AFL Power Rankings: Post-Finals 2014

RISING UP

With its win in the Grand Final, Hawthorn ends the 2014 season as the #1 ranked team … just. Though the margin was significant in the premiership decider the Hawks and the Swans were pretty close throughout the year and between them held the top spot for all but one week. This is the third year in a row the Hawks have ended up as the ‘best’ team; despite their loss in the 2012 Grand Final they were rated as the best team in that year as well.

However, in terms of improving their standing, the Port Adelaide Power were the ‘winners’ out of the final nine games of the season. A big win against Richmond, a win away against Fremantle, and a narrow loss against Hawthorn meant they ended up as a clear third in the post-finals rankings.

FALLING DOWN

The Swans, Dockers, Roos, Cats, and Tigers all lost ground following their performances in September. The Dockers dropped the most spots (from third to fifth), but the Roos – despite making a preliminary final – lost the most ranking points after their big loss to the Swans.

ALSO OF NOTE

I have adjusted the rankings points so that they now sum to zero, while maintaining each of the teams’ relativities. Previously, as the net average margins of the top teams fell during the finals this meant that on balance the sum of the teams’ ranking points was negative, which always slightly bothered me.

That is it for this year – as always the AFL Power Rankings will return next season.