If ever there were a match fully indicative of just how even the 2017 AFL season has been, then surely it was the draw between the teams in first and second place on the ESPN AFL Power Rankings table.
If you need any more proof for 2017 being one of the best years of footy, ever, there were a further three matches decided by single figures (Saints over the Dockers, Eagles over the Bulldogs and the Lions over the Bombers), while the then-15th-placed Blues also ran the second-placed Crows to just two straight kicks.
It's amazing that just two wins separates second and eighth on the ladder, and, as a result, the Power Rankings have yet again undergone minor adjustments, with the Dees falling out of the top four at the expense of Richmond.
Sydney, too, have come back from the dead, while further down Hawthorn look to be following a similar blueprint. The Hawks are just two games out of the eight; could they possibly do a Bradbury?
Elsewhere, the Dogs are almost at crisis point, while the Dons have hit one nail into their own coffin and we have a new side on the bottom of the Power Rankings for the first time in 10 weeks after the Lions won their second match in a month and third overall.
1. Greater Western Sydney
Last week: 1 (no change)
Round 15: drew with Geelong
The finals result of Saturday night's epic draw might not have been in the hands of the Giants' players in the last 10 or so seconds, but sometimes you get lucky. In such a tight season, two points is better than no points at all and, as a result, GWS remain on top of both the ladder and the Power Rankings after Round 15. Encouragingly, the big names will continue to return over the next few weeks, after Devon Smith and Josh Kelly made successful comebacks at the weekend. A month ago, this week's clash with Hawthorn wouldn't have grabbed many headlines; but the Giants will need to be on their toes down in Tassie with the Hawks in yet another do-or-die situation.
Next: Hawthorn (UTAS Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
2. Geelong
Last week: 2 (no change)
Round 15: drew with GWS
Had the head honchos at Geelong been offered two points heading into their away match with the Giants -- without Joel Selwood, Scott Selwood, Daniel Menzel and with three debutants -- they'd have taken it to the bank without a second thought. Despite Tom Hawkins' after-the-siren miss, the Cats were impressive in restricting one of the league's most dynamic forward lines to just 68 points. All in all, they remain in the ladder's top four, and therefore maintain the second spot in the rankings.
Next: Brisbane (Gabba, Saturday 7:25pm local)
3. Adelaide
Last week: 4 (up 1)
Round 15: defeated Carlton by 12 points
The Crows have risen a spot -- despite only just accounting for a gutsy Carlton at the weekend -- on the back of Melbourne's loss to the Swans. Ultimately, and despite some recent criticism about the lack of a 'Plan B' and the 'unhealthy reliance' on Rory Sloane, Adelaide are second on the ladder and a game clear inside the top four. It was encouraging to see Josh Jenkins take the reins as the dominant key forward at the weekend, but the loss of Kyle Hartigan to what looks like a two- or three-week hamstring injury does sour the result. An out-of-form Bulldogs unit makes the trek to South Australia this Friday night, and the Crows should win if they're serious about winning a third flag.
Next: Western Bulldogs (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:20pm local)
4. Richmond
Last week: 6 (up 2)
Round 15: defeated Port Adelaide by 13 points
For all the laughs directed at the Tigers over the past month or so, they're four wins from their past five matches and have just beaten top-four contenders on their own patch -- meaning the Tigers train is once again filling up at the prospect of a top-four finish. Dustin Martin continues to show why he is a short-priced Brownlow favourite, while the development shown by players such as Kane Lambert and Dan Butler is encouraging for the medium term. This week, they come up against a form team away -- it's Maddie's Match against the Saints on Saturday night.
Next: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
5. Sydney
Last week: 7 (up 2)
Round 15: defeated Melbourne by 35 points
So, when do we start talking about Sydney as a legitimate flag threat? Aside from the one tight loss to Hawthorn, the Swans have been irresistible over the past two months and now sit ninth on the ladder with seven wins and seven losses. Sydney beat a good side on Friday night, and, although the Demons were missing a number of key cogs, the Swans were able to turn the screws and shape the result into a pretty convincing win. They're at home this week against the Suns in yet another winnable game, but it's the Sydney derby after that which has the punters intrigued. Beat the Giants to stand 9-7 and a flag isn't such a farfetched thought...
Next: Gold Coast (SCG, Saturday 4:35pm local)
6. Melbourne
Last week: 3 (down 3)
Round 15: lost to Sydney by 35 points
After being the talk of the town and on the verge of the top four, the Demons couldn't find a way to cover injuries to key players and lost to the Swans on Friday night. Adding insult to injury for the depleted Dees, Tomas Bugg is set for an annual leave-sized holiday. In a positive, this week could ring in the return of key forward Jesse Hogan, who has been undergoing treatment for testicular cancer since Round 7. Can the Dees right the ship and beat the Blues? Prime movers Jack Viney and Dom Tyson are both in doubt, joining Nathan Jones, Christian Salem and possibly Jack Watts on the sidelines.
Next: Carlton (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm local)
7. Port Adelaide
Last week: 5 (down 2)
Round 15: lost to Richmond by 13 points
When your own coach labels you pretenders in the media, you know he's pretty upset. Power coach Ken Hinkley didn't hold back in his post-game press conference after his side couldn't get over the line against the Tigers at home on Saturday night. The glaring -- and almost embarrassing -- stat is that Port haven't beaten a side in the top eight in 2017; with an away game against the seventh-placed Eagles this week, the Power will need to break that curse if they're genuine about a top-four finish.
Next: West Coast (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
8. West Coast Eagles
Last week: 8 (no change)
Round 15: defeated Western Bulldogs by 7 points
Remarkably, the Eagles are two wins from three matches at Etihad Stadium this year after they outlasted the reigning premiers by seven points on Saturday. The Bulldogs might be in crisis mode, but credit to West Coast for winning on the road without several stars including Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill, Matt Priddis and Shannon Hurn. The Eagles will also take some degree of confidence into this Sunday's crucial clash with the Power, knowing that Port haven't been able to put away a top-eight side so far in 2017.
Next: Port Adelaide (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local)
9. St Kilda
Last week: 11 (up 2)
Round 15: defeated Fremantle by 9 points
This column was hesitant to send St Kilda shooting up the rankings after their strong win over the Suns in Round 14, but now it's only fair they move up a couple of spots having gone west and beaten the Dockers. The Saints are 8-6 in 2017 and firmly entrenched in a battle for a spot in the lower reaches of the eight, but they're beating the sides below them and that's all fans can ask for. While they're not as dynamic as (a fit) Melbourne, or as fascinating as Richmond, they are going about their business in relative anonymity.
Next: Richmond (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
10. Western Bulldogs
Last week: 9 (down 1)
Round 15: lost to West Coast by 7 points
Is it time for panic stations down at the Whitten Oval? Had the Bulldogs not fallen over the line against the lowly Kangaroos in Round 14, they might well have been winless over the past few weeks. Something doesn't seem right at the kennel, whether it be a hunger to go back-to-back, injuries or -- as has been denied -- personal issues. It doesn't get any easier this week: The Dogs must travel to Adelaide on a six-day break to take on the high-flying Crows under Friday night lights. Should the Bullies lose, they'll be sitting at 7-8 and likely lower than their current 10th spot on the ladder with their finals hopes in the balance.
Next: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:20pm local)
11. Hawthorn
Last week: 16 (up 5)
Round 15: defeated Collingwood by 24 points
If 2017 were a movie, Hawthorn would be popular character who dies early in the piece only for everyone to find out later that he (or she) didn't actually die, and they end up saving the day. Much like Sydney's flag chances, is it unrealistic to suggest that Hawthorn can make the eight after their shocking start to the year? In beating the Pies, the Hawks leapfrogged three teams on the ladder, so it's only fair they do the same in the rankings. Their percentage is still pretty abysmal, but they'll give themselves every chance come late August if they keep winning.
Next: GWS (UTAS Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm local)
12. Essendon
Last week: 10 (down 2)
Round 15: lost to Brisbane by 8 points
In the past two weeks, Essendon have gone from dangerous top-eight contender after beating Port to being two games out of the eight after losing to Brisbane. The Bombers seemed disinterested and bruise-free at times -- almost as if they thought they could roll up and get the job done against the bottom-of-the-ladder side -- and they paid the price. Suddenly, this week's match-up with Collingwood has a certain feel about it -- a feeling of complete irrelevance in terms of its impact on season 2017.
Next: Collingwood (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm local)
13. Fremantle
Last week: 12 (down 1)
Round 15: lost to St Kilda by 9 points
Up by three points in the dying stages of their match against St Kilda, a Ross Lyon-led Dockers outfit should have been confident of shutting the Saints out of the contest. Unfortunately for Fremantle (and their slim finals hopes) St Kilda's Josh Bruce sealed the deal with two late goals that relegated the Dockers to 6-8 on the year. With their poor percentage, it's hard to see the unlikely happening for Fremantle, who showed so much promise just six weeks ago.
Next: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm local)
14. Gold Coast Suns
Last week: 15 (up 1)
Round 15: defeated North Melbourne by 19 points
Without sounding patronizing, good on the Suns for saluting Gary Ablett's 300th milestone with a win. The Suns now have a win-loss record of 6-8 and their ladder position (looks about right even though the hierarchy will no doubt have been hoping for a finals debut in 2017. Encouragingly, the kids were impressive, with Ben Ainsworth (four goals) and Brayden Fiorini (24 touches, six tackles and a goal) listed in the 'bests' for the Suns. Given the issue with this side's consistency, it's hard to see Gold Coast getting up this week against the Swans in Sydney.
Next: Sydney (SCG, Saturday 4:35pm local)
15. Carlton
Last week: 14 (down 1)
Round 15: lost to Adelaide by 12 points
Let's get one thing clear: Carlton are going to be a tough team to play in a year or two. But for now, the Blues will continue to give some good sides a scare and pinch one or two along the way - as Brendon Bolton has this team playing a different but effective brand of footy. After going down four goals early in their match against Adelaide, the Blues took control of the game, slowing it down and working their way back into the contest. Ten minutes into the final quarter, they hit the front; although they couldn't force the upset, the belief is there for this side. With Melbourne's injury worries, this week isn't unwinnable for the Baby Blues.
Next: Melbourne (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm local)
16. Collingwood
Last week: 13 (down 3)
Round 15: lost to Hawthorn by 24 points
As far as their recent form goes, the Pies have lost their past three and look done and dusted in 2017. As far as the Power Rankings go, they're just about rock bottom. In a match they had to win in order to keep the door ajar, the Pies couldn't get it done against the Hawks on Sunday. The loss is another nail in the coffin and another chapter in what has become a disappointing year for Nathan Buckley and his side. As we said earlier in Essendon's write-up, this week's match carries with it a distinct sense of irrelevance. Collingwood surely won't make the finals from here.
Next: Essendon (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm local)
17. Brisbane
Last week: 18 (up 1)
Round 15: defeated Essendon by 8 points
After languishing at the bottom of the ESPN AFL Power Rankings for 10 weeks, the Lions have deservedly made the jump up to 17th after a team-lifting performance against the Bombers on Sunday. Brisbane came from behind against the Dons, kicking six of the last seven goals with the kids playing a vital part. Alex Witherden was Rising Star-worthy with 29 touches, Hugh McLuggage had something of a breakout game and Eric Hipwood kicked four, while Dayne Zorko led beautifully in the midfield. It could, however, be a reality check for the young Lions this week when the Cats come to town.
Next: Geelong (Gabba, Saturday 7:25pm local)
18. North Melbourne
Last week: 17 (down 1)
Round 15: lost to Gold Coast by 19 points
In such an even year, it almost seems wrong to have the Roos ranked bottom of the Power Rankings; after all, they did run the Dogs to a point just over a week ago. However, as is the nature of the season, all losses are missed opportunities and North Melbourne have lost their past four after showing some promising signs in the middle part of the year. They really lack some dynamism in the middle, and it was clear to see against the Suns' midfield. Having said that, they'll likely rise off the bottom of the rankings with a win over the Dockers on Sunday.
Next: Fremantle (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:310pm local)