win they win by the smallest margins and with only a few seconds on the clock. They have been "Houdini" for around half their wins, especially the game against Melbourne that was won in the final 10 seconds. Laycock's game would have been something they were very impressed with, and with Hille back this week the Bombers will be very strong in the ruck.
10: Kangaroos 8-5 (10)
Their next 3 games are against teams outside of the current top 8, if they win them all then finals are nearly guaranteed. They can't afford to drop 2 of those games, the game next week is against Richmond and the Kangaroos will expect to win that. The Kangaroos might need Petrie in the ruck next game, to help McIntosh against Pattison and Simmonds, if they do go with Petrie as a forward again they should not expect another 7 goals although 2 or 3 will be useful for them.
11: Fremantle Dockers 6-7 (11)
They managed to stay in touch with the top 8 but a loss to Sydney could finish them off next round. Farmer had a big game after serving his suspensions, they get Tarrant back this round.
12: St Kilda Saints 6-7 (12)
Their season is still alive after wins against the Eagles and Tigers. Hudghton is hurt again, but they do have Gwilt and possibly Maguire to replace him. Even Hamill is running around once more and isn't far off a return.
13: Melbourne Demons 2-11 (13)
They play Carlton next round and should win, as teams often win their first game with a new coach and teams returning from WA often lose the next week too. Last round's game against Essendon was actually similar to condensing Daniher's coaching time into one single game. He had a winning percentage of just under half the games, while Melbourne scored just under half the points scored for the match. Under Daniher the Demons had good years and bad years, in this game they also had big runs when they were dominant and other times when they couldn't get near the ball. Daniher's time at Melbourne will always be linked to Essendon, for several reasons but mainly due to the 2000 AFL Grand Final, and it was a fitting team for him to end his coaching days at Melbourne against.
14: Brisbane Lions 4-8-1 (15)
Their season is over as they now go to Perth to play the Eagles. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year, even if some of their expectations and early wins indicated they could contend now, and the Lions are now doing what is required as they see what their young players can do. Leuenberger is the one prospect they are waiting to see, and he should join other young Lions like Proud and Dzufer in the team soon.
15: Carlton Blues 4-9 (14)
They are still on target for the top pick but they can't win another game. Considering their last two games, there might be a small chance of that happening. Looking at big Kreuzer, and Carlton were there at Subiaco on Saturday when he played, the top pick might be a very good thing to get. Carlton did defeat Melbourne twice last year, so talk of the top pick could quickly go away if they win at the MCG.
16: Richmond Tigers 1-11-1 (16)
They are competitive every game now. With Brown back their forward line has more variety and when Simmonds has played a few games they will be much better in the middle. The Tigers are a bit short in the back line and the Kangaroos might try to exploit this with Petrie, Brown, Hale, Jones and Edwards next round. He seems to get a mention here every week, but again Jack Riewoldt was a star in the VFL and obviously should be in the Tigers' AFL side.
FYI, Sydney had a full bench to Geelong's two players in the second half - which included an injured Ling & Selwood. Don't make it sound like the Cats choked sans Bartel.
Geelong play a tough Essendon side and Bartel may miss. The Eagles have a home game and they now have Embley and Nicoski back in the team and Judd could play this week too. At the moment the Eagles might be playing a bit better, it was a big effort by them to get over Adelaide.
I like the read each week but there really is an anti-Geelong feel about these rankings. Bringing up things like 92 & 94 doesn't detract from this either.
Bartel may miss? Here's something for you - Lloyd will miss. Bottom line is that Geelong are playing some of the best football the AFL has seen in a fair while - probably since the Brisbane 3-peat, but you are too blind to see it.
Ron Barassi says he doesn't trust Geelong, and a lot of people feel that way. Maybe the master versus the student battle on Friday will change things around.
Geelong have underachieved for a while now, so it could take some time before people think that they have put their inconsistencies, infighting and big-game failures behind them.
Here's something: West Coast lost at home to St Kilda, a team the Cats had no trouble destroying a couple of weeks prior. The Eagles have had players out, and while those players returning should bolster their opinion ranking, they should have been down during that time, going by what you base your rankings on.