GOLD Coast’s huge win over Melbourne in round nine has seen it rise up the AFL.com.au's power rankings, the Suns making up part of a new-look top four.

The power rankings formula is simple: Who do we think is the most in-form team, taking into account how the relative strength of the teams they've played against? 

Due to there only being 12 rounds but 18 clubs in the AFLW competition, not every team plays each other over the course of the home and away season. While teams are sorted into bands of relative strength to ensure fairness in fixturing, this is obviously based upon last season's performances and doesn't take into account improving or worsening teams.

The ladder, for all the good that it does, doesn’t quite grasp of the nuance of an AFLW season, with weighted draws, close games and teams that have gone above or below expectations to account for.

So, AFL.com.au's AFLW experts have knocked their heads together to come up with a ranking of all 18 AFLW sides, in order from strongest to weakest. 

1. North Melbourne (no change)

Since the Kangaroos’ shock loss to Hawthorn in round seven, North is back to its formidable best, the group seeming more motivated and determined than ever. Since our last power rankings, the Roos have put together back-to-back wins against Sydney and Fremantle at home, thrashing the Swans by nearly 10 goals, and while the Dockers challenged them for a half, the Roos lifted to another level eventually winning by 28 points. A hamstring injury to Emma Kearney in her milestone 100th game was a downer, but the depth amongst the Roos list means they can fill the void, with the veteran set to return come finals time.

2. Geelong (up from 3rd)

The Cats are flying, securing their place in finals with their tenth consecutive win. Geelong hasn’t dropped a match since its round one loss to North, making light work of its relatively easy draw. Across the season, Geelong has built slowly and steadily and is now in a great position under new coach Mick Stinear. Georgie Prespakis continues to dominate and will no doubt be a contender for the competition's best and fairest award, while forwards Jackie Parry, Chloe Scheer and Aishling Moloney all sit in the top 10 of competition=leading goal kickers. It will be a watch to see how the Cats go when they face top eight sides in finals.

3. Gold Coast (up from 5th)

Gold Coast is the most entertaining team in the competition to watch right now, having easily accounted for third-placed Melbourne in round nine. The Suns beat the Dees by 22 points in Mackay, showing that their young guns can match it with the competition’s best. First-year forward Dekota Baron has come into her own kicking four goals in her past three games as Charlie Rowbottom continues to have a career-best season. With an easy run towards finals and good percentage next to their name, there’s no stopping these Suns as they look set for a top four finish.

4. Melbourne (down from 2nd)

Injuries to skipper Kate Hore (neck), current club-leading goal kicker Mia Austin (throat) and Eliza McNamara (jaw) has seen Melbourne slide from second to fourth in the power rankings. The trio's absence was felt on the weekend when the Dees lost to the young Suns in Mackay. All three players are listed as TBC on Melbourne’s injury list, making us none the wiser as to when these important players will return, with three home and away rounds remaining. The Demons will be hoping that it's sooner rather than later as they face three opponents desperate to make finals in Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide.

5. Carlton (down from 4th)

The rise of the Suns has meant the Blues have slid down the rankings and out of the top four. Carlton had a two-goal win against Hawthorn in the wet and a 27-point win over Sydney in the club’s first AFLW win at Henson Park in the last two rounds. The Blues have flown slightly under the radar this season compared to last, but are a well-balanced side with many contributors, which will make them one of the teams to watch come finals time.

6. Hawthorn (up from 7th)

The Hawks have been inconsistent this season. Hawthorn beat the previously unbeatable Kangaroos, but has dropped matches to sides around them on the ladder in Melbourne, Geelong and Carlton. Aine McDonagh is having an outstanding season and is currently one goal off a career-best output and Lucy Wales is in All-Australian contention after a run of exceptional form. Hawthorn had a big win over the Lions at home and have a relatively easy run towards finals with games against teams lower than them on the ladder in Greater Western Sydney, Essendon and West Coast.

7. Western Bulldogs (up from 8th)

Another side who is sliding under the radar, the Bulldogs continue to go about their business, registering two wins from their two most recent games. The Dogs were able to limit the Saints to just one-point in wet conditions at Ballarat and they made light work of the Bombers in the opening match of Pride Round in round nine. Isabelle Pritchard and Jess Fitzgerald continue to combine for a one-two punch in the midfield, and Sarah Hartwig is leading the way up forward with four goals against the Bombers. Another forward, Heidi Woodley, has been much improved this season and former Magpie Mikala Cann continues to look more and more comfortable in her new colours as the season goes on.

8. Sydney (down from 6th)

The injury list at the Swans continues to grow as Sydney has slid down the rankings from sixth to eighth. An ACL injury to in-form ruck Ally Morphett against North Melbourne was a knockout blow to a side already riddled with injuries to key position players. Chloe Molloy continues to do Chloe Molloy things, consistently producing highlights galore, but the star needs support, particularly now fellow forward Taylor Smith is spending most of her time in the ruck in Morphett’s absence.

9. Fremantle (no change)

Fremantle remains in ninth place despite losing its last two matches. The Dockers lost the Western Derby for the first time going down to the Eagles by 12-points in round eight. They competed with North Melbourne the following week, but were only able to stay with the ladder leaders for a half. Aisling McCarthy has been excellent as has Gabby Newton and Kiara Bowers, the Dockers just lack the polish of the side’s above them.

10. Adelaide (no change)

The Crows have had a win and a loss since our last power rankings and remain in tenth position. Adelaide would have been disappointed with their second consecutive loss to the Power in the Showdown, the side’s inaccuracy in front of goal ultimately costing them. But the Crows’ confidence would have risen with a comprehensive 32-point win over Richmond in round nine, a side who beat them the previous year. Ebony Marinoff put together a 39-possession, 13-tackle and one-goal game against the Tigers as new players Chloe Bown and Grace Egan continue to add value.

11. Port Adelaide (up from 14th)

The Power have hit their stride late in the season, as they did last year, and have moved up three spots in the rankings following a pair of victories. Port defeated the Crows in a fiery Showdown and the West Coast Eagles in a close encounter, winning by just four-points. Young midfielder Abbey Dowrick has had two best-on-ground performances in the last two rounds and former Brisbane premiership player Ellie Hampson finally made her debut in her new colours following a substantial hip injury that saw her miss the first six rounds.

12. West Coast (no change)

The Eagles had won four in a row before going down to Port Adelaide in round nine. The young side was building form following a slow start to the year and notched up their first-ever Western Derby win over Fremantle in round eight. The loss to Port Adelaide hurt, the Power just getting over the line in the close encounter. Amy Franklin has been a star up forward and new recruit Keeley Skepper did maximum damage against the Power kicking two goals with two disposals. The Eagles have a tough draw to end the year, facing sides above them in all three games (Geelong, Sydney and Hawthorn).

13. Richmond (down from 11th)

Richmond has slid down the ranking despite being one of this season’s big improvers. The Tigers managed just two wins last season and already this year they have doubled that with three rounds remaining. Worryingly the Tigers have dropped their last three matches and face a challenging draw to finish the year facing three top four sides in Melbourne, Gold Coast and North Melbourne. It’s unlikely to see the Tigers winning another game, even with Mon Conti potentially returning to the side from an Achilles injury, hence their drop down the rankings.

14. Brisbane (down from 13th)

It’s hard to believe that Brisbane has won just two matches this season. Supporters of the AFLW are used to seeing the perennial contenders near the top of the table, so to see the Lions in 14th position on both the ladder and in the rankings is unsettling. The Lions lost their first ever QClash to a plucky Gold Coast, who doubled the score of its rivals 40-20. Brisbane is struggling to find avenues to goal and an unhealthy reliance on their leading goal kicker Dakota Davidson is limiting their impact up forward.

15. Essendon (up from 17th)

The Bombers notched up their first win of the season defeating Greater Western Sydney on the road in round eight. Moving Maddi Gay into the midfield has been a masterstroke by coach Natalie Wood, with Gay providing support to Maddy Prespakis who is dominating. Essendon has been inaccurate in front of goal the last two rounds, kicking eight goals and 17 points. Things don’t look much easier for the Bombers moving forward as they face North Melbourne and Hawthorn, before a potentially winnable game against Collingwood in round 12.

16. Greater Western Sydney (no change)

The Giants are yet to register their second win this season, despite coming close on a number of occasions. Greater Western Sydney seem to be the masters of honourable losses, losing to Port Adelaide, Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood by single digit margins. In a concerning trend, the Giants have lost to two sides below them on the ladder in the Pies and the Bombers, leading them to remain in 16th position in the power rankings despite sitting higher than Essendon on the ladder. The Giants face three top-eight teams in their final three matches making it a challenging run home for the team in orange.

17. Collingwood (down from 15th)

The Pies won their first match of the year against the Giants in round seven, but losses to St Kilda and Melbourne in the last two rounds have seen them slide two places on the rankings. Collingwood is also hampered by injuries, compounded by the loss of captain and key inside-50 target, Ruby Schleicher. Imogen Barnett returned to the side that lost to the Saints, but looks to be building her fitness. Ash Centra provides Pies fans with a glimpse into the future, the former No.1 draft pick receiving her second rising star nomination following her 30-disposal performance against the Dees in round eight.

18. St Kilda (no change)

In their final game under coach Nick Dal Santo, the Saints registered their first win, a two-point victory over Collingwood. Despite defeating the Pies, St Kilda remains as the wooden spoon contenders in our power rankings given the club’s coach has stood down and its comprehensive injury list. The Saints have a huge challenge heading west to play Fremantle in round 10 before facing Brisbane and Port Adelaide at home. It’s been a challenging season for the Saints, but their win on the weekend will no doubt provide the group with some energy to help them through to the end of the year.