AFL.com.au has compiled a ladder based on the pre-season competition's results, with Damien Hardwick's men back at the top after big wins over Essendon and North Melbourne.
Richmond will head into their season-opening clash with Carlton full of confidence and again with a relatively healthy list as they look to be the first back-to-back premiers since Hawthorn's 'three-peat' flags in 2013-15.
Although after only two games, Gold Coast's new-look style under coach Stuart Dew has been apparent and they finished second in the JLT Community Series ladder, while the Swans, Melbourne and Carlton were also unbeaten.
Five sides didn't register a win ahead of round one, with North Melbourne placed last on the ladder after heavy losses to Melbourne and Richmond.
THE 2018 JLT LADDER
| Club | Wins | Losses | Percentage |
| Richmond | 2 | 0 | 265.26 |
| Gold Coast | 2 | 0 | 188.73 |
| Sydney | 2 | 0 | 159.46 |
| Melbourne | 2 | 0 | 148.17 |
| Carlton | 2 | 0 | 116.46 |
| GWS | 1 | 1 | 141.53 |
| Fremantle | 1 | 1 | 140.0 |
| Port Adelaide | 1 | 1 | 118.75 |
| Western Bulldogs | 1 | 1 | 94.24 |
| Adelaide | 1 | 1 | 91.06 |
| Collingwood | 1 | 1 | 62.44 |
| Essendon | 1 | 1 | 61.29 |
| West Coast | 1 | 1 | 61.29 |
| Hawthorn | 0 | 2 | 86.63 |
| St Kilda | 0 | 2 | 76.92 |
| Geelong | 0 | 2 | 67.74 |
| Brisbane | 0 | 2 | 56.94 |
| North Melbourne | 0 | 2 | 51.19 |
