AFL 2023 Power Rankings Round Eight

As we head into the weekend find out which teams are taking the best form into Round Nine.

The leading candidates for the top eight are pretty clear but how does every team rank? The Edge of the Crowd AFL team has ranked where each team is positioned. Previous rankings are in brackets.

To see the individual players who starred, check out the Team of the Week.

1. Collingwood (1)

It's hard to see any team getting past the Pies at the moment. From the Daicos boys through the middle to the big forwards and the coaching staff, everyone seems to be happy in the Pies camp at the moment. A big win over the Swans over the weekend cemented their spot ahead of a match against the Giants at home.

2. Geelong (4)

The Cats are back up and roaring towards the top of the rankings. The side might be old but their ideas look fresh and ready to take on the finals once again. A 26-point win against the Crows on the weekend wasn't easy but it's all about building momentum into the bye now where the older boys can rest their legs. A huge match tonight as the Cats take on the Tigers at the MCG.

Embed from Getty Images

3. Melbourne (2)

The Demons have been leapfrogged this week after just getting over the line against the Suns up in Queensland. To be fair Melbourne hasn't done a lot wrong this week but the Cats have just been too good over the last month. A good chance for them to move up the rankings again this weekend with a match against the Hawks coming.

4. Brisbane (5)

Brisbane has probably been the second most consistent team of the year only losing two matches through the year, one of those being to Port Adelaide. A win against Collingwood was the highlight but perhaps more important for the season overall was coming down to Melbourne to beat Carlton at the MCG. This weekend will be another tough one with Essendon going to Brisbane.

5. St Kilda (3)

A move down the rankings this week for the Saints, not for the reason of a loss but simply because the match was incredibly difficult to watch. The defensive game plan from Ross Lyon has been key in getting the Saints into the top-four positions they are in but the question for this week is if that game plan stands up against the Crows.

6. Port Adelaide (6)

The Power sits in the same position this weekend. They seem just a step or two behind the teams above and certainly below teams such as Melbourne and Collingwood. A tough win against Essendon proved that Port can fight when needed and will have to do so again this weekend when travelling down to Tassie.

7. Carlton (8)

It's been a rollercoaster of a season for the Blues so far with a great start then some lows and now it looks like some highs are on the way with matches against weaker teams coming. They might not have been able to get the job done against the Lions but this weekend against the Dogs should be a match more on their level and possibly the start of a run that gets them back towards the top half of the ladder.

8. Sydney (7)

The Swans fall down the rankings yet again after another big loss. Sydney has been near the top for at least 20 years but was last year's grand final their last chance? It's certainly looking that way. Then again losing to Collingwood and Geelong doesn't make you a bad team, whether they can get over the top of Freo this weekend will be a better gauge of where they are.

9. Essendon (9)

Something is certainly building at Essendon, it might not come this year but over the next two or three this is a side that will again be playing finals and more importantly, winning finals. Being just one kick away from beating Port Adelaide in Adelaide was a great effort from a young side under a new coach. It will be tough this weekend in Brisbane.

10. Western Bulldogs (11)

It's hard to know exactly where this Dogs side is positioned. Bontempelli is certainly having one of the greatest individual seasons of this era, and the team is pushing their way up the ladder, but is not in the top half of teams. A win against the Giants in Canberra was excellent but there is a bigger test to come this weekend against Carlton.

11. Adelaide (10)

Many pundits had the Crows somewhere near the bottom of the ladder before this season but they have continued to fight and fight their way to 10th on the ladder at present with a 50% record. Another tough match for the Crows this week with the Saints set to pay them a visit on Sunday.

12. Fremantle (13)

The Dockers are yet to show the skill and talent that got them to fifth on the ladder last season and there probably aren't a lot of lessons to learn from a 69-point win against the Hawks at home. A much tougher test this weekend with a Saturday afternoon match against the Swans in Sydney coming their way.

13. GWS Giants (12)

The Giants are a side that is building something back after a few successful years and has come close in the last few weeks. 13th on the ladder feels about right for this side that has a mix of stars like Green and Greene while also some great youngsters coming through. This weekend will likely see a loss as the Giants come up against Collingwood.

14. Richmond (15)

The Tigers had a great weekend after a terrible last couple of weeks with a big win over the Eagles. Having said that it was against the Eagles so it's still fair to say the Tigers dynasty is over. This weekend will be the biggest test of the season coming up against the Cats.

15. Gold Coast (14)

The Suns almost got the job done this week against the Demons at home. It's a side that is building something special, can now keep its talent and is moving in the right direction. The Suns have a good chance to create history this weekend as they travel to Perth to take on the Eagles.

16. North Melbourne (16)

After a strong start to the season, the Clarkson-led side is back on the way down. Only scoring four goals across the whole match against the Saints was disappointing without any real positives to take out of the match. The Kangaroos are back in Tassie this weekend to host Port Adelaide.

17. Hawthorn (17)

The Hawks are another side that is clearly under a rebuild so most of their performances through the season will be excused. Hawthorn didn't have a great weekend against Fremantle and will struggle again this week coming up against Melbourne.

18. West Coast (18)

It's clear West Coast is now rebuilding after probably trying to push for finals one too many times. Too many players retired at the same time and too many got too old for them to compete in 2021 and now they've paid the price in 2022 and 2023. That being said the injury toll hasn't helped and could mean a loss against the Gold Coast is coming.