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 Ten.
1. (1) WEST COAST ⇔
The Eagles backed up their blockbuster victory over the Tigers with another statement victory over the Hawks in Melbourne. With their winning streak now at nine they host the Saints before a tricky three match stretch that includes away trips to Sydney and Adelaide.
Last Five: Fremantle (W), Port Adelaide (W), GWS (W), Richmond (W), Hawthorn (W).
Next Five: St Kilda (H), Sydney (A), Essendon (H), Adelaide (A), GWS (H).
2. (2) RICHMOND ⇔
The Tigers were challenged by the Saints but ultimately proved too strong at the MCG on Saturday. They face a tricky match up against the resurgent Bombers next up in Dreamtime at the G, before a challenging four game stretch that concludes with a Grand Final rematch against the Crows.
Last Five: Collingwood (W), Fremantle (W), North Melbourne (W), West Coast (L), St Kilda (W).
Next Five: Essendon (A), Port Adelaide (A), Geelong (A), Sydney (H), Adelaide (H).
3. (6) MELBOURNE ⇑
On a five game winning streak, the Dees are the biggest mover in recent weeks having climbed from 11th to third in the last three weeks. Playing some scintillating football, Melbourne have scored 120 points three weeks in a row for the first time since 2000. Melbourne fans, already dreaming of what might be this year, won’t need reminding that the club made the Grand Final that year.
Last Five: Essendon (W), St Kilda (W), Gold Coast (W), Carlton (W), Adelaide (W).
Next Five: Bulldogs (A), Collingwood (H), Port Adelaide (A), St Kilda (H), Fremantle (H).
4. (3) NORTH MELBOURNE ⇓
Victims of Melbourne’s sensational form, the Kangaroos have dropped in the standing despite an impressive victory over the Dockers in Perth. Having won three of their last four games they’ll look to fortify their top eight chances with four of their next five against teams in the bottom half of the ladder.
Last Five: Port Adelaide (L), Sydney (W), Richmond (L), GWS (W), Fremantle (W).
Next Five: Brisbane (H), Geelong (A), Bulldogs (A), Essendon (A), Gold Coast (H).
5. (4) SYDNEY ⇓
Sydney had to fight for the points against Brisbane but got the job done to claim their fourth win from their last five games. They will be favoured to record wins in their next two before squaring off against the competitions two top teams either side of the bye.
Last Five: Geelong (W), North Melbourne (L), Hawthorn (W), Fremantle (W), Brisbane (W).
Next Five: Carlton (H), St Kilda (A), West Coast (H), Richmond (A), Geelong (H).
6. (7) GEELONG ⇑
Geelong bounced back from their surprise defeat to Essendon but were made to work for the points by a spirited Carlton team. Positioned in the log jam of teams just outside the Top Four on the AFL Ladder, they will be looking to steady their season with some strong results over the next few weeks.
Last Five: Sydney (L), GWS (W), Collingwood (W), Essendon (L), Carlton (W).
Next Five: Gold Coast (A), North Melbourne (H), Richmond (H), Bulldogs (A), Sydney (A).
7. (8) COLLINGWOOD ⇑
It took a second half comeback from Collingwood to claim the points against the Bulldogs on Friday night to record their third win from their last four games. They would fancy their chances when they host the Dockers next up before facing Melbourne in what might be the biggest Queens Birthday Blockbuster for some time.
Last Five: Richmond (L), Brisbane (W), Geelong (L) St Kilda (W), Bulldogs (W)
Next Five: Fremantle (H), Melbourne (A), Carlton (H), Gold Coast (A), Essendon (A).
8. (9) PORT ADELAIDE ⇑
Port sat back and watched the weekend’s action after having backed up their victory over cross-town rivals Adelaide with a victory over Gold Coast in China last week. 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).
9. (5) ADELAIDE ⇓
The Crows struggles with injuries were laid bare by a rampant Melbourne team in Alice Springs. That they sit in the logjam of teams just outside the Top Four has been a remarkable effort but their chances of staying there will be tested with some challenging fixtures ahead in their next five games.
Last Five: Gold Coast (W), Carlton (W), Port Adelaide (L), Bulldogs (W), Melbourne (L).
Next Five: GWS (H), Fremantle (A), Hawthorn (A), West Coast (H), Richmond (A).
10. (10) FREMANTLE ⇔
The Dockers season appears to be descending into free fall after their fourth loss in their last five games against North Melbourne in Round Ten. Two games outside the eight they will need to turn their form around quickly against some difficult opponents in coming weeks or watch their feint finals hopes evaporate.
Last Five: West Coast (L), Richmond (L), St Kilda (W), Sydney (L), North Melbourne (L).
Next Five: Collingwood (A), Adelaide (H), Carlton (A), Brisbane (A), Port Adelaide (H).
11. (12) HAWTHORN ⇑
It was not that long ago that the Hawks ‘rebuild’ was being lauded for turning the club’s fortune around so quickly. After their third straight defeat though, this talk may have been a little premature. With two difficult match-ups ahead, their finals hopes are hanging by a thread.
Last Five: St Kilda (W), Essendon (W), Sydney (L), Brisbane (L), West Coast (L).
Next Five: Port Adelaide (A), Adelaide (H), Gold Coast (H), GWS (A), Bulldogs (A).
12. (14) ESSENDON ⇑
The Bombers, seemingly shocked into action by their defeat at the hands of Carlton, have produced two upset victories over Geelong and GWS. It has set up an appetising match-up with the Tigers this weekend in the Dreamtime at the G, that appeared anything but a few weeks ago.
Last Five: Melbourne (L), Hawthorn (L), Carlton (L), Geelong (W), GWS (W).
Next Five: Richmond (H), Brisbane (A), West Coast (A), North Melbourne (H), Collingwood (H).
13. (13) WESTERN BULLDOGS ⇔
The Bulldogs were unable to kick a goal in the second half as they saw a perfect opportunity to claim a victory become instead, their second consecutive defeat. Things don’t get any easier for them in the next few weeks either, with their next matches against teams in or fighting for a spot in the eight.
Last Five: Carlton (W), Gold Coast (W), Brisbane (W), Adelaide (L), Collingwood (L).
Next Five: Melbourne (H), Port Adelaide (A), North Melbourne (H), Geelong (H), Hawthorn (H).
14. (11) GWS ⇓
GWS are officially in free-fall after their home defeat at the hands of the Bombers. An intriguing match-up with a Crows team keen to bounce back from a devastating defeat, lies ahead before winnable games against Gold Coast and Brisbane. One of the Premiership favourites at the start of the year their season is in serious peril.
Last Five: Brisbane (W), Geelong (L), West Coast (L), North Melbourne (L), Essendon (L).
Next Five: Adelaide (A), Gold Coast (H), Brisbane (A), Hawthorn (H), West Coast (A).
15. (15) ST KILDA ⇔
Despite giving the Premiers a scare the Saints ultimately fell to their fifth consecutive defeat. With matches against West Coast and Sydney to come in their next two games, they still appear a long way from their first win since round one.
Last Five: Hawthorn (L), Melbourne (L), Fremantle (L), Collingwood (L), Richmond (L).
Next Five: West Coast (A), Sydney (H), Gold Coast (A), Melbourne (A), Port Adelaide (A).
16. (18) BRISBANE ⇑
The Lions backed up their upset victory over the Hawks with another spirited home performance against the Swans. If not for bad kicking they may well have doubled their winning streak. If they can continue the form next week they may well be able to upset a North Melbourne team returning from their trip West.
Last Five: GWS (L), Collingwood (L), Bulldogs (L), Hawthorn (W), Sydney (L).
Next Five: North Melbourne (A), Essendon (H), GWS (H), Fremantle (A), Carlton (H).
17. (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).
18. (17) CARLTON ⇓
The Blues were plucky against Geelong before ultimately falling to a 28-point defeat at the Cattery. A difficult Friday Night Football encounter with the Swans in Sydney lies ahead before they host the Dockers. Round 16 & 17 loom large on the horizon for the Blues and their fans with winnable games against Brisbane and St Kilda.
Last Five: Bulldogs (L), Adelaide (L), Essendon (W), Melbourne (L), Geelong (L).
Next Five: Sydney (A), Fremantle (H), Collingwood (A), Port Adelaide (H), Brisbane (H).
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