AIHL Week 9 Power Rankings

James Lane

Melbourne Ice continue to put distance between themselves and the rest of the league, while the battle for playoff positioning is heating up. Here’s how things stack up after Week 9:

1. Melbourne Ice (Last week: 1)

No debate here. The Ice flexed their muscle again with back-to-back blowouts over quality opponents in Perth and the Mustangs. David Booth was otherworldly, with 10 points in two games as Melbourne extended their winning streak and opened up a seven-point lead atop the table.

2. Brisbane Lightning (Last week: 2)

The Lightning remain the second-best team in the league, for now. They looked every bit that in an 8–6 shootout win over Canberra, riding explosive nights from Sturney, Hopps, and Miller. But inconsistency remains the Achilles’ heel. Sunday’s 6–4 loss to the same Brave outfit raises familiar questions. The Lightning allowed Canberra the same score - 6 - in both games. No wonder that a slightly less-productive offensive display on Sunday saw them lose. This, of course, comes after another game last week in which they allowed the opponent to score 6. Until they find a way to clamp down defensively, they’ll be looking up at the Ice.

3. Melbourne Mustangs (Last week: 4)

It wasn’t the prettiest weekend, but it was enough. The Mustangs rebounded from a heavy derby loss with a gutsy one-goal win over Perth, thanks to a Dean Klomp hat-trick. With Perth wobbling and the Mustangs edging ahead on points, the rise to third is justified, if only just.

4. Perth Thunder (Last week: 3)

It’s hard to penalise Perth too heavily given the quality of their opposition, but they’ve now dropped three of their last four, and this weekend’s winless trip east sees them fall a spot. Remember, this is a Mustangs side that Perth walloped 8-0 just a few weeks ago. Tied on points with the Mustangs, but the current trend line says fourth feels right.

5. Canberra Brave (Last week: 6)

The Brave are nothing if not unpredictable. After leaking eight goals to Brisbane on Saturday, they turned around and shut them out over the final two periods on Sunday to grab a crucial 6–4 win. They stay fifth, but their best, and worst, can show up in the same weekend. Still, 16 points keeps them very much in the playoff race.

6. Newcastle Northstars (Last week: 6)

Idle this week. With Canberra drawing level on points, things are tightening around the mid-table.

7. Adelaide Adrenaline (Last week: 8)

Credit where it’s due: Adelaide have finally found something. Two convincing wins over Central Coast (scoring 11, conceding just 3) pushes their streak to four wins in six and sees them climb out of the basement. It’s been a long time coming, but the Adrenaline are finally living up to their name. With a bye next week, they’ll watch and hope the teams above drop points.

8. Central Coast Rhinos (Last week: 7)

It’s official: the Rhinos are back in the cellar. Outscored 11–3 over two games, they were thoroughly outclassed by an Adelaide side that began the season winless. There’s talent in Central Coast’s lineup, but the lack of defensive structure is costing them dearly. A step back after what looked like progress in recent weeks.