- Adelaide (-)
Ladder position: 1st
The Crows just keep going about their business and continue to sit at the top of the AFL ladder after their 67-point win over the Suns. Adelaide led from start to finish and rarely looked troubled. Don Pyke's men are clearly the best side in the competition through the first five rounds.
2. GWS (-)
Ladder position: 4th
The Giants kicked nine consecutive goals in the first half to put the result beyond Sydney early and move to 4-1 for the year. Jeremy Cameron led the way with 24 disposals, nine marks and two goals, as GWS stay hot on the Crows' tail in the power rankings.
3. Geelong (-)
Ladder position: 2nd
Another final term blitz helped Geelong keep its undefeated start to the season in tact, as eight goals to one in the last quarter saw the Cats pull away from St Kilda and record a 42-point win. Joel Selwood was immense throughout the match, collecting an equal career-high 43 touches, 30 of which came in the second half. With Chris Scott's men facing Collingwood and the Gold Coast in the next fortnight, they could stay unbeaten for a while yet.
4. Western Bulldogs (-)
Ladder position: 5th
The Bulldogs were down by as many as 38 points during the second term, as the Lions came out of the blocks firing. 12 goals to two in the second half saw the home side run over the top of Brisbane, as the Dogs did enough to beat the young Lions.
5. Richmondย (+2)
Ladder position: 3rd
Down by 20 points at three-quarter time, Richmond produced their greatest ever comeback from a three-quarter time deficit under Damien Hardwick to boot five goals to zero and stay undefeated to start the season. It was a very gutsy effort by the Tigers, who continue to defy the critics. A finals berth needs to be their goal now.
6. Port Adelaideย (-)
Ladder position: 6th
The Power smashed Carlton to the tune of 90 points on Friday night, as they continue to impress in the early stages of the season. Their only losses have come against Adelaide and GWS, who are arguably the two best sides in the competition. Good signs for Port Adelaide so far.
7. West Coast (-2)
Ladder position: 7th
Another really, really poor loss at the MCG. The Eagles hate it thereย and have lost 12 of their past 16 matches at the home of football, which doesn't bode well for them, considering they'll need to win at the MCG at least once during the finals series to be able to lift the premiership cup.
8. St Kilda (-)
Ladder position: 11th
Despite falling away in the last quarter, the Saints held firm against the Cats for most of the match on Sunday and certainly lost no admirers for their efforts. If they can get on top of their second half fade-outs over the next few months, St Kilda will be pushing for a finals berth.
9. Melbourne (-)
Ladder position: 10th
Like the Saints, the Demons just couldn't hold on in the final quarter, but could have been excused after going down to just two on the bench following injuries to ruckman Jake Spencer and forward Tim Smith.ย They impressed over the first three quarters before fading out, and really should be much closer to 5-0 than their 2-3 record suggests.
10. Fremantle (+2)
Ladder position: 9th
Shane Kersten helped the Dockers escape North Melbourne for their third straight win and they have well and truly turned their season around following two poor losses to start the season. Fremantle is certainlyย in the finals hunt now.
11. Essendon (-)
Ladder position: 8th
A massive victory for Essendon on ANZAC Day, who fought back hard after letting the Pies run over them in the third term. Joe Daniherย was the best player on the ground and rightly so, having an influence on most scores for the Dons.
12. Gold Coast (+1)
Ladder position: 12th
Despite a big loss to the Crows, the Suns move up in the rankings this week, basically because most sides around them lost. It was always going to be a tough ask for Gold Coast to get the win, but we'll know more about them over the next fortnight as they face North Melbourne away and Geelong at home.
13. Hawthorn (+5)
Ladder position: 15th
For three hours on Sunday, if felt as though nothing was wrong with the Hawks, as they put the Eagles to the sword at the MCG. Obviously a 1-4 start still hangs over them, but they looked like their former selves which is sure to give everyone involved some added confidence.
14. Collingwood (-)
Ladder position: 13th
There are genuine problems with the Pies this season. Once again they failed to convert on their inside 50s and besides Jamie Elliott, really lacked a presence up forward. Daniel Wells was impressive in his return, although the fire underneath Nathan Buckley's seat continues to get bigger.
15. Sydney (-5)
Ladder position: 18th
You would have to say that's season over for the Swans now. A promising start was quickly wiped away as the Giants kicked nine straight goals to cancel out Sydney's opening four of the first term, and it looks as though the inexperience of Sydney's line-up has now got to them.
16. Brisbane (+1)
Ladder position: 14th
Despite ultimately coming up short, there was a lot to like about the Lions on Saturday. The booted 12 goals to the Dogs' five in the opening half, and were slicing the Bulldogs open with their run and carry. There's certainly a bright future there.
17. North Melbourne (-2)
Ladder position: 17th
Where do we start? Another close game, another devastating loss for North Melbourne. The Roos are unlucky to start the season 0-5, but at the same time, they have just got to kill off their opposition when they have the chance. The Suns at Etihad Stadium this weekend looms as a big chance to break their duck this season.
18. Carlton (-2)
Ladder position: 16th
The less Blues fans speak about this match, the better. Completely played off the park from the opening minute, and it's results like this that really show just how much work still needs to be done.
