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AFL Power Rankings: Round 21

Published by
Stephen Marson
  1. Adelaide (-)

Ladder position: 1st

The Crows all but secured top spot after an impressive performance against Essendon on Saturday night, and can officially lock up the minor premiership should they beat Sydney in a blockbuster clash on Friday night.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - AUGUST 12: Taylor Walker and the Crows celebrate after kicking a goal during the round 21 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

2. Sydney (-)

Ladder position: 5th

A 104-point demolition of Fremantle on Saturday afternoon gave the Swans a much needed percentage boost, as they now sit just 0.5% ahead of Port Adelaide in fifth, with the pair likely to battle it out for that position over the next two weeks.

3. GWS (+1)

Ladder position: 2nd

The Giants booted nine goals to one after half-time to turn a four-point lead at the main change into a 48-point victory, in a result that should see them in the box seat for that all-important second spot.

4. Geelong (+1)

Ladder position: 3rd

There were big outs and big ins for the Cats this week, although it was veteran Harry Taylor who led the way with his four goals proving the difference against Richmond on Saturday. They now look to be a real chance for a top-two finish, but can also still finish in fourth.

5. Richmond (-2)

Ladder position: 4th

Richmond just didn't show up to play on Saturday in what was billed as a big test for the Tigers, and put in one of their poorer performances of the entire season. They'll look to bounce back against Fremantle on Sunday.

6. Melbourne (+1)

Ladder position: 7th

The Demons kept their finals hopes alive in their do-or-die clash with St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday. Melbourne jumped out to an early lead and held on when the Saints clawed back to hold on to sixth spot by just 0.3%.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Cameron Pedersen of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 21 match between the Melbourne Demons and the St Kilda Saints at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 13, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

7. Port Adelaide (+1)

Ladder position: 6th

The Power led at every change and seemed relatively untroubled throughout most of the contest on Sunday, as Port Adelaide now have one hand on a home elimination final given their strong percentage.

8. Western Bulldogs (-2)

Ladder position: 9th

A big result for the Bulldogs on Friday night, although this one didn't go their way. With the Dogs now outside the eight on percentage (7.4% behind West Coast in eighth). A massive clash against the Power should have a massive say on their season next Saturday.

9. West Coast (+1)

Ladder position: 8th

The Eagles survived a big scare on Saturday night, after leading by as many as 35 points midway through the second quarter before the scores were level entering the final quarter. Josh Kennedy booted six goals in another impressive performance, with their fate now in their own hands.

10. Essendon (-1)

Ladder position: 10th

Essendon were bundled out of the eight on Saturday night after running into a red-hot Adelaide outfit, and are now one game outside the finals positions with just two matches remaining. They'll be praying teams above them slip up soon.

11. Hawthorn (+1)

Ladder position: 12th

While Hawthorn's finals chances are hanging by a thread, Alastair Clarkson would just be pleased his side has been able to bounce back from their horrible start earlier on this season. If the Hawks can manage a positive season in 2018, he may have just mastered the quickest rebuild ever.

12. St Kilda (-1)

Ladder position: 11th

With the Saints' percentage as bad as it is, St Kilda have been all but ruled out of the finals race following their loss to Melbourne on the weekend. Nick Riewoldt's final match of his career will now be played against Richmond at the MCG.

13. Collingwood (-)

Ladder position: 13th

Collingwood's resurgence up the table hit a bump on Sunday, after they were outplayed by the Power at Adelaide Oval. They've got a big test in Geelong this week, but given they beat them earlier on this season, they'll take some confidence into the fixture.

14. Carlton (-)

Ladder position: 17th

Somewhat surprisingly, the Blues have lost eight in a row. They certainly haven't played that poorly over the past two months, but once again on Saturday night failed to close out the game from a winnable position.

15. Brisbane (+2)

Ladder position: 18th

While the Lions are still on the bottom of the ladder on percentage, they've rocketed up our power rankings. A big win in the QClash took them above their Queensland counterparts, and a win against North Melbourne in round 23 could see them avoid the wooden spoon.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Dayne Beams of the Lions celebrates during the 2017 AFL round 21 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba on August 12, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

16. North Melbourne (+2)

Ladder position: 16th

Took it up to Hawthorn for most of the afternoon, but just didn't have the skill when it mattered. Their final round clash with Brisbane could decide the wooden spoon.

17. Fremantle (-2)

Ladder position: 14th

It was the biggest defeat Ross Lyon had ever been on the receiving end of, and the Dockers just simply didn't turn up to play on Saturday. Just one goal to half-time meant they were never in the contest.

18. Gold Coast (-2)

Ladder position: 15th

To their credit they put up a fight in the first half, but it all came crashing down quickly after half-time as they collapsed to a 58-point defeat. They've had six losses on the bounce, and a win doesn't seem likely over the next fortnight.

Published by
Stephen Marson