Clubs have all returned from the Christmas break and have resumed pre-season training, injuries have impacted the January Power Rankings.
1. RICHMOND
Previous Rank: 1 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 1
Round 1: vs Carlton (MCG)
The Tigers are in a good space health wise, star recruit Tom Lynch is working his way towards full fitness after an injury interrupted 2018 season at Gold Coast.
2. WEST COAST
Previous Rank: 2 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 2
Round 1: vs Brisbane (Gabba)
After injuring his ribs in the 2018 Grand Final Jeremy McGovern required surgery, Josh Kennedy is close to full fitness.
3. MELBOURNE
Previous Rank: 3 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 5
Round 1: vs Port Adelaide (MCG)
The Demons will have a different mix in 2019, the contested game is already a factor in what shapes as an exciting opportunity this season.
REWIND Power Rankings: December, 2018
4. COLLINGWOOD
Previous Rank: 4 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 3
Round 1: vs Geelong (MCG)
The Magpies have a dominant Midfield heading into the 2019 season, they averaged 402.7 Disposals in the 2018 H&A season (Rank 1).
5. ADELAIDE
Previous Rank: 6 ⯅
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 12
Round 1: vs Hawthorn (Adelaide Oval)
The Crows are quietly moving up the Power Rankings during the pre-season, a healthy Midfield & potent Forward line should see Adelaide back in the Premiership mix in 2019.
6. ESSENDON
Previous Rank: 5 ⯆
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 11
Round 1: vs GWS Giants (Spotless Stadium)
The Bombers slide one spot since December, Zach Merrett is in a short term rehab after injuring his ankle during pre-season training.
7. GEELONG
Previous Rank: 9 ⯅
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 8
Round 1: vs Collingwood (MCG)
If the Cats can have a clear run at injuries for the remainder of the pre-season then 2019 shapes up as a season of possibilities.
8. GWS GIANTS
Previous Rank: 8 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 7
Round 1: vs Essendon (Spotless Stadium)
Don’t discount the Giants in 2019, their high end is quality and depth is one of the best in the AFL.
9. SYDNEY
Previous Rank: 10 ⯅
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 6
Round 1: vs Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
Coach John Longmire will have to correct a poor home record, the Swans were 5-7 at the SCG last season.
10. FREMANTLE
Previous Rank: 11 ⯅
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 14
Round 1: vs Nth Melbourne (Optus Stadium)
The Dockers could surprise a few in 2019, structurally they are quite sound but have a young Midfield group.
11. BRISBANE
Previous Rank: 12 ⯅
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 15
Round 1: vs West Coast (Gabba)
Expectation is high both internally & externally at the Lions in 2019, will they deliver on the promise?.
12. HAWTHORN
Previous Rank: 7 ⯆
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 4
Round 1: vs Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
A devastating leg injury will likely sideline Tom Mitchell for the remainder of 2019, the Hawks slide in the January Power Rankings as a result of the injury to the 2018 Brownlow Medallist .
13. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Previous Rank: 13 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 13
Round 1: vs Sydney (Marvel Stadium)
The Bulldogs still have a few holes in their list, the end of the 2018 season was an improvement.
14. NTH MELBOURNE
Previous Rank: 14 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 9
Round 1: vs Fremantle (Optus Stadium)
The Kangaroos will have a different mix in 2019, another team that could surprise based on external expectations.
15. PORT ADELAIDE
Previous Rank: 15 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 11
Round 1: vs Melbourne (MCG)
The pressure might build at Port Adelaide again in 2019, the Power lost 6 of their final 7 games in 2018 to miss the Finals.
16. ST KILDA
Previous Rank: 16 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 16
Round 1: vs Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium)
A new assistant coaching panel at St Kilda should deliver some much needed changes in 2019, the Saints were too slow moving the ball last season.
17. CARLTON
Previous Rank: 17 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 18
Round 1: vs Richmond (MCG)
Injuries continue to hit the Blues in the pre-season, 2019 is still an optimistic outlook at the end of a major rebuild.
18. GOLD COAST
Previous Rank: 18 ⬌
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 17
Round 1: vs St Kilda (Marvel Stadium)
In year 2 under Stuart Dew expect a much more competitive unit at the Suns, there is still plenty of talent on their list.
