1. Collingwood (+1)
It was back to business as usual for the Pies on Saturday, and they remain undefeated. Jaidyn Stephenson picked up right where he left off, bagging two first-quarter goals and making an already dangerous Magpies forward line look near to unstoppable. They’re now premiership favourites with the bookmakers after Richmond’s listless Thursday night showing.
2. Port Adelaide (+2)
They’ve had a dream fixture but you can only beat what’s put out in front of you, and the Power have done exactly that. After grabbing the headlines in the Showdown, Port Adelaide quietly dispatched Fremantle on Sunday night with little fuss. West Coast next week will be very interesting.
3. Brisbane (+6)
We wanted something more impressive from the Lions this week, and we got it. Lachie Neale is a machine and he’s getting plenty of help from the young brigade – Hugh McCluggage was a standout with 26 disposals, 12 contested and 10 score involvements.
4. Hawthorn (+6)
That was better. Hawthorn ran rings around a disinterested Richmond for three quarters on Thursday night. Let’s have that every week from the Hawks – especially for us, who are treating the Hawks like a yo-yo on these rankings. Question marks do still remain over the side’s fitness levels – they’ve faded both weeks back from the restart.
5. Geelong (+1)
The Cats’ fourth quarter comeback shouldn’t get in the way of what will be a brutal tape session on Monday. They've only risen here because of worst displays by teams that were above them. Geelong couldn’t stop turning the ball over the whole night and were sliced open for three quarters down the other end. Dangerfield, Duncan, Selwood and Ablett all went at less than 50 percent efficiency – Ablett at 13 percent. Ugly, but too soon to call it anything more than a bad night after a great outing last week.
6. Essendon (+2)
Nothing to criticise or like on the field – thanks to Conor McKenna’s positive test - they've only risen because of teams dropping past them. They remain undefeated and got came away from the McKenna scandal as well can be, with just the Irishman and defender James Stewart needing to quarantine for two weeks.
7. GWS (-4)
They showed plenty of fight during the three-quarter time scuffle, but less so during actual gameplay. The Giants only kicked four goals against a side that has been leaking goals in 2020. Injuries don’t help, but that’s two underwhelming losses in a row against sides a flag contender really should be beating.
8. Richmond (-7)
Yikes. Was that really Richmond out there on Thursday night? Their trademark pressure was nowhere to be seen and their ball use was just as uninspiring. When they had the chance to make a late comeback, the Tigers’ forwards missed some easy kicks, especially Tom Lynch’s shocker from just about on top of the goal square. Still, it’s their first loss in over 12 months, and there was no Dusty too. For now, their reputation stops them from sliding lower.
9. North Melbourne (-2)
North didn’t do themselves any favours on the weekend – if they’d kicked straight early, they might have run away with it. Other than that, there wasn’t anything too troubling about the weekend’s performance. If they bounce back in a big game against the Hawks this week, they’ll stake a claim for finals contention.
10. West Coast (-5)
The Gold Coast hub is quickly turning into a holiday from hell for the Eagles. Port await next week and a chastened Richmond the week after – if they can’t adapt quickly, the season might be too late to be saved once they finally escape the nightmare.
11. Gold Coast (+1)
That was some way to back up last week. Matthew Rowell might now have six Brownlow votes in two weeks – he’s the real deal, and according to David King, the Suns are too. Of course, as good as Gold Coast was, Adelaide was insipid - they need to do it against a better side to rise higher in our rankings.
12. Sydney (+2)
The Swans played another pretty unattractive match, but this time they were on the winners’ side against what was a buoyant Kangaroos outfit. They can’t keep starting slow in their first quarters – they’re yet to win one this season and North could’ve been up by more if they’d executed better in front of goal. The jury's still out on if they're a finals side this year.
13. Western Bulldogs (+4)
That was just what the doctor ordered for the Bulldogs. It was great to see Tom Liberatore back and the side seemed to lift with him. The forward line still seems a little dysfunctional, and they’ll need to start kicking better scores if they want to climb further up the ladder.
14. Carlton (+2)
After nearly stealing it last week, the Blues found out what it feels like against the Cats, nearly blowing a 42-point lead. For three quarters, they were beyond impressive at the Cattery. They’ll need to start playing four quarters of footy but for three to be – just – enough in Geelong? That’s a pass mark in our book.
15. St Kilda (-4)
Here was the Saints’ shot to prove they’re capable of taking it to the competition’s top sides – and they didn’t fire a shot. At least new recruits Brad Hill and Dan Butler continued to impress, but they’ll need some help if they want to think about finals in 2020.
16. Melbourne (-3)
It’s perhaps unfair on the Demons, but after their match was scratched on the weekend we’re still waiting to see an impressive 2020 performance from last year’s cellar dwellers. They’ll get their opportunity to make a statement next week against the Cats.
17. Fremantle (-2)
Fremantle have avoided the headlines along with the win column in 2020. They’ve been competitive enough in all three games and looked good in the first quarter against the Power, but first quarters don’t win you games of football. Gold Coast next week will be very intriguing.
18. Adelaide (-)
It’s a crime we can’t drop the Crows lower than this. I guess if you’re going to lose for the first time to the Suns, you might as well lose in style. Amazingly, the final score flattered the Crows, who had one goal to three-quarter time. Still the pride of South Australia?
