There's been some significant movement in the AFL Power Rankings this week, as club fortunes slowly become clearer with each passing result. The Blues? Down. The Lions? Down. Melbourne? Up!
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.
Previous rankings: Round 1 | Round 2 |
1. Richmond
2021 record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 1
No other team has put its hand up to dethrone the Tigers yet this season. Their win over Hawthorn was interesting - we saw Dusty give away more eggs than the Easter bunny and they could probably have won by a bit more. They're a finely-tuned machine.
This week's opponent: Sydney (MCG)
2. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 2
A win is a win, but even a spanking of the Bombers isn't going to get the Power top spot on the rankings. This week's clash with the Eagles, on the road, however...
This week's opponent: West Coast (Optus Stadium)
3. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 5
The Bulldogs are an impressive outfit, and they're showing why they're a tough team to beat. They transition quickly, use the ball well and have so many options when it comes to personnel. They'd also just about be topping a 'watchability power rankings'.
This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
4. Geelong
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 3
Lucky doesn't even begin to describe the Cats' win over the Lions, but, hey, you take what you can get! They slide down the rankings this week because they (a) should have lost and (b) because of the Bulldogs.
This week's opponent: Hawthorn (MCG)
5. Melbourne
2021 record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 8
Up THREE spots this week are the Demons. Knocking off the Saints at Marvel is a great result, and having also beaten Fremantle, we're starting to see Melbourne beat the teams that finished around them last year on the ladder - and that's good.
This week's opponent: GWS (Manuka Oval)
6. West Coast
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 6
The Eagles are one of just two teams to have held their spot. I don't think they'll be the only team to fall to the Doggies at Marvel Stadium this year, and to only lose by a kick and a bit is hardly demoralising. A crunch match looms against Port (at home) however.
This week's opponent: Port Adelaide (Optus Stadium)
7. Brisbane
2021 record: 0-2
Previous ranking: 4
And down go the Lions... It's not just the loss (which was stiff!), it's not just the 0-2 start, or the injuries, it's the 'having to go shopping to get clothes because we couldn't fly back to Queensland'. This 'road trip' is going to test Brisbane, and it's added stress they didn't need.
This week's opponent: Collingwood (Marvel Stadium)
8. St Kilda
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 7
Brett Ratten said Round 1's slog in the wet didn't affect his players fatigue levels against the Demons, but how else can you explain some of the awful disposals (especially when going inside 50) from a normally pretty reliable team? They need to sort a few things out, so they slide a spot this week.
This week's opponent: Essendon (Marvel Stadium)
9. Sydney
2021 record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 11
We said we wouldn't get sucked in by the Swannies too soon, but dagnabbit, here we are! Averaging 123 points per game through two rounds, Sydney are potent. Their young brigade is keen to learn and impress, and they're playing inspired football! The bubble may burst this week, but a strong showing against the Tigers will have pundits really sitting up and paying attention.
This week's opponent: Richmond (MCG)
10. Fremantle
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 10
The Dockers hold their 10th spot this week because we're learning quickly that GWS don't look like being a massive threat in 2021, and Freo missed a big chance for a 'percentage booster'. As an aside, 35-year-old David Mundy is still showing their young midfielders how to get it done, and it's wonderful to see.
This week's opponent: Carlton (Marvel Stadium)
11. Collingwood
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 13
How good was that?! A classic Nathan Buckley-led 'backs-against-the-wall' performance from the Pies, and suddenly their off-field dramas and poor start in Round 1 is in the rear-view. A win against the depleted Lions this week will have fans thinking that a return to finals is very possible - especially with the likes of Darcy Moore playing the way he is!
This week's opponent: Brisbane (Marvel Stadium)
12. Carlton
2021 record: 0-2
Previous ranking: 9
Hello darkness my old friend... Another 0-2 start for the Blues (their ninth consecutive) and they drop three spots in the rankings this week - and it could easily have been more. With Zac Fisher and Jack Martin now also out for six weeks each, things are looking, well, blue down at the Blues. This week's clash is a must win if they're to keep the fans onside.
This week's opponent: Fremantle (Marvel Stadium)
13. Hawthorn
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 14
The Hawks find themselves in the peculiar spot of having risen a spot up the rankings despite losing. That loss, to Richmond, was not as bad as the Giants' loss (and start to the year) so it's happy days for the Hawks! It may be shortlived however, with an Easter Monday meeting with the Cats coming up.
This week's opponent: Geelong (MCG)
14. GWS
2021 record: 0-2
Previous ranking: 12
Fremantle's inability to put the Giants away doesn't save GWS from dropping a couple of spots in the rankings this week. The group looks listless, without inspiration and will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to avoid a 0-3 start you'd think. Are the Suns now closer to a flag than their expansion rivals? It looks so.
This week's opponent: Melbourne (Manuka Oval)
15. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 17
No Matt Rowell, no worries (at least, against North Melbourne)! The often-forgotten Robin to Rowell's batman, Noah Anderson stepped up big time for the Suns; he along with other youngsters Izak Rankine, Ben King, and Jack Lukosius all look capable of getting the Suns to where they need to be. A win this week would be most intriguing for how it sets up their year.
This week's opponent: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
16. Essendon
2021 record: 0-2
Previous ranking: 15
Dylan Shiel, Jye Caldwell, Sam Draper. No, this isn't the list of 'bests' for the Bombers from the weekend, rather, the latest additions to a mounting injury list. The loss to Port was bad, so that -- in addition to the lack of best 22 players on the park -- means Essendon drops this week.
This week's opponent: St Kilda (Marvel Stadium)
17. Adelaide
2021 record: 1-1
Previous ranking: 16
There were positive signs again for the Crows in their loss to the Swans last week; inaccuracy cost them in what could have been a tighter game than what it was, so they fall a spot. Adelaide have the chance to go 2-1 with the Suns visiting Adelaide Oval this week.
This week's opponent: Gold Coast (Adelaide Oval)
18. North Melbourne
2021 record: 0-2
Previous ranking: 18
Unfortunately there wasn't too much to get excited about for North fans during their side's hefty loss to the Suns. An Easter miracle is required if they're to get close to the Bulldogs on Good Friday.
This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)