Yes, the AFL Power Rankings are BACK for 2021, and with Round 1 now rapidly approaching, our team has definitively ranked all 18 clubs coming out of the preseason.
How much weight does preseason form carry? What about offseason ins and outs? And what does it all mean for the first AFL Power Rankings of the year?
Note: Throughout the year, ESPN will rank all 18 teams, from top to bottom, taking into account which teams are playing the best footy, each team's recent opponents, and which teams are looking most like flag contenders.
1. Richmond
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
There's not a lot to say about the reigning premiers. They've shaken off some off-field drama to put in a strong preseason showing, and with Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch set to be added to their side for Round 1, they start the year as the team to beat.
This week's opponent: Carlton (MCG)
2. Geelong
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
The Cats came close to topping the Power Rankings after the offseason they've had and the names they've brought through the door. They should just about be premiership favourites, though there's still the slight unknown about how quickly Jeremy Cameron, Isaac Smith and Shaun Higgins can get in sync with their new teammates.
This week's opponent: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
3. Brisbane
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
That Cam Rayner injury really put a dampener on the Lions' preseason, but on the other hand, Joe Daniher looked like the 2017 version of himself who kicked 65 goals. On paper, Brisbane is a better side than last season, so there's rightfully an air of expectation surrounding the Lions in 2021.
This week's opponent: Sydney (Gabba)
4. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
Last year's minor premiers will likely be without Connor Rozee for some time, and Sam Powell-Pepper looks unlikely for their Round 1 clash with North Melbourne. Can they get back to the highs of 2020? They're a tough side to judge, so let's see how they start the year...
This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
5. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
The Dogs looked slick in their AAMI Series win over the Demons, and their midfield group is scary good. Aaron Naughton's injury looks to be a slight concern, though there's no indication he won't suit up for Round 1. Could the Bulldogs push for a top four spot in 2021? We're excited to find out.
This week's opponent: Collingwood (MCG)
6. West Coast
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
There's been a lot of focus on the Dockers over in the West, but the Eagles are no doubt priming for another run. With a slew of veterans on the older side of 30 (Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui), West Coast need to take advantage while these champions are still on the list, and Adam Simpson understands that. I'm slightly more worried about 2022 for the Eagles, but let's face that hurdle when we get to it.
This week's opponent: Gold Coast (Optus Stadium)
7. St Kilda
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
It was tempting to have the Saints higher than the Eagles leading into Round 1, but with a number of key names not available for the first few rounds (Rowan Marshall, Brad Crouch, Jarryn Geary and Dan Hannebery), let's temper the world-beater expectations for just a little while. They do look primed for further improvement this year, though.
This week's opponent: GWS (Giants Stadium)
8. Carlton
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
There's a lot of expectation at the Blues, and not just because of the addition of two boom recruits in Adam Saad and Zac Williams. Patrick Cripps is looking to rebound after a 'down' year (which, for him is still pretty good!), Sam Walsh looks ready to go to another level, and Harry McKay threatens to be the dominating key forward the Blues need.
This week's opponent: Richmond (MCG)
9. Fremantle
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
Speaking of hype, there's a fair bit of it surrounding the Dockers heading into Round 1, and by golly, we're lapping it up. Their young midfield brigade showed impressive signs last year, and with some key defence help back in Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling, they should be even better than last year.
This week's opponent: Melbourne (MCG)
10. Melbourne
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
We've seen three completely different Melbourne outfits in the past three years. In 2018, they were preliminary finalists. In 2019, the were 17th on the ladder, and last year they finished bang in the middle, at ninth. It's only fitting we've got them somewhere in the middle here. Can they find a solution to their 'converting inside 50s' issue? Solve that, and they might just score a lot of points this year.
This week's opponent: Fremantle (MCG)
11. GWS
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
The Giants finished 10th on the ladder last year, and there are serious questions surrounding how they fare in 2021. With no Jeremy Cameron, the No. 1 forward spot needs to be filled, and while Toby Greene can kick a bag, he can't be everywhere at once. No Lachie Whitfield for the first month or so also hurts them.
This week's opponent: St Kilda (Giants Stadium)
12. Collingwood
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
A quote from Malcolm Blight got thrown around this week by columnist Rohan Connolly. Not the "rat's tossbag" one, but that "things are never as good or as bad as they seem." Sure, the Pies had the offseason from hell; players left, they were fleeced at the draft table and Eddie McGuire quit in the wake of the Do Better report, but there is still a lot of quality on that list. They may be better than some people think this season, but they start this year pretty far back in the Power Rankings.
This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (MCG)
13. Essendon
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
What to make of the Bombers..? They're a tough club to crack - some have them pegged as a bottom four outfit, but ESPN columnist Rohan Connolly says he likes what he has seen from a number of 'role players' throughout the preseason. Their first game against the Hawks looms as a decisive one.
This week's opponent: Hawthorn (Marvel Stadium)
14. Sydney
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
If there's one thing that's always stood out about the Swans it's that they're never down the ladder for long. But after a 16th-placed finish last year, can they rebound that far? It might be a stretch, but they will continue to get some valuable games into their inexperienced youngsters like Dylan Stephens, Nick Blakey, Will Gould and Logan McDonald, and that's just about all you can ask of this squad at this point.
This week's opponent: Brisbane (Gabba)
15. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
They finished just outside the bottom four last year, but find themselves just inside it for the first Power Rankings of the year. I'm hoping they surprise us - with a fit Matt Rowell ready to go, another preseason into the legs of Jack Lukosius, Ben King, and Izak Rankine, and some sage mature additions to the side, they may rise up these rankings quickly in coming weeks.
This week's opponent: West Coast (Optus Stadium)
16. Hawthorn
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
It's a shame we're not going to see James Sicily for most, if not all of the year, while Jack Gunston is still possibly two months away from playing footy. Having said that, there are a lot of players putting their hands up for spots early in the year, and that can only be a good thing, right? This week's clash with Essendon is fascinating.
This week's opponent: Essendon (Marvel Stadium)
17. Adelaide
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
It's almost a flip of the coin as to whether the Crows or Roos would start on the bottom of the Power Rankings, the Crows just edge North this week. They had their miserable season last year - they won the wooden spoon, bottomed out and have reloaded at the draft. Matty Nicks is in his second year of coaching and things may have turned the corner for the better. Having said that, it's still early days.
This week's opponent: Geelong (Adelaide Oval)
18. North Melbourne
2021 record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
New coach, young list - it's a bit of a blank slate for David Noble, and expectations are set accordingly. A few veterans are still touch-and-go for Round 1 (Jed Anderson, Robbie Tarrant, Ben Cunnington) so it could be a slow start for North.
This week's opponent: Port Adelaide (Marvel Stadium)