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In this week's edition of ESPN's AFL Power Rankings, the Lions take top spot for the first time this season, while the race for the last two spots in the eight is on... 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 | Round 12 | POST BYE | Round 15   1. Brisbane
2021 record: 11-4
Previous ranking: 2 We have a new (and first-time) No. 1! The Brisbane Lions are rolling. They've been as low as 10 on the Power Rankings after a poor and COVID-interrupted start to the season, but since about Round 5 they've been just about flawless. They rightfully spanked Adelaide on the road and now return to Queensland to host the Saints. They should win easily. This week's opponent: St Kilda (Metricon Stadium) 
 2. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 12-3
Previous ranking: 3 Bank the four points, Doggies. It wasn't a smashing of North, but as good teams do, they just win the games that turn into a bit of a grind. There's plenty to like, too. Mitch Wallis, Cody Weightman - they're getting contributions from depth, and Josh Dunkley is due a return soon as well! This week's opponent: Sydney (Marvel Stadium)
 3. Melbourne
2021 record: 13-3
Previous ranking: 1 It's tight at the top! A loss to the Giants but a win over the Power isn't enough to hang on to top spot with Brisbane and the Bulldogs sniffing around. We've said in the past that the forward line is the worry - Ben Brown was held goalless but played an interesting higher role, allowing Tom McDonald, Kysaiah Pickett and others to get a look. We like that the magnets are at least being thrown around. This week's opponent: def. Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) 
 4. Geelong
2021 record: 11-4
Previous ranking: 4 Solid win for the Cats against a team many have struggled against in the Bombers. Good teams win those games and well, and that's exactly what the Cats did. Jeremy Cameron is a big loss for a month or so, but realistically they should be too strong for the Blues this week. This week's opponent: Carlton (MCG)
 5. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 11-5
Previous ranking: 5 The loss to Melbourne shows the Power are just slightly off the pace of the four teams above them on the Power Rankings. Port were a little wasteful against the Demons, and another injury to Zak Butters soured what was meant to be his comeback heading into finals. Fifth is about right. This week's opponent: def. by Melbourne (Adelaide Oval)
 6. Sydney
2021 record: 9-6
Previous ranking: 6 Ain't much sweeter than dishing out massive spankings is there? Gritty 'home' win while actually on the road? Check. Percentage boost? Check. Buddy closer to 1000 goals? Check. Flawless performance, but they're still a small step below the sides above them in the Power Rankings. This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium) 
 7. Richmond
2021 record: 7-8
Previous ranking: 7 Yes, they're seventh in the rankings, and remain steady after a shock(ing) home loss to the Suns, but don't let it fool you, the gap between the top six sides and the next band is immense. Put it this way, they ain't getting higher than seventh unless they start spanking teams by 10 goals consistently. This week's opponent: Collingwood (MCG)
 8. GWS
2021 record: 7-7-1
Previous ranking: 11 What a gutsy performance. On the MCG, after stinking it up there the week prior against the Hawks, to dethrone the ladder leaders is a mammoth effort. We've said it before, the gap between this side's best and worst footy could be the biggest in the league. This week's opponent: Gold Coast (Mars Stadium)
 9. West Coast
2021 record: 8-7
Previous ranking: 8 It seems bizarre dropping West Coast just one spot after the showing they put on in Geelong against the Swans. Having said that, they're still, unfortunately, a slight step above the chasing pack for now. Expect them to beat North (and well), but it's paper over cracks at this stage. Their window is closing. This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Optus Stadium)
 10. St Kilda
2021 record: 7-8
Previous ranking: 12 It wasn't a convincing win over Collingwood, but it is four points. What the Saints really needed was to win big - their percentage is so poor that if they are to make a late dash for September action, they'll need to win an extra game just to get above those on the same number as wins as they are. This week's opponent: Brisbane (Metricon Stadium)
 11. Fremantle
2021 record: 7-8
Previous ranking: 10 If you're a side hunting a spot in the finals, you need to beat (arguably) inferior opponents on their home decks - even if it's a Freo 'home game'. That effort against Carlton exposed some big holes, namely up forward, and it could cost them. Must beat Hawthorn down in Launceston this week. This week's opponent: Hawthorn (UTAS Stadium)
 12. Essendon
2021 record: 6-9
Previous ranking: 9 Geelong gave the Bombers, their fans, and footy media a bit of a reality check on Friday night, and that's fine. Sure, they've dropped three spots, but as we said in last week's Power Rankings, things are so tight between spots eight and 13 it's not a big deal. This week's opponent: Adelaide (Marvel Stadium)
 13. Carlton
2021 record: 6-9
Previous ranking: 14 Two wins in a row since it was announced that Carlton would undertake an external review. Coincidence? Perhaps, but also playing two interstate sides in Melbourne helps. Geelong at the 'G loom, which is a much bigger test, even if the Cats are without Jeremy Cameron. Teaguey - keep playing the kids ... Dow, Stocker, de Koning have all shown good glimpses. This week's opponent: Geelong (MCG) 
 14. Adelaide
2021 record: 5-10
Previous ranking: 13 That's now four losses from their past five games, and their one win was an improbable comeback against the Saints in Cairns. Looks like they're running out of steam, but the good thing is they'll have improved on their 2020 finish. This week's opponent: Essendon (Marvel Stadium)
 15. Collingwood
2021 record: 4-11
Previous ranking: 15 Collingwood's first half against St Kilda was one of the most dire halves we've seen under Harves (apologies, had to...). They managed to fight back into the contest, but playing one quarter of footy just isn't what teams who 'have it together' do. This week's opponent: Richmond (MCG)
 16. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 5-10
Previous ranking: 18 Did anyone see a win over Richmond in Melbourne coming? Last week we said they might not win a game for the rest of the season - well, there's egg on our face. It's enough to get them off the bottom of the Power Rankings. This week's opponent: GWS (Mars Stadium)
 17. Hawthorn
2021 record: 4-11
Previous ranking: 16 Would things have panned out differently had Hawthorn nailed some early chances against Port? Look, probably not, but it was still a disappointing result given the occasion. Winnable game this week. This week's opponent: Fremantle (UTAS Stadium)
 18. North Melbourne
2021 record: 2-12-1
Previous ranking: 17 Don't read too much into North falling to the bottom of the rankings again, it's just where they are. They squandered a few early and late chances against the Dogs to keep things interesting, but it sure beats a three-figure loss like they had earlier this season. This week's opponent: West Coast (Optus Stadium)
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