Power Rankings

Dees dive as Pies rise: AFL Power Rankings- Round 13

See how the rankings have shifted after the weekend’s action.

Published by
Mitch Keating

For the first time in a long time we have a new Power Rankings leader, and not only have Melbourne been dethroned but they've fallen multiple rungs in our rankings.

Round 13 saw the Dees suffer their third-straight defeat, with their latest loss coming at the hands of Collingwood - a side in contrasting form.

Wins to Brisbane and Fremantle have seen the top three spots all shift as the two contenders join Melbourne in having their bye this weekend before all sides return to action.

1. Fremantle (+2)

The Dockers now sit atop the mantle after the Demons' dismal run, having collected the scalps of Brisbane, Melbourne and more recently Hawthorn.

Justin Longmuir has steady his side into flag contention after initially being seen as a finals outsider.

Will have a week's break before returning to face Carlton in what will be another tough test for the men in purple.

2. Brisbane (-)

The Lions continue to tread water in second spot, having notched up their second victory in a month after their 21-point win over St Kilda on Saturday.

Losses to Hawthorn and Fremantle have hindered their chances of landing the No.1, but they have runs on the board to not face a dip and fall with Melbourne.

Their break precedes an enticing battle at the MCG next week against Melbourne, which is sure to see our rankings shuffle further.

Game of the year incoming.

3. Melbourne (-2)

Three straight losses heading into the bye was more than enough to see the Demons fall from their perch.

While they remain the standard of the competition, Melbourne's form is far from what we've come to expect and will only hope the bye does them some favours in turning their season around.

As mentioned above, a significant tie against the Lions will follow their break, with a chance to earn back some plaudits up for grabs.

4. Carlton

The Blues got the job done against Essendon in the fashion many had assumed, churning out a 26-point win to return to the top four on the ladder.

The win won't give them much more breathing space over those on their tails, but there were certainly no complaints with how the Blues went about their business on Friday night.

Scheduled to face the Tigers this week, an encounter that could give us a great read of where both sides sit.

5. Sydney

With no action to account for, the Swans hold their place in fifth and will have their sights firmly set on a trip to Adelaide Oval to face the Power on Saturday.

The encounter will see the Swans as a strong chance to land their third straight win against fellow finals hopefuls, before another critical clash with St Kilda in Round 15.

6. St Kilda

The Saints couldn't bounce off their bye and into a win, falling to the favoured Lions on Saturday night.

Injuries played their part, but questions were certainly raised over the Saints' prospects for a deep finals push.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Mitch Owens of the Saints is assisted by trainers during the 2022 AFL Round 13 match between the Brisbane Lions and the St Kilda Saints at The Gabba on June 11, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With a tough run ahead, the Saints can't afford to falter against the Bombers this Friday night.

7. Geelong

The Cats were among the six sides on a break in Round 13, and see no change to their standing in our Power Rankings.

With a wave of returning players set to be fit for Chris Scott's side this week, the Cats are unlikely to struggle against the hapless Eagles.

8. Collingwood (+1)

Another significant scalp no longer sees Collingwood as just a 'danger team' to the top clubs, with Craig McRae's men now firmly in the window to secure a finals finish.

The Pies move up into the top eight in our rankings after their dismantling of the Demons on Monday, their fourth win on the trot before the bye.

Aren't scheduled to face a top eight side until Melbourne aginst in Round 21, seeing Collingwood controlling their own chances of a spot in September.

9. Richmond (-1)

Despite the win over Port Adelaide, where Damien Hardwick's side did little to deter their standings, the Tigers fall one place due to the form of another.

Richmond were able to stave off the Power under tough conditions and will have the perfect chance to show their worth this week against Carlton.

With Collingwood on a bye, you can pencil in a rise for Richmond should they come away with four points against the Blues.

10. Western Bulldogs

The Dogs sit 10th in our standings, a position that is parallel with their placing on the AFL ladder.

They'll see this week's clash with rivals GWS as an avenue to move up the order of both rankings, needing to return to winning ways after falling to the Cats last week.

Should they stumble in their attempts, they'll suddenly be just four points clear of the Giants and could mathematically slip to 12th.

11. Gold Coast

The Suns sit just a couple of spots outside of the top half of the competition and will see this weekend's bout with Adelaide as an opportune encounter to reaffirm themselves to the league.

They'll face no side among the top seven in the league until their next QClash with Brisbane in Round 19, with every win Gold Coast notch up taking Stuart Dew one step closer to a new contract.

12. Hawthorn (+2)

Took Fremantle to the end on Saturday and won back some credits in doing so.

Could face a fall back down our standings with a bye this weekend, but unlikely to descend as much as they've risen this week.

Return to face Hawthorn next week, which will amplify the indications of where the Hawks sit.

13. Port Adelaide (-1)

Rolled the dice on naming no recognised ruckmen against the Tigers, which wasn't the direct reason for their loss but certainly played a part in making an uphill battle steeper.

The win to Richmond, as well as Collingwood, sees the Power's finals chances slide, now placed three wins away from the top eight.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Zak Butters of the Power is seen bleeding after clashing heads with teammate Tom Jonas of the Power (not pictured) during the 2022 AFL Round 13 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 09, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A win over finals contenders Sydney on Saturday would see the Power land unlikely premiership points as we enter the final stretch.

14. GWS Giants (-1)

Another side to face a fall despite victory over the weekend, with the Giants not necessarily gaining further followers in a win over the Roos.

The sensational switch to move Harrison Himmelberg to defence was a highlight, with Mark McVeigh pulling some intriguing strings so far in his interim role.

If they don't want to be seen as a bottom third side, then this week's clash with the Dogs at home will give them that chance.

15. Adelaide

The Crows find themselves with some space between the two sides above and below them after their bye, but will only be looking up.

An encounter against the Suns is unlikely to see Matthew Nicks' side seen as favourites, but a trip to face North Melbourne in Tasmania next week could bear more fruit.

Face a tough few weeks after then, so the coming fortnight is critical if the West Lakes club want to rise.

16. Essendon

Didn't do themselves any damage on Friday night despite the loss, however the Bombers aren't close to moving out of the bottom three.

That's not to say they're in the same conversation as the two clubs below them, but plenty still needs to be done to find some fortune.

Jye Caldwell and Brayden Ham during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

Unlikely to get the chocolates against the Saints on Friday night, but will see their Round 15 clash with West Coast as their best bet to land their third win.

17. Kangaroos

A bit same-old, same-old for the Roos, failing to look a sniff in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Gave up 10 first-half goals to their 2 and couldn't claw themselves back into the match.

A needed bye comes this week before facing Adelaide, a game sure to be considered 'winnable'.

18. West Coast

No game for the Eagles gave Adam Simpson a welcomed break, but their nightmare campaign will continue this week against the Cats.

West Coast are sure to see next week's bout with the Bombers as the best chance of collecting that second win of the season.

Published by
Mitch Keating