AFL Insider Power Rankings: October 7 2007
1: Geelong Cats (1 in last AFL Power Rankings)
They won, so they will probably stay up the top in the Power Rankings for quite a while.
2: Collingwood Magpies (3)
Some big retirements, but they have been drafting well and have players like Reid to step in.
3: Sydney Swans (7)
If they add a quality veteran or two, they might become the number 1 contender to Geelong's title.
4: Hawthorn Hawks (5)
Their young stars are now a year older, with more experience and strength. So the team should be even better in 2008.
5: Port Adelaide Power (2)
If they can find another quality tall forward, it might get them back into the Grand Final.
6: West Coast Eagles (6)
They could be finished, but they still have one of the best players in the league, Dean Cox, and should be able to reload with trades and the drafts.
7: Fremantle Dockers (11)
They kept Pavlich, and nearly all their other players, so the Dockers have the talent to win but they need their new coach to sort some people out, and that is why the Dockers signed him up.
8: Brisbane Lions (10)
As long as Brown is there, they can beat anyone. The Charman/Leuenberger ruck combo could dominate soon, and if that means 2008 then the Lions can get into the top 4.
9: Kangaroos (4)
Laidley had one good year, and a lot of disappointing ones. In terms of his contract, it was good timing for the one good year.
10: St Kilda Saints (9)
When Gehrig waved goodbye, he left a big hole in the forward line for the Saints that will be difficult to fill. Koschitzke could be the answer, but then the ruck is again a huge problem. Maybe the Saints can trade for immediate help, or maybe Fergus Watts is ready to step up.
11: Carlton Blues (16)
This is assuming they have pick 1 and also Chris Judd. But if they do even better than just acquiring The Juddster in trade week, then a spot in the top 8 is a real chance.
12: Essendon Bombers (12)
If their big, and old, stars at both ends of the ground play every game in 2008 they will make the finals.
13: Adelaide Crows (8)
Their window isn't just closed, the shutters have also been locked in place, so they won't be contending for a premiership for a while.
14: Richmond Tigers (15)
Maybe they can make an impact in trade week, and if in a week's time they have picks 2 and 3 it will be a good result.
15: Western Bulldogs (13)
One of the first rules in sports, except in Mexican midget wrestling, is to always prefer height when building a team. The Bulldogs don't really have anyone to replace Grant and Darcy, and they had plenty of time to prepare for their retirements.
16: Melbourne Demons (14)
Some team's have a cleanout with as much ferocity as Alice The Housekeeper sweeping the Brady's kitchen, the Demons' new coach needs to tear into the place like a tornado.
October will have a couple of Power Rankings posts, one before trade week, and then one after the pieces have all fallen into place. So expect a bit of change from the above list as the winners and losers of trade week move around the Power Rankings.
They won, so they will probably stay up the top in the Power Rankings for quite a while.
2: Collingwood Magpies (3)
Some big retirements, but they have been drafting well and have players like Reid to step in.
3: Sydney Swans (7)
If they add a quality veteran or two, they might become the number 1 contender to Geelong's title.
4: Hawthorn Hawks (5)
Their young stars are now a year older, with more experience and strength. So the team should be even better in 2008.
5: Port Adelaide Power (2)
6: West Coast Eagles (6)
They could be finished, but they still have one of the best players in the league, Dean Cox, and should be able to reload with trades and the drafts.
7: Fremantle Dockers (11)
They kept Pavlich, and nearly all their other players, so the Dockers have the talent to win but they need their new coach to sort some people out, and that is why the Dockers signed him up.
8: Brisbane Lions (10)
As long as Brown is there, they can beat anyone. The Charman/Leuenberger ruck combo could dominate soon, and if that means 2008 then the Lions can get into the top 4.
9: Kangaroos (4)
Laidley had one good year, and a lot of disappointing ones. In terms of his contract, it was good timing for the one good year.
10: St Kilda Saints (9)
When Gehrig waved goodbye, he left a big hole in the forward line for the Saints that will be difficult to fill. Koschitzke could be the answer, but then the ruck is again a huge problem. Maybe the Saints can trade for immediate help, or maybe Fergus Watts is ready to step up.
11: Carlton Blues (16)
This is assuming they have pick 1 and also Chris Judd. But if they do even better than just acquiring The Juddster in trade week, then a spot in the top 8 is a real chance.
12: Essendon Bombers (12)
If their big, and old, stars at both ends of the ground play every game in 2008 they will make the finals.
13: Adelaide Crows (8)
Their window isn't just closed, the shutters have also been locked in place, so they won't be contending for a premiership for a while.
14: Richmond Tigers (15)
Maybe they can make an impact in trade week, and if in a week's time they have picks 2 and 3 it will be a good result.
15: Western Bulldogs (13)
One of the first rules in sports, except in Mexican midget wrestling, is to always prefer height when building a team. The Bulldogs don't really have anyone to replace Grant and Darcy, and they had plenty of time to prepare for their retirements.
16: Melbourne Demons (14)
Some team's have a cleanout with as much ferocity as Alice The Housekeeper sweeping the Brady's kitchen, the Demons' new coach needs to tear into the place like a tornado.
October will have a couple of Power Rankings posts, one before trade week, and then one after the pieces have all fallen into place. So expect a bit of change from the above list as the winners and losers of trade week move around the Power Rankings.
