Our power rankings are back for 2018! Every week we will attempt to give a ranking to every AFL club from best to worst according to their form and performance.
With all the off-season trades, drafts and preseason games done and dusted, we've positioned who we think are best situated to contend in 2018.
1. Richmond
The reigning premiers, put the chances of a premiership hangover to bed with a dominant display in the JLT. With only injuries to Daniel Rioli, Dion Prestia and Bachar Houli, and the suspension to Nathan Broad, the rest of the premiership 22 looks raring to go. They will use the MCG as a fortress once more this season, where they should ease to victory on Thursday night against the Blues in the season opener.
Next game: Carlton at MCG, Thursday night
2. Sydney
Barring the 0-6 start last season, the Swans was the best team in the AFL. Their semi final loss at the end of the season, was surprising, but considering the amount of injuries they had last season, this season can only be better. All their guns looked great in the JLT, and with a similar 22 this year will only benefit the Swans.
Next game: West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium, Sunday night
3. Adelaide
If not for the Grand Final, the Crows would have taken top spot on the rankings. Theyโve gained Gibbs, who seems to be the missing piece in the puzzle, and their forward line looks as potent as usual, however until they can perform on the final day of the season, they canโt really make up for their dismal display in 2017 decider.
Next game: Essendon at Etihad Stadium, Friday night
4. GWS
GWS are hitting their prime and are officially in the premiership window. Age and experience is no excuse, however the loss of Nathan Wilson to Fremantle and Zac Williams to injury is a big problem. With Lachie Whitfield impressing off half back in JLT, however it will be up to a lot of the players that will be replacing the likes of Mumford, Johnson and Williams to step up.
Next game: Western Bulldogs at UNSW Canberra Oval, Sunday early
5. Geelong
They arguably have the best midfield in the competition, with Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, however the question as to whether they have the depth to contend. Tom Hawkins isnโt the power forward he once was, where last season their form was very random, losing to battlers Collingwood and Gold Coast. Theyโve gone all in to win the flag, but after top two finishes in eight of the last 11 seasons, could this be the season the Geelong empire starts to fall.
Next game: Melbourne at MCG, Sunday afternoon
6. Port Adelaide
The biggest winners in the offseason, recruiting a host of experienced players, which puts them right in the premiership window. The term โflat track bulliesโ still haunts them after the elimination final loss. Port did have a 12-0 record against bottom nine teams last year and were only 2-9 against the top nine, however, like Adelaide, they have more to prove come finals time. Thereโs no doubt that theyโll be in the finals picture come the end of the year, its if they can win is the question.
Next game: Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, Saturday twilight
7. Melbourne
Missed last years finals on percentage, but this year seems like itโs their year to finally push into the eight. They have the Gawn, Hogan, Lever and a very dynamic midfield, but its up to their middle grade players to stand up. Their first real test is in Round 1 against the Cats, where it will give us a good indication of where the Deeโs are at.
Next game: Geelong Cats at MCG, Sunday afternoon
8. Essendon
After returning to the finals in 2017, the Bombers will be looking to improve again in 2018. Theyโve added Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad which will help the Dons, but they were extremely disappointing in their first JLT hit out against Richmond, where they were basically at full strength. Jake Stringerโs defensive deficiencies were worrying, as was the lack of a second forward to partner Joe Daniher.
Next game: Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium, Friday night
9. Hawthorn
Never count out a Hawks side that is coach by Alistair Clarkson. After round 4 last year the Hawks were 10-1-7 with wins over Adelaide in Adelaide and Sydney in Sydney, whilst at the same time giving games to the likes of Ryan Burton, Blake Hardwick and James Sicily. Clarko is the coach of the modern era, and with Jaeger OโMeara finally looking fit, the mixture of youth and experience might work wonders again for Clarkoโs men.
Next game: Collingwood at MCG, Saturday night
10. Western Bulldogs
After suffering a premiership hangover last year, the Dogs will be looking to climb back up the ladder in 2018. They are very hard to read this year, just like the Hawks, but their scoring power is a really worrying sign. Picken and Stringer were the leading goal scorers last year, and Stringer has left the club, so will recruit Josh Schache help solve this issue? Will Marcus Bontempelli need to play majority of the game down forward? Will the experiment of Easton Wood down forward work wonders? So many questions still surrounding the Dogs and were just 3 days away from Round 1.
Next game: GWS Giants at UNSW Canberra Oval, Sunday early
11. St Kilda
11th and 12th was separated by a flip of a coin. The Saints need their players to step up after the retirement of Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna, and with a quiet trade period too, theyโll need their players to stand up. Theyโve just narrowly missed the eight the past two seasons, so will they be the quiet achievers of 2018 or will the loss of key personnel mean a slide down the ladder.
Next game: Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, Saturday twilight
12. Collingwood
With only the addition of unknown rookie Sam Murray, Collingwood fans will be hoping that Nathan Buckley has a few tricks up his sleeve to rejuvenate the list because Sam Murray isnโt the difference between making the finals. Their lack of scoring options is their major worry, with the Pies having to rely on injury plagued forward Ben Reid and the inconsistent Mason Cox as their two major targets.
Next game: Hawthorn at MCG, Saturday night
13. Fremantle
Nat Fyfe is back and so is Aaron Sandilands. This could mean that the Dockers may be on the rise this season. However, Ross Lyon is still in rebuild mode and this season still might be about the kids even if they still have the quality of the likes of the Hill brothers, Walters and Mundy. With two top five draft picks coming in, an improved season might be on the cards, without being a real threat to the final eight.
Next game: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Saturday twilight
14. West Coast
Tipped as the biggest slider in 2018. They are an aging side that just scraped into the finals last year. Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis are gone, so the likes of Sheuy and Gaff need to stand up. Nic Natitanui is pivotal to how the Eagles go this year, but by all reports, it might be a little longer until he gets back on the park. They still have a very dynamic forward line, with arguably the best key forward in the competition, so if their contested ball numbers can improve, a slide this far down the ladder might not be on the cards.
Next game: Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium, Sunday night
15. Brisbane
Theyโve added the experience of Luke Hodge, which will be vital for the young defenders at the Lions, but even without Hodge in the last half of last season, the Lions looked an improving side. Theyโve also added Charlie Cameron who should flourish, so an improved season for the Lions is on the cards.
Next game: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, Saturday twilight
16. Carlton
There is a lot of optimism surrounding the Blues, however I think it is one year too early. Theyโve lost Bryce Gibbs to the Crows, as well as Sam Docherty to injury, which will be massive. They havenโt looked awful this preseason, so a six to seven-win season might be around the mark this year. Charlie Curnow, will be the biggest positive thing to come out of the Blues this year.
Next game: Richmond at MCG, Thursday night
17. Kangaroos
They had five losses under a goal last year, so last season could have easily not been as bad as it was. Their failure to secure a big name free agent was worrying, considering the amount of money they had to play with. They still have a strong core of veterans surrounding their rebuild, but another similar season to last will be a pass mark for the Roos.
Next game: Gold Coast Suns at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns, Saturday night
18. Gold Coast
Expectations are low, and so they should. They have no home game until Round 11, which puts them behind the eight ball already considering they have such a young group. It seems the only thing that will be keeping the Suns relevant is the contract situation surrounding Tom Lynch.
Next game: North Melbourne at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns, Saturday night
