Round eighteen gave us some sensational football with Geelong stealing the limelight. Twenty nine points down in the final quarter to a steadfast Melbourne, the Cats conjured some more Kardinia Park magic to steal a two-point win on a goal after the siren to Zach Tuohy. The Giants won a hard fought away game against a suddenly struggling Port Adelaide, setting themselves up for a top eight finish in the process.
Top teams Richmond, West Coast and Collingwood all won well to keep dreams of a top two finish alive, while the undermanned Gold Coast Suns pulled off the upset of the season in defeating the Sydney Swans for the first time in AFL history.
Hawthorn got back on the winners list with a big victory over the Western Bulldogs, while Essendon and Adelaide kept their season on life support with wins over Fremantle and Brisbane respectively.
This week the AFANA Power Poll is trimming the fat, using just three words for each team’s performance as we head into what should be a brilliant round nineteen, punctuated by an MCG blockbuster between reigning premier Richmond and a red hot Collingwood.
1. Richmond Tigers (Last Week: 1)
Team first football.
2. West Coast Eagles (2)
Imposing forward line.
3. Collingwood Magpies (3)
High possession machine.
4. Geelong Cats (7)
Home cooking kings.
5. Greater Western Sydney Giants (8)
Here they come.
6. Sydney Swans (4)
Massive upset loss.
7. Melbourne Demons (5)
Close. No Cigar.
8. Hawthorn Hawks (9)
Steady yet unspectacular.
9. Port Adelaide Power (6)
Faltering of late.
10. Adelaide Crows (10)
Still a chance.
11. Essendon Bombers (11)
Not gone yet.
12. North Melbourne Kangaroos (12)
Need a win.
13. Brisbane Lions (13)
Fun to watch.
14. Gold Coast Suns (17)
Brilliantly foiled Swans.
15. Fremantle Dockers (14)
Missing big guns.
16. St Kilda Saints (15)
Disappointing season continues.
17. Western Bulldogs (16)
Better times ahead.
18. Carlton Blues (18)
Hit rock bottom.
Article last changed on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 - 1:52 PM EDT
