Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Paladin
Craig HillAFL Insider Power Rankings: June 25 2007
June 25th 2007 02:13
1: West Coast Eagles 8-4 win-loss record (1 in last AFL Power Rankings)
Next round should be one of the hardest to predict for the whole season, and the Eagles going to Adelaide to play the Crows is going to be a huge game. The Crows have had the extra week, the Eagles are coming off a loss and Judd has injury problems.
2: Geelong Cats 9-3 (2)
They have successfully defeated all challengers over the past two months, and are favourites to defeat another Grand Finalist from last season. The Cats will probably be on top of these rankings next week.
3: Adelaide Crows 7-5 (4)
Their tall forwards showed they can kick a winning score last round, and if they keep that going then the Crows will be hard to stop. In recent years, the Eagles have defeated Adelaide in big games so their round 13 contest will be of great importance.
4: Sydney Swans 6-6 (3)
They could turn it all around next week at Geelong, or they could get hammered and be in a lot of trouble. Hall may be injured, the Swans are not sure, and they might not play him. Roos is probably a bit worried that his team will be like Tom Petty, free falling, if they can't change their forward setup to kick more goals.
5: Hawthorn Hawks 8-4 (5)
One problem they have, who to move out as they include Franklin for this round. Hawthorn must also be thinking that Thorp has to get a game, and although he is kicking goals at the moment he could be included to help their back line. Fans wanting to attend the Magpies - Hawks game should probably start lining up now.
6: Collingwood Magpies 8-4 (6)
They won without a lot of their defenders against the Swans and could be missing their big forward when they play Hawthorn. They are obviously not worried about playing new players in big games, so if Rocca does miss then Ben Reid might be an option up forward.
7: Western Bulldogs 7-5 (7)
The Bulldogs have some momentum going again, and they will want to continue that with a win over the Kangaroos. Only a few percentage points separate those two teams and it will be a big setback to the team that loses.
8: Port Adelaide Power 7-5 (8)
Their percentage isn't great so they definitely need a win at Brisbane to stay in the finals race. The play of Westhoff and Gray continues to impress many, and they have added another element to their forward line.
9: Essendon Bombers 7-5 (9)
Hille is out next week so that is a problem. It is a real danger game against Melbourne, as White is playing well, and the Bombers can't afford to lose to the bottom teams if they are to make the finals.
10: Kangaroos 7-5 (11)
They have the big game at the big venue, but they could have a big problem if they don't defeat the Bulldogs. The Kangaroos are currently just outside the top 8.
11: Fremantle Dockers 5-7 (10)
If they lose next week, send in your applications as they will be looking for a new coach. According to the Dockers, whatever Farmer did deserved a suspension six times that of Tarrant's. Farmer should be back this round while Tarrant gets to rest again this week. Peake is hurt once more, and the Dockers don’t have a lot of quick options to replace his run.
12: St Kilda Saints 5-7 (15)
Their forward line worked with the colossal Koschitzke in the goal square, but they will also have the gigantic Gehrig returning soon, so they might have to work out something new. Their big turnaround in form against the Eagles won't mean a lot if they lose the game against the Tigers.
13: Melbourne Demons 2-10 (12)
Brad Green might want to forget about finals this year, but that doesn't mean the Demons can't win a lot of games and spoil the chances of other teams. It won't be as hard for Melbourne to get over Essendon as there is no Hille to climb. Not that the Demons didn't know this, but without Neitz their forward line really struggles, he might return this week.
14: Carlton Blues 4-8 (13)
They lost by 100 points last round, their captain is out with a knee problem, the exciting Walker will miss due to a shoulder injury, they travel to the other side of the continent, but they will have a belief that they can defeat the Dockers.
15: Brisbane Lions 4-7-1 (14)
The Lions and Power have had similar seasons, although Port Adelaide kept their early season streak going longer and Port have also figured out a way to get the best from their power forward. If the Lions lose this round, at home against the Power, then it will be time to play the youth and prepare for next season. They might already be doing that, with Proud playing his first game last round.
16: Richmond Tigers 1-10-1 (16)
They had a win, they still need to scout every player at the Under 18 Championships but at least they know they have something to build on now. Brown's return was of great importance to them, but small forwards don't win premierships. So the Tigers will also be bolstered with the return of Simmonds, and as Riewoldt is now dominating the VFL at both ends of the ground they should probably think about giving him a game next week too.
Next round should be one of the hardest to predict for the whole season, and the Eagles going to Adelaide to play the Crows is going to be a huge game. The Crows have had the extra week, the Eagles are coming off a loss and Judd has injury problems.
2: Geelong Cats 9-3 (2)
They have successfully defeated all challengers over the past two months, and are favourites to defeat another Grand Finalist from last season. The Cats will probably be on top of these rankings next week.
3: Adelaide Crows 7-5 (4)
Their tall forwards showed they can kick a winning score last round, and if they keep that going then the Crows will be hard to stop. In recent years, the Eagles have defeated Adelaide in big games so their round 13 contest will be of great importance.
4: Sydney Swans 6-6 (3)
They could turn it all around next week at Geelong, or they could get hammered and be in a lot of trouble. Hall may be injured, the Swans are not sure, and they might not play him. Roos is probably a bit worried that his team will be like Tom Petty, free falling, if they can't change their forward setup to kick more goals.
5: Hawthorn Hawks 8-4 (5)
One problem they have, who to move out as they include Franklin for this round. Hawthorn must also be thinking that Thorp has to get a game, and although he is kicking goals at the moment he could be included to help their back line. Fans wanting to attend the Magpies - Hawks game should probably start lining up now.
6: Collingwood Magpies 8-4 (6)
They won without a lot of their defenders against the Swans and could be missing their big forward when they play Hawthorn. They are obviously not worried about playing new players in big games, so if Rocca does miss then Ben Reid might be an option up forward.
7: Western Bulldogs 7-5 (7)
The Bulldogs have some momentum going again, and they will want to continue that with a win over the Kangaroos. Only a few percentage points separate those two teams and it will be a big setback to the team that loses.
8: Port Adelaide Power 7-5 (8)
Their percentage isn't great so they definitely need a win at Brisbane to stay in the finals race. The play of Westhoff and Gray continues to impress many, and they have added another element to their forward line.
9: Essendon Bombers 7-5 (9)
Hille is out next week so that is a problem. It is a real danger game against Melbourne, as White is playing well, and the Bombers can't afford to lose to the bottom teams if they are to make the finals.
10: Kangaroos 7-5 (11)
They have the big game at the big venue, but they could have a big problem if they don't defeat the Bulldogs. The Kangaroos are currently just outside the top 8.
11: Fremantle Dockers 5-7 (10)
If they lose next week, send in your applications as they will be looking for a new coach. According to the Dockers, whatever Farmer did deserved a suspension six times that of Tarrant's. Farmer should be back this round while Tarrant gets to rest again this week. Peake is hurt once more, and the Dockers don’t have a lot of quick options to replace his run.
12: St Kilda Saints 5-7 (15)
Their forward line worked with the colossal Koschitzke in the goal square, but they will also have the gigantic Gehrig returning soon, so they might have to work out something new. Their big turnaround in form against the Eagles won't mean a lot if they lose the game against the Tigers.
13: Melbourne Demons 2-10 (12)
Brad Green might want to forget about finals this year, but that doesn't mean the Demons can't win a lot of games and spoil the chances of other teams. It won't be as hard for Melbourne to get over Essendon as there is no Hille to climb. Not that the Demons didn't know this, but without Neitz their forward line really struggles, he might return this week.
14: Carlton Blues 4-8 (13)
They lost by 100 points last round, their captain is out with a knee problem, the exciting Walker will miss due to a shoulder injury, they travel to the other side of the continent, but they will have a belief that they can defeat the Dockers.
15: Brisbane Lions 4-7-1 (14)
The Lions and Power have had similar seasons, although Port Adelaide kept their early season streak going longer and Port have also figured out a way to get the best from their power forward. If the Lions lose this round, at home against the Power, then it will be time to play the youth and prepare for next season. They might already be doing that, with Proud playing his first game last round.
16: Richmond Tigers 1-10-1 (16)
They had a win, they still need to scout every player at the Under 18 Championships but at least they know they have something to build on now. Brown's return was of great importance to them, but small forwards don't win premierships. So the Tigers will also be bolstered with the return of Simmonds, and as Riewoldt is now dominating the VFL at both ends of the ground they should probably think about giving him a game next week too.
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