Next game: Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, Thursday night. West Coast -- who look the better side this year -- visiting GMHBA Stadium this week? Previous ranking: 12. Adelaide New York Giants: 658 Points (0 points gained) 4. SYDNEY SWANS (1-0, 121.7%) Last week's ranking: 6 First off - how good was that game?! Team Rankings Premiership Winners Brownlow Medal Leaders & Awards AFL On Demand . Sure, they've been unlucky with injuries, but most teams are missing players who would be a walk-up start in any given week. Patrick Dangerfield out for two months because he's having ankle surgery? The Sydney Derby is quickly becoming the best match-up in footy in terms of watchability. 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. Why St Kilda's second appointment of Ross Lyon is a massive gamble. Can they win the flag? In a way its relaxing knowing things are out of your control. The Cats games against the Swans have been close for years, even when John Longmires side has been struggling, though Geelong really should have won their last five meetings (given how unlucky they were last year to lose by two points). For example, the 1997 Bulldogs finished third with a percentage of 101.8 and made a prelim, but under the weird old finals format where their first final was against sixth. Gold Coast . 2021 record: 3-2 For the newcomers: This is our attempt to rank every AFL club from best to worst right now. Previous ranking: 9. And heck, the way the finals bracket is shaping up, they might get an easier elimination final in eighth than they would in seventh. Hawthorn The greatest period of dominance and quite frankly I do not believe it is ever likely to be matched. 2 Geelong - Probably the unluckiest team not to have extended their dominance. In saying that, looking at these high level numbers Ive found the average points scored per team over the course of a season is remarkably stable: approximately 2,055 points +/- 47 points over the decade. Geelong's loss to the Giants and the Dogs' loss to the Bombers is the Demons gain, at least, on the ladder! This week's opponent: Carlton (Marvel Stadium). It's not just the big names starring either - players like Christian Salem, Trent Rivers and Michael Hibberd just continue to play their roles well. Thats the real step forward - from 76.8% to what should be a bit over 100% assuming they beat the Kangaroos. Just like the Bullet Club, Collingwood is fine. A draw yields two points for both sides . The disclaimer at the top of this article about tipping at a neutral site is doing a lot of work here. I have reviewed AFL/VFL history over the last 60 years to isolate clubs who have reached a level of success that no fair-minded supporter has any right to complain about. Jeremy Cameron playing this week? Gold Coast Suns 2021 record: 15-5 And even if they do earn a home elimination final, can you really see this Eagles side winning three interstate finals in a row? West Coast Download ESPN from iTunes App Store Its yet another disappointing ending to a season for the Suns, though having played five games decided by seven points since the bye, it couldve easily been quite a bit better. This week's opponent: West Coast (GMHBA Stadium), 8. Dog shit teams . The Eagles would need to lose by at least 100 points to have any chance of dropping below North Melbourne on percentage and earning Pick 1. Next game: Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, Saturday night. If we say the Blues are 50-50 to beat the Magpies, and the Saints are 30-70 to beat the Swans (which seems fair? Iceozo. AFL Debate Club: Is the umpire dissent rule worth keeping? WHICH AFL TEAMS DO I HATE THE MOST? - YouTube Dallas Cowboys: 634 Points (8 points gained) 6. AFL- RANKING MY FAVOURITE TEAMS 1ST-18TH - YouTube You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. This week's opponent: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), 6. 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 | Round 16 | Round 17 | Round 18 | Round 19 | Round 20, 1. 5 Richmond Probably the most interesting of all the listed teams. Previous ranking: 7. 2021 record: 5-0 This week's opponent: Fremantle (Optus Stadium), AFL Power Rankings: Top teams settling, Carlton getting the blues. Five rounds into the 2021 AFL season and ESPN's Power Rankings seemed to have settled somewhat - with not much action taking place at the top or the bottom of the rankings. Next game: Carlton at the MCG, Sunday afternoon. In Live 1 the higher the difficulty the more degree of randomness the game added to the hook on the kick. This week, we worry about Fremantle and Carlton's seasons, discuss Collingwood's clutch fourth terms, and heap praise on . Next article Essendon appoint Josh Mahoney as new footy boss . The absence of Josh Bruce hurts, since their inside-50 plays seemed to be either bombing it to Aaron Naughton or just crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. But they did just lose to Geelong, and we think their win over West Coast was less of an upset than most appear to (though we certainly didnt tip that margin). We saw what happened last year when they were relying on just a sore Trent Cotchin; they need to find the right personnel to at least draw even in the contests, allowing their strengths elsewhere to carry them. GWS . Richmond 2 Geelong Probably the unluckiest team not to have extended their dominance. This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium), 6. So if they get into September, they may be able to cause some brief damage. Essentially what were trying to show is that a point scored in one season isnt actually worth the same as a point scored in another season, due to different games styles, changes in the way matches are umpired, injuries and the like. Next game: Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium, Sunday early. AFL Debate Club: The tribunal is 'no longer fit for purpose', AFL Debate Club: The league went soft on Pickett (and McAdam), We've been looking for the Pies' downturn, but they may be better in 2023, Dangerfield has 'no worries' about Cats' 'hunger' for back-to-back flags, Geelong made the blueprint: how footy's best teams stay good, ESPN's Top 20 Must-Watch AFL Players for 2023: 10-1, ESPN's Top 20 Must-Watch AFL Players for 2023: 20-11, Brad Scott, the 'blank canvas', and why 2023 feels 'a lot different' for Zach Merrett, Bontempelli: Dogs ready to debut "scary" tall forward line, ESPN's AFL Coaching Pressure Power Rankings for 2023, Every club's make or break for season 2023, Selwood to help Melbourne through stormy period, AFL Draft 2022 - Every club's draft haul rated. Reload for next season. Theres a new ute in town. . Up into second and in the box seat to host a qualifying final, their closest win over this purple patch was by 17 points (aka a blowout in a Collingwood game). Previous ranking: 12. 1969 Premiers 4th 124.6per cent We take wins and losses into account, but also the quality of opposition faced and whether teams are likely to get healthier or improve going forward. This isnt analytical at all but its just really nice to have a watchable rebuilding team. Getting the win? Get AFL news and more in your inbox Set up or join a tipping competition NOW! Either way, they've been fun to watch these past couple of weeks. The Lions were back home in Queensland after a few weeks on the road due to COVID, and we think that might just have settled some things for this talented team. Were not saying that proves Port Adelaide is better - were happy to put some respect on the Magpies name after their winning streak - but theyre not much worse. A Z-Score is pretty much how many standard deviations above or below the expected score a particular teams performance is. The AFL list size debate: How big should squads be? 3. The Melbourne case is pretty clear - theyre on top of the ladder and two games clear of third, and havent lost to a contender all season. There are nine clubs in total. Next game: Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium, Saturday night. Fremantle Its kinda what we expected from GWS; theres talent all over the park but their lack of a system (particularly in defence) can be exploited, and if theres a talent void, its up forward particularly with Toby Greene out. This week's opponent: Brisbane (Optus Stadium), 8. Previous ranking: 10. 1. 1973 Runner-Up 3RD 126.6per cent, Hawthorn Groundhog Day: Why should we care about the Suns? Stay on current site or go to US version. 4. This week's opponent: St Kilda (Adelaide Oval), 4. There is not a lot I like about the team, except one thing: their team logo and the angular design of the shield pitted behind a hostile bulldog is one of the best concepts in the competition. Previous ranking: 1. This week's opponent: Sydney (Marvel Stadium), 12. GWS First off - how good was that game?! Were going to withhold judgment on whether Craig McRaes changes can turn this group back into a top-eight contender, but thats not what this year is supposed to be about anyway. An unexpected win? Previous ranking: 13. You often know who it is pretty early; Melbourne and Sydney were pretty clearly in the contending mix after three or so rounds last year. Its a little bit whos hot and whos not; part predictive, part analysis of whats happened. Melbourne Year Result Ladder Home and away (percentage) You must provide an email address to create a Roar account, When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address, By joining The Roar you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. This week's opponent: St Kilda (Marvel Stadium), 5. In fact, the top four teams all hold their positions from last week, while in the chasing pack, it's tightening up. Another win at home? Create a AFL Forwards Ranker Tier List - TierMaker We were slightly worried for the Demons just after three-quarter time on Sunday, but BOY did they show us what they're capable of in just one quarter. It's a mature, experienced group which will be able to move on pretty quickly. Just one more week, Kangaroos fans, then youre into that blissful period of optimism known as the off-season. Just out of interest, Ive pulled the particular occurrences where a team has been exceptional in a particular season with exceptional defined as being better than 95 per cent of all performances over the period. Previous ranking: 11. It's tough to sustain a run at the top, and it looks like finally the chasing pack has caught up. Carlton Has anything changed in our minds after their loss to the Giants? Head to ESPN's Home of AFL, 16. How are they still in the finals race?! Enjoy Watching Me Rank AFL Teams 2019!!!! As mentioned in the . Once they get Sean Darcy and Nat Fyfe back, Freo should be OK, but youd still like to see a potential contender show a bit more dominance over a likely bottom four side, even away from home. This week's opponent: Hawthorn (UTAS Stadium), 3. Is this where this group peaks? Have the Lions fallen out of flag contention? But they were unable to match Hawthorn for their long-term consistency. Next game: Richmond at the MCG, Saturday night. 2021 record: 14-4-1 This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (UTAS Stadium), 16. 2021 record: 3-2 Create a ranking for AFL Forwards Ranker 1. Previous ranking: 17. It's disappointing more than anything; it's fair to say most neutrals wouldn't mind seeing a little success from this side which hasn't even played finals yet in its existence. 2021 record: 15-4 We still think the Giants are the best actual team outside of the top eight, thus this ranking, but their inconsistency must be infuriating internally. This was supposed to be a start that set them up for a top-eight charge; now they have an always-tricky trip west to face Fremantle, before winnable but tricky meetings with Richmond, Hawthorn and Gold Coast (all in Melbourne). Or just lucky to play a pretty poor team in the Crows this week while other sides faltered? The chart below shows the cumulative Z-score of each of the 16 teams which played in all ten seasons of the study period. Good luck, David Teague. Have the Tigers over-achieved? Broadly, this tells me its much easier to be an outstanding offensive team than it is to be an outstanding defensive team and that being brilliant at scoring is possibly a better predictor of success than defence (note, I say possibly). Next game: Melbourne at the MCG, Saturday afternoon. For every match a team wins, they are awarded four points. Its not quite as bad as first feared but the absences of Aliir Aliir and Trent McKenzie will be felt. Show my results >> AFL Statistics Team Rankings for Season 2023 - FootyWire Bad teams that have occasional upsets . The AFL is back! Oops! It's in the middle you'll find clubs jockeying for either the last spots 'in the eight', or for mediocrity. Drag the images into the order you would like. AFL 2023: ESPN's way-too-early predictions - Can the Cats go again? It's even easier in Live 2/Evolution. Share your Tier List. Previous ranking: 4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 706 Points (26 points gained) 3. GWS We were ready to come into this weeks rankings and write about how oh, if only it was dry and if only there were fans, the Eagles mightve beaten the Bulldogs and then the fourth quarter happened, and they had no excuses at that point. Make it very tough for cross-town rivals West Coast to finish in the eight, if they can get a breakthrough derby win.