On the eve of the 2015 season, I decided to go out and get some Chinese food with the AFL coaches, and see what the fortune cookies have in store for the clubs in 2015.
Phil Walsh – Adelaide Crows
What the fortune cookie thinks: “It is time to start flirting with danger.”
One of the main talking points heading into 2015 is Patrick Dangerfield. Will he stay? Will he go? The fortune cookie seems to think it’s time to try a little harder to maintain Danger’s services in 2016 and beyond.
What I think: Dangerfield will have a strong 2015 campaign but will end up heading to a big Victorian club at year’s end.
Rory Sloane however looks set to stay and the Adelaide Crows should finish between eighth and twelfth.
Justin Leppitsch – Brisbane Lions
What the fortune cookie thinks: “Pride beams in Brisbane.”
With the arrival of star Dayne Beams, the team boasts one of the brightest midfields in the game. Brother Claye looks happy playing alongside his brother, and the fortune cookie predicts a successful season for both brothers, starting against Dayne’s former club, Collingwood, in Round 1.
What I think: The Lions will improve this season, losing Pearce Hanley is a blow but they have regained Daniel Rich. The midfield looks very strong and the only thing that will stop them really pushing for a spot in the finals is their forward line.
They have a bunch of young key forward (and defence) prospects that will need another year of development before they can really make a difference.
The Lions don’t have a proven tall forward to kick 50-plus goals. For this reason they’ll improve to around 12th.
Mick Malthouse – Carlton Blues
What the fortune cookie thinks: “Just avoid the press conferences.”
We all love to see the banter between journalists and Malthouse post-game, it makes for decent entertainment. The fortune cookie reads that Carlton may have a slight fall down the ladder, and the press conferences may get more entertaining as an impartial fan.
What I think: The Blues have added some solid players from Greater Western Sydney in Kristian Jaksch and Mark Whiley. Jaksch will improve their key defensive stocks, but I don’t see Carlton being any sort of threat in the finals and could finish in the bottom four.
Nathan Buckley – Collingwood Magpies
What the fortune cookie thinks: “You’re fired!”
This is a crucial season for Nathan Buckley, with many journalists claiming his job may be on the line.
While it’s too early to call on that, the fortune cookie’s blunt statement may refer to Bucks Josh Thomas and Lachie Keeffe. We’ll just have to see how this one plays out.
What I think: Collingwood have lost a lot of important players and they’ll struggle. With the recent shock of Thomas and Keeffe testing positive to clenbuterol, the Pies will have to rely on quite a few young players throughout the season. There may also be some trouble in the key defensive posts, with Ben Reid in limbo.
Nathan Brown will have a lot resting on him, and he is injury prone.
Collingwood will finish between 11th and 14th.
James Hird – Essendon Bombers
What the fortune cookie thinks: “Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith is one nice pillow.”
Not guilty. The two words that relieved the club and all of its supporters, they had faith in their club and they’ve come out on the other side of the tunnel.
Agree with the decision or not, it’s a nice feeling for Essendon fans and players, now being able to play freely without a ban looming over their heads.
What I think: Essendon will finally be able to play freely, and they’ve bought in players like Adam Cooney and Jonathon Giles to help with depth.
At full strength it will be interesting to see how the team plays with little game preparation heading into the season. Fresh legs?
They could challenge for the top eight.
Ross Lyon – Fremantle Dockers
What the fortune cookie thinks: “You expected something meaningful inside this cookie, didn’t you?”
Luke McPharlin turns 34, Matthew Pavlich turns 34 and Aaron Sandilands turns 33 – Fremantle need to make this their year.
These three have been champs for the club and the team needs to do everything to get them a premiership. But the fortune cookie views 2015 as a year Fremantle must make what they want of it.
What I think: Ross Lyon’s gameplan won’t hold up in finals, or on the big day, it has never got him the final reward.
With their stars ageing I don’t think we’ll see them in a grand final this year, but the emergence of Nat Fyfe, Stephen Hill and Lachie Neale through the midfield could see them remain top five.
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