AIHL Week 15 Power Rankings

James Lane

With just four weeks left in the AIHL season, the ladder leaders continue to firm up their credentials, but beneath them, the field is still shifting. Here’s how the power rankings stand after Week 15:

1. Melbourne Ice (Last Week: 1)

Even when they stumble early, the Ice find a way to steamroll their way back into control. Down 3–1 after the first against Newcastle, Melbourne exploded with six goals to take a 7–5 win, led by Jamie Bourke and Mackenzie Carauna.

2. Perth Thunder (Last Week: 2)

Didn’t play this week, but they didn’t need to. With other teams behind them either idle or splitting results, Perth stay steady in second. The gap to the Ice is vast, but they remain the clear next-best for now.

3. CBR Brave (Last Week: 3)

Also idle, also unchanged. With Northstars showing both brilliance and vulnerability across the weekend, Brave keep their grip on third without lifting a stick.

4. Newcastle Northstars (Last Week: 4)

An 8–1 hammering of the Mustangs was about as emphatic as they come, and the first period against the Ice was genuinely impressive. Yes, they lost that one 7–5, but there’s no shame in falling to the league leaders. Tallberg and Darge are firing at the right time, and the Northstars look like a team rounding into shape for the postseason.

5. Brisbane Lightning (Last Week: 5)

A rough week. Losing both games to the Adrenaline, including a flat 7–3 defeat on Sunday, is hard to ignore. They’ve now dropped below the Northstars on the ladder. A response is needed.

6. Adelaide Adrenaline (Last Week: 7)

Don’t look now, but the Adrenaline have strung some results together. Their back-to-back wins over Brisbane, especially the dominant Sunday showing, prove they’re not checked out. Coy Prevost’s six-point game was outrageous.

7. Melbourne Mustangs (Last Week: 6)

Pummeled by the Northstars 8–1, with only a late goal saving them from the indignity of a shutout. It’s hard to punish them more than this, though, given how strong Newcastle looked.

8. Central Coast Rhinos (Last Week: 8)

Did not play, and unfortunately for the Rhinos, Adelaide’s surge only widens the gap in form. Bottom of the table, and for now, bottom of the rankings.