AFLW Power Rankings: Melbourne Seizes Top Spot as Hawthorn Shatters the 'Invincibles'

The longest winning streak in the history of elite Australian rules football is over, and the AFLW premiership race has been blown wide open as a result. For 1,020 days, North Melbourne looked completely untouchable, stringing together 32 consecutive victories dating all the way back to their 2023 Grand Final defeat. But in the tropical heat of Cairns last Friday night, Hawthorn pulled off the upset of the decade. The Hawks suffocated the reigning premiers to secure a 32-25 victory, snapping the historic streak and fundamentally rewriting the 2026 power rankings at the halfway mark of the season.[1]

Hawthorn’s giant-killing performance rockets them up the form guide and proves they are a legitimate premiership threat. What makes the Hawks' triumph even more remarkable is that they executed this defensive masterclass without their injured skipper, Emily Bates. Jasmine Fleming stepped into the midfield void with 25 disposals in the engine room, while ruck Lucy Wales snapped the match-winning goal in the dying minutes. By holding North Melbourne to a solitary goal after half-time, Hawthorn proved that elite transition teams can be dismantled by relentless, contested pressure.[1][3]

With the Kangaroos finally bleeding, Melbourne has seized the mantle as the undisputed number one team in the competition. The undefeated Demons are playing a brand of football that looks cohesive, joyful, and terrifyingly efficient to opposition coaches. Boasting an average winning margin of 40.8 points this season, Melbourne has yet to lose a fourth quarter in 2026. The return of Olivia Purcell from injury has supercharged a midfield already featuring Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore, while Tayla Harris and Mia Austin provide a lethal focal point in attack.[2]

Sitting just behind the top tier, Geelong is flexing its attacking muscles and surging up the ladder with serious momentum. The Cats are coming off a brutal 90-49 demolition of Collingwood, which followed a commanding 83-51 victory over Essendon at GMHBA Stadium. Geelong's ball movement has been slick, allowing forwards like Aishling Moloney—who booted four goals against the Bombers—to capitalise on clean supply. Midfielder Mikayla Bowen has been a revelation, racking up a staggering 40 disposals, eight marks, and three clearances in the Essendon clash.[3][4]

Further down the rankings, the Gold Coast Suns have emerged as the undisputed surprise packet of the 2026 campaign. After finishing dead last in 2025, the Suns have levelled up their game entirely, slotting comfortably into the top eight at the halfway mark. While they have benefited from a softer draw in the opening month, their ability to consistently bank wins against the teams below them has completely changed the trajectory of their rebuild and injected massive belief into their young squad.[2]

Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs are proving they can grind out ugly victories when the conditions demand it. Tam Hyett's squad vaulted back into the top eight following a mature 40-30 win over Fremantle in heavy winds at Cockburn ARC Oval. The return of Ellie Blackburn from a hamstring injury provided immediate class, but it was Isabelle Pritchard who tore the game open with 21 disposals, six clearances, and a crucial goal. Fremantle coach Lisa Webb conceded the Bulldogs handled the elements better, noting, "They brought strong pressure, adapted to the conditions better than we did... Their method, they executed better at key moments."[3][5]

At the other end of the spectrum, several traditional powerhouses are sliding down the form guide and searching desperately for answers. Essendon remains anchored near the bottom of the ladder following a dismal 10-51 defeat to the Gold Coast Suns in Round 6, struggling to generate any meaningful transition offense. Similarly, Port Adelaide faces a severe tactical headache after being comfortably held at arm's length in a 41-27 loss to Sydney at Alberton Oval, managing just three goals for the entire match as their forward line completely stalled.[3]

As the competition pivots into Round 7, the aura of invincibility that once shielded the top of the ladder has evaporated. North Melbourne will look to bounce back in a blockbuster Grand Final eve clash against Melbourne at IKON Park, a match that will likely decide the minor premiership and set the tone for November. For the chasing pack, Hawthorn has provided the ultimate blueprint: bring the heat, win the contested ball at the source, and even the biggest giants will fall.[1][3]