AFL Insider Power Rankings: March 26 2007
1: Fremantle Dockers (1 in last AFL Power Rankings)
The Dockers haven’t been in this situation before, big favourites.
2: Western Bulldogs (2)
Darcy is playing, Murphy too, even Tom Williams, the Bulldogs are going to start the season with most of their list to pick from. The Bulldogs are real contenders this season, and Akermanis might be able to take them the extra step to win it all.
3: Sydney Swans (3)
Are now solid favourites for their round 1 match. Everitt is their best new player and Crouch is their comeback player for 2007.
4: West Coast Eagles (4)
Teams can lose a star and still win, the problem for the Eagles is there has to be a chance that another player or two could be in trouble. The Eagles have good depth and some new stars will appear in 2007 to keep the Eagles winning.
5: Adelaide Crows (5)
Will start the season without Ricciuto. He should be back after a few rounds and the Crows can still win without him as their back line is great and they also have several young midfielders who are ready for a bigger role.
6: Geelong Cats (6)
King is an injury concern but Geelong can overcome that. The real problem, if it can be called that, for Geelong is finding spots for new players like Selwood and Varcoe, the Cats will have a very deep midfield this year.
7: Melbourne Demons (7)
Have had a quiet preseason but are quietly confident as most of their list is healthy.
8: Essendon Bombers (8)
With Lloyd, Hird and Lucas they can compete with any team. Sheedy expects finals this season.
9: Port Adelaide Power (9)
Maybe the rebuilding at the Power only took a year as they have reloaded with fast players and will cause trouble for a lot of teams. Then in a few weeks they get Tredrea back too.
10: St Kilda Saints (11)
Hayes is ready, Koschitzke is healthy, Riewoldt might be, the Saints are not in bad shape.
11: Hawthorn Hawks (10)
A couple of veterans are suspended, their captain will miss with an injury, in recent times the Hawks would have been in trouble but they have enough depth to stay competitive with a few players out.
12: Carlton Blues (12)
Unlike the rest of the teams, Carlton haven't lost a game. The teams they did play in the NAB Cup didn't play in the finals in 2006, and the same thing is true of their round 1 opponent. Waite will be the key as he could be a loose defender played in front of Richardson.
13: Collingwood Magpies (13)
Look to be without Buckley and Didak for the first round or two. They do have young players who will step up and that could be enough for them to win against the Kangaroos.
14: Brisbane Lions (14)
Bradshaw and Brown were a dangerous duo, now it's a solo act in the Lions' forward line with Bradshaw hurt.
15: Richmond Tigers (15)
Their round 1 match could be decided by which full forward kicks the most goals, Richardson or Fevola.
16: Kangaroos (16)
Only two of their top 5 goal-kickers from 2006 will be playing this season, Jones and Grant. Their early games are winnable but they need to find a lot more goals.
The Dockers haven’t been in this situation before, big favourites.
2: Western Bulldogs (2)
Darcy is playing, Murphy too, even Tom Williams, the Bulldogs are going to start the season with most of their list to pick from. The Bulldogs are real contenders this season, and Akermanis might be able to take them the extra step to win it all.
3: Sydney Swans (3)
Are now solid favourites for their round 1 match. Everitt is their best new player and Crouch is their comeback player for 2007.
4: West Coast Eagles (4)
5: Adelaide Crows (5)
Will start the season without Ricciuto. He should be back after a few rounds and the Crows can still win without him as their back line is great and they also have several young midfielders who are ready for a bigger role.
6: Geelong Cats (6)
King is an injury concern but Geelong can overcome that. The real problem, if it can be called that, for Geelong is finding spots for new players like Selwood and Varcoe, the Cats will have a very deep midfield this year.
7: Melbourne Demons (7)
Have had a quiet preseason but are quietly confident as most of their list is healthy.
8: Essendon Bombers (8)
With Lloyd, Hird and Lucas they can compete with any team. Sheedy expects finals this season.
9: Port Adelaide Power (9)
Maybe the rebuilding at the Power only took a year as they have reloaded with fast players and will cause trouble for a lot of teams. Then in a few weeks they get Tredrea back too.
Hayes is ready, Koschitzke is healthy, Riewoldt might be, the Saints are not in bad shape.
11: Hawthorn Hawks (10)
A couple of veterans are suspended, their captain will miss with an injury, in recent times the Hawks would have been in trouble but they have enough depth to stay competitive with a few players out.
12: Carlton Blues (12)
Unlike the rest of the teams, Carlton haven't lost a game. The teams they did play in the NAB Cup didn't play in the finals in 2006, and the same thing is true of their round 1 opponent. Waite will be the key as he could be a loose defender played in front of Richardson.
13: Collingwood Magpies (13)
Look to be without Buckley and Didak for the first round or two. They do have young players who will step up and that could be enough for them to win against the Kangaroos.
14: Brisbane Lions (14)
Bradshaw and Brown were a dangerous duo, now it's a solo act in the Lions' forward line with Bradshaw hurt.
15: Richmond Tigers (15)
Their round 1 match could be decided by which full forward kicks the most goals, Richardson or Fevola.
16: Kangaroos (16)
Only two of their top 5 goal-kickers from 2006 will be playing this season, Jones and Grant. Their early games are winnable but they need to find a lot more goals.
