Some big movers this week with some premiership favourites stumbling at some important hurdles as well as some under pressure teams delivering some much-needed wins.

With this, here are the updated Power Rankings as we head into Round 8.

1. Melbourne (+1)

The Demons weren't at their best over the weekend but were still able to get the chocolates in what loomed as a danger game against the 18th-placed North Melbourne. As much as 20 points down at one point, there would have been many Demons fans sensing the impending doom many have been waiting for.

The Dees managed to steady and kick away, proving far too easily that they can win even when failing to deliver their best. Add to that the re-signing of Christian Petracca and the Dees are flying! this week.

Petracca has signed a monster seven-year deal reportedly worth more then $1m per season. The deal sees Petracca turn his back on free agency and the ongoing debate surrounding his future disappears.

2. Richmond (+2)

The Tigers were being doubted throughout the week and like the champions they are they responded in a big way. There were questions in the second quarter about whether sides had figured out how to beat the reigning premiers, but after half-time the Bulldogs had no answers.

Richmond put their flag in the ground and bullied the new contenders, showing that they are no one-man team as they put the Dogs to the sword in a brutal second-half.

Tom Lynch found some form after also being criticised throughout the week and Bachar Houli put in a vintage display off half-back. They are going nowhere the Tiges!

3. Western Bulldogs (-2)

The Bulldogs failed the test, they weren't awful but they went away pretty meekly in the second half when the Tigers came out roaring.

They had the game on their terms in the first half and looked very good but for the first time this year the opposition managed to get the game played how they wanted to and the Bulldogs struggled. There wasn't a clear way for the Dogs to get back into the game and they will need vast improvement to go beyond the Tigers should they meet in September.

The Bulldogs are a class side but will need to prove their credentials against fellow contenders to be taken as 100% genuine.

4. Port Adelaide (-1)

Are Port flat-track bullies? For a second time they have travelled away to a top four contender and have been blown off the park from start to finish. They were never in the game and were exposed by a Brisbane side who simply wanted it more.

Port Adelaide need to show their best football and their brand can stand up against the best teams away from home. Their home form is scary and they have been good when facing teams clearly below their level, but they again stumbled at an important hurdle.

They are missing troops which is always noted but they are a team that pride themselves on one soldier out, another one in.

5. Brisbane (+3)

The Lions are hitting their straps and have warmed into the season nicely. They made a genuine statement against the Power proving they are one of the teams to beat again this year.

They are just about unbeatable at the Gabba and made Port look miles off the pace. Chris Fagan's men have put to bed any doubts that they weren't going to be in the mix again.

6. Sydney (-)

The Swans needed a response and they got just that against Geelong. It may have come from some unusual circumstances and they may have gotten away with one late but a win is a win.

After two poor losses the doubts would have been creeping in and when Geelong got off to a hot start those doubts wouldn't have been any lesser, but a brilliant fight back showed the character this young team is building quickly.

They are a genuine finals contender and this win has put them above the chasing pack.

7. Geelong (-2)

They should have had the opportunity to win the game, but ultimately they shouldn't have been in a position to need that final play to win the game. Their first quarter was outstanding and if you read the stats sheet you'd be forgiven for thinking they won by heaps.

The Cats are now putting serious question marks around their ability to contend this season as the losses continue to pile up, as the top four now looks more unlikely than likely.

The Cats won't be panicking yet but they can't afford to lose touch with the top four so early in the season. With so many contenders this season it's hard to see them fighting their way back into the top 4 from too far behind.

8. West Coast (-1)

Their second half was super impressive as they blew the Dockers off the park, but their form at home is only half the story.

Fremantle also don't stand as a great form reference so far in 2021. The Eagles were far too good and kicked well clear after half-time to set up a dominant win in the derby.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 02: Tim Kelly of the Eagles looks for the handless options during the 2021 AFL Round 07 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on May 02, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Need to see more of that when they are on the road.

9. GWS (+3)

GWS have found a brand and a style which now makes them hard to play against. They blew Adelaide away in a danger game at the Adelaide Oval and showed the elements of class we know their best players have.

Jesse Hogan was superb booting four goals on his Giants debut and added another dangerous prong to their attack.

GWS have managed to put themselves right back into the finals picture over the last month in a big way!

10. Carlton (+3)

The Blues did what was needed on the weekend, under pressure and down by nearly four goals to the Bombers they showed good grit and character to fight back and claim the win.

Led by star Sam Walsh, the Blues outworked the Bombers and got a win that will release the pressure valve ahead of two tough games against the Bulldogs and Demons. The Blues are now 3-4 and back in the finals hunt.

Carlton have failed tests against some tough opposition this year but have beaten those they were expected to so far. They will need a scalp sooner rather than later to help solidify themselves as a genuine top-eight side.

11. Adelaide (-1)

The Crows started the season by exceeding expectations and even had a little bit of finals talk surrounding their name, most of that was the result of a pretty soft draw.

Last weekend was a wake up call, plain and simple. The Crows are still building and still have a way to go and were beaten convincingly in a game they would have considered themselves a strong chance in.

They'll learn plenty from this but it will sting.

12. Gold Coast (+3)

The Suns have rebounded from a poor start to the season and pulled off a magnificent win at the MCG over a disappointing Collingwood, many have labelled it the best win in the Suns' history.

They jumped back into finals contention and show that it isn't just the same old, same old with the Gold Coast Suns. Brandon Ellis showed why the Suns got him in on the money they did as he led from the front and showed his younger teammates the way.

13. Essendon (-2)

The Bombers looked the goods for a quarter and a half but were ultimately overrun by Carlton. They didn't go away meekly but they didn't look likely winners after half-time.

The kids were good, which will be the moral of the season for the Bombers, led by Archie Perkins' best game so far as well as an impressive display from Harrison Jones. The Bombers fans will be excited about the future.

The fade away and drop off was a worry and their inability to defend the turnover was the key difference in the game, they conceded 83 points from turnovers, which is incredibly high.

14. Fremantle (-5)

4-2 seemed like a bit of a dream and the Dockers were given a rude awakening on Sunday afternoon. They were borderline uncompetitive after half-time in the derby and were shown just how far off the pace they are.

The Dockers have beaten some average sides so far this year but when the Eagles put the foot down the Dockers just simply couldn't go with them.

15. St Kilda (+1)

A good return to the winners circle but it was against a Hawthorn team missing key players, so you can read into it how you like but every take away from this game requires a grain of salt.

The Saints kicked away in the first quarter and never looked back, they showed some of their exciting footy that we all loved in 2020, but there is no doubt the opposition allowed them to do so.

Bigger tests await but a win is a win.

16. Hawthorn (-2)

They were really poor, uncompetitive and frankly disappointing. A trait of the Hawks this year has been their ability to stay in games for long periods of time but they were a shell of the team we had seen in previous weeks.

They were missing a few key players which tested the depth of a team not blessed with a lot of it at the moment, but the effort wasn't what is required at AFL level.

17. Collingwood (-)

They very nearly went down a spot to last. They were awful again and there still seems to be no answers in site. The alarm bells have been going off for a while now and they aren't getting any quieter.

The Pies were outworked and out-hunted by the Suns and they got the beating they deserved. The Darcy Moore move isn't doing the All-Australian defender or the Pies any favours and they are being let down by senior players at a time they need them to stand tall.

Collingwood are heading down a slippery slope at the moment and they don't look like they're going to find a way out.

18. North Melbourne (-)

North have had a monopoly over this position in 2021, but more performances like they put in on the weekend and they won't be here for long.

The Kangaroos threatened the boil over of the season as they kicked 20 points clear of the Demons in Hobart before the Dees flexed their muscle and run away comfortable winners.

But North's efforts to get the game on their terms and control the ball better showed that David Noble's system is starting to take shape. Positive signs but they need a win soon.