After a heap of action in Round 6, there has only been minor changes in Zero Hanger's Power Rankings.
1. Richmond (-)
For the second consecutive week the Tigers have taken out top position in the Zero Hanger Power Rankings. They handled an impressive Collingwood side well, running away with the game in the fourth quarter in typical Richmond fashion. Their pressure game is back to it's best, with their incredible depth on display, can anyone stop the Tigers?
2. Adelaide (-)
Adelaide did what they had to do against the Suns on Saturday night. The only major concern for the Crows was an apparent hamstring injury to captain Taylor Walker, however the return of midfield bull Matt Crouch was a pleasing sight for all Crows fans.
3. Sydney Swans (+1)
Very unlucky not to overtake the Crows into second place. With no Buddy or Daniel Hannebery, the Swans ran over the top of the Cats in Geelong to take home a famous victory. Their last quarter is probably the best quarter we've seen so far this season. It's also good to note that the Swans now have a three game winning streak at the Cattery, arguably the most impressive away team streak going around.
4. GWS (-1)
Although they were able to easily put aside a young Lions outfit, GWS didn't look a top side on the weekend. The Giants do however have the second best percentage in the league and also sitting third on the ladder, so they're still doing a lot right. With Geelong, in Geelong and West Coast at home in the next two weeks it will tell us if the Giants are the real deal in 2018.
5. West Coast (+3)
The Eagles are starting to prove many pre season predictions wrong. Five straight wins and if it wasn't for Buddy's eight goals in round one, they'd possibly have six straight wins to start the season. They were at their entertaining best against arch rivals Fremantle, while they face another test this week in Port Adelaide. They look finals bound, however they need to start beating fellow top eight sides to cement their status as a contender.
6. Hawthorn (-)
The Hawks didn't look great against a inaccurate St Kilda side, but Isaac Smith and Luke Bruest's form got them over the line. Its still hard to get a proper read on the Hawks, but they should beat Essendon this week whereby the real test is on Friday week against the Swans at the MCG.
7. Port Adelaide (-)
We still can't trust the Power, however the demolition on the Kangaroos on the weekend was enough for them to retain 7th spot on the rankings.
8. Geelong (-3)
Everything was going to plan until the last quarter for the Cats. They lost the last 12 clearances to the Swans which ultimately decided the ball game. They've got tricky games against GWS and Collingwood that will go along way in shaping their season. Drop both of those games, the Cats sit at 3-5 and in a battle to make the finals.
9. Collingwood (-)
They lost by 43 points on Sunday afternoon, but Collingwood's display still earned rave reviews from many experts. The style and nature of their football on the weekend looked like a finals team. They still have plenty of room for improvement, but Nathan Buckley would be happy with their display against the Tigers.
10. Melbourne (-)
Very similar to the Power, in a way that we still can't trust the Dees just yet, hence why they haven't moved up in the rankings despite a resounding win against the Bombers. If they play like that they'll most certainly move up the rankings, but after the past two weeks, the Dees still have plenty to prove. They face St Kilda, Gold Coast and Carlton in their next three, so expect them to try and build some more consistent form.
11. Fremantle (+1)
They took the Eagles to the absolute limit on Sunday in a very entertaining first western derby at Optus Stadium. We can now see that this Dockers side is much better than the side we saw last year, however finals footy still looks a stretch. They are still getting games into some kids like Mitch Crowden and Andrew Brayshaw, which would be pleasing for Ross Lyon.
12. Western Bulldogs (+3)
They did win against the Blues, but the fact that the result was in doubt for so long was really worrying for the Dogs. We know they have the talent, but they are struggling to put it all together. Probably very lucky to jump three spots, but after the performance of Essendon and the Suns we didn't have a choice.
13. Essendon (-2)
After a hyped preseason, the Bombers are 2-4 and are looking a long shot at playing finals if they keep playing like they are. After getting smacked by the Pies on ANZAC day and responding very poorly against the Dees, the Bombers need to respond and no better way of responding is against the bitter rivals Hawthorn at the MCG.
14. North Melbourne (-)
After an impressive win against the Hawks last week, this loss against the Power somewhat puts their season back a notch. They still look strong defensively, but are still lacking the quality and consistency to play in September.
15. Gold Coast (-2)
They sit at 3-3 and percentage out of the eight, but that is extremely flattering. They are 16.2 percent less than Melbourne right above them, and 38.2 percent less than North Melbourne in eighth, which tells a massive story. They were disappointing against the Crows, but no one really gave them a chance anyway.
16. Brisbane (-)
Outclassed by the Giants and other then the Bulldogs in round eight, we can't really pencil in a win until Round 16 against the Blues. Could we seen another wooden-spoon off in 2018?
17. St. Kilda (-)
Their kicking is appalling, which is the worst we've seen in a while. They look a bottom four side and it should be where they'll finish this year. They've kicked 52 goals, 76 behinds (41 per cent), which if it continues, will be the worst since Richmond kicked 152.231 for accuracy of 40 per cent in 1964. With the losses only going to pile up, when will Alan Richardson come under real scrutiny?
18. Carlton (-)
Another disappointing display against the Bulldogs, but they were without Marc Murphy, Mathew Kruser and Sam Docherty, but it's no excuse. Another awful showing in a primetime fixture which makes you wonder what the round 11 Friday night clash against the Swans will look like?
