Gridiron Victoria week 5 Power Rankings

Welcome to week 2 (technically week 5 but is anyone counting?) of the Gridiron Victoria Division 1 Power Rankings. I am Daniel Noonan, and each week I will be ranking the GV teams from top to bottom, not necessarily in the order they appear on the ladder, but where I feel they sit in the scheme of things for genuine championship contention.

So, without further ado, let’s get this week’s Power Rankings rolling.

1. Monash Warriors (5-0, +124 in Net Points) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

Dispatched a pesky South Eastern Predators team 42-12 and continue to show class on both sides of the ball. Have an epic showdown with the Croydon Rangers this week in a Vic Bowl rematch, which could determine which team ends up with the top power ranking at the season’s mid-way point.

2. Croydon Rangers (3-1, +37 in Net Points) UP 1 SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Continued the upward trajectory predicted by Nostradamus (me). Have the most potent passing game in the league due to some quality receivers, fantastic offensive line and merely adequate quarterbacking. The front 7 showed some chinks against the strong running games of the Cru and Buccs. Can the fiery Red Head make enough tackles to make up for the rest of the front 7?

3. Western Crusaders (2-2, +15 in Net Points) DOWN 1 SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Cru offense seems to be getting worse not better and the defence doesn’t look as dangerous with league MVP Jnala Saluni missing the last two games. The worrying part for them is that they lose their best offensive player, Tyson Garnham, to the NGL at the pointy end of the season.

4. Geelong Buccaneers (2-3, +43 in Net Points) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

Continue to throw close games away. The offense finally came to life behind a 3 headed running attack in their loss to the Rangers. The defence played their worse game of the season which this writer can only blame on to the return of Layke Rossiello for his 1st game. Head into their bye with plenty to work on before their matchup against the Royals, which could determine the final top 4 position.

5. Port Melbourne Adelaide Royals Spartan University (2-2, +20 in Net Points) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

The United Nations of Hunter continued to show improvement and become only the second team this season to knock of the Cru. Need to show they belong with the perennial powerhouses and dispatch of the Predators comfortably this weekend.

6. South Eastern Predators (1-3, -18 in Net Points) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

Continue to be competitive. If they can build some more talent behind their young Quarterback they will be dangerous, once he gets some more experience under his belt

7. Berwick Miners (0-4, -221 in Net Points) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

Hopefully have recruited some new players during the Bye week. Seem to be a lock to finish on the bottom of the ladder and then maybe a relegation to Division 2 next year.