Round three of the AFL season was an interesting one, which shakes up theย Zero Hangerย Power Rankings once again as we head into round four.
How did your team fair this week?
1. Adelaide (+2)ย
Adelaide minced the St Kilda team by 49 points over the weekend, pushing them to the top of the power rankings.
Adelaide continue their domination against St Kilda, having won their last nine matches when they face off.
Rory Laird, Bryce Gibbs and Taylor Walker all had impressive games, allowing the Crows to walk away as convincing winners.
Next game: Collingwood at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
2. Port Adelaide (-)
Port Adelaide didn't have the field day they expected against the Brisbane Lions in their narrow five-point win at Adelaide Oval.
The Power were lucky to escape with a victory against a weaker side, had Lions ruckman Stefan Martin's kick been marked in the forward-50 in the final seconds, the result could have been different.
Next game: Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
3. GWS (-2)
The Giants caught a tough loss to top-of-the-table rivals, the Sydney Swans on Saturday. This match could serve as a long-term reminder rather than just bragging rights as the season progresses and these two teams potentially emerge as premiership contenders.
Next game: Fremantle at UNSW Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
4. Sydney (-)
Sydney has proved itself to be a top four side in the early stages of the season with a 16-point win against their rivals, Greater Western Sydney at the SCG. With Buddy Franklin back to his brilliant best, the Swans reminded everyone just how dangerous they are.
Next game: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
5. Richmond (-)
Questions surrounding the Tigers ability to bring back their 'premiership defence' were finally answered on the weekend as they put the hounding pressure on the Hawks in their 13-point win.
They led start to finish in a dominating display of football and closed the game out despite the Hawks making a late run. All this with a down day from reigning Brownlow winner Dusty Martin proves the Tigers' sum is greater than its parts.
Next game: Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
6. Melbourne (+2)
An impressive offensive showcase by the Demons over the weekend, although they still look a pace off. Despite a strong start from the Kangaroos at the MCG, the Demons eventually gained control of the game, but were made to earn the four points.
Ruckman Max Gawn solidified himself as best on ground for the Dees, recording 50 hit outs.
Next game: Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
7. Hawthorn (-1)
Hawthorn were smothered by Richmond's pressure all game, making it hard to score and run freely until the final three minutes. They were able to close the gap but were overrun by the Tigers' late game execution.
The Hawks have looked a top eight team after three games and Alastair Clarkson has this team heading in the right direction after missing the finals last year.
Next game: Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
8. Geelong (-1)
Unfortunate 15-point loss to the West Coast Eagles after being decimated with injuries has left the Cats searching for answers and demanding winning performances to rejuvenate their rocky start to the season.
Have introduced a lot of fresh blood to a club that lost a ton of experience in the off-season, but it still feels like they can match it with anyone at their best.
Next game: St Kilda at GMHBA on Sunday afternoon.
9. West Coast Eagles (+3)
Injury-riddled opponent or not, the Eagles put a stamp on Geelong's season and has them in panic mode as they knocked them down by 15 points.
The Eagles will look to improve on this performance this week against the Suns. They may be the side everyone was sleeping on over they pre-season as they still appear to be a top eight contender and sit fifth despite being without star forward Josh Kennedy.
Next game: Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
10. Fremantle (+1)
The Dockers were inaccurate up forward throughout their match against the Gold Coast Suns but it mattered not as they stormed past them in a 28-point win.
Nat Fyfe took a stand and racked up 38 disposals, looking like his former Brownlow self while Cam McCarthy was impressive up forward, banging home three goals.
Next game: GWS at UNSW Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
11. Gold Coast Suns (-)
Unfortunate loss for the Suns to a seemingly improved Freo unit. Despite a monster game from Jarryd Lyons, there were too many passengers for the Suns, ultimately falling by 28 points.
Despite the result, Gold Coast look much bolder and disciplined under Stuart Dew.
Next game: West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
12. Essendon (-3)
Essendon were considered a newly improved side coming in to the season, but their match against the Bulldogs says differently. The Bombers underperformed against the Dogs and were called out by their coach John Worsfold who said they are in self-preservation mode.
Next game: Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
13. Brisbane Lions (-)
The Lions will walk away from round three with a sense of pride and confidence, taking it to Port Adelaide right up until the final seconds of a close encounter.
They were unlucky to lose by five points but showed glimmers of impressive play with a best afield performance from Stefan Martin, while Eric Hipwood tallied three goals.
Next game: Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
14. Collingwood (-)
The Pies got off to a rocky start against a young, developing Carlton team but were able to put the clamps in an impressive second quarter that led them to victory.
They have been without key personnel early, prominently in the forward half, so it is tough to get a gauge on exactly how Nathan Buckley's troops are tracking.
Next game: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
15. Western Bulldogs (+3)
Impressive 21-point win against a potential finals-bound side has the Bulldogs move up the power rankings considerably this week.
This was a statement game for the Dogs, choosing the Bombers as their victims, running over them from start to finish. However, it might say more about the Dons than it does the Doggies.
Next game: Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
16. St. Kilda (-)
The Saints had a lot to prove following their disappointing loss to North Melbourne just a week prior, but their execution with the football let them down and they allowed Adelaide to walk all over them in a 49-point loss.
Alan Richardson has a few things to work out as this side has largely underperformed thus far and it won't get any easier as they are set for an away meeting with the Cats this weekend.
Next game: Geelong at GMHBA on Sunday afternoon.
17. North Melbourne (-2)
North Melbourne let up defensively in a big way over the weekend, conceding 123-point to the Demons and a total of 33 shots on goal. Their 37-point loss changed the history books, with this being the first loss they have suffered to Melbourne in the last 7 times the two teams have met.
Regardless, the Roos were brave against a potential top four outfit in Melbourne.
Next game: Carlton at Blundstone on Saturday night.
18. Carlton (-)
The young developing Blues showcased effective ball movement in the opening term but were derailed by a resounding Collingwood team that were desperate to record their first win of 2018.
Carlton were fortunate to score a few very late goals to mask the severity of this 24-point loss and it is tough seeing them beat anyone at the minute.
Next game: North Melbourne at Blundstone on Saturday night.
