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AFL Power Rankings: Round 15

Published by
Stephen Marson
  1. GWS (-)

Ladder position: 1st

The Giants were involved in the first draw of the season on Saturday night, but even coach Leon Cameron admitted they were lucky to come away with some points. GWS fought back from a 20-point deficit in the fourth term, which just shows once again they're never out of a contest.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Jeremy Cameron of the Giants kicks a goal during the round 15 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats at Spotless Stadium on July 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images)

2. Adelaide (-)

Ladder position: 2nd

Adelaide were given a scare late by Carlton but held on to close the gap at the top of the table on the Giants to just two points. While a tough run home looms, the Crows have surely done enough to cement a top four berth.

3. Geelong (-)

Ladder position: 3rd

No Joel Selwood or Daniel Menzel, but the Cats still almost managed to pull out a fantastic result. While Tom Hawkins would love to have his set-shot back again, looking back at the fixture,. it'll seem like two points gained for Geelong.

4. Richmond (+1)

Ladder position: 4th

A massive win for the Tigers. They were up against it in the first half as the Power frustrated Alex Rance and Richmond defensively, but a huge second half was enough to see the Tigers grab a firm hold of their top four spot.

5. Sydney (+2)

Ladder position: 9th

Sydney just keep on rolling. The Swans started poorly in front of goal and had 1.8 to their name at quarter time, but they were always the better side against the Dees on Friday night. They are now just percentage out of the eight, and they've surely got to be a lock for the finals now.

Sydney Swans

6. Port Adelaide (-2)

Ladder position: 5th

Their poor form against top eight sides continues. The Power are now 0-5 against opposition who were in the eight when they played them, with their lack of consistency now a real problem.

7. Melbourne (-1)

Ladder position: 6th

Melbourne couldn't capitalise on Sydney's poor kicking in the first half and were outplayed after half-time in this blockbuster clash. To make matters worse, Jack Viney and Dom Tyson could join the Demons' growing injury list, while Tom Bugg is set for a long holiday.

8. West Coast (-)

Ladder position: 7th

A huge performance from the Eagles. Nathan Vardy was the hero late with the match-winning goal, but Andrew Gaff and Dom Sheed led an impressive midfield showing in a game that once again silences their 'flat-track bullies' status.

9. Western Bulldogs (-)

Ladder position: 10th

At the moment, the Dogs just aren't going to play finals football this season. They sit one win and percentage out of the eight, and have lost three of their past five. They'll need to turn things around soon.

10. St Kilda (+1)

Ladder position: 8th

The Saints just hung around Fremantle all day before eventually running over the top of them in the dying stages to record a very important win. Josh Bruce booted the final two goals of the game to help St Kilda into eighth, as a huge test against the Tigers awaits.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Josh Bruce of the Saints celebrates after scoring the winning goal on the siren during the round 15 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the St Kilda Saints at Domain Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)

11. Essendon (-)

Ladder position: 11th

Essendon blew a 27-point lead early in the fourth quarter and gave up six final term goals as the Lions stormed home to shock the Bombers. It's a result that could come back to haunt them in their quest for a finals berth.

12. Fremantle (-)

Ladder position: 14th

An unbelievable performance from Michael Walters just wasn't enough to will the Dockers over the line on Sunday night, as they lost a close match for the second week in a row.

13. Gold Coast (+1)

Ladder position: 12th

The Suns kept North Melbourne at arms length for most of the afternoon on Saturday, as Gary Ablett (37 disposals), Jarryd Lyons (39 disposals, 10 clearances) and Tom Lynch (five goals) led the way.

14. Carlton (-1)

Ladder position: 16th

For most of the afternoon Carlton hung with the Crows, but the gulf in class just shone through in the final quarter, as Adelaide kicked three of the last four goals to see off by 12 points.

15. Collingwood (-)

Ladder position: 15th

Does this result seal Nathan Buckley's fate? The Pies were in the game but didn't look like beating the Hawks during the second half, with their finals chances hanging on by a thread.

16. Hawthorn (+1)

Ladder position: 13th

Hawthorn recorded their sixth win from their past 10 matches this season when they beat the Pies on Sunday at the MCG, as the Hawks are quickly putting the first month of their year in the rear-view mirror.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - JULY 02: Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks celebrates after kicking a goal with Jack Gunston of the Hawks during the round 15 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 2, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

17. North Melbourne (-1)

Ladder position: 17th

The Roos fought hard early but lost their way quickly after quarter-time, and they'll now need to keep their eyes on Brisbane, who are just one win behind them in last place.

18. Brisbane (-)

Ladder position: 18th

What a win. Brisbane slammed on six final quarter goals to storm past Essendon on Sunday afternoon, in a result that will give everyone at the club a lot of confidence going forward.

Published by
Stephen Marson