If anyone needed any further proof that the 2017 AFL season is one of the most hotly-contested in history, Round 9 was the proverbial pudding.
For the first time this year, there are no Victorian teams featured in ESPN's AFL Power Rankings' top four, largely due to the meteoric rise in the stocks of a Fremantle side which has won six of its past seven games. In the true spirit of the 'form ladder', the Dockers have well and truly earned their top-four spot this week.
GWS managed to retain top spot after a nailbiting win, while West Coast and the Western Bulldogs both feel the pinch after losing games they probably should have won.
Sydney, too, are another big mover after a strong month of footy, and as a result, the teams in the lower reaches of the rankings have adjusted their spots accordingly.
While it's been a tough few weeks for tipsters, one thing that was certain was Richmond losing in dying seconds... again. Maybe footy isn't that unpredictable after all?
1. Greater Western Sydney:
Last week: 1 (no change)
Round 9: defeated Richmond by 3 points
For all the talk about Richmond yet again blowing a last-minute lead, plaudits should be given to a GWS side which was 25 points down at three-quarter time. The Giants rallied as any good side should, and their red-time game plan was executed perfectly - typified by Phil Davis' knock over the back of the pack which led to Jeremy Cameron's last-gasp winner. Despite recording 16 fewer inside 50s, GWS was effective when moving the ball forward and dominated the clearances. Ultimately, good teams find ways to win close matches, and the Giants did exactly that. They therefore remain at the top of the Power Rankings this week.
Next: West Coast (Domain Stadium, Sunday, 2:40pm local)
2. Adelaide:
Last week: 2 (no change)
Round 9: defeated Brisbane by 80 points
If there is any team Adelaide would like to have played after two shock losses, it's Brisbane. Don Pyke's side came away with an 80-point victory, but the result does more than just register four points. The Crows have arrested their minor stall and will be keen to remind the competition of why they were undefeated through the first seven rounds. They're still the league leaders for marks inside 50 and contested possessions, and while Fremantle have remarkably won six of their past seven, the Crows should start warm favourites at home.
Next: Fremantle (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:10pm local)
3. Fremantle:
Last week: 7 (up 4)
Round 9: defeated Carlton by 35 points
Fremantle are one of two big movers in this week's edition of the ESPN Power Rankings. After being ranked the worst team in the competition after two rounds, the Dockers have turned their season around, winning six of their last seven to sit fifth on the AFL ladder. They're ranked third in the Power Rankings based on recent form, but there's no doubt a heavyweight clash with Adelaide this week will determine whether or not they should be taken seriously as a threat come September. With a firing midfield and strong recent contributions from the likes of Shane Kersten, Michael Walters, and Hayden Crozier up forward, the Crows might have a reason to be a tad nervous...
Next: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:10pm local)
4. Port Adelaide:
Last week: 5 (up 1)
Round 9: BYE
Port might have had the bye, but they're still in sixth place on the AFL ladder with a game in hand. The Power's impressive recent form has also resulted in an equally strong percentage, which is something that could prove invaluable come the pointy end of the season. They're one win away from sitting third on the ladder (where this week's opponent, Geelong currently stands), and after a week to freshen up after their landmark victory in China, the Power will be hoping to give the Cats a Thursday night shock down at the Cattery.
Next: Geelong (Simonds Stadium, Thursday 7:20pm local)
5. West Coast:
Last week: 3 (down 2)
Round 9: lost to Essendon by 61 points
Last week, this column said in order for the Eagles to be taken seriously they needed to 'back up their strong performance' over the Western Bulldogs with a win against an Essendon side over which they should be finishing on the ladder. Instead the Eagles capitulated, and yet again have to wear the moniker of 'flat track bully'. West Coast looked disinterested at times during their 10-goal loss to the Bombers, and coach Adam Simpson summed it up by saying the Eagles were simply "an average side". For now, they're better than your run-of-the-mill team, but they'd want to fix those glaring deficiencies pretty quickly.
Next: GWS (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
6. Western Bulldogs:
Last week: 4 (down 2)
Round 9: lost to Geelong by 23 points
Is it time to worry about the Dogs? While the experts have shone the spotlight on Freo (which has won six of their last seven) and Richmond (which have lost four on the trot), the Western Bulldogs have escaped scrutiny despite dropping three of their past four. Again, the Dogs showed class in turning around a 33-point third-quarter deficit to take the lead heading into the final term, but Geelong - spurred on by a raucous home crowd - skipped away to a four-goal win. The warning signs are there for coach Luke Beveridge, who said his side couldn't sustain the pressure for four quarters, but with runs on the board it's best not to write them off.
Next: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
7. Geelong:
Last week: 8(up 1)
Round 9: defeated Western Bulldogs by 23 points
Wait, didn't the Cats defeat the Dogs last week? So why, you may ask, are they ranked below the defending champions? It's a tough one to sell, but cast your minds back just one week and commentary surrounding the Cats was almost diabolical in nature. They lost three in a row, to teams they're widely expected to eclipse on the ladder and while they did take a big scalp in the Dogs, Geelong need sustained good performances to show they're once again worthy of a top-four spot in the rankings. The Cats will need to contend with a six day break this week, while their opponent, Port Adelaide, are coming off the bye.
Next: Port Adelaide (Simonds Stadium, Thursday 7:20pm local)
8. St Kilda:
Last week: 6 (down 2)
Round 9: lost to Sydney by 50 points
Seven days ago, the Saints were ranked sixth in the Power Rankings and it was mentioned that it would be disappointing if they were to let slip their match against Sydney. Well, let it slip they did. To be fair, Sydney once again looks like a team which made the grand final last year, but for a St Kilda side desperate to deliver a finals berth to their fans, the showing at home was pretty poor. It might not be panic stations just yet, but in such an even season - and with a crunch match against the Dogs to come, the Saints could fall further behind the top eight on the ladder.
Next: Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
9. Essendon:
Last week: 11 (up 2)
Round 9: defeated West Coast by 61 points
Scalp alert! After being ranked as low as 14th after Round 7, the Bombers have been on an upward trajectory on the back of some rather convincing football. Less than a month ago, coach John Worsfold had everyone believing his players were cooked, but with some big wins over top-four hopefuls West Coast and Geelong, maybe Essendon are a sneaky chance to be featuring in September? The Bombers have the chance to make it three straight with a win over a Richmond side bereft of any confidence - a result which should see the Bombers feature in the top eight of both the ladder and the ESPN Power Rankings.
Next: Richmond (MCG, Saturday 7:25pm local)
10. Sydney:
Last week: 15 (up 5)
Round 9: defeated St Kilda by 50 points
The Swans might be coming from a long way back, but if any team is capable of overturning a 0-6 start to make the finals, it's Sydney. The Swans are the Power Rankings' second 'big mover' for the week, jumping five spots to sit 10th. This column was hesitant to rate them after a victory over Brisbane in Round 6, but following two more convincing wins - both against decent opposition and both away from home - Sydney are getting their plaudits. With home games either side of the bye (against Hawthorn and the Dogs), the Swans could be 5-6 (and firmly in the rankings' top eight) before you know it.
Next: Hawthorn (SCG, Friday 7:50pm local)
11. Richmond:
Last week: 10 down 1)
Round 9: lost to GWS by 3 points
There's really not much to say, is there? While still clinging to seventh spot on the AFL ladder, the Power Rankings page isn't great viewing for Richmond supporters. After winning their first five, they've now lost four on the trot - and three of them have been absolute heartbreakers. Having said that, they're miraculously just one (big) win out of the top four, and considering the fact they have the wood over arch-rivals Essendon (Richmond has won the past five against the Bombers), the Tiger train might just be able to recover from its derailment later this week.
Next: Essendon (MCG, Saturday 7:25pm local)
12. Melbourne:
Last week: 9 (down 3)
Round 9: lost to North Melbourne by 14 points
Last week Melbourne's review read like this: 'With another winnable game on the horizon, it's the sort of match the Dees are likely to throw away.' Prophetic, really. Melbourne are stranded alone on four wins, sitting 11th on the ladder with Sydney close in pursuit. Melbourne host Gold Coast in Alice Springs this week, in what is another danger game considering the Suns are coming off a much-needed bye week. Lose this week and making finals becomes a challenge, because the three teams below the Dees on the ladder will all start as favourites in their respective matches later this week.
Next: Gold Coast (TIO Traeger Park, Saturday 4:35pm local)
13. Gold Coast:
Last week: 12 (down 1)
Round 4: BYE
After a much needed bye following an insipid display in Shanghai, Gold Coast will be hoping they can get their season back on track with a victory over Melbourne on neutral ground. The Dees lost a match they really should have won last week and can be patchy at times, meaning Gold Coast could give them a shock if they're not switched on. Melbourne really struggled to contain North's big key forward Ben Brown last week, and there's no doubt Suns' co-skipper Tom Lynch will have been watching closely in the hope of exploiting Melbourne's backline holes.
Next: Melbourne (TIO Traeger Park, Saturday 4:35pm local)
14. North Melbourne:
Last week: 16 (up 2)
Round 9: defeated Melbourne by 14 points
After a sleepy start to 2017, North Melbourne have managed to win three of their last four games, with its victories coming over teams many picked to finish above them on the ladder (Adelaide, Melbourne and Gold Coast). The Kangas have a wonderful chance to make it four from five when they play the Blues on Sunday, as Carlton will be without standout defender Sam Rowe. While it is the Blues' home game, it will be played both at North's favoured Etihad Stadium and on North's terms; the Roos have the Blues covered in most facets of the game, averaging plenty more inside 50s, hit outs, tackles and contested possessions per match.
Next: Carlton (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm local)
15. Carlton:
Last week: 13 (down 2)
Round 9: lost to Fremantle by 35 points
Carlton might have lost to Fremantle by almost six goals, but the margin flattered the Dockers. For three-and-a-half quarters, Carlton had a real chance at forcing an upset win, but a flurry of late Freo goals sealed their fate. Adding insult to injury is news that key back Sam Rowe - who had been having a wonderful season - has done his ACL, meaning he will take no further part in the 2017 season. Positively, the kids continue to get valuable experience, with Carlton fielding seven players aged 20 years or younger to Fremantle's zero on Sunday.
Next: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm local)
16. Collingwood:
Last week: 17 (up 1)
Round 9: defeated Hawthorn 18 points
There's something about Collingwood winning games with their backs firmly against the wall... At half-time, it looked as though Eddie McGuire was contemplating stamping coach Nathan Buckley's papers, but a daring and dashing second half effort was a memorable one for the Magpie army. Seven goals down, Collingwood rallied to bury the Hawks, allowing just one goal and two behinds after the main break. Crucially, young guns Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams and the much maligned Darcy Moore were all among the bests for the Pies, who could easily make it two in a row when they meet Brisbane in Melbourne this week.
Next: Brisbane (MCG, Sunday 1:10pm local)
17. Hawthorn:
Last week: 14 (down 3)
Round 9: lost to Collingwood by 18 points
The equation was simple for Hawthorn heading into last week's match against Collingwood: win and finals might still be on the cards. One demoralising loss later, and it's going to be tough for the Hawks. They'll need to win around 10 of their next 13 if they're to be in with a shot considering their poor percentage, and with a tough ask against a confident Sydney at the SCG week, it could become nearly impossible for the AFL's darling team of the last decade.
Next: Sydney (SCG, Friday 7:50pm local)
18. Brisbane:
Last week: 18 (no change)
Round 9: lost to Adelaide by 80
Another week, another belting. In fairness to a young and inexperienced Brisbane side, Adelaide are the competition's frontrunners and a free-scoring unit, but it's an indictment on where Brisbane are at when they're suffering 12+ goal losses at home most weeks. The days of 'the Gabbatoir' seem so long ago, and while it's going to be a long process which requires time and perhaps a priority pick in the future, results like the one on the weekend leave little choice but to have Brisbane ranked firmly on the bottom of the ESPN AFL Power Rankings for a fifth straight week.
Next: Collingwood (MCG, Sunday 1:10pm local)