AIHL Week 7 Power Rankings

There were plenty of storylines in week 7, from a record crowd in Canberra to a thrilling Melbourne derby, and Adelaide's first win, but only one change in the power rankings.

1. Melbourne Ice (Last Week: 1)

L 3-2 OT vs Mustangs, W 3–1 vs Rhinos

The Ice keep ticking boxes. Sunday’s win over the Rhinos wasn’t flashy, but it was clinical, breaking open a tight 1–1 game with a strong second period and shutting things down from there. However, losing to their local rivals before that does show they're beatable, but a good sign for them is that they still haven't recorded a single loss in regulation time.

2. Perth Thunder (Last Week: 2)

Bye

Perth didn’t play, and it’s tight between the two Melbourne sides and the Thunder. One good (or bad) weekend could flip things again.

3. Melbourne Mustangs (Last Week: 4)

W 3–2 OT vs Ice, W 6–2 vs Rhinos

That’s a statement weekend. Beating the Ice, albeit in overtime, injected real belief into the Mustang locker room. Then they put six past the Rhinos, with six different players getting on the board. After that Perth blowout two weeks ago, this was the perfect response. They leapfrog back into third on both form and merit.

4. Brisbane Lightning (Last Week: 3)

Bye

Another team with the week off. Brisbane only slip because the Mustangs’ form demands it, not due to any fault of their own, and they’re still a very dangerous unit.

5. Canberra Brave (Last Week: 5)

L 2–3 vs Adrenaline, W 1–7 vs Adrenaline

The Brave finally returned to action, and in front of a record-breaking home crowd, no less, but unfortunately, the result didn’t match the occasion. Losing to the league’s bottom team in game one was a stunner, and while they did rebound with a 7–1 thumping the next day (Canic’s hat trick leading the way), it’s hard to ignore how inconsistent this team can be. For now, they hold fifth.

6. Newcastle Northstars (Last Week: 6)

Bye

The Northstars also sat out, and they hold their position. Their next stretch will show whether last week’s goal-fests were a blip or the beginning of something real.

7. Central Coast Rhinos (Last Week: 7)

L 2–6 vs Mustangs, L 1–3 vs Ice

The Rhinos continue to show effort, but the gap between them and the league’s top teams is clear. They were outscored 9–3 across the weekend and didn’t have many answers when the Mustangs and Ice stepped up the pace. Still, they’re a cut above last place.

8. Adelaide Adrenaline (Last Week: 8)

W 3–2 vs Brave, L 1–7 vs Brave

Adelaide finally broke through. Their upset win to gatecrash Canberra's new-arena-party on Saturday was their first of the season. It was well-earned, too. But any momentum was quickly squashed by Sunday’s blowout, and the Adrenaline still sit last. Despite this, they can now move forward in the season having finally shed the 'winless' moniker.