AFLW Round 1 Power Rankings

Which teams are contenders in 2019 and which teams have a long, tough, winless seven weeks ahead?

After watching every minute of every game from Round 1, and running it through our supercomputer with our historical AFLW data, we've created our own custom power rankings that we'll update after each week.

Here’s our take on how your team’s season is shaping up.

1. North Melbourne 

Even when Emma Kearney was tagged - and she was tagged hard by Jess Edwards - the Roos midfield proved very deep. Jamie Stanton and youngster Ash Riddell racked up possessions at will, but it was the largely forgotten former Bulldog, Jenna Bruton that was the most dangerous at the stoppages, particularly out of the center. Fifth midfielder, Allison Drennan. was used very sparingly in round one but she averaged 22 disposals and 8 tackles in 14 VFLW games this season – she just needs the minutes to be effective. Add in dominant ruck Emma King, and you have the competition's most complete midfield, and we will get a great look at how they go against proper opposition on Friday against GWS.

The Kangaroos look scary good after Round 1, time will tell if they deserve to stay top of the pops.

2. Western Bulldogs

The Dogs were the hardest team to get a bead on following Round 1. The scoreboard and ladder say they went well, but they were smashed in clearances and were almost dominated for most of the game. The Crows kicked 1.11 - plus two out on the full. One of the Dogs goals was a kick-in intercept from a horrible skill error. Had the Crows kicked straight it was curtains by half time and we’d have been talking about the demise of the Bulldogs, sans Kearney.

As it was, they won, so the grit and fight is still there, as is the precision short kicking game, but they definitely got lucky. Ellie Blackburn carried a lot of the team. I have a lot of doubts after her in the Dogs' depth. They will need to beat Geelong this Saturday because they have a very tough draw for a month after that, and risk slipping down these rankings dramatically.

3. Brisbane Lions

I expected the Lions to drop their first game to the Giants and still make the Prelim, so now I have them absolutely locked into Finals action. Their defence is the best in the league, with Kate Lutkins, Leah Kaslar and Sam Virgo leading a host of other very capable defenders. In the engine room, Alex Anderson could give the AFLW Best and Fairest a very good nudge this season. She was absolutely "Alex Everywhere." 22 disposals and 7 tackles in Round 1, which looks a baseline performance for her this season. If the Lions forward line can click, and Sabrina Trederick-Traub can continue on to a big season, the Lions will deservedly play in their third consecutive AFLW Grand Final.

4. Adelaide Crows

Adelaide are serious contenders this year. They did everything right against the Dogs but kick the goals, going 1.11 against the reigning AFLW Premiers. If they can convert at even 50% they beat the Bulldogs by 20+, and that is the real takeaway from Round 1. Ruck Jess Foley makes them a more potent force, giving an already dangerous midfield first use, whilst players like Rajcic, Li and Forth will grow into very solid players as the season goes on.

Expect Erin Phillips to spend plenty of time forward in Round 2 against the Blues, and will be on the end of a Crows directive likely titled ‘get ball, kick it to Erin Phillips’. Crows to bounce back big time this week, and will announce themselves as a big Premiership threat.

5. Melbourne FC

The Demons really missed Daisy Pearce first up, running into a red hot Fremantle midfield and still had a chance to win the game. The concern is if Elise O’Dea and/or Karen Paxman don’t deliver their usual stellar performances, or are tagged out of the game, which on-baller is ready to step in and help? Solid spine available with Meg Downie, Lauren Pearce and Tegan Cunningham (and Bianca Jakobsson capable of swinging forward or back) but they look like they just lack a few really quality B-graders in that midfield. Katie Hoare needs to be in two places at once all season. After Round 1 it looks like the Dees are headed for another frustrating ‘close but so far’ campaign.

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6. Geelong FC

The Cats have clearly planned for the future, whilst still attempting to put together a competitive list for 2019. AFLW Rising Star nominee, Nina Morrison, Purcell and Van de Heuvel will all be ten year players, but Morrison in particular looks capable of stepping straight into the star midfielder category. 22 disposals and 8 tackles on debut is absolutely elite in this competition - or any, for that matter.

When the Cats get Rocky Cranston back in Round 3, and with Pheobe McWilliams, Erin Hoare and Mel Hickey all likely to return sooner rather than later, they will be difficult to beat. They have quality, experienced defenders which makes them hard to score against. Meaghan McDonald looks Katie Lutkins 2.0. If they were on the other side of the conference draw they would be pushing for a Prelim berth, but with Conference A being so full of Premiership contenders it is tough to see them making AFLW Finals in 2019. Can’t see them getting blown off the park though, even by the best sides.

7. Collingwood Magpies

The Eric the Eel of the 2019 season (but without the crowd support and heart-warming underdog narrative), Collingwood are in a world of trouble this season. The Magpies lack midfield power and class, but even worse, they don’t have a gun youngster racking up 15+, nor do they have a superstar like Davey who can go in the middle and fight if they are really desperate. Jamie Lambert (when not injured) is quality - against the Cats she returned 18 disposals – but the next best Collingwood midfielder (Bonnici and Stratton) won just 10. Not good enough by a long shot. 

They also lack key defenders AND key forwards. Oh yeh, and their ruck department is also under-strength. Much as i love watching her play, when Ash Brazill is your best defender - and also best attacking defender - you are in trouble in the backline, and when Sharni Layton is your primary target up forward – let’s just say Collingwood are driving down Struggle Street in first gear - with the handbrake on - in season 2019. 

8. GWS Giants

The Giants will be filthy they dropped that Round 1 game, but they are in the easier Conference B, so getting to that Preliminary Final is still well and truly within reach. They have a better team this year from last, especially in the midfield, where they are probably deeper than most other teams. Alyce Parker enjoyed a great 18 disposal debut, while Emma Swanson and Bec Beeson have both stepped up. Add Alicia Eva, Courtney Gum and Jess Dal Pos (and All-Australian ruck, Erin McKinnon) and you have a frighteningly strong midfield. Could be a bounce-back week with a win over the Kangaroos to get their AFLW 2019 campaign rolling.

9. Fremantle Dockers

If they can stay injury-free the Dockers will be big improvers in 2019. Kiara Bowers is a star midfielder who showed her class first-up with a 13 disposal (12 kicks), 12 tackle effort. All of her kicks are penetrating through the air, and the Dockers didn't have that kind of drive last season. With Dana Hooker and Kara Donellan also at the coal face, and Steph Cain and Hayley Miller looking like they have improved further, the Dockers will be a very difficult team to beat out of the middle.

With Ebony Antonio shifting into attack, the Dockers can now also convert their midfield and clearance dominance into scoring points, which was something they struggled with mightily in AFLW 2018. Parris Laurie and Gemma Houghton form a potent, mobile marking forward/ruck combo, and look out if Kellie Gibson returns to her best as well. Plenty to like. Will be in the finals hunt this season, watch this space.

10. Carlton FC

No getting around it, it’s going to be a long season. The top nine (9!) ranked players from Sunday’s game were all Kangaroos, with the AFLW Draft #3 pick, Maddy Prespakis, coming in at 10. When an 18yr old kid is leading your club's tackle count in Round 1, and coming second in disposals, you have a very, very big problem.

The Blues just don’t have that experienced, gun midfielder to accumulate 20+ and keep driving the ball forward. Bri Davey is wasted in the forward line and they know it. If Davey is shifted back to a half back flank - where she can get her 20 touches - then the Blues could sneak a few wins, but that’s a big IF at this stage. The scoreboard could get very ugly on Saturday night against Adelaide.

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