The bye weekends have finally come to an end, as has West Coast's time on the bottom of the table in Round 14's Power Rankings.
With the top three enjoying a week off, there's not much movement at the top of the standings, but both the Swans and Saints have found themselves in shifted spots after poor performances, while Richmond continue to impress.
1. Fremantle (-)
The Dockers remain on top following their bye weekend, after some strong showings prior to the week off. Set to face Carlton next in Round 15 in what should be a major test of their premiership credentials.
2. Brisbane (-)
The Lions currently sit atop the AFL ladder with a strong percentage as the competition heads towards the pointy end of the season.
Fresh from a week off and a win over St Kilda at home, the Lions are set for a major clash against Melbourne on Thursday night in what could very well be a grand final preview.
3. Melbourne (-)
No longer at home atop the rankings, the Demons will have to become used to slipping down unless they put an end to their three-game losing streak against Brisbane on Thursday.ย The league seems to have figured out the Dees, which is a code red scenario at Casey Fields as we draw closer to the end of the regular season. Melbourne have a simple task ahead to restamp their authority as premiership favourites - beat Brisbane and do it convincingly.
4. Geelong (+3)
While their performance against the Eagles left a bit to be desired, Geelong have benefited from some truly poor performances from some of their fellow top eight teams.
Finally back in the top four, the consistent Cats are well on their way to yet another finals campaign.
5. Richmondย (+4)
Another team that impressed while those hunting the same spots disappointed. The Tigers performed well on Thursday night against a Carlton team many expect to be a finals contender. With the race to finals beginning to really heat up, the Tigers are proving that they're not hanging around to just make up the numbers. Should be expected to feature on the higher end of the rankings on the run home.
6. Carlton (-2)
While the Blues didn't necessarily put in a bad performance on Thursday night to warrant a two-place drop, the form of the two sides above them has pushed them down the standings.
Still compromised by injury, worsened by the loss of mid-season recruit Sam Durdin, the Blues are facing a tough run home to regain some places.
7. Sydney (-2)
Sydney's performance against Port Adelaide raised plenty of questions, and lowered their ranking. The Swans were outworked, outclassed and outplayed by a team considered to be a sneaky finals contender. A crucial matchup against the equally disappointing Saints looms, as does an opportunity to prove themselves as September threats.
8. Collingwood (-)
With no match to judge on, the Pies hold their position in eighth spot as they ready for a clash against the Giants in Round 15. Proving themselves to be an in-form team in the competition on a four-match winning streak, expect to see the Pies higher next week should they take down the Giants.
9. St Kilda (-3)
Dropping out of the top eight in the rankings is symbolic of the way the Saints attempted to derail their return to finals football during Round 14's clash against Essendon.
Brett Ratten's men didn't look like a finals team on Friday night and with one of the toughest fixtures in the competition on the run home, there's plenty of room for doubt that the Saints are going to climb up the table again.
10. Gold Coast (+1)
The Suns have certainly hit an impressive patch of form, disposing of Adelaide to the tune of 43-points on Sunday.
Now on a three-match winning streak, the Suns are drawing even closer to a maiden finals campaign. With some of the teams above them beginning to falter.
11. Western Bulldogs (-1)
The Bulldogs kept themselves in touch with the top eight with a win over GWS in an entertaining contest, but still find themselves dropping down a place in the rankings.
Perhaps harsh off the back of a high-scoring win, but the Bulldogs can prove themselves over the next month as they face some likely finals contenders.
12. Port Adelaide (+1)ย
Port Adelaide delivered a big boost to their finals chances with their performance against the Swans, with some big improvements in the forward 50.
Still not consistent enough to place any higher in the rankings, but pull off another upset in style like that and the Power may genuinely be considered a threat for a top-eight spot.
13. Hawthorn (-1)
Stiff to lose a spot during a bye week but they'll be given a chance to reclaim it with a Friday night clash against the Western Bulldogs looming.
With three-straight losses heading into the bye, the Hawks need to get their season back on track if they want to avoid the bottom four.
14. GWS (-)
More of the same for the Giants in Round 14. Their performance against the Bulldogs was admirable, but still keeps them firmly out of touch with the top half of the table.
Scoring 100+ points in a loss is a positive, but not enough of one to improve their spot in the standings.
15. Essendon (+1)
The version of Essendon that dismantled the Saints is one rarely sighted in 2022. They looked impressive and invigorated, with plenty of positive signs to take into the end stretch of the year.
Managing to hold off a Saints comeback early in the third term and pile on goals instead is something new from a Bombers outfit regularly found wanting at the first sign of resistance, it will be interesting to see which version of Essendon show up against the Eagles this weekend.
16. Adelaide (-1)
The Crows managed to shorten Gold Coast's lead in the second half after a momentum-ending injury to Wil Powell, but could do little to stop an onslaught of Suns goals in the final term.
In what is seeming to be a constant for Adelaide this year, bad kicking is bad football, and the Crows will continue to slip down the rankings unless they start taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
17. West Coast (+1)
The Eagles have officially found themselves off the bottom of the table after a spirited performance against the Cats, losing by just 18 points as they regained some talent back into an injury-riddled side. They may not have collected the four points, but they did show glimpses of a different West Coast team than we've all become accustomed to lately.
18. North Melbourne (-1)
Hard luck for the Kangaroos who find themselves on the bottom of the rankings despite not playing a match during the round.
Set to face Adelaide in Tasmania this weekend, the Kangaroos have a chance to climb back up.
