Two weeks of the bye rounds have been completed, and we are starting to see a clear a distinction between the brackets of teams.
Interestingly, only one team, Hawthorn, has won while coming off their bye this season. That includes Port Adelaide and Gold Coast after their return from Shanghai.
Here are our rankings of every team with the second half of the season just around the corner.
1. Richmond (+2)
Back on top, the Tigers defeated Geelong in a gruelling arm-wrestle on Sunday, despite leading by just one point at three-quarter time. The Tigers have taken top spot on the ladder once again too and are the team to beat.
2. Sydney (-1)
Putting their name at the forefront of the pemiership conversation, the Swans conquered the Eagles in a 15-point win on Friday night, ending West Coast's 10-game winning streak. Though goalless in both the first and last quarter, the Swans dominated towards either end of half time.
3. West Coast (-2)
The Eagles seemed to lack composure against the pressure of the Swans in their first loss since round one. Midfielder Elliott Yeo put in a stellar performance, including two impressive long-range goals, but was no match for the Swans.
4. Geelong (-)
In what proved to be an uncomfortable, high-pressure match with a lot of momentum changes, Geelong fell short against Richmond's best efforts, but the Cats lost no admirers.
5. Collingwood (-)
Collingwood keep their spot this week as contenders for a top-four place, facing bottom-place Carlton on Sunday following their bye last week.
6. Melbourne (-)
Melbourne also keeps its spot this week during their much-needed bye, following on from last weeks abysmal defeat on the Queen's Birthday.
7. Port Adelaide (+1)
The Power dominated the Dogs in a 57-point runaway win, leaving the Bulldogs wounded with a host of injuries. Meanwhile, the Power are on a hot streak and are charging up the ladder.
8. North Melbourne (-1)
North Melbourne, who had their bye, drop below Port Adelaide, following the Power's form resurgence.
9. Hawthorn (+2)
In a 56-point blitzing of the Crows, Hawthorn went bang in a third-term shootout, including 12 minutes of absolute slaughter that turned the Crows into a deer in headlights.
10. GWS (-1)
Greater Western Sydney was another one of the six teams to have a bye this week, and were perhaps unlucky to move down one spot in the rankings.
11. Adelaide (-1)
Adelaide's finals hopes are quickly coming to a close, in what has been a dissapointing season. The Crows continue to crumble under pressure; blatantly apparent against their loss to Hawthorn this week, adding salt to their growing wounds.
12. Essendon (-)
Essendon, who also had the bye, keep their place at 12th. They are set for a major test when the face Eagles on Thursday at Optus Stadium.
13. Fremantle (+1)
In what was a thumping win over Carlton, Fremantle showed their aggressive side, up by 77 points at half time. The Dockers silenced the dismaying Blues in an enormous victory and welcomed Nat Fyfe, back from suspension, while Lachie Neale also put in an outstanding performance.
14. Western Bulldogs (-1)
The Dogs suffered through a nightmarish game this week, in a 57-point defeat to Power, prompting a major onset of injuries for the Dogs. Captain Easton Wood is expected to be sidelined for the next to to three months following a high-grade hamstring injury during the clash, while Brownlow fancy Jack Macrae will miss three to four weeks with his own hamstring complaint.
15. Brisbane (-)
The Lions kept their position this week, given their bye and a respectful performance last week against the Bombers.
16. St Kilda (-)
In a close comeback win over the Suns this week. the Saints keep their position in the Power Rankings with potential for improvement. St Kilda showed its not all doom and gloom and redeem themselves from what has been a disappointing season so far.
17. Gold Coast (-)
In their 164-game career, the Suns have only won 43 of those contests. Having never played finals during their eight-year history, the Suns looked every bit a bottom two side following their two-point loss to St Kilda.
18. Carlton (-)
Losing to Fremantle this week by a disastrous 70 points, the Blues remain on the bottom of the Power Rankings. After being booed off the field by loyal fans, it has become clear that Carlton's horrific season continues to disappoint us.
