Round 14 was the first full week of footy in a month, and in true 2017 fashion, it delivered; four of the nine matches were decided by less than a kick and in the dying seconds.
It makes compiling the ESPN AFL Power Rankings a tough gig, but it's clear that Greater Western Sydney is still the team to beat.
For the second week in a row, the Giants have bagged top spot on the form ladder, while Adelaide has taken a tumble after it lost to Hawks on Thursday night.
The Dees are now making their move; after more than a decade in purgatory, the 'lid' seems about ready to blow off, and with a blockbuster match-up against the Swans - who jumped three places this week - on Friday night, we could soon be lauding them as a legitimate top-four chance.
Elsewhere, the Dogs vindicated last week's decision to send them tumbling out of the rankings' top eight and Essendon looks to have blown its chance after some Richmond-like last-minute brain fades.
Overall, it was an entertaining round of footy, and while we're on the subject of 'the most even season in history', there will be four matches in Round 15 between sides which are ranked next to one another in the Power Rankings - GWS vs Geelong, Port Adelaide vs Richmond, Western Bulldogs vs West Coast, and Fremantle and St Kilda. Happy tipping!
1. Greater Western Sydney:
Last week: 1 (no change)
Round 14: defeated Brisbane by 60 points
Greater Western Sydney not only retains the top spot in the rankings this week, but they are also now a game clear on top of the ladder after Adelaide's shock loss on Thursday night. The Giants easily accounted for Brisbane up at the Gabba, but with a crunch match against a Geelong outfit which has been in pretty good form in recent weeks, they'd want to back it up with a win this week. In such an even season, the Giants are still the comp's premiership favourite, despite having a swag of big names out. Hard to see them losing with a full-strength line-up.
Next: Geelong (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
2. Geelong:
Last week: 3 (up 1)
Round 14: defeated Fremantle by 2 points
The Cats narrowly avoided an embarrassing loss at home to the Dockers with a come-from-behind victory at the Cattery. While it was ugly on paper (and out on the ground) the Cats remain within close reach of the top two. The one concern many hold for the Cats right now is their ability to translate their game away from home - at Simonds Stadium, Geelong is undefeated, but a loss in Perth last Thursday highlights the need for this side to be more consistent elsewhere. This week's clash with the Giants will no doubt act as an important indicator as to whether or not the Cats deserve their second-place ranking.
Next: GWS (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
3. Melbourne:
Last week: 4 (up 1)
Round 14: defeated West Coast by 3 points
There's no doubt about it, but Melbourne is one of the league's hottest teams right now. Not only are they just percentage outside of being top four on the ladder, the Dees are banishing, well, demons all over the place. Saturday night's heart-stopping win was just their first in Perth (against either West Coast or Freo) since 2002, and the first against the Eagles since 2009. On top of that, Melbourne was missing a number of key cogs for the clash; Nathan Jones, Jack Watts and Jesse Hogan are all arguably top six players within the side, yet the Demons were still able to get it done. This win sets up a tantalising match-up against the Swans - another form team - on Friday night.
Next: Sydney (MCG, Friday 7:50pm local)
4. Adelaide:
Last week: 2 (down 2)
Round 14: lost to Hawthorn by 14 points
Adelaide is quickly becoming one of the AFL's more frustrating sides. Clear premiership favourites one week due to their blistering ball movement and forward line power, the Crows have been made to look second rate on a number of times this year. It was summed up best on Thursday night when a depleted, 17th-ranked Hawthorn came to the Adelaide Oval and knocked them off the top of the ladder. Yes, it's an even season, and yes, Hawthorn was a finalist last year, but for an Adelaide side which harbours premiership aspirations, surrendering top spot in the circumstance it did was disappointing to say the least.
Next: Carlton (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm local)
5. Port Adelaide:
Last week: 5 (no change)
Round 14: defeated Collingwood by 31 points
Last week, this column declared Port Adelaide's next month of footy "season-defining", and it's off to a good start. Interest surrounded the Power's match against the Pies. Collingwood refuses to say die in 2017, and at the MCG, they could have pulled a rabbit out of the hat to stay within a 'cooee' of the top eight. However, as good sides do, Port got the job done with relative ease. Robbie Gray continues to show why he has become one of the league's best midfielder-turned-forwards, while a very good problem to have is beginning to materialise at Alberton - a non-existent injury list means competition for spots is heating up.
Next: Richmond (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:10pm local)
6. Richmond:
Last week: 6 (no change)
Round 14: defeated Carlton by 26 points
It was an ugly, scrappy affair at the MCG on Sunday, but Richmond secured a much-needed four points. Under intense pressure from the media and fans all week, the Tiges didn't let slip a match-winning lead, completely choking the Blues and keeping them to just eight goals. If we must nit-pick, Dustin Martin was again far-and-away Richmond's best, and with the threat of him leaving at the end of the year, some of the club's second-tier midfielders are going to need to take a massive step forward. It's hard to see the Tigers beating the Power next week, but in 2017, you just never know.
Next: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:10pm local)
7. Sydney:
Last week: 10 (up 3)
Round 14: defeated Essendon by 1 point
If football Gods are a thing, then they were looking down upon Sydney favourably on Friday night. Down by four scores with just a few minutes left, the Swans orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks of the modern era, securing a win which, if only for a moment, pushed them into the top eight. Stat of the week: in one point games at the SCG, the Swans are 4-1 against the Bombers, but 1-4 against every other team. In such an enthralling year of footy, it's Sydney's story which is most impressive, and with another must-watch Friday night affair looming, let's all take a moment to draw our collective breaths, because the Swans will be cemented in the top eight if they win this week.
Next: Melbourne (MCG, Friday 7:50pm local)
8. West Coast Eagles:
Last week: 7 (down 1)
Round 14: lost to Melbourne by 3 points
The Eagles blew a genuine chance to solidify their top eight aspirations on Saturday night, going down to the Dees in a heartbreaking loss at home. The Eagles are going to need as many wins as they can get at Domain Stadium, as their percentage (ranked 9th) is pedestrian at best, meaning their September destiny may fall out of their hands. The Western Bulldogs await the Eagles; this clash is of particular interest considering the 1:45pm start time translates to a late-morning bouncedown for the Eagles' body clocks. Will it be a factor? Who knows, but a win in this match is vital for both sides.
Next: Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
9. Western Bulldogs:
Last week: 9 (no change)
Round 14: defeated North Melbourne by 1 point
After falling five places last week, the Dogs have stabilised in ninth spot after a win which can only be described as by the skin of their teeth. The Dogs, up by 26 points with about 15 minutes to go, stopped dead in their tracks, allowing the Roos to draw level before a very handy point from Jake Stringer secured a Bulldogs victory. The result kind of sums up their season - they're a little complacent, but likely to do just enough to sneak into the eight. The Dogs return to their home ground on Saturday to face the Eagles, and with both sides sitting at 7-6 on the year, the winner can open up a smidgen of breathing space heading into the run home.
Next: West Coast (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
10. Essendon:
Last week: 8 (down 2)
Round 14: lost to Sydney by 1 point
Some might say that Sydney won Friday night's thrilling encounter, but there's also the argument that Essendon's late-game brain fades cost the Bombers a much-needed victory. In what seemed like a sick homage to Richmond's last-quarter efforts, the Bombers made six (yep, we counted) under-16s errors which cost them a vital four points. From Brendon Goddard's kick in, to Joe Daniher's decision to kick down the middle to a one-on-one with the smallest bloke on the ground, it really was amateur hour (or minute) from the Bombers. Bluntly, the loss has put a huge dent in Essendon's finals hopes as they're now well-and-truly in the chasing pack.
Next: Brisbane (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm local)
11. St Kilda:
Last week: 11 (no change)
Round 14: defeated Gold Coast by 31 points
St Kilda's five-goal victory over the Suns was worthy of its Sunday twilight timeslot. The Saints, to their credit, ticked all the right boxes, but they're not showing the footy world anything new. Remember the Dogs in 2015? They announced themselves by playing a fast, exciting brand of footy, scraping into the eight and playing in one of the best elimination finals in recent years, and St Kilda - now in a similar stage of its development - just isn't showing signs that it could be that sort of side in 2017. Much like Port Adelaide, this next month is season-defining for the Saints, who have the Dockers on the road, the Tigers and then Bombers at Etihad Stadium, followed by the Swans at the SCG.
Next: Fremantle (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
12. Fremantle:
Last week: 12 (no change)
Round 14: lost to Geelong by 2 points
Credit to Fremantle, its recent record at Simonds Stadium is nothing short of enviable to many teams. Since Round 1, 2007, Geelong has lost just eight matches at home and two of those have been to Freo. The Dockers have also lost by two points twice in that time. Despite leading all day, it wasn't to be for Ross Lyon's men, who fall below parity at six wins and seven losses on the season. They should, however, be somewhat confident of getting the job done at home against the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
Next: St Kilda (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
13. Collingwood:
Last week: 13 (no change)
Round 14: lost to Port Adelaide by 31 points
Collingwood remains steady at 13th place in the Power Rankings, but only due to the fact that Carlton, Gold Coast and North Melbourne (the three teams below the Pies last week) all lost. Make no mistake, Port Adelaide is pushing for a top-four finish in 2017, but with its season on the line, Collingwood's effort was disappointing. The Pies could manage only nine goals on the day, and after they let Port kick five unanswered in the third term, it was game over. Coach Nathan Buckley remains optimistic about finals in 2017, but now at least two games off the pace and with the same number of wins as Hawthorn, it'll be a tough ask. Positively, Darcy Moore kicked three in what was an encouraging performance.
Next: Hawthorn (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm local)
14. Carlton:
Last week: 14 (no change)
Round 14: lost to Richmond by 26 points
Yet again, Carlton ticked a number of key boxes in its 26-point loss to the Tigers. From 62 inside 50s, the Tigers could only manage 11 goals, but the Blues could only manage to kick eight themselves, effectively shooting themselves in the foot. The footy world understands that coach Brendon Bolton is content to build his group slowly, but Carlton is far and away the competition's lowest scorer, averaging just 72 points per game. Not only does Carlton need a forward (or two) who could legitimately kick 45 goals per year, it also must build midfield depth over the offseason. A good test comes in the form of Adelaide - at the MCG - on Saturday.
Next: Adelaide (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm local)
15. Gold Coast Suns:
Last week: 15 (no change)
Round 14: lost to St Kilda by 31 points
It might seem harsh, but Gold Coast's 31-point loss to St Kilda was as many expected. The Suns have been a disappointment in 2017 - a year which will mark the sixth-straight season without a finals appearance. Yep, we're calling it early, and, while they are building a nice list, it's hard not to feel disappointed by this team which still so obviously relies on one man. Hopefully they can get up for Gary's 300th next week. Side note: Tom Lynch goalless over the past two weeks... they need more from their co-captain.
Next: North Melbourne (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm local)
16. Hawthorn:
Last week: 17 (up 1)
Round 14: defeated Adelaide by 14 points
Hawthorn's wacky season continues. Not content with being down in the doldrums, Alastair Clarkson's men decided that, as the 17th-placed side, they would stroll into Adelaide Oval and completely outplay the top ranked Crows. Interestingly, the majority of the Hawks' wins have come outside of Victoria - they've won just the two at the MCG in 2017. Collingwood at the 'G is this week's task, and while not impossible, their percentage is still too poor to consider them an outside finals chance. Right now, it's about giving St Kilda a draft pick which isn't the number two or three overall...
Next: Collingwood (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm local)
17. North Melbourne:
Last week: 16 (down 1)
Round 14: lost to Western Bulldogs by 1 point
When North Melbourne drew level after being 26 points down late into the last quarter, there was a slight sense that the Roos could do some serious damage to the Doggies' September hopes. Alas, it wasn't to be, and while Shaun Higgins will be wishing he'd taken a step or two a few seconds earlier, there were a number of positives for the young Roos. Unfortunately, they take a fall down the rankings because, all things considered, Hawthorn is the better side at this point in time.
Next: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm local)
18. Brisbane:
Last week: 18 (no change)
Round 14: lost to GWS by 60 points
It feels like the same spiel over and again for Brisbane, but a ten-goal loss to the premiership favourite in GWS isn't the end of the world. Debutant Alex Witherden played impressively, as did 2016 draft picks Jarrod Berry and Hugh McLuggage. Off-field, impressive key position player Dan McStay re-signed this week, while Josh Schache is still yet to slot back into the line-up. There's a bright future down the track.
Next: Essendon (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm local)