AFLW Power Rankings: North Melbourne's Grip Tightens While Geelong's Win Streak Hits Nine

We are two weeks out from the 2026 AFLW finals, and the margin for error has officially evaporated. The top of the ladder is a high-stakes traffic jam, with North Melbourne and Geelong both sitting at 9-1 and refusing to blink. Every possession now carries premiership weight as the final eight crystallises.[1]

North Melbourne retains the top spot in this week’s power rankings, boasting a terrifying 251.9 percent. Since their shock Round 7 stumble against Hawthorn, the Kangaroos have been playing with a ruthless edge. They just dismantled Essendon by 52 points, and they currently lead the league in quarters won.[1][4][7]

"The Kangaroos are virtually guaranteed a top-two spot after one of the more wobbly 52-point wins you'll ever see," noted Fox Sports analyst Max Laughton. "They're just waiting to see who they face in their qualifying final."[1]

The Cats Keep Climbing

Geelong is the hottest team in the competition right now, riding a nine-game winning streak that has the rest of the league on notice. They systematically dismantled West Coast by 53 points last weekend. The West Australian noted the performance highlighted a clear gap in class between the sides.[1][5]

The Cats dominated the inside-50 count 41 to 23, giving their forwards endless supply. Aishling Moloney remains their most dangerous attacking weapon, consistently turning half-chances into scoreboard pressure. Defensively, they are suffocating opponents, forcing turnovers high up the ground and locking the ball in their forward half.[3][6]

The Cats' co-captain, Nina Morrison, has been the unsung hero of their nine-game tear. While her midfield counterparts grab the headlines, Morrison is averaging 25.6 disposals and a goal per game over the last three rounds. Her composure in traffic is the glue holding Geelong’s transition game together.[2]

The Suns and Bulldogs Surge

Melbourne sits third, holding an 8-2 record and a 177.2 percentage, but they are suddenly looking over their shoulders. A recent 62-point demolition of Richmond showed their ceiling, yet a Round 9 loss to Gold Coast proved they can be rattled. The Demons need to lock in their defensive transition before November arrives.[1]

The Western Bulldogs have quietly built an 8-2 campaign, sitting fourth on the ladder with a 140.9 percentage. They handled Carlton by 30 points in their last outing, relying on a gritty, contested brand of football. The Bulldogs are peaking at exactly the right time, making them a nightmare matchup for the first week of finals.[1]

Then there is the Gold Coast Suns, the ultimate wildcard of the 2026 season. They are 7-3, but their ceiling is terrifyingly high thanks to the sheer dominance of Charlie Rowbottom. The star midfielder is averaging 130 Fantasy points over her last three games, single-handedly tearing the ball out of stoppages.[2]

Rowbottom’s form has completely transformed the Suns' engine room, giving their forwards silver-platter delivery. If Gold Coast can maintain this contested dominance, they are a genuine threat to knock off a top-four heavyweight. They face Richmond next, and the Tigers' midfield will need a flawless game plan to slow them down.[2]

The Scramble for Eighth

While the heavyweights jockey for home-ground advantage, the battle for the final spot in the eight is pure chaos. Fremantle, Adelaide, and Hawthorn are all deadlocked at 5-5, separated only by percentage. Fremantle currently holds the golden ticket with a 104.9 percentage, but the door is wide open.[1]

"They are still the favourites to finish eighth because they have an easier remaining run than either Fremantle or Adelaide does," Laughton said regarding Hawthorn's chances. "But should the Hawks drop one more game, they can absolutely miss out."[1]

Port Adelaide, sitting at 4-6, remains a mathematical prayer, but their 78.8 percentage means they need a miracle combination of results. They generated 39 inside-50s against Brisbane last week but managed just two goals. That lack of execution highlights the exact forward-line issues that have plagued their campaign.[1][3]

Even outside the finals race, individual brilliance is shining through. Essendon might be languishing at 1-9, but Georgie Prespakis is putting together a career-defining season. The ball-winning midfielder is averaging 31.8 disposals per game, proving that elite talent still produces regardless of the ladder.[2]

The Final Fortnight

As we head into Round 11, the stakes could not be clearer. Geelong faces Fremantle in a clash that will test the Cats' streak and the Dockers' survival hopes. Meanwhile, North Melbourne travels to face Adelaide, where the Crows are fighting for their post-season lives.[1]

The 2026 season has delivered unprecedented parity, but the cream has finally risen. The next fortnight will separate the genuine contenders from the pretenders. Right now, the road to the premiership goes straight through Arden Street, but the chasing pack is accelerating.[1]