With not all wins created equal the AFL ladder doesn’t always get it right. To right this wrong the Pinch Hitters attempt to provide a more accurate picture of where each team stands. With that in mind here is our take on just how well each team is going after Round Nine.
1. (2) WEST COAST ⇑
The Eagles faced and overcame the challenge of the Premiers at home to extend their winning streak to eight and claim top spot on the AFL Ladder. With Hawthorn and St Kilda up ahead, their fans would fancy their chances of stretching the streak to at least 10.
Last Five: Carlton (W), Fremantle (W), Port Adelaide (W), GWS (W), Richmond (W).
Next Five: Hawthorn (A), St Kilda (H), Sydney (A), Essendon (H), Adelaide (A).
2. (1) RICHMOND ⇓
Richmond’s winning streak came to an end at the hands of the West Coast at Optus Stadium. There has been a lot of noise about the strength of the Tigers draw that won’t grow any quieter after they play St Kilda and Essendon in the next two weeks.
Last Five: Melbourne (W), Collingwood (W), Fremantle (W), North Melbourne (W), West Coast (L).
Next Five: St Kilda (H), Essendon (A), Port Adelaide (A), Geelong (A), Sydney (H).
3. (6) NORTH MELBOURNE ⇑
The Kangaroos resurgence continued with their dominant victory over GWS in Hobart. The surprise packet of the season, with matches against Fremantle, Brisbane, Bulldogs and Essendon, either side of a clash with Geelong, they have a genuine chance to strengthen their top eight credentials over the next five weeks.
Last Five: Hawthorn (W), Port Adelaide (L), Sydney (W), Richmond (L), GWS (W).
Next Five: Fremantle (A), Brisbane (H), Geelong (A), Bulldogs (A), Essendon (A).
4. (4) SYDNEY ⇔
Sydney did what they needed to against Fremantle to claim a third win from their last four games. After a little stutter, they look well poised to take advantage of their next three games against Brisbane, Carlton and St Kilda to position themselves for an assualt on the top two.
Last Five: Adelaide (L), Geelong (W), North Melbourne (L), Hawthorn (W), Fremantle (W).
Next Five: Brisbane (A), Carlton (H), St Kilda (A), West Coast (H), Richmond (A).
5. (5) ADELAIDE ⇔
After their heartbreaking Showdown defeat, the Crows bounced back to claim a hard-fought victory over the Bulldogs in terrible conditions at the Adelaide Oval. Having been decimated by injuries throughout the season, the Crows efforts in maintaining a position in the top four have been extraordinary.
Last Five: Sydney (W), Gold Coast (W), Carlton (W), Port Adelaide (L), Bulldogs (W).
Next Five: Melbourne (A), GWS (H), Fremantle (A), Hawthorn (A), West Coast (H).
6. (10) MELBOURNE ⇑
The Dees tuned up for their trip to the Red Centre with a demolition of Carlton at the MCG. On the back of confidence-boosting victories over four of the bottom five sides, they have moved into third place on the competition ladder. The match against Adelaide will provide a fascinating insight into where the Dees now stand after a shaky start to the season.
Last Five: Richmond (L), Essendon (W), St Kilda (W), Gold Coast (W), Carlton (W).
Next Five: Adelaide (H), Bulldogs (A), Collingwood (H), Port Adelaide (A), St Kilda (H).
7. (3) GEELONG ⇓
The Cats undid a lot of their good work of recent weeks with their shock loss to the Bombers in the annual Country Game at the MCG. This is likely to be an unfortunate result for both Carlton and Gold Coast who are sure to face a ruthless Cats team over the next few rounds.
Last Five: Port Adelaide (W), Sydney (L), GWS (W), Collingwood (W), Essendon (L)
Next Five: Carlton (H), Gold Coast (A), North Melbourne (H), Richmond (H), Bulldogs (A).
8. (8) COLLINGWOOD ⇔
The Pies recorded a lacklustre victory over a wayward Saints team at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. The result ensures they stay within touching distance of the Top Eight ahead of a kind stretch in which they face the Bulldogs, Freo, Carlton and Gold Coast.
Last Five: Essendon (W), Richmond (L), Brisbane (W), Geelong (L) St Kilda (W).
Next Five: Bulldogs (H), Fremantle (H), Melbourne (A), Carlton (H), Gold Coast (A).
9. (9) PORT ADELAIDE ⇔
Port backed up their victory over cross-town rivals Adelaide with a victory over Gold Coast in China. Having been on the precipice a few weeks ago they will now enter their next few matches full of confidence as they look to strengthen their claims for a place in the top eight.
Last Five: Geelong (L), North Melbourne (W), West Coast (L), Adelaide (W), Gold Coast (W).
Next Five: Hawthorn (A), Richmond (H), Bulldogs (H), Melbourne (A), Carlton (A).
10. (12) FREMANTLE ⇑
The Dockers have moved up in the standings more to the results of the teams above them than through their own performances. They were no match for Sydney at the SCG and have now dropped three of their last four games. With North Melbourne, Collingwood and Adelaide to come, things may get even worse for Ross Lyon’s men.
Last Five: Bulldogs (W), West Coast (L), Richmond (L), St Kilda (W), Sydney (L).
Next Five: North Melbourne (H), Collingwood (A), Adelaide (H), Carlton (A), Brisbane (A).
11. (11) GWS ⇔
With just one win from their last five games, the preseason premiership favourites are now perilously placed in the race for a finals berth. They simply must find a way to get the points over the resurgent Bombers or they may well be on the outside looking in come September.
Last Five: St Kilda (D), Brisbane (W), Geelong (L), West Coast (L), North Melbourne (L).
Next Five: Essendon (H), Adelaide (A), Gold Coast (H), Brisbane (A), Hawthorn (H).
12. (7) HAWTHORN ⇓
In their first meeting with former captain Luke Hodge the Hawks ended up on the wrong side of the ledger in an upset result at the Gabba on Sunday. Having dropped out of the Top Eight on percentage, their next three matches against West Coast, Port Adelaide and Adelaide could well go a long way to deciding whether their finals hopes are genuine or not.
Last Five: North Melbourne (L), St Kilda (W), Essendon (W), Sydney (L), Brisbane (L).
Next Five: West Coast (A), Port Adelaide (A), Adelaide (H), Gold Coast (H), GWS (A).
13. (13) WESTERN BULLDOGS ⇔
After claiming consecutive victories over three of the competitions strugglers, the Bulldogs suffered defeat at the hands of Adelaide in soggy conditions at the Adelaide Oval. Things don’t get any easier in their next five starts with matches against four top eight teams and Collingwood who sit outside only on percentage.
Last Five: Fremantle (L), Carlton (W), Gold Coast (W), Brisbane (W), Adelaide (L).
Next Five: Collingwood (A), Melbourne (H), Port Adelaide (A), North Melbourne (H), Geelong (H).
14. (15) ESSENDON ⇑
After four straight defeats the Bombers recorded an upset victory over Geelong in the Country Game at the MCG. It was perfect fillip for the team after a tumultuous week. They will fancy their chances of recording another win against the out-of-form Giants before squaring off against the premiers in Dreamtime at the G.
Last Five: Collingwood (L), Melbourne (L), Hawthorn (L), Carlton (L), Geelong (W).
Next Five: GWS (A), Richmond (H), Brisbane (A), West Coast (A), North Melbourne (H).
15. (14) ST KILDA ⇓
After falling to Collingwood in Round Nine, the Saints remain winless since their season opener against the Lions. With Richmond, West Coast and Sydney to come in the next three games, win number two looks at least another month away.
Last Five: GWS (D), Hawthorn (L), Melbourne (L), Fremantle (L), Collingwood (L).
Next Five: Richmond (A), West Coast (A), Sydney (H), Gold Coast (A), Melbourne (A).
16. (16) GOLD COAST ⇔
The Suns were plucky against the Power in China, but couldn’t match it with them in the last quarter. After a nomadic start to the season, they have a three-match homestand in which they will rate themselves a strong chance of securing at least one victory.
Last Five: Brisbane (W), Adelaide (L), Bulldogs (L), Melbourne (L), Port Adelaide (L).
Next Five: Geelong (H), GWS (H), St Kilda (H), Hawthorn (A), Collingwood (H).
17. (17) CARLTON ⇔
While it is only one week since the Blues first win of the season, as a result of their 100+ point defeat at the hands of Melbourne, it now seems a long time ago. Brendon Bolton will be hoping to discover a greater level of consistency from his team across the remainder of the season or the win over the Bombers may well soon feel like a lifetime ago.
Last Five: West Coast (L), Bulldogs (L), Adelaide (L), Essendon (W), Melbourne (L).
Next Five: Geelong (A), Sydney (A), Fremantle (H), Collingwood (A), Port Adelaide (H).
18. (18) BRISBANE ⇔
With their dominant victory over Hawthorn at the Gabba, the Lions have finally received just reward for their efforts. Having been close in recent weeks without getting the points, it will make the result all the sweeter. Chris Fagan has his team playing an exciting brand of football and they are sure to upset a few more teams before 2018 is over.
Last Five: Gold Coast (L), GWS (L), Collingwood (L), Bulldogs (L), Hawthorn (W).
Next Five: Sydney (H), North Melbourne (A), Essendon (H), GWS (H), Fremantle (A).
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