What is there to say about St Kilda? They lack on-field leadership, coaching cahones and capable match-winners (a 20-year-old key forward aside!). It's little wonder they've fallen down the rankings this week. Elsewhere, the Dees and Dogs are in a tight battle for top spot heading into their clash on Friday night, while the Giants have broken into the eight...
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 | Round 10
1. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 9-1
Previous ranking: 2
That's two 100-point wins for the Bulldogs through just 10 games so far in 2021 - pretty scary stuff. Importantly, this means a more than healthy percentage which could be important when it comes to locking in a top four or top two finish at the end of the season. Yes, the Adam Treloar injury hurts the Dogs a little, but they've got killer midfield depth.
This week's opponent: Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
2. Melbourne
2021 record: 9-1
Previous ranking: 1
Was it the loss they had to have? We hate that cliche, but at least the pressure's off them heading into a massive clash against the Bulldogs on Friday night. Really, though, the Dees should have beaten Adelaide; they were absolutely robbed of a deliberate out of bounds call with seconds remaining...
This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
3. Brisbane
2021 record: 7-3
Previous ranking: 3
They're up and about, now, the Lions - and on a six game winning streak. Beating the Tigers on Friday night has solidified their premiership bona fides, and considering the tough start to the year they had (the Cats loss and COVID-19 troubles), their resilience has really impressed the rest of the competition. It makes this week's clash with the Giants (also with a decent patch of form behind them) all the more interesting.
This week's opponent: GWS (Gabba)
4. Geelong
2021 record: 7-3
Previous ranking: 4
Chalk it up, another win for the Cats. Their slow start is well and truly in the rearview mirror, and with another winnable game coming up against the lowly Pies, 8-3 would look good on this group, which is set to welcome back star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield imminently.
This week's opponent: Collingwood (MCG)
5. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 7-3
Previous ranking: 6
Thank goodness for Robbie Gray. The Power survived by the skin of their teeth against the Pies on Sunday, but four points is four points. Last year's reigning premiers are thereabouts - there are still concerns over their consistency and the regression of someone like Connor Rozee. Can Freo test them at Adelaide Oval? Yes, but Port are surely good enough to bank the four points this week.
This week's opponent: Fremantle (Adelaide Oval)
6. Richmond
2021 record: 5-5
Previous ranking: 5
The Tigers are just hanging onto a spot inside the Power Rankings' top 8, but it's still too hard to write them off. Just 12 -- or maybe 13 -- wins will get you into finals, and even if they just make it, you can guarantee the side they're set to play will be excreting bricks... Remember, and say it with me: they've still got some very good players to come back.
This week's opponent: Adelaide (MCG)
7. West Coast
2021 record: 6-4
Previous ranking: 7
Look, GWS are a better side than what they've looked like on paper. But also, it's another mark against the Eagles on the road. Many more losses and top two (and the home double chance) are out of the question, so are West Coast good enough to win it all from, say, fifth? They're going to need to prove to us they're good enough.
This week's opponent: Essendon (Optus Stadium)
8. GWS
2021 record: 5-5
Previous ranking: 9
Well, well, well ... we have a new team inside the Power Rankings' top eight. One Sydney side goes out, another comes in. They've won five of their last seven (including one over the Swans) and look like a much more complete team than in the first few weeks of the year. Could they upset the Lions at the Gabba? Perhaps not, but they'll give it a crack.
This week's opponent: Brisbane (Gabba)
9. Sydney
2021 record: 6-4
Previous ranking: 8
That loss to Fremantle really hurts. We've said all along that Sydney are the team in the eight most likely to falter if their young side have some down weeks or lose some games they shouldn't. They're still odds-on, but really needed to beat the Dockers - especially with Buddy kicking six. A win over the Blues at home would get things back on track.
This week's opponent: Carlton (SCG)
10. Fremantle
2021 record: 5-5
Previous ranking: 11
What a time for Nat Fyfe to kick a rare goal! The Dockers skipper sealed a stirring victory over the Swans, and Freo are now back at parity at 5-5. It's just as tough this week, however, with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval looming. If Fyfe can find his groove and hit the scoreboard a bit more, and Rory Lobb can jag another bag of four, they might be a chance.
This week's opponent: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
11. Essendon
2021 record: 4-6
Previous ranking: 12
Another solid performance from the Bombers who continue to be somewhat of an offensive juggernaut. Sure, it was a win over lowly North Melbourne, but the percentage boost may come in handy later in the season should their good form continue. Essendon now face one of the toughest trips in footy; West Coast at Optus Stadium. Good luck, boys.
This week's opponent: West Coast (Optus Stadium)
12. Carlton
2021 record: 4-6
Previous ranking: 13
We're not sure too many Carlton fans will want to watch that game back; the Blues made hard work of what should have been an easy kill. The same problems remain: a lack of class and composure when going inside 50, and seemingly falling asleep for a patch of 20 minutes per game. Their best footy is good, though - but probably not good enough to beat Sydney.
This week's opponent: Sydney (SCG)
13. Adelaide
2021 record: 4-6
Previous ranking: 15
Who picked that? Not us, going by the Power Rankings last week, though we did say they were a chance. With that win over Melbourne, the Crows stay within shouting distance of finals and, frankly, a successful season all things considered. That's two big scalps this season so far (Geelong and Melbourne) - but we can't see them making it three this week against the Tigers, despite Richmond's struggles.
This week's opponent: Richmond (MCG)
14. St Kilda
2021 record: 4-6
Previous ranking: 10
When your percentage of 72.6 is the league's second worst (behind only North's 56.3 percent), and you somehow have four wins, you know those losses have been bad. Does this rule them out of finals contention? It might just - even if they make it to the requisite, say, 12 wins, if there's another team on the same number of points, the Saints' percentage will let them down. They lack on-field leadership and need agility in the coaches box. Grim.
This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
15. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 3-7
Previous ranking: 14
An improved effort against the Cats, and but for some wonky kicking, the Suns might have gotten even closer than 34 points. Having said that, they're still 3-7 and don't play their next game at home; instead play a winnable game against the Hawks on neutral turf - not ideal.
This week's opponent: Hawthorn (TIO Stadium)
16. Collingwood
2021 record: 2-8
Previous ranking: 16
So close, but no cigar. And what's with just 23,415 people turning up (and a few of them Port fans!)? Collingwood fans really have given up on their team (and perhaps the board). The 22 on the field also gave up after opening up a sizeable lead against the Power. Fitting, really.
This week's opponent: Geelong (MCG)
17. North Melbourne
2021 record: 1-9
Previous ranking: 17
The Roos hold 17th spot on the Power Rankings but with a warning; if the Hawks get close to the Suns this week, and North loses to St Kilda, they're back on the bottom. As Christian Joly said on the ESPN Footy Podcast this week, there are signs that North are implementing a solid game plan, it just requires patience and the right personnel.
This week's opponent: St Kilda (Marvel Stadium)
18. Hawthorn
2021 record: 2-8
Previous ranking: 18
The Hawks weren't embarrassed by the Blues on the weekend, but there are still some serious deficiencies in their game. Kyle Hartigan (who blanketed Harry McKay pretty well) will miss a few for a gut punch on Sam Walsh, leaving the Hawks undermanned down back. Who comes in? Tim O'Brien? Hawthorn need to build depth this offseason.
This week's opponent: Gold Coast (TIO Stadium)