We're now more than a third of the way through the 2021 AFL season, and we have a new (and first-time) bottom team after North managed to claw their way up the Power Rankings (if only slightly). Elsewhere, the top eight has just one change this week ... in fact, there isn't too much movement overall as we get a firm idea of which teams are contender, pretenders, and underachievers.
Note: Throughout the year, ESPN will rank all 18 teams, from top to bottom, taking into account which teams are playing the best footy, injuries, each team's recent opponents, and which teams are looking most like flag contenders.
Previous rankings: Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 | Round 8 | Round 9
1. Melbourne
2021 record: 9-0
Previous ranking: 1
Melbourne are legit. They do what good teams do, and that's grind out five-goal wins without much fanfare or attention. Their 'last-into-the-side' players are all contributing and playing a role, the gamestyle is unselfish, and the fact that team leaders Max Gawn and Christian Petracca came down hard on teammates after first-time winner Kade Chandler had milk thrown on him during the team song shows that improving the culture is front of mind. Impressive organisation right now.
This week's opponent: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
2. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 8-1
Previous ranking: 2
There's nothing quite like an interstate win against a good opponent to get the juices going. The Bulldogs, despite all the hubbub about their loss to Richmond a few weeks back, are continuing to show they'll be a tough team to beat at the end of the year. They're well-drilled, have contributors all over the park, and depth.
This week's opponent: St Kilda (Marvel Stadium)
3. Brisbane
2021 record: 6-3
Previous ranking: 3
We thought about dropping the Lions a spot given injuries have started to hit a squad which has, for a couple of years, been relatively unscathed, however their utter demolition of Gold Coast and the whole 'five-on-the-trot' holds too much weight. We love this week's match-up - a real test of two teams who would consider themselves legitimate flag contenders.
This week's opponent: Richmond (Gabba)
4. Geelong
2021 record: 6-3
Previous ranking: 4
The Cats are beating the teams they need to, and banking the four points against an inaccurate St Kilda is particularly important considering there are four other sides with a 6-3 ledger. This week should be an easy kill - the Suns (who are struggling - again) at GMHBA should really be a percentage-booster.
This week's opponent: Gold Coast (GMHBA Stadium)
5. Richmond
2021 record: 5-4
Previous ranking: 6
What a win over the Giants? Is that the classic, Richmond-y performance which flicks the switch for the rest of the year? Are the Tigers about to be unbeatable? Dusty to pick up three votes every match from here on in? ESPN columnist Rohan Connolly thinks they're a certainty to win the flag, but we're happy to take baby steps... they rise one spot on the Power Rankings this week.
This week's opponent: Brisbane (Gabba)
6. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 6-3
Previous ranking: 5
Another stumble to a good team ... are Port Adelaide showing us clearly where they fit in the scheme of things? Losses to the Bulldogs, Lions and Eagles suggest they're a top eight (but perhaps not top four) team. They slip a place in the rankings this week but we're not comfortable writing them off as a flag chance this early in the season. A 7-3 record through 10 rounds (with a win this week) leaves them in a nice spot heading into the halfway point of the season.
This week's opponent: Collingwood (MCG)
7. West Coast
2021 record: 6-3
Previous ranking: 7
The Eagles hold seventh spot on the Power Rankings after what turned into a comfortable five-goal win over the Crows. At home, we almost expect better from the Eagles against a team (now) on a five-game losing streak, and of the five teams on 6-3, their percentage is the lowest - something they'll want to rectify if they want to have a chance at sewing up a top two spot to ensure home ground advantage throughout finals), or at least a double chance.
This week's opponent: GWS Giants (GIANTS Stadium)
8. Sydney
2021 record: 6-3
Previous ranking: 8
Are we pretty comfortable saying the Swans are more likely than unlikely to play finals now? A 6-3 record is impressive, and they have a big chance to improve to 7-3 this week against the Dockers in Perth (after Freo have been all over Australia in the last fortnight). We thought Collingwood at the SCG might have been a danger game (and early it looked like it was!) but the Swans steadied well and look the goods so far...
This week's opponent: Fremantle (Optus Stadium)
9. GWS
2021 record: 4-5
Previous ranking: 10
Are the Giants 'the best of the rest'? They really should have beaten the Tigers, and given they fell by a kick they've actually risen up the rankings. The 'distance' between the eighth-ranked side and the ninth-ranked side is quite stark, and it'll take something special for the teams in this chasing pack to show us they're worthy of making the leap above the Swans, Eagles and company.
This week's opponent: West Coast (GIANTS Stadium)
10. St Kilda
2021 record: 4-5
Previous ranking: 9
This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
Inaccuracy hurts, and in St Kilda's case, it could have cost them a win. The Saints dominated parts of their loss to Geelong, and with the Bulldogs looming and a 4-6 record on the horizon, it may well be a result that'll come back to haunt them come August. The positive, however, is that Max King, despite the yips, is going to be a hell of a player...
11. Fremantle
2021 record: 4-5
Previous ranking: 11
They're still only one game away from parity at 5-5, and a much-needed homecoming to Perth is just what the Dockers need. A heartbreaking loss to Essendon sums up the last fortnight for the travelling Dockers, but can they stem the bleeding with a win over Sydney? It'll be tough, but we're not ruling it out completely. A few teams are waiting to snap up 11th spot on the Power Rankings if they can't...
This week's opponent: Sydney (Optus Stadium)
12. Essendon
2021 record: 3-6
Previous ranking: 14
A stirring come-from-behind win over Freo at Marvel Stadium was just what the doctor ordered. Even sweeter than what the doctor ordered is that the Bombers are now above the Blues on both the Power Rankings and the ladder. A 4-6 record is almost guaranteed, too, with North Melbourne their Round 10 opponent.
This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
13. Carlton
2021 record: 3-6
Previous ranking: 12
They've had a raw old run to start the year the Blues. They've faced (and lost to) the Dees, Bulldogs, Tigers, Power, and Lions in the first nine rounds, and finally start to get some fixture relief with the Hawks looming this week. Is their season salvageable? Maybe, but a 3-6 hole is a tough one to climb out of, and the Hawks have been a bogey side for Carlton for some time. Bank the four points this week and let's reassess...
This week's opponent: Hawthorn (MCG)
14. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 3-6
Previous ranking: 13
Yep, another year of mediocrity for the Suns seems all but confirmed. How can this club get out of the mire? Another loss seems all but certain as not many teams can come away from GMHBA Stadium with four points in tow. Sure, they've got a few key injuries, but they need to put up better showings than a 73-point home loss to Brisbane.
This week's opponent: Geelong (GMHBA Stadium)
15. Adelaide
2021 record: 3-6
Previous ranking: 15
Count 'em - five straight losses for the Crows and they're in serious danger of slipping into the Power Rankings' bottom four. Lucky for the Crows, the teams below them are, well, pretty bad. Can they do the improbable and beat Melbourne at Adelaide Oval this week? Well, they beat the Cats, so we guess anything's possible*.
(*It's probably not possible)
This week's opponent: Melbourne (Adelaide Oval)
16. Collingwood
2021 record: 2-7
Previous ranking: 17
They lost to the Swans but the wolves are at bay and attention has turned to Clarko and the Hawks, so it's only fitting the Pies have taken the Hawks' spot on the Power Rankings! A tough ask this week, though, with the Power visiting the MCG. Prison bars, anyone?
This week's opponent: Port Adelaide (MCG)
17. North Melbourne
2021 record: 1-8
Previous ranking: 18
Off the bottom, again! The Kangaroos broke through for their first win since Round 9, 2020, and weren't the scenes of jubilation great to see? Ben Cunnington's return to this team has been really noticeable in recent weeks, and some of the inexperienced members of the 22 are starting to look a little more comfortable at the level. It's baby steps, but suddenly, this week's clash with Essendon doesn't look unwinnable...
This week's opponent: Essendon (Marvel Stadium)
18. Hawthorn
2021 record: 2-7
Previous ranking: 16
Two wins on the board but not a lot of power behind them to keep them up the rankings. A loss to the previously-winless North at their Launceston fortress shows just how far the Hawks have come from the glory years. After being in no-mans-land for most of the year, the consensus is clear - it's time (and right) for a rebuild.
This week's opponent: Carlton (MCG)