With season 2017 now well and truly underway, the ESPN AFL Power Rankings are beginning to 'hold steady' at both the pointy end and in the lower reaches.
Adelaide remain the league's highest-ranked team - no surprises there - while the Hawks vindicated our decision last week to shunt them to the base of the form ladder after a mauling at the hands of the Cats.
Overall, six teams hold their place from Round 3 to Round 4, including all top four sides, while six sides shifted just the one spot. Gold Coast was the big mover this week; their past two performances have shown the hallmarks of a top eight side and, as a result, they've leapt five spots up to No.9 in the rankings.
Elsewhere, St Kilda is beginning to capture some form after a slow start to 2017; Essendon looks to have "hit the wall" as coach John Worsfold suggested; and, Fremantle appear to have kick-started their year after a second-straight win, this time by two points over the Dees.
1. Adelaide:
Last week: 1 (no change)
Round 4: defeated Essendon by 65 points
Adelaide remain the Power Rankings leader for the fourth-straight week after yet another impressive display. The Crows were clinical in their 65-point victory over the Bombers, with the explosive forward line again putting the game out of reach of their opponents. Despite playing without Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern, the Crows found plenty of goal kickers with phenom Eddie Betts kicking six and Taylor Walker five, while there were good contributions from the midfield as well. The Crows are comfortably the league's highest-scoring side so far in 2017, averaging an incredible 128 points per match, and while their defence would be considered 'middle of the pack', it's not a huge concern while the goals keep raining down.
Next: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium, Saturday, 4:35pm local)
2. Geelong:
Last week: (2 no change)
Round 4: defeated Hawthorn by 86 points
Geelong remain second on the Power Rankings ladder after four rounds following their 86-point demolition of rival Hawthorn. While we've learnt the Hawks won't be the powerhouse they have been throughout the past decade, the win was still impressive for a number of reasons, not least Geelong's 15-goal second-half effort. The Cats are the second highest-scoring side in the league so far in 2017, while they also concede the second-fewest points per match as well - hence it's fitting they find themselves sitting second on the Power Rankings. The Cats also had an even spread of goal kickers on the weekend - 11 players kicked at least one goal, while their young draftees (Parfitt, Stewart, Parsons) look right at home at AFL level.
Next: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm local)
3. Greater Western Sydney:
Last week: 3 (no change)
Round 4: defeated Port Adelaide by 31 points
After trailing Port Adelaide by four points at three-quarter time, the Giants showed impressive mettle to run away with a five-goal win. The Giants have been in good touch since going down to the Crows in Round 1 and have shown the footy world they should still be regarded as one of the flag favourites. Jon Patton was in fine form on Saturday, kicking six goals, while the ever-reliable Toby Greene kicked another bag of four. Crucially, Jeremy Cameron kicked just one goal, but the left-footer is still in fourth place in the race for the Coleman Medal, showcasing the Giants' enviable depth up forward. They're also ranked first in the league for effective disposal percentage and inside-50s per match.
Next: Sydney (SCG, Saturday 7:25pm local)
4. Richmond:
Last week: 4 (no change)
Round 4: defeated Brisbane by 52 points
Richmond is 4-0 and the Tiger Army is beginning to stir. While the Richmond fan base has experienced a number of false dawns in recent years, there are signs not seen in years gone by which could hold them in good stead in 2017. So far, through four matches, the Tigers are far-and-away the league's stingiest team (giving up an average of 75 points per match), while they're behind only GWS for inside 50s per match (60). It should also be noted that Richmond's VFL team has also been in ripping form (recording a 189-point win over North Ballarat at the weekend) indicating strong depth, while the young brigade, led by their impressive small forwards, keeps moving from strength to strength.
Next: Melbourne (MCG, Monday 7:25pm local)
5. West Coast:
Last week: 6 (up 1)
Round 4: defeated Sydney by 26 points
West Coast has leapfrogged the Western Bulldogs to sit fifth in the rankings this week, after they produced a strong finish to edge the Swans following a five-day break. While the Eagles didn't produce an earth-shattering performance - with Josh Kennedy having a down day at home and the respective midfields breaking even - the Western Bulldogs' slim victory over the Kangaroos left a little to be desired. The Eagles get 10 days to recover ahead of an interesting clash with Hawthorn on Sunday; Adam Simpson's men will be keen to prove they can win convincingly at the MCG - a sensitive subject for those from the west.
Next: Hawthorn (MCG, Sunday 4:40pm local)
6. Western Bulldogs:
Last week: 5 (down 1)
Round 4: defeated North Melbourne by 3 points
With such competition in the upper reaches of the Power Rankings, it's the Bulldogs who fall a place despite a win on the weekend. The Dogs trailed by as many as five goals to the Roos on Good Friday, but, to their credit, they managed to recover and claim a hard-fought three-point win. Their performance was less than convincing considering it was against a side many have tipped to be bottom four, so the Dogs will need to find another gear if they're to prove to the competition that they have what it takes to challenge for back-to-back flags.
Next: Brisbane (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
7. St Kilda:
Last week: 9 (up 2)
Round 4: defeated Collingwood by 17 points
After starting the year 0-2, the Saints seem to have found some form. While defeating Collingwood by three goals is hardly something to crow about, the match was low scoring, and the Saints were (yet again) terribly inaccurate, kicking at 42.2 percent in front of goals in 2017. Luckily for the Saints, they've been able to get away with inaccurate kicking against sides not expected to be in the hunt for the top eight, but they may want to work on that with a crucial clash with Geelong looming. Many tipped the Saints to be a top-eight contender, and a win this week against the undefeated Cats could once again get the footy world talking.
Next: Geelong (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm local)
8. Port Adelaide:
Last week: 7 (down 1)
Round 4: lost to GWS by 31 points
Port Adelaide's Round 4 loss to GWS was not unexpected, but to be outscored by 35 points in the last quarter will concern Power coach Ken Hinkley. Port was right in the contest until three quarter time, but a fourth quarter masterclass from Jon Patton and Toby Greene put the game to bed. Despite sitting at 2-2, the Power's losses have come against Adelaide and GWS (both in the top four on the ladder and in the rankings), which suggests they're slightly better than what their ladder position suggests. Carlton comes to the 'Portress' on Friday night, so Port fans can rest easy knowing their team will more than likely be above parity once again.
Next: Carlton (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:20pm local)
9. Gold Coast:
Last week: 14 (up 5)
Round 4: defeated Carlton by 26 points
If you've been watching the Gold Coast Suns over the last two weeks, you could be forgiven for thinking they were a top-eight team. Gold Coast was magnificent against Carlton at the weekend; key forward Tom Lynch was in inspired form, Brandon Matera backed up last week's six-goal outing with another three majors while 'Two Metre' Peter Wright was influential around the ground. In defence and through the midfield, the likes of Adam Saad, Touk Miller and Aaron Hall are all providing line-breaking run and excellent delivery into the forward line. On a sour note, co-captain Steven May suffered a hamstring strain and will likely be out for some time, but the kids are getting exposure and the rebuild looks to be ahead of schedule.
Next: Adelaide (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 4:40pm local)
10. Fremantle:
Last week: 13 (up 3)
Round 4: defeated Melbourne by 2 points
They were the laughing stock of the competition after two weeks, but the Fremantle Dockers have rallied to square the ledger and be 2-2 after four rounds. Impressively, the Dockers managed to secure their win on the road and against a favoured opponent, defeating Melbourne by two points at the MCG. Former Giant Cam McCarthy showed why he was brought into the club, while the club's younger midfielders Lachie Weller, Lachie Neale (four goals) and Connor Blakely were all prominent. Coach Ross Lyon described the victory as one which builds character, and the Dockers will be looking to continue building when they welcome the winless North Melbourne to Domain Stadium on Saturday evening.
Next: North Melbourne (Domain Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm local)
11. Melbourne:
Last week: 10 (down 1)
Round 4: lost to Fremantle by 2 points
After starting season 2017 with two wins and with so much promise, Melbourne has slumped to 2-2 on the back of a demoralising home loss to Fremantle. Leading by more than four goals late in the second quarter, the Dees gave up eight straight to the Dockers, who were able to hang on for a gritty two-point win at the MCG. Without influential ruckman Max Gawn and under pressure from a number of other mid-ranking teams vying for the top eight, Melbourne needs to bounce back fast to prove it is a genuine finals contender. They face the Tigers in a blockbuster on Monday night.
Next: Richmond (MCG, Monday, 7:20pm local)
12. Essendon:
Last week: 8 (down 4)
Round 4: lost to Adelaide by 65 points
Essendon coach John Worsfold said it best after his side's 65-point loss to Adelaide: his players have "hit the wall" after just four rounds. Essendon had stirring wins over Hawthorn and Brisbane in the first two weeks of the year, but those teams are ranked 18th and 17th on the Power Rankings respectively. Many predicted that the 'banned Bombers' might struggle to readjust to the pace of footy, and while emotions might have carried them through the first couple of rounds, losses to Carlton and Adelaide have provided somewhat of a reality check. The Bombers will need to 'get up' for a huge game this week when they take on the Pies on Anzac Day. The positive? They have a 10-day break to get primed.
Next: Collingwood (MCG, Tuesday 3:20pm local)
13. Collingwood:
Last week: 11 (down 2)
Round 4: lost to St Kilda by 14 points
Ranked by Champion Data as having the best midfield in the competition heading into 2017, the Magpies are failing to capitalise and transition the ball effectively into their forward 50. They simply don't hit enough targets in the forward 50. Young key forward Darcy Moore is struggling with the poor delivery, while the Pies' talented midfielders are not hitting the scoreboard enough to carry the load. In addition, Collingwood has been woeful in front of goal this year, kicking at 38.7 percent in front of the big sticks (ranked last in the AFL and far behind the 17th ranked St Kilda at 42.2 percent). Their general field kicking is also poor at 71.8 percent (ranked 14th). Anzac Day awaits, and a loss to fierce rival Essendon could spark renewed calls for change down at the Holden Centre.
Next: Essendon (MCG, Tuesday 3:20pm local)
14. Carlton:
Last week: 12 (down 2)
Round 4: lost to Gold Coast by 26 points
After a bruising Round 3 win over the Bombers, it was just one quarter of footy which let the Blues down at the weekend. Blooding another debutant, Zac Fisher, the Blues went in with nine players under 21 years of age in the 26-point loss to the Suns at Etihad Stadium. The Blues are ticking their boxes under coach Brendon Bolton - their tackle count was nearly double that of their opponent, their inside 50s were up but, ultimately, it was the poor conversion in front of goal and a slow start to the third quarter which brought the Blues undone. Contrary to what many predicted, they're not 'wooden spoon bad', but they'll struggle to replicate their seven-win season of 2016.
Next: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:20pm local)
15. North Melbourne:
Last week: 16 (up 1)
Round 4: lost to Western Bulldogs by 3 points
On paper, a three-point loss to the reigning premiers would almost constitute a 'pass' for a young North Melbourne team which is still winless in 2017, however the fact they blew a 31-point third-quarter lead somewhat sours the end result. Encouragingly for the Roos, a number of kids looked the goods, including 2016 first-round draft pick Jy Simpkin, who showed some impressive signs in just his third game. Unlike a team such as Sydney, the Roos don't have many experienced big names to come back into their side and will need to hit free agency and the draft hard in the next year or two to become competitive again. If one thing is evident, it's that 2017 will be used to get games into the kids - something coach Brad Scott was hesitant to do last year - and they'll be better for it in the long run.
Next: Fremantle (Domain Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm local)
16. Sydney:
Last week: 15 (down 1)
Round 4: lost to West Coast by 26 points
Sydney might be winless after four rounds with the slimmest chance of playing finals this year, but there was a lot to like from their youthful outfit on Thursday night. They were able to restrict two-time Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy to just two goals and were within a kick of the lead midway through the last quarter. The dependables are still firing; Heath Grundy, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy were among the best, but had the Eagles been more accurate in front of goal, the margin could have been much higher. The Sydney derby looms and, with GWS in strong form, the Swans are likely to find themselves in uncharted territory at 0-5 for the first time since 1993.
Next: GWS (SCG, Saturday 7:25pm local)
17. Brisbane:
Last week: 17 (no change)
Round 4: lost to Richmond by 52 points
It's hard to judge the Lions too harshly considering they're clearly in a building phase, however a 52-point loss at home is something coach Chris Fagan would no doubt be disappointed with. Richmond is a talented side and while it will take time for this Brisbane side to fully understand Fagan's game plan, they need to put up more of a fight at the Gabba. There have been glimpses from their key position players and they are more defensively sound compared to 2016 (averaging 108 'points against' compared to 130 in 2016). Worryingly, it was the older heads (Zorko, Rockliff, Martin) among the best while the kids were a little quiet.
Next: Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
18. Hawthorn:
Last week: 18 (no change)
Round 4: lost to Geelong by 86 points
We picked it last week, but there were a few eyebrows raised when this column dumped the Hawks to the bottom of the proverbial barrel. As it stands through four rounds, the Hawks have the fewest 'points for' in the league (281 at an average of 70) and the most 'points against' (502 at an average of 125). In addition - and as many know - they have no first round draft pick this year, and the likes of Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne, and perhaps Luke Hodge are surely contemplating their future. Unless they can work some magic at the trade table, the Hawks may find themselves bereft of experienced, top-end talent in 12 months' time.
Next: West Coast (MCG, Sunday 4:40pm local)