It's that time of the year again where clueless f&*kwits are making their best guess at who is going to finish where on the ladder, and I'm no different.
EXCEPT I AM DIFFERENT BECAUSE I ACTUALLY HAVE INCREDIBLE ACCURACY.
(Refer to last years Finals predictions, margins, Norm Smith medalist, and AA team where I went 21/22 in position. etc.)
So here it is:
1 – West Coast Eagles
Premiers. Gaff and Shepherd to return. Kennedy fit. Holding one of the only true home ground advantages. It’s theirs for someone to take. Why bet against them?
2 – Melbourne Demons
Steven May’s inclusion, coupled with a Jake Lever return, ensures sharp-shooter Tom McDonald plays permanent forward. The introduction of six-six-six should only help the best midfield in the comp.
3 – Richmond Tigers
Should be around the mark again. Hard to say how the Tom Lynch inclusion will look, but hard to picture it makes them any worse. Second ruck issues and poor centre clearance record (2018) leaves question marks.
4 – Adelaide Crows
Hold a genuine home ground advantage, and still have most of the pieces that made them so dominant in 2017. With mental demons of that year behind them, and a clean injury list, expect the Crows to bounce back.
5 – Collingwood Magpies
Last years Grand Finalists were certainly riding a wave in the back end of 2018, but it resulted in the same fate of 17 other teams – a long lamenting summer. Their crack midfield received further bolstering with Dayne Beams returning, but as Adelaide 2017 discovered, Grand Final disappointment doesn’t always result in a positive response. I’m playing it safe with the Pies.
6 – Greater West Sydney Giants
There’s still quality on every line, but it seems more scarce than two season’s ago. With a clean bill of health, they are a top eight team. Of course, they’ve never had a clean bill of health in their history, losing star after star, week after week. Hopefully this is the year these guys get it right.
7 – Hawthorn Hawks
Lost their Brownlow medallist, but picked up quality in Chad Wingard and Tom Scully. Last year’s top four finish flattered them, but with an extra year into James Worpel and Harry Morrison, and a full season from James Sicily, the Hawks look a genuine top 8 team.
Don’t discount the influence Sam Mitchell can have from the coaches box.
8 – Geelong Cats
Another year of going up and down on the spot for Geelong. They’ve invested in mature age recruits for years (think Dangerfield, Ablett, S. Selwood, Henderson, Tuohey, Stanley, Rohan, Dahlhaus, etc.) but a dearth of young talent, and no Grand Finals, suggest that could be the legacy this strategy has left.
9 – Essendon Bombers
The Bombers supporters are as bullish as ever, and with the marquee signing of Dylan Shiel, is this the year it all comes together? I believe not. A small caveat is Joe Daniher. If he’s a) on the park, and b) anything like 2017, I could be made to eat humble pie.
10 – North Melbourne Kangaroos
Some very good recruitment in the off-season (Jared Polek and Aaron Hall) will have pleased those at Arden Street, having missed out on their man so often. Excited to see continued development of Paul Ahern, Taylor Garner, and Mason Wood, etc. but they’ll be relying on Robbie Tarrant’s shoulder holding up an otherwise workman-like backline.
11 – Sydney Swans
Although no finals for the Swans, not an utter disaster for the perennial top eight team. A year of transition as the likes of Heeney, Papley and Mills take over the reins from Jack, McVeigh and Kennedy. Look forward to seeing Daniel Menzel get a full season. Now if only they’d look for someone else i50 than Lance Franklin.
12 – Western Bulldogs
Premiers three years ago, and still many familiar faces, but the current team is different by names and deeds. Few of the flag-winning Dogs have improved, and whatever was in the water when Luke Beveridge arrived has turned. You tend to think supporters, and a section of the playing group, still smile and think to themselves, we’ll always have 2016.
13 – Port Adelaide Power
To put this in terms Kochie would understand, the team is going to experience a market downturn. Yes, there’s some guns in the squad, but just not feeling the Power, sorry. But, this is the team most likely to surprise and give me a nasty electric shock.
14 – Brisbane Lions
Continuing their move up the ladder, and progressing as well as they could be, the Lions will win a couple of games more than last year. Lachie Neale is a significant inclusion, but Dane Beams is a hefty loss. Marcus Adams is an underrated pick up. Another pressure free year for Fagan, before the heat comes in 2020.
15 – Fremantle Dockers
Jesse Hogan is a big inclusion, and Reece Conca, Rory Lobb and Trav Colyer offer depth, but it doesn’t make up the ground the Dockers give away to many of the teams listed above. Ross Lyon’s circle of trust grows older, and is one man fewer with Lachie Neale departing over the summer. Seven wins would be a pass mark.
16 – Carlton Blues
With the disappointment of skipper Sam Docherty going down again, the Carlton faithful receive another number one draft pick in Sam Walsh to renew their delusions of grandeur (like the arrivals of Murphy, Gibbs, Kruezer and Weitering before him). Things look to be going in the right direction with good JLT form, but after 2 wins and a spoon last season, the only way is up. And it’s a long way.
17 – Gold Coast Suns
Many probably have the Suns taking the spoon, having lost their Co-Captains in the off season, but they’ve bolstered their squad as best they could. Inclusions of Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis from Richmond, and George Horlin-Smith and Jordan Murdoch from Geelong improves them, and top end draft talent in Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Ben King is cause for positivity.
18 – St Kilda Saints
Too much bad news at once for the Sainters to have any confidence in them. Their big signing Dan Hannebery has question marks over his hamstrings, their best player Jack Steven is unfortunately sidelined for personal reasons, and their best tall Jake Carlisle’s back has buckled. Sorry Saints, the spoon looks yours.
