The Sydney Swans are rated as the top team by the FFSS ratings model for the second time this season, spending just a week there earlier, after round 6. With the Swans facing North this week, we are sure to get a clearer picture of how the top of the ladder stands. This shapes as North’s first chance to announce themselves as genuine premiership contenders
Outside of the current top-8, not one other team has an FFSS rating above the average of 1500. I wrote a couple of weeks ago about how the 8 looked set, with no team really showing they have the chops to break in and stay there. This still looks to be the case. However, Adelaide play GWS this weekend, so a win to Melbourne may see them climb over the Crows into the top-8, at least momentarily.
Speaking of the Giants, their meteoric rise continues. Now rated only 45 points below the top placed side, a very convincing win or two may well see us have to rate GWS as the best side in the competition. Considering they are still such a young team, who knows what heights they will hit over the next few years.
