GWS and Adelaide remain the clear-cut flag favourites but judging by the topsy-turvy ESPN AFL Power Rankings over the first 10 rounds, there will be jostling among the next 12 (or more) sides for a finals berth. It's the most open season anyone can remember.
Like most weeks, the action is happening between anywhere as high as third on the form ladder down to as low as 13th. Geelong and the Bulldogs were this week's big movers, while both Western Australian teams have been forced south after posting very different 'bad' results.
Richmond finally won a close one but Sydney can almost kiss their September hopes goodbye after a heartbreaking last-minute loss to Hawthorn.
Adding to the intrigue, the upcoming bye rounds are sure to throw a spanner in the works over the next month or so.
And while the Power Rankings try their level best to straighten out the 'fake news' sometimes told by the actual ladder, both tables have Gold Coast, Carlton and Brisbane rounding out the bottom three this week.
1. Greater Western Sydney:
Last week: 1 (no change)
Round 10: defeated West Coast by 8 points
Are they still missing at least 10 players from their best 22? Yep. Did they record their first ever win over West Coast? Yep. Did they do it at a hostile venue after trailing by as many as three goals in the third quarter? Yep... the Giants were superb in the late game on Sunday. Clutch performances from stars Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Callan Ward were crucial in keeping the Giants just percentage away from top spot on the ladder, and with a home game against a mid-table Essendon and a trip to Etihad against lowly Carlton before their bye, this injury-depleted side could be rocking a 10-2 start heading into the back half of the year. Scary.
Next: Essendon (Spotless Stadium, Saturday, 4:35pm local)
2. Adelaide:
Last week: 2 (no change)
Round 10: defeated Fremantle by 100 points
Well, it seems as though we're resuming normal transmission back in Adelaide. After two complacent losses to lower-ranked teams, the Crows have used their past two weeks to remind the competition that they're not to be taken lightly. Over the past fortnight, Adelaide have defeated Brisbane and Fremantle by 80 and 100 points. While they're not the biggest scalps, the percentage boost will come in handy later this year considering the even nature of the season. What will really impress the punters is if the Crows can get the job done against a strong Geelong outfit down at the Cattery on Friday night. Watch with interest.
Next: Geelong (Simonds Stadium, Friday 7:50pm local)
3. Western Bulldogs:
Last week: 6 (up 3)
Round 10: defeated St Kilda by 40 points
Saturday afternoon's clash between the Bulldogs and the Saints highlighted the gulf in class between 'flag contender' and 'finals contender'. The reigning premiers, desperate for a win to keep in touch with the top four, were simply too strong for a one-dimensional St Kilda outfit. The Saints have had success against other teams with their fast-moving style of footy, but good sides can challenge teams to play outside of their comfort zones, and the Bulldogs did that wonderfully well on Saturday. They enter the bye with the best percentage of the four teams on six wins.
Next: BYE
4. Geelong:
Last week: 5(up 1)
Round 10: defeated Port Adelaide by 2 points.
Geelong's resurgence up the table was touted when it was discovered the Cats were scheduled to play three straight games at Kardinia Park, but having won the first two at the venue - against good sides - it just shows what the Cats are capable of doing... if they decide to show up. In 2017 we've seen the good, bad and ugly, but with a strong home ground advantage in a further five games this year, it's hard to see them missing out on a home final - be it in the first or second week of the finals. Having said that, it would be interesting to see how Geelong would respond if Patrick Dangerfield or Joel Selwood missed games through injury.
Next: Adelaide (Simonds Stadium, Friday 7:50pm local)
5. Port Adelaide:
Last week: 4 (down 1)
Round 10: lost to Geelong by 2 points
They might have lost, but Port Adelaide's effort on Thursday night would have shown many that the Power can contend for a top-six spot on the ladder. Except for what can only be described as a brain fart from Charlie Dixon and perhaps some questionable umpiring on Robbie Gray, the Power could well have stolen the match from Geelong and their parochial crowd. Like the Port Adelaide of 2014, this team is full of dash and dare, and with a well-structured backline which balances talls and running smalls, Ken Hinkley has the talent to have this side September bound. .
Next: Hawthorn (Adelaide Oval, Thursday 7:20pm local)
6. Fremantle:
Last week: 3 (down 3)
Round 10: lost to Adelaide by 100 points
Watching Fremantle's performance on Saturday night was reminiscent of blowing a balloon up and then just letting it go. They were deflating, all over the shop and someone might as well have been blowing a raspberry the entire time. After putting in the hard yards in previous weeks - winning six of seven in the lead-up - the AFL community would surely have shut up and taken notice had the Dockers put in a good performance. Having said that, they're still likely to win against teams ranked below them ... such as Collingwood, which visits Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Next: Collingwood (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
7. West Coast:
Last week: 5 (down 2)
Round 10: lost to GWS by 8 points
Are the Eagles officially in trouble? Not only did they lose to GWS on their home deck in Perth, but key forward Josh Kennedy joins their growing list of injured talls. Kennedy is currently leading the Coleman Medal, but after he "heard a pop" and went down with an apparent calf issue, it could be some time before the Eagles once again have a strong marking target up forward. Jack Darling is yet to show he can string together consistent performances, while Drew Petrie and Nathan Vardy combined probably couldn't give the Eagles the same output as Kennedy. Positively, it's Gold Coast they play before their bye, followed by two home games in row. Keep an eye on them.
Next: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
8. Richmond:
Last week: 11 (up 3)
Round 10: defeated Essendon by 15 points
Finally the Tiger Army can celebrate the result of a tight match. Late in the last quarter of the Dreamtime at the G blockbuster, the stage was set for yet another last-minute capitulation, but to the Tigers' credit, it seems they have finally learned how to close out a close one. The Tigers have jumped three places in the rankings after the three sides placed above them last week all lost (Sydney, St Kilda and Essendon). They sit in eighth in this week's rankings - but for how long remains to be seen.
Next: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
9. St Kilda:
Last week: 8 (down 1)
Round 10: lost to Western Bulldogs by 40 points
After showing some positive signs in recent rounds, with impressive wins over GWS, Hawthorn and Carlton, the Saints have now lost two on the trot to Sydney and the Dogs by 50 and 40 points. While it's not panic stations, percentage could end up separating teams at vying for places in the top eight. It's a rut which coach Alan Richardson won't stand for, and with a week off, no doubt the Saints will emerge keen to rectify their form slump in the second half of the year. With huge matches against sides like Adelaide, Port, Fremantle and Sydney all on the road in coming weeks, the Saints will need bank some wins if they're to nab a spot in the eight.
Next: BYE
10. Melbourne:
Last week: 12 (up 2)
Round 10: defeated Gold Coast by 35 points
Five goals down early in the third quarter of their match against Gold Coast, Dees fans would have been sweating - and not just those who travelled to the red centre to watch their team play. Had Melbourne lost this crucial match, they would have been 4-6 and log-jammed somewhere between 11th and 14th on the ladder and with their September hopes looking grim. To the Demons' credit, they were able to rally strongly and overrun a Gold Coast side which had the fresh legs after a bye. Jordan Lewis and Nathan Jones were superb through the middle, while Jeffy Garlett continues to stake his claim as one of the comp's premier small forwards. They're still in the hunt, but won't want to drop any matches to teams they really should beat.
Next: BYE
11. Essendon:
Last week: 9 (down 2)
Round 10: lost to Richmond by 15 points
Essendon would have provided the competition with endless ammunition had it come from behind to defeat Richmond, but it wasn't meant to be. To be fair, Essendon really shouldn't have been close to the Tigers, amassing just 16 scoring shots to Richmond's 26, but inaccurate kicking kept the Bombers in the contest. The positives are still there; David Zaharakis returned to form and Joe Daniher didn't miss and continues to grow into his role, but only eight players recorded more kicks than handballs on the night, putting unnecessary pressure on every single ball carrier. It doesn't get any easier with a road trip to Western Sydney on the cards this week.
Next: GWS (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm local)
12. Sydney:
Last week: 10 (down 2)
Round 10: lost to Hawthorn by 6 points
Gee, that loss hurts. It was a sense of déjà vu in Sydney on Friday night, with a long bomb from outside 50 handing the Hawks a narrow victory to almost end talk of Sydney's finals chances. But - knowing John Longmire and the Swans - while they may be placed 15th on the ladder, you just never know. In the three weeks previous, the Swans showed more than just a glimpse of why they were grand finalists last year, but they can no longer afford late hiccups such as that which occurred on Friday night. Sydney have the bye this week, and will need to at the very least reverse their win-loss record if they're to give the competition a shake-up come the pointy end.
Next: BYE)
13. North Melbourne:
Last week: 14 (up 1)
Round 10: defeated Carlton by 17 points
It was relief more than ecstasy on the faces of North Melbourne fans leaving Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Having let slip a 45-point lead to trail the Blues by two points early in the final quarter, it looked like Brad Scott's side was going to do the near impossible. But the Roos found another gear in the last 10 minutes, with Luke McDonald and Mason Wood both playing a crucial late cameo to get their side over the line. Now sitting 4-6 just a game and percentage out of the eight, the Roos could find themselves chalking up a few wins in the second half of the year - just take a look at their fixture.
Next: Richmond (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
14. Hawthorn:
Last week: 17 (up 3)
Round 10: defeated Sydney by 6 points
There's still a heartbeat. Giving life to not only themselves, but the old adage 'never write off a champion', the Hawks are remarkably still alive in 2017. Much like the Cyril's game-winner against the Swans in 2016, this time it was a Jarryd Roughead long bomb from 50 which sealed the four points for the Hawks, keeping them in touch with the top eight. Despite the win 2017 will only ever be an uphill battle for the champs, with some tough matches to come in coming weeks. It begins with a second consecutive interstate trip and a second straight six-day break; the Hawks face Port in Adelaide on Thursday.
Next: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Thursday 7:20pm local)
15. Collingwood:
Last week: 16 (up 1)
Round 10: defeated Brisbane by 45 points
Collingwood has their fourth win for the year and sit 12th on the actual ladder, but it's going to take a little more than a victory over the Lions to result in a sharp rise up the rankings. Positively, Jamie Elliott is back to his goal kicking best, while young key forward Darcy Moore is profiting from some help in the forward 50. While a win over Brisbane does little to inspire, the Pies can drum up some Power Rankings support with an unlikely road win over the Dockers in Perth next week.
Next: Fremantle (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
16. Gold Coast:
Last week: 13 (down 3)
Round 10: lost to Melbourne by 35 points
Gold Coast had fresh legs coming off the bye and was five goals up over Melbourne under the sun in Alice Springs. The Dees then staged an 11-goal turnaround to send the Suns packing in humiliating fashion. There are holes all over the ground for coach Rodney Eade, but it must be mentioned that the Suns did perform a mini list cleanout at the end of last year, drafting in some top-tier talent which will require time to develop. The future may be bright, but the sun has set on the present - we can surely rule Gold Coast out of the finals race for 2017.
Next: West Coast (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
17. Carlton:
Last week: 15 (down 2)
Round 10: lost to North Melbourne by 17 points
If you've been following Carlton in 2017, you might think it's a tad harsh to have them just one spot off the bottom of the rankings. Then, you realise, in such an even season, which team is going to fall below the Blues? Slow starters North, Sydney or Hawthorn? Collingwood - which has won their last two? No, only Brisbane deserves to be under the Blues, but it doesn't mean Carlton aren't showing promising signs. The Blues played 12 players aged 22 years and under and four players from each the 2015 and 2016 draft class, and nearly stole the match against North after being 45 points down. Patience, Blues.
Next: BYE
18. Brisbane:
Last week: 18 (no change)
Round 10: lost to Collingwood by 45
Bringing up the rear yet again is Brisbane. The Lions were right in their match against Collingwood heading into three-quarter time, but as seems to be the case with young sides, they simply ran out of legs. Skipper Dayne Beams was influential, while young guns Tom Cutler, Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry and Rhys Mathieson were all among the best, proving there is light at the end of the tunnel... how long the tunnel is, however, remains to be seen. A week off will do the kids a world of good. Following the bye, Brisbane hosts Fremantle at the Gabba.
Next: BYE