Round 9 saw a number of clubs in the chasing pack make statements of intent, while Melbourne and Brisbane just kept on doing their thing.
We also saw a few early-season surprise packets get a minor reality check as the ladder seems to take shape for the season.
Check out where your team sits below👇
1. Melbourne (-)
The Demons have made an incredible habit of winning games without getting out of cruise control for longer than need be. They'd demolished the Eagles by 74 points, which isn't a result that carries much weight, but the manner in which they got the job done would have sent alarm bells across the league.
2. Brisbane (-)
The Lions, much like the Demons, just did their business without a lot of fuss and fanfare. The Crows challenged them but as good sides do, they put their foot down and showed their class. With no Joe Daniher or Daniel McStay, all wins for the time being are extremely valuable.
3. Fremantle (-)
Perhaps lucky to hold onto third spot this week Fremantle, but they have some points in the bank. They were out-hunted by Gold Coast in the wet and as a result were second best on the day by some way. Coach Justin Longmuir said post-game, "we've taken a step back". They're now with the pack chasing the top two.
4. Carlton (-)
Perhaps unlucky not to be third? They were superb from start to finish against the Giants in difficult circumstances on Sunday afternoon. No Harry McKay or Lewis Young to go with their plethora of key position injury worries proved no issue. Their lesser-known names stood up to lock up fourth spot on the ladder and in our Power Rankings.
5. Sydney (-)
Any doubts on the Swans' form were somewhat rectified on Saturday night. While a win over the Bombers comes with a fair few grains of salt, Sydney was more than a class above as they played Essendon off the park. Bigger tests await but they're still in the mix.
6. St Kilda (+1)
The Saints' improvement on 2021 is notable for all to see but if there were any doubters left, they need only to watch this same game from last season. The Saints dominated but blew their chances and lost to the Cats. This time, St Kilda put their foot down and made it count to take the four points and solidify their finals and perhaps top-four credentials.
7. Geelong (-1)
The Cats will be disappointed with a loss that has put them firmly in the mix with a number of teams chasing spots thee to eight on the ladder. They seemingly had the game under their control in the first half but when the Saints got on a roll there weren't too many answers. Work to be done for the Cats.
8. Richmond (-)
The Tigers are starting to find their groove. They were good against the Hawks but it's been the body of work they have put together recently that will have the Tiger Army up and about. Their pressure game has been up and Tom Lynch has been massive all season. If he keeps up his great form they'll be a hard team to beat.
9. Port Adelaide (+1)
Ken Hinkley has done the unthinkable, he has got his team right in finals calculations and has seemingly saved his job for the time being. They've regrouped from 0-5 to win their last four and be just shy of all square. With their injury list beginning to clear up, all of a sudden the Power is in decent shape.
10. Western Bulldogs (+2)
Every time we feel ready to give up on the Bulldogs they show us a glimpse of their best that sucks us back in. They were blistering out of the centre, winning centre clearances 15-7 and were +16 in clearances for the night. They need to find consistency but the light is still flickering
11. Gold Coast (+2)
The Suns are a good team, especially at home. They have taken on six teams from the top eight and sit 4-5. Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult are playing terrifically together and Izak Rankine had his best game for the year by a long way against Fremantle. Wins over the Swans away and the Dockers at home are serious scalps.
12. Collingwood (-3)
Perhaps reality has hit the Pies after an exciting start to the season. They would've fancied their chances against a struggling Bulldogs team on Friday night but they were blasted off the park from the very first bounce. Some issues have arisen for Craig McRae's team and they'll need fixing or teams may continue to expose them.
13. Hawthorn (-2)
There's probably no shame in going down to the Tigers at the MCG and even the manner in which the Hawks applied themselves will have lost no admirers. However, it was clear that when the Tigers put their foot down, the Hawks couldn't keep up with them. The return of James Sicily will be a thrill all year for Hawthorn fans as his form continues to rise.
14. Adelaide (-)
The Crows threatened the Lions for long periods of their clash on Saturday night. But as was the case for many of the teams towards the lower end of the ladder when the good teams found another gear they were left floundering. The Crows have been left wanting by two top four teams in the past fortnight and will need a response next week against St Kilda.
15. GWS (-)
The Giants had all the reasoning in the world to come out like a house on fire and before they could blink they were 27 points behind. After a stirring fight back, they were again left behind by the Blues. A new dawn beckons for GWS but it may be too little too late for their 2022 season.
16. Essendon (-)
Hard to say much that hasn't been said about the Bombers already this season. They were nowhere near it against the Swans and their effort was once again exposed as they registered a disappointing 30 tackles for the game despite having had 63 fewer disposals on the night. At the moment effort is a condition not a requirement for the Bombers.
17. West Coast (+1)
While it's hard to say too much about a 74-point loss to the reigning premiers, the one thing West Coast could be commended on was their effort on the day. They gave it their all and that is really all you can ask. They out-tackled Melbourne but did have much less of the footy, but it's a start.
18. North Melbourne (-1)
Alarm bells are ringing at Arden Street. The uncompetitive nature in which North Melbourne has been beaten this year would be causing serious headaches for David Noble. An average losing margin of 65 points across their last five games is just not acceptable at the elite level.
