In this week's edition of ESPN's AFL Power Rankings, we see the Bombers fly up, up! We're not saying they're going to win the premiership flag, though. Elsewhere, things are steady in the lower reaches of the rankings, with just some minor shuffling up the top.
Note: This will be the last Power Rankings until the conclusion of the bye rounds.
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 (prior to): Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 | Round 8 | Round 9 | Round 10 | Round 11
1. Melbourne
2021 record: 10-1
Previous ranking: 2
The Demons are clear premiership favourites in our books. Friday night showed why they're the complete package; we keep saying it, but they're a professional, well-drilled outfit and they're getting contributions from across the board. The Dogs, on the other hand, are flashy but at times patchy. We like what we see from Melbourne.
This week's opponent: Brisbane (Giants Stadium)
2. Brisbane
2021 record: 8-3
Previous ranking: 3
That's seven straight wins for the Lions, and if that isn't enough to get you excited, a 10-goal triumph over a decent side surely must. The Giants aren't pushovers, so to see Brisbane really put them to the sword was thrilling, if a little scary for opposition sides and fans. What a clash this Friday night promises to be; Dees and Lions, 1 and 2 on the ESPN Power Ranking. As the great Bruce McAvaney would say: delicious.
This week's opponent: Melbourne (Giants Stadium)
3. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 9-2
Previous ranking: 1
Two losses to two pretty good teams (Melbourne and Richmond) suggest the Bulldogs are premiership contenders but they're not the standout. We love what we see from the Dogs - they're exciting and they bat deep in the midfield, but they're also racking up a few key injuries, hence the drop this week.
This week's opponent: Fremantle (Optus Stadium)
4. Geelong
2021 record: 8-3
Previous ranking: 4
Is that a sneaky 8-3 record we see for the Cats? Declared too old, too slow by some (yes, they've been as low as eighth on the Power Rankings - with good reason!) Geelong have settled into a groove and are getting the job done - even in dour, disgusting displays like we saw against the Pies on the weekend. They hold fourth spot heading into the bye.
This week's opponent: BYE
5. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 8-3
Previous ranking: 5
Port's scintillating first term against the Dockers highlights how good the Power can be. Brutal stuff, really, we just don't see it as consistently as we'd like. They've still got some injury concerns to key players and they're flaky at times and lack consistency, but they're 8-3. Perhaps we're judging them based on their minor premiership-winning season from last year.
This week's opponent: BYE
6. Richmond
2021 record: 6-5
Previous ranking: 6
Holding sixth spot is the Tigers after they had to grind out a win against the Crows on neutral turf. Things looked a little dicey there for a while; big Tex Walker was rolling, but the hallmark of good sides (even those at 6-5) is they are resilient, especially on the road(ish!) - and that was a solid win from the Tigers. Jack Riewoldt may be 32, but he still has hops - and remains one of the best set shots in the game.
This week's opponent: Essendon (Optus Stadium)
7. Sydney
2021 record: 7-4
Previous ranking: 9
Much like the Tigers against the Crows, Sydney had to grind out a win against the Blues at home on the weekend. Despite being pinned in their backline for long parts of the first and second terms, the Swans were able to keep the Blues and spearhead (and Coleman Medal leader) Harry McKay at bay, and then take their opportunities when they came. It's a tick from us.
This week's opponent: St Kilda (SCG)
8. Essendon
2021 record: 5-6
Previous ranking: 11
You'd have to think that's Essendon's best home and away win for some time. Well, considering they haven't won a final in many a moon, it's probably just their best win overall for some time (sorry, Bomber fans, had to keep you grounded somehow!)... Like we've said for most of the season, they're strong offensively, rebound with aggression, and Darcy Parish's move into the midfield has been a masterstroke. They're a red-hot chance to knock off the Tigers this week.
This week's opponent: Richmond (Optus Stadium)
9. West Coast
2021 record: 6-5
Previous ranking: 7
Down a couple of spots is West Coast. On the ESPN Footy Podcast, and in this and other columns this season, we've said the Eagles really need to nail their chances at home in order to shore up a home final or two to build confidence in September ... dropping that game to the Bombers is worrying. We need to see more from the Eagles.
This week's opponent: Carlton (SCG)
10. GWS
2021 record: 5-6
Previous ranking: 8
Last week the Giants rose into the Power Rankings' top eight, but their loss to Brisbane on the weekend (by 64 points) just goes to show that even sides in the hunt for the eight are a big step down -- quality-wise -- than the likes of the Lions, Bulldogs, and Dees. The bye has come at a good time - regroup and reload.
This week's opponent: BYE
11. Fremantle
2021 record: 5-7
Previous ranking: 10
For every encouraging result, like the week prior against the Swans, the Dockers seem to have a disappointing one not long after. They're one of the most inaccurate teams in the competition, and kicking 9.15 on the weekend, including 0.8 to start the match. Not good enough!
This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (Optus Stadium)
12. Adelaide
2021 record: 4-7
Previous ranking: 13
Imagine if the Crows had knocked off the Tigers. They'd be 5-6, not far from the eight and with Richmond and Melbourne as their most recent scalps ... would finals be calling? Because they got close to Richmond, should finals be calling? We're tempering expectations, but this unit is playing well and they're fun to watch. Some midfield flair would be nice - perhaps that's an offseason target.
This week's opponent: Collingwood (Adelaide Oval)
13. Carlton
2021 record: 4-7
Previous ranking: 12
They've got arguably the All-Australian full back and full forward slots sewn up, with Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh dominating in the midfield. It's clear Carlton's top-end talent falls away quickly, but sheesh, even we thought they'd be a lot better than the performances they've been throwing up recently. They're scored against too easily and can't capitalise on patches of domination.
This week's opponent: West Coast (SCG)
14. St Kilda
2021 record: 5-6
Previous ranking: 14
A little bit of 'meh' this week from the Saints, who did enough to beat the lowly Kangaroos last weekend. This season has been a disappointment so far, given the preseason expectations ... a win over the Swans may pique our interest though. Let's see something - anything(!), St Kilda.
This week's opponent: Sydney (SCG)
15. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 4-7
Previous ranking: 15
A 37-point win was just what the doctor ordered for the Suns, who, traditionally, have struggled to win games after the first six or seven weeks of a season. As Rohan Connolly said in his mid-season report card, they're improving despite a few injury setbacks to key members, but they're still a team battling it out in the lower third of the ladder. Let's see how they fare after the bye.
This week's opponent: BYE
16. Collingwood
2021 record: 2-9
Previous ranking: 16
Burn the tapes and never watch them again. That was grim viewing from Collingwood, who still lack a genuine forward target and who couldn't seem to transition out of defense against the Cats' excellent setups. They've got to find something this week; it's a winnable game against the Crows and four points will keep the wolves at bay for a little while...
This week's opponent: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
17. North Melbourne
2021 record: 1-10
Previous ranking: 17
Can the bye come at a good time for a team that's 1-10? They put up a decent fight against the Saints but are still heavily reliant on older players like Ben Cunnington, Todd Goldstein and Jack Ziebell. Having said that, we love what we're seeing from Tarryn Thomas - we just want more contributions from other youngsters.
This week's opponent: BYE
18. Hawthorn
2021 record: 2-9
Previous ranking: 18
Another tough loss for the Hawks, going down to Gold Coast by six goals. Take the bye to recharge; let's see if they can get something out of Jai Newcombe and Jackson Callow, who they nabbed in the mid-season draft.
This week's opponent: BYE