AFLW Power Rankings: North Melbourne Remains the Benchmark as GWS Giants Surge Early

The 2026 AFL Women's season has officially launched into its highly anticipated eleventh year, bringing an unprecedented level of strategic depth, skill, and athleticism to the nationwide competition. With the opening rounds already delivering major upsets, thrilling finishes, and statement victories, the early power rankings are beginning to take definitive shape. At the very top of the ladder, a familiar powerhouse continues to cast a long shadow over the rest of the league, while a new wave of ambitious challengers and expansion bolters are rapidly closing the gap. As teams settle into the grueling 12-round home-and-away schedule, the battle for top-four positioning has never been more fiercely contested.[3][5]

The North Melbourne Kangaroos remain the undisputed benchmark of the AFLW, setting a standard of excellence that the rest of the competition is desperately trying to emulate. Having secured back-to-back premierships in 2024 and 2025, the Kangaroos entered the 2026 campaign riding a historic wave of momentum, having not dropped a single game since the 2023 Grand Final. Their flawless execution, tactical discipline, and suffocating defensive structures have established a modern dynasty. Week after week, North Melbourne systematically dismantles opposition game plans, proving that their sustained success is built on a foundation of relentless physical conditioning and unmatched football IQ.[3][5]

Led by superstar captain Jasmine Garner and prolific ball-winner Ash Riddell, North Melbourne's midfield is widely regarded as the most dominant engine room in the business. With a stacked list that is virtually devoid of weaknesses, the Kangaroos effortlessly transition from contested stoppages into devastating offensive chains. Bolstered by supreme firepower from key forward Tahlia Randall and the electrifying pace of Irish sensation Blaithin Bogue, the reigning premiers are the unanimous favorites among analysts and bookmakers to secure a historic three-peat. Their ability to consistently overwhelm opponents with both sheer talent and structured ball movement makes them the ultimate target for every other club.[3]

Hot on their heels are the Melbourne Demons, perennial contenders who have missed the finals just once in their storied ten-season history. Despite the off-season departure of inaugural coach Mick Stinear, the Demons have seamlessly maintained their trademark fast-hands style and breathtaking end-to-end ball movement. Captained by the decorated Kate Hore, Melbourne opened their 2026 account with a clinical 19-point victory over Hawthorn, proving they remain a formidable yardstick for any aspiring challenger. Their handball-heavy transition game continues to slice through opposition zones, ensuring that the Demons will once again be a major factor at the pointy end of the season.[2]

However, the biggest early bolter of the 2026 season has undoubtedly been the GWS Giants. After a rigorous six-month development period focused heavily on endurance, contested ball-winning, and forward-half efficiency, the Giants stunned the competition in their opening fixture. Traveling to ENGIE Stadium, they delivered a commanding victory over the West Coast Eagles, taking four crucial points off a team that featured in last season's finals series. The win showcased a dramatic increase in their collective work rate and defensive pressure, immediately elevating external expectations for what the orange and charcoal can achieve over the remaining eleven matches of the year.[2]

The Giants' blazing start sets up a mouth-watering clash against the Demons at Casey Fields, a match that will serve as the ultimate litmus test for their newfound form. A strong showing against one of the league's elite ball-usage teams would cement the Giants' status as genuine finals threats and prove that their rapid off-season development can genuinely shake up the established hierarchy. Historically, Melbourne holds a dominant six-to-one record over the Giants, making this upcoming fixture a critical psychological hurdle for a GWS squad desperate to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the AFLW power rankings.[2]

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions remain a constant and terrifying threat in the top tier of the competition. As a team that consistently challenges for the flag, the Lions boast a potent attack spearheaded by the imposing presence of Dakota Davidson. While the club has shown a traditional reluctance to play draftees early in their debut seasons, the emergence of dynamic small forward Marlo Graham could provide the exact spark needed to elevate their forward line even further. Graham's footy smarts and neat skills offer a dangerous ground-level complement to Davidson's aerial dominance, giving opposition defenders a multifaceted nightmare to contain.[1][3]

Further down the rankings, several teams are poised for major bounce-back campaigns that could drastically alter the finals picture. Port Adelaide, who finished a disappointing tenth last year after enduring a brutal fixture, has emerged as a strong candidate to surge into the top four. Armed with a refreshed game plan under a new coaching structure and anchored by star ruck Matilda Scholz—arguably the premier tap-winner in the competition—the Power are primed to capitalize on a much more favorable draw this season. Their young list now boasts plenty of hardened AFLW experience, making them a highly dangerous sleeper team.[3]

Across the league, individual brilliance is also reshaping team prospects and driving internal momentum for clubs on the fringe of the top eight. Adelaide's Madison Newman is stepping up as a genuine gamebreaker following key off-season departures from the Crows' midfield. Elevating her game beyond being a reliable team player, Newman recently dominated with a 27-disposal, 500-meter-gained performance, proving she can be a pivotal force. Her ability to break lines and deliver the ball inside 50 with precision is exactly the kind of individual leap that can propel a team up the power rankings during a transitional phase.[1]

Similarly, Carlton's Sophie McKay continues to build on her spectacular 18-goal debut season, cementing her reputation as one of the most dangerous young forwards in the entire competition. As emerging talents like McKay and Graham seamlessly integrate with established veterans across the league, the overall standard of play continues to rise week by week. The influx of highly skilled draftees and the continued professionalization of training standards mean that the gap between the top and bottom of the ladder is shrinking, forcing every team to innovate or risk being left behind in the race for September football.[1]

A massive drawcard for Season 11 is the introduction of historic AFL and AFLW double-headers at major venues during the crossover period, bringing unprecedented crowds and electric atmospheres to the women's game. As the season unfolds, the battle between North Melbourne's established dynasty and the surging momentum of ambitious teams like the Giants and Power promises to make 2026 the most competitive iteration of the AFLW yet. With every possession heavily contested and the tactical sophistication at an all-time high, the race for the premiership cup is wide open for those brave enough to seize the moment.[3][5]