AFL
Matt Walsh, Assistant Editor 7y

AFL Power Rankings, R19: Crows soar, Swans crash

AFL

If ever there was a round just for the footy purists, Round 19 was it. A cracker between the Swans and the Hawks on Friday night set the tone for a weekend in which four matches were decided by a straight kick or less.

The ESPN AFL Power Rankings have remained relatively steady this week, save for some minor changes both up the top and down the bottom of the table.

The top three have shuffled around after Sydney's loss; the Crows have taken the crown of the league's hottest team with the Cats are in hot pursuit after a big win over the Blues. GWS and Richmond both remained steady despite wins at the weekend.

Further down, the Dogs are making a gutsy dash for the finals at the expense of the Bombers, while the Saints are the biggest losers of the weekend, falling to 13th in the rankings after a poor month of footy. Their finals hopes now hang by a thread.

Elsewhere, North Melbourne rubbished claims of tanking with a win over the Demons, while the Blues have, for the first time in 2017, found themselves at the bottom of the rankings.

Strap yourselves in for the final four rounds, folks, because there is much still to be decided in season 2017.

1. Adelaide
Last week: 2 (up 1)
Round 19: drew with Collingwood

After salvaging a draw with the Pies on Sunday, Adelaide have seemingly fallen into first place in the Power Rankings, after Sydney were brought back down to earth on Friday night. Adelaide should never have been 50 points down, but on the other hand, they were able to pinch two points after the siren... two points which maintain a one match lead over the second-placed Cats. This week's match is an absolute doozy, as well. The Crows host cross-town rivals Port in an epic Showdown which has significant finals implications. A loss for the Crows would put a top-two finish at risk, while a win could almost end Port's top four hopes.

Next: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Sunday 4:10pm local)

2. Geelong
Last week: 3 (up 1)
Round 19: defeated Carlton by 65 points

An 11-goal drubbing certainly is one way to get back into form ahead of the finals! The Cats were merciless against a young and tired Carlton outfit on Saturday night, running and handballing like a team possessed. Despite losing to the Crows a fortnight ago, the Cats are just one win (and percentage) from first place on the ladder, meaning they're within striking distance of the Crows if Port can get the job done in the Showdown this week. But it's not going to be all smooth sailing for the Cats, who have lost Paddy Dangerfield for this week's huge clash with the Swans at the Cattery.

Next: Sydney (Simonds Stadium, Friday 7:50pm local)

3. Sydney
Last week: 1 (down 2)
Round 19: lost to Hawthorn by six points

Not only did the Swans go down to the Hawks by six points on Friday night, ending their run of seven straight wins, they also came away with a number of concerning injuries. Co-captain Josh Kennedy could be in doubt after aggravating his hamstring, while walk-up starters Sam Reid, Gary Rohan, Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith were all spotted training lightly and away from the main group in Sydney on Monday. Adding to their growing woes is the fact that the Swans will have to travel for the second week in a row - this time to Geelong to face the Cats.

Next: Geelong (Simonds Stadium, Friday 7:50pm local)

4. Richmond
Last week: 4 (no change)
Round 19: defeated Gold Coast by 33 points

Richmond's clash with Gold Coast could well have been a danger match for the Tigers of old. Facing a battle for the top four, and against an opponent in the bottom four, old Richmond could well have choked. But, illustrating the obvious step forward the Tiges have taken this season, Richmond were able to come away with a pretty solid victory, and as a result, they find themselves fourth on the ladder and just percentage behind GWS heading into Sunday's crucial clash with the Hawks at the 'G.

Next: Hawthorn (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm local)

5. Greater Western Sydney
Last week: 5 (no change)
Round 19: defeated Fremantle by 12 points

The Giants were made to work for their 12-point win over the lowly Dockers, and that's not something coach Leon Cameron would be too happy with. Needing to make a statement after a poor month of footy (two draws and two losses in their last four weeks), GWS's come-from-behind win wasn't overly inspiring, but ultimately they sit third on the ladder despite having had a below-average run. We've said this before, but this week they have the chance to get back on track with a big win over the Demons in Canberra.

Next: Melbourne (UNSW Stadium Canberra, Saturday 1:45pm local)

6. Port Adelaide
Last week: 7 (up 1)
Round 19: defeated St Kilda by 2 points

By the skin of their teeth, Port Adelaide have managed to snag a two-point win over the Saints, keeping them one game clear of the four teams behind them on 10 wins. Paddy Ryder's glorious tap to magician Robbie Gray was reminiscent of a training drill - whether that's an indictment on St Kilda's structures or worthy of props to Port doesn't matter, because the Power remain just one win out of the top four. Again, knockers will say they haven't beaten a top eight side, but at least they're consistently beating the teams below them. If they can somehow snag a win in this week's Showdown, look out top four.

Next: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Sunday 4:10pm local)

7. Melbourne
Last week: 6 (down 1)
Round 19: lost to North Melbourne by 4 points

To butcher a phrase from the immortal Aussie comedy, The Castle, what is it with Melbourne and losing to the Roos? North Melbourne have now won 17-straight against the Dees, in a hoodoo which could prove disastrous to Melbourne's hopes of hosting a home final. The four-point loss means the Demons are now in a group of four teams with 10 wins and eight losses - and with a crunch match against the Giants this week, they could even find themselves out of the eight with another loss. It's not yet panic stations, but a four-week injury to forward Jesse Hogan just adds salt to the wounds of Saturday's defeat.

Next: GWS Giants (UNSW Stadium Canberra, Saturday 1:45pm local)

8. Western Bulldogs
Last week: 10 (up 2)
Round 19: defeated Essendon by 30 points

Are the Bulldogs coming? In what was arguably their best display all year, the Dogs managed to string together an impressive four-quarter effort to sink the Dons by five goals on Sunday afternoon. Their ball movement was glorious, and reminiscent of how they won last year's flag. So, does it mean the teams above them should worry? Maybe not quite yet, but if they do make the finals, there won't be many teams comfortable with the idea of taking on the reigning premiers in a do-or-die situation. Put simply, however, the Dogs must keep winning.

Next: Brisbane (Gabba, Saturday 4:35pm local)

9. West Coast
Last week: 9 (no change)
Round 19: defeated Brisbane by 68 points

In Round 18, the Eagles were embarrassed by the Pies in Melbourne and many wondered if they were good enough to make the eight. Fast forward to Sunday, and while a 68-point win looks good on paper, we're not sure that bullying an undermanned Brisbane at home is worthy of a rise up the rankings. If the papers are to be believed, there are also tensions brewing between the club and stalwarts Mark LeCras and Matt Priddis - not the sort of distraction the Eagles need heading into a season-defining clash in Melbourne against the Saints.

Next: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm local)

10. Essendon
Last week: 8 (down 2)
Round 19: lost to Western Bulldogs by 30 points

Essendon have fallen behind the proverbial 8-ball after losing to the Western Bulldogs by 30 points on Sunday. The Bombers are now 10th on the ladder and one win behind a pack of four teams with 10 wins, meaning they have a bit of work to do if they're to scrape into the finals. Positively, they play Carlton next, and a big win this week could result in them rising as high as 7th, but a shock loss (something Carlton have handed the Bombers before) would just about mean season over. No pressure, Bombers.

Next: Carlton (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm local)

11. Hawthorn
Last week: 11 (no change)
Round 19: defeated Sydney by 6 points

Every time we write-off the Hawks, they find a way to keep their season alive. Their six-point win over Sydney (their second such over Swans this year!) keeps them in the hunt mathematically, though it's fair to say their season is more reliant on other teams than their own performances. As we know, any Alastair Clarkson-led team will give itself the best chance, and that's all that Hawthorn fans can ask for after their miraculous form turnaround and mid-season 'rebuild'. A win over the Tigers would be interesting.

Next: Richmond (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm local)

12. Collingwood
Last week: 13 (up 1)
Round 19: drew with Adelaide

While managing only a draw after being 50 points up over the Crows is heartbreaking, had Pies fans been offered two points before their match against the top team, there's no doubt the clear majority would have taken it. It's fair to say the Pies are now out of the finals race, but with two wins and a draw from their last three results, there are signs of life at the Holden Centre. Daniel Wells is a jet and needs to have a strong preseason, while young leaders Darcy Moore and Taylor Adams were both prominent with four goals between them.

Next: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)

13. St Kilda
Last week: 12 (down 1)
Round 19: lost to Port Adelaide by 4 points

It's almost hard to put into words just how shockingly bad St Kilda's last two minutes were on Saturday. Up almost two goals, the Saints managed to flush their finals chances down the toilet with one of the single worst defensive stoppage setups we have ever seen. Not only did ruckman Billy Longer allow All-Australian certainty Paddy Ryder a free leap at the last boundary throw in, no Saints midfielders were standing goal-side and in the corridor - blocking the only avenue which would have given the Power enough time to even think about scoring. As a result, Robbie Gray sharked the footy and the rest is history. The Saints march down the rankings. Enough said.

Next: West Coast (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm local)

14. Fremantle
Last week: 14 (no change)
Round 19: lost to GWS by 12 points

It's been a year of 'almosts' for the Dockers, who almost snagged one of 2017s better victories on Saturday. Up by more than two goals early in the last quarter, Fremantle couldn't hold off the Giants in Sydney and came up short by 12 points. Coach Ross Lyon admitted that while his side "ticked the boxes" in the first three quarters, they were unable to grind the match out over four. Positively, the Dockers had a good spread of goalkickers, while Nat Fyfe was back to his best with 31 touches and two goals. Things aren't looking too bad for 2018.

Next: Gold Coast (Domain Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm local)

15. Gold Coast
Last week: 15 (no change)
Round 19: lost to Richmond by 33 points

It must be tough to be a Gold Coast Sun. Not only are they languishing in the lower reaches of the ladder for yet another year, but they seemingly played an away game... at home. Richmond's supporters were in full voice up at Metricon, in what should be considered bizarre scenes seeing as Tiger fans don't normally book their Gold Coast holidays until September. On paper, a 33-point loss is disappointing, but considering the Suns battled the Tigers as well as injuries to Alex Sexton, Callum Ah Chee and Ben Ainsworth (as well as having Gary Ablett pull out in the pre-game), it could have been worse.

Next: Fremantle (Domain Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm local)

16. North Melbourne
Last week: 18 (up 2)
Round 19: defeated Melbourne by 4 points

It was fitting that in the same week the Kangaroos were accused of tanking, they went out and beat a top eight side desperate for a win. While North have dominated the Demons for some time, not many expected the Kangas to notch a 17th successive victory over Melbourne, but as luck (and a strong breeze) would have it, they managed to churn out a gutsy four-point victory. They'll still likely finish in the bottom four, but coach Brad Scott has put to bed talk of tanking and has exposed the kids to a team-lifting win in the process. It's ticks all 'round for the Roos.

Next: Collingwood (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)

17. Brisbane
Last week: 16 (down 1)
Round 19: lost to West Coast by 68 points

Brisbane made a number of odd changes ahead of their match with West Coast on Sunday. Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry and Hugh McLuggage were all 'managed', according to the Lions, and that's in addition to the omission of Dayne Zorko due to suspension and Dan McStay with a shoulder niggle. It's no surprise the Lions struggled over in the west, but if North Melbourne were accused of tanking, surely some eyebrows should be raised at Brisbane's tactics at the selection table? Regardless, they fall a spot in this week's Power Rankings.

Next: Western Bulldogs (Gabba, Saturday 4:35pm local)

18. Carlton
Last week: 17 (down 1)
Round 19: lost to Geelong by 65 points

Carlton's youngsters look tired, which isn't surprising considering the number of first and second-year players who took the park against a bigger, strong Geelong side on Saturday night. What's evident about the Blues is that they desperately miss inside bulls Ed Curnow and Patrick Cripps, with clearance production down without those two rotating through the midfield. In a positive, young forward Harry McKay looked more than comfortable in his second game, while Levi Casboult showed great signs, kicking three. He has either strengthened his case for a new contract, or raised his free agency value - both good results for the Blues.

Next: Essendon (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm local)

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