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AFL Power Rankings: Round 19

Published by
Stephen Marson
  1. Adelaide (-)

Ladder position: 1st

Adelaide trailed by 50 points early in the third quarter against Collingwood on Sunday, but amazingly fought back to level the game after the siren with a goal to Mitch McGovern. Certainly two points gained, in one of the matches of the season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Players react as the game ends in a draw during the 2017 AFL round 19 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

2. Sydney (-)

Ladder position: 6th

Since round six, the Swans haven't lost to any side in the competition not named Hawthorn. A 10-2 record since going 0-6 is very impressive, and they'll be thanking their lucky stars they likely won't need to face Hawthorn during the finals.

3. Geelong (-)

Ladder position: 2nd

The Cats were rarely troubled on Saturday night against Carlton, but all eyes will be on them this weekend without superstar Patrick Dangerfield. The reigning Brownlow Medallist will serve his one-game suspension against Sydney this weekend in what will be a huge clash for both sides.

4. Richmond (+1)

Ladder position: 4th

They looked a little shaky early, but the Tigers ended up strolling to a 33-point win over the Suns. Without Jack Riewoldt for the first time since 2013, Toby Nankervis and Daniel Rioli stepped up with three goals each to keep Richmond inside the top four.

5. GWS (-1)

Ladder position: 3rd

The Giants got back in the winner's circle on Saturday, although they didn't have it all their own way. They trailed the Dockers by 15 points at three-quarter time, but five goals to two in the final term was enough to see them stay in third position.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round 19 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Fremantle Dockers at Spotless Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

6. Melbourne (-)

Ladder position: 7th

The Demons missed a golden chance to end their horrible streak against North Melbourne, with Melbourne now losing to the Roos for the 17th time in a row. It was tough conditions in Tasmania, but Melbourne have no one to blame but themselves.

7. Port Adelaide (-)

Ladder position: 5th

With just over one minute left on the clock, the Power looked certain to lose to the Saints on Saturday night. A goal to Aaron Young and the match-winner to Robbie Gray pulled them out of the fire to record a very important four points, and keep them just a game outside of fourth.

8. West Coast (+1)

Ladder position: 8th

It was a tough week for West Coast, but they finally got on the park and let their footy do the talking on Sunday afternoon. A 68-point win saw the Eagles hang on to a top eight spot, although Sunday's clash with St Kilda this weekend will have a huge bearing on their finals chances.

9. Western Bulldogs (+2)

Ladder position: 9th

In what was one of their better performances all season long, the Bulldogs held off Essendon in an important fixture for the Dogs. They stay in touch with the top eight, and have kept their hopes alive at back-to-back premierships.

10. Hawthorn (+2)

Ladder position: 12th

The Hawks have continued their resurgence up the table after beating the red-hot Swans for the second time in 10 weeks. While their finals chances are still quite slim, they'll certainly shake up the finals given they play Richmond and the Bulldogs in the final four rounds.

11. Essendon (-3)

Ladder position: 10th

Essendon's finals chances took a bit hit on Sunday in their loss to the Dogs, as they lost touch on the top eight. They now sit one game outside the finals places, although their percentage does still keep them alive.

12. St Kilda (-2)

Ladder position: 11th

They'll be kicking themselves after dropping the four points against Port Adelaide on Saturday, and to make matters worse, they've probably dropped their finals chances as they sit a game out with a poor percentage and tough matches coming up.

13. Collingwood (+2)

Ladder position: 13th

The Pies would have been thrilled with their efforts to lead Adelaide by 50 points in the third quarter, but would have been very disappointed by what followed. It was certainly two points dropped for Collingwood, although the positive signs are certainly there.

14. Carlton (-1)

Ladder position: 17th

It's been a tough couple of months for Carlton supporters, as the Blues fell to their sixth straight loss on Saturday night against the Cats. Brendon Bolton is playing the kids for the rest of the season, and it'll pay off down the track, even if it's a little painful to watch now.

15. Fremantle (-1)

Ladder position: 14th

They almost shocked the Giants on Saturday, but the young Dockers just couldn't hold on for what would have been a spectacular win. Gave up five goals to two in the final term to throw away a 15-point three-quarter time lead.

16. Gold Coast (-)

Ladder position: 15th

The Suns started well against Richmond but fell away quickly after half time as they had three players finish the game injured on the bench. If Ablett returns this weekend, they could be a chance against Fremantle.

17. North Melbourne (+1)

Ladder position: 16th

The streak continues. 17 wins in a row against Melbourne must be pleasing for North supporters, as they expelled the chatter surrounding tanking with a strong performance in Tasmania.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos celebrates on the final siren during the 2017 AFL round 19 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Melbourne Demons at Blundstone Arena on July 29, 2017 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

18. Brisbane (-1)

Ladder position: 18th

Never really troubled the Eagles on Sunday, and once again fell a game back from 17th position.

Published by
Stephen Marson