Round thirteen will kick off with Thursday night footy at Adelaide Oval, with Port Adelaide – fresh off a victory over the reigning premiers – taking on the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval. This makes for a short turnaround from a cracking Queen’s Birthday Monday clash that saw a red hot Collingwood take down the highly fancied Melbourne Demons in front of a massive MCG crowd.
In keeping with the short football week, the AFANA Power Poll will be short, sharp and shiny this week for volume, but as always chock full of insight into which teams are looking the goods as we head into the third of the four “bye” weeks.
1. West Coast Eagles (Last Week: 1)
A week off for the Eagles, who remain at number one with the Tigers going down to the Power and the Demons failing to extend their six game winning streak.
2. Sydney Swans (4)
A nine goal first quarter blitz led the Swans to a big 71 point win over a hapless Saint Kilda at Etihad Stadium. A big second half of the season awaits the perennial finals contender.
3. Richmond Tigers (2)
The Tigers simply couldn’t match the big bodies in the Port Adelaide midfield with Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia and Jack Graham all unavailable. A massive game with an in-form Geelong at the MCG on Sunday is up next.
4. Geelong Cats (6)
Gary Ablett was the star, but Mark Blicavs proved the unsung hero keeping North Melbourne full-forward Ben Brown goalless as the Cats stormed home against the Kangaroos at Kardinia Park. They’re ready for the Tigers on Sunday.
5. Collingwood Magpies (7)
The Magpies were magnificent in downing the Demons by 42 points in the blockbuster Monday meeting at the MCG. Big Texan Mason Cox put the United States firmly on the Australian Rules map with a five goal best afield performance that wowed the 83,000 fans in attendance. The ‘Pies are HOT!
6. Melbourne Demons (3)
Melbourne’s bubble burst as it once again failed on the big stage, crushed by 42 points as the Magpies were simply too quick for the Demons. Don’t write them off yet.
7. Greater Western Sydney Giants (8)
The Giants destroyed fellow expansion franchise the Gold Coast Suns by a massive 108 points on Saturday, giving them a sniff of the top eight in the process. It’s no surprise that as top players such as Josh Kelly return from injury, the Giants are starting to resemble the team that reached a Preliminary Final last season. Dismiss them at your peril.
8. North Melbourne Kangaroos (5)
Probably a little unlucky to drop all the way to number eight in the Power Poll, the Kangaroos were competitive but lacked the firepower to match Geelong at Kardinia Park. While Ben Jacobs blanketed Cats midfield gun Joel Selwood, North Melbourne had no answers to the rejuvenated Gary Ablett and breakout youngster Jordan Cunico.
9. Port Adelaide Power (11)
The Power took advantage of a depleted Richmond midfield to down the reigning premiers by 14 points at a slippery Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Chad Wingard answered his critics with a sensational performance, while Jared Polec provided the run to keep the Tigers at bay. With a good draw coming up, Port has a great chance to climb up the ladder in the next month.
10. Hawthorn Hawks (9)
The Hawks enjoyed the bye week as they freshened up for a crack at the Adelaide Crows in round thirteen.
11. Essendon Bombers (12)
In a game that never reached any heights in regard to skill level, the Bombers nonetheless dismissed the Lions on their home ground by 22 points despite losing Captain Dyson Heppell to injury early in the game.
12. Adelaide Crows (10)
Taylor “Tex” Walker was back for Adelaide, but in a game where both sides were missing plenty of star power, the Crows fell at the last hurdle, unable to cope with Fremantle’s quick ball movement in the final quarter. The three point loss leaves last year’s Grand Finalist in danger of missing the final eight.
13. Fremantle Dockers (15)
The young Dockers team, playing without marquee talent Nathan Fyfe and key ruck Aaron Sandilands produced a stirring upset 3-point win over the Adelaide Crows at Optus Oval. Number five draft pick Adam Cerra was magnificent in the Dockers victory.
14. Western Bulldogs (13)
The Bulldogs enjoyed a week off with their bye.
15. Brisbane Lions (14)
The Lions couldn’t hang with the Bombers on Sunday, going down by 22 points. Harris Andrews was brilliant for the Lions and is fast becoming one of the best defenders in the AFL.
16. Carlton Blues (16)
The Blues had the week off with a bye.
17. St Kilda Saints (17)
The Saints started poorly on Saturday night, kicking a solitary goal as Sydney piled on an incredible nine in the first quarter. The season has been a lost one for the Saints, with pressure increasing on Coach Alan Richardson with every loss.
18. Gold Coast Suns (18)
The Suns have hit rock bottom, smashed by 108 points in a performance that leaves the franchise in tatters. After a promising start under rookie Coach Stuart Dew, the Gold Coast boys have continued to slide down the table. The immediate future does not look bright.
Article last changed on Monday, September 12, 2022 - 5:34 PM EDT
