AFL Power Rankings after Round 2

1 Geelong (2-0)
Another improbable win by the Cats who once again found themselves down at three quarter time. All of Geelong's very best qualities that make the Cats one of the greats of all time were on show on Easter Monday against the Hawks who they eventually wore out, winning both the contested possession and tackle counts. Full credit to Thompson for getting games into first year player Mitch Duncan who looked impressive in addition to Motlop who unfortunately looks to have seriously injured a shoulder.

2 StKilda (2-0)
Comprehensively mauled the Kangaroos accentuating the sizable gap amongst the best and worst teams in the AFL. Smashed North in almost every area of the game and had five players with multiple goals which is always a great sign for the Saints who rely very much on Nick Riewoldt who himself kicked 7. Massive game for the Saints against Collingwood this Friday night.

3 Collingwood (2-0)
Though disturbing to have beaten the Demons by only a point, Collingwood would still be happy to be two zip. A huge test this Friday night against the Saints who've ended their last two finals campaigns. A couple of alarming signs were the Pie's kicking efficiency falling a significant 13% while they took just 9 marks inside 50, down from 22 the week before. Also got very little production from either Jolly or Fraser with just 11 possessions between them.

4 Western Bulldogs (1-1)
A return to the winner's circle thanks to a 72 point drubbing of the Tigers. Rodney Eade was still a little grumpy with the performance though he'd have to be content that the Dogs returned to the same sort of tackling intensity displayed during the pre-season, registering 23 more than they did in round one. In fact the Bulldogs were quite dominant in defense on Sunday conceding just 48 points, allowing only 4 marks inside 50, having it in there themselves 32 more times and winning every quarter for the match. Eade would still be upset that the Dogs' famed kicking skills failed to crack 70% for the second week running while the team still made some silly errors. They did give away three 50 metre penalties which is unacceptable and at times could have been accused of being too Barry Hall conscious.

5 Hawthorn (1-1)
A lot to take out of a match where they lost by just nine points to the reigning premier and with a couple of their stars such as Franklin and Rioli still underdone while they're of course still missing Sewell and Borgoyne. Were once again smashed in the ruck and they will be concerned with their last quarter which again, like last week, produced just two goals. We'll know just we're the Hawks are after consecutive games against the Bulldogs and Collingwood.

6 Brisbane (2-0)
Once again behind at three quarter time yet came back to win against the Blues. Beaten in most statistical areas by Carlton yet won thanks to the brilliance of Brown. In fact Brown and Fevola have accounted for more than half the Lions goals so far and although the question has been solved somewhat as to whether the two can operate together, the next question will be whether they can win without at least one of them firing. Away to Port this week followed by a home game against the Dogs.

7 Sydney (1-1)
As exciting as the Swans have been in some time with a genuine freshness about this year's team. A rare victory over Adelaide where they exposed many of the Crows flaws while showcasing plenty of their own strengths. Same determined Swans who once again won both the contested possession and tackle count in addition to a refreshingly exuberant attacking display which produced 18 goals of which Goodes contributed just one. Should easily account for Richmond this week and with North and West Coast to follow would seriously rate their chances of being 4-1 going into their round 6 home game against Brisbane. Have allowed just 16 marks inside 50 this season.

8 Fremantle (2-0)
The competition's surprise packet who've won their opening two games for the first time in 13 years. Plenty to like about the free flowing Dockers who once again thoroughly dominated in the ruck thanks to Sandilands and who's possession tally was again topped by a couple of rookie listed players in Barlow and Broughton. For the second week in a row the Dockers kept their opponents goalless in the last quarter while their 17 goals from 60 inside 50's was again very impressive. This Sunday's match against the Geelong will be enormous.

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9 Port Adelaide (2-0)
A surprising 2 zip after coming from behind at three quarter time to beat the Eagles in Perth on Saturday night. The Power have been tenacious in their defense, making 87 tackles and keeping West Coast to a deplorable 56% kicking efficiency for the game. Have conceded a phenomenally low 10 marks inside 50 so far this year. Will be interesting to see how they handle the Lions who've taken a league high 33 marks in the same part of the ground.

10 Carlton (1-1)
Though they could very well be 2-0 if not for one of Jonathon Brown's most incredible matches the Blues will be content that they're certainly going about things the right way. For the second game in a row and in the absence of Judd the Blues have managed to win in almost every statistical category on offer with maybe their only fault being the very poor 58% kicking efficiency had last Thursday night and which was reflected in the 12.16 they kicked. For the moment don't seem to be missing Fevola with 6 guys averaging more than a 1.5 goals a game. They had just 2 who could claim that last year.

11 Adelaide (0-2)

For the moment the AFL's mystery team who have slipped to zip-2 on the back of two really poor performances. For the second week in a row failed to kick more than 12 goals and failed to crawl above 25% insofar as inside 50 efficiency is concerned. It is a mystery because the Crows were at one point considered one of the best teams in the competition last year and quite frankly look to be one of the worst this season going on their first two games. Another poor display by Kurt Tippet who managed just 7 touches and no goals. The bright spot was surely Patrick Dangerfield who kicked 5 second half goals. Wold be very happy to have Melbourne and Carlton (at home) scheduled in for their next two games.


12 Essendon (0-2)
Very concerning loss for the Bombers who were once again run all over in the last quarter. They received some plaudits last week for taking the game to Geelong and leading for a large part of the match however were this week were quite poor all match. They're daring play doesn't seem to be paying off at the moment where for the second week in a row they've failed to break 60% kicking efficiency while the forward set up in the absence of Lloyd and Lucas seems all at sea. The bombers scored just 9 goals from 55 inside 50's which translates to a deplorable 16.1% inside 50 efficiency. Not sure why Neagle was dropped seeing as Hurley was still out. Mark Williams' stats should once again be highlighted. 9 touches, no goals and just 1 tackle in 86% game time.


13 West Coast (0-2)
Horrible signs for the Eagles who once again blew a three quarter time lead on Saturday night against Port. This time in front of their home fans. Like the Bombers seem to have no real forward set up while its baffling as to why Quentin Lynch was dropped, more so in light of the season low 3 inside 50 marks they managed for the night and just 12 goals they scored from their 60 inside 50 entries. Both areas not helped by the awful 55% kicking efficiency. For the second week in a row were also comprehensively beaten in the tackle count. Worsfold again made less than 100 interchanges. Like Patrick Dangerfield of the Crows, Nic Natanui was a clear stand out for the Eagles gathering more than 20 touches and accounting for more than a fifth of the Eagles' clearances for the night. Will be at least pleased to have drawn North and Essendon in the next two weeks.

14 Melbourne (0-2)
Much improved showing by the Demons who nearly pulled off one of the shocks of the year losing by just a point to Collingwood. Lifted in all areas and would be particularly pleased with the better displays from some of their more experienced players such as Davey, Moloney, Jones and the recently acquired Joel Macdonald, while Jamar was very impressive in the ruck for the second week in a row. Could well win their next two games against Adelaide and Richmond which is then followed by home games against Brisbane and North. Very interesting that the team made a round high 137 interchanges compared with the round one low of 84 the week before.

15 North Melbourne (0-2)
Not much to say when a team loses by more than 100 points and has almost all of their deficiencies highlighted. Spotlight must again go on some of the more senior players such as Wells, Hale and McIntosh who all once again had sub-par games. The less said about North's performances the better however some of the low lights include just 11 marks taken inside 50 this year and just 79 inside 50s which has produced just 18 goals. At this rate the Roos are shaping as a definite wooden spoon contender.

16 Richmond (0-2)
Beaten comprehensively for a second week running and like the Roos not a heap to be excited about. Like North have taken just 11 marks inside 50 this year and have just 84 inside 50's which has produced only 16 goals. Have probably one of the worst forward lines in recent memory which looks even worse when Jack Riewoldt produces the kind of performance he had against the Bulldogs which netted just 10 touches, 3 marks and no goals. Their future is no doubt Cotchin and Dustin Martin, the latter one of Richmond's best in just his second game with 21 possessions and 8 clearances.