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AFL Power Rankings: Round 18

Published by
Stephen Marson
  1. Adelaide (-)

Ladder position: 1st

In the top of the table clash, it was the Crows who asserted their dominance at home to move six points clear ahead of Geelong at the top of the table. Richard Douglas, Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch led the way.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: The rows players celebrate after scoring a goal during the round 18 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on July 21, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

2. Sydney (-)

Ladder position: 6th

Callum Sinclair had the best game of his career in a five-goal, 10-mark performance, and took eight contested grabs, the most by a player over the past few years. 10 from their past 11 for Sydney, as the Swans keep rolling.

3. Geelong (+1)

Ladder position: 2nd

The Cats just couldn't match Adelaide's intensity on Friday night, and were behind the eight ball from the first moment of the game and never recovered.

4. GWS (-1)

Ladder position: 3rd

One win from their past six sees the Giants now in a real spot of bother for the first time this season, as they sit just one win inside the top four. When the rain came they didn't hang around, as they conceded nine goals and kicked just three after quarter time.

5. Richmond (+1)

Ladder position: 4th

Richmond moved back into the top four after their massive win over the Giants, and have given fans another reason to dream that their finals duck could be broken in 2017.

6. Melbourne (+1)

Ladder position: 7th

It was a huge game for Melbourne who had five important inclusions for their crunch match with the Power, and the Dees didn't disappoint, getting out to a strong half-time lead before waltzing to victory.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Jack Trengove (L) celebrates the win with Jack Watts of the Demons during the round 18 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 22, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

7. Port Adelaide (-2)

Ladder position: 5th

Port Adelaide were nowhere to be seen in the first half, and needed to be dragged into the contest by Travis Boak and Robbie Gray late on to keep themselves in the game. Chad Wingard's injury will hurt them moving forward.

8. Essendon (+2)

Ladder position: 8th

The Bombers didn't do it as easily as many would have predicted, but five goals from Cale Hooker and four from Orazio Fantasia helped Essendon pull away from North Melbourne late to record their third straight win and move them into the eight.

9. West Coast (-1)

Ladder position: 9th

There's no question the Eagles should have won that game. An 18-point lead at three-quarter time with two extra men should have been enough to see West Coast through, but they dropped their bundle yet again. Their inconsistency strikes.

10. St Kilda (-1)

Ladder position: 11th

The Saints never posed a real threat to Sydney on Saturday night, and lost their second game in a row after destroying Richmond. A huge test against the Power awaits.

11. Western Bulldogs (-)

Ladder position: 10th

A career-high of six goals from Liam Picken helped the Bulldogs to a 54-point win, although it wasn't all smooth sailing. They only led by 14 points at three-quarter time, while Dale Morris' future looks in doubt after breaking his arm in two places during the second quarter.

12. Hawthorn (+1)

Ladder position:12th

Hawthorn continued their recent strong run of form on Saturday night, as they put the Dockers to the sword in a big 52-point win. Tom Mitchell was massive once again, while Jack Gunston had a career-high 35 disposals.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Isaac Smith of the Hawks celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 18 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Domain Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)

13. Carlton (-1)

Ladder position: 16th

A disappointing performance from Carlton overall. A 12-goal to three first half saw Brisbane put the game to bed at half-time, although Carlton did get to within 11 points early in the final term after booting seven goals in a row.

14. Fremantle (-)

Ladder position: 14th

Fremantle never challenged the Hawks during another poor performance, and will now be without Michael Walters for the remainder of the season after he suffered a PCL injury in his knee.

15. Collingwood (+1)

Ladder position: 13th

A lot was going against Collingwood as they entered the final term on Sunday, but they overcame an 18-point defect with two less men to storm home an record a spirit-lifting win.

16. Gold Coast (-1)

Ladder position: 15th

When the Suns are not on, it isn't great viewing. With the game in the balance at three-quarter time, Gold Coast could only manage one behind in the final term to the Dogs' 6.5, as the young Suns just couldn't do it anymore.

17. Brisbane (+1)

Ladder position: 18th

For the first time in a long time, the Lions aren't the worst team in the competition anymore. A 12-goal to three first half saw Brisbane shoot out of the blocks, as Dayne Beams and Dayne Zorko led their young side to a big win.

18. North Melbourne (-1)

Ladder position: 17th

The Roos fought gallantly for the first three quarters before falling over late, but it's hard to argue against seven straight losses.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Aaron Mullett of the Kangaroos reacts after a Bombers goal during the round 18 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Published by
Stephen Marson