As the AFL season draws ever closer once again I felt I should examine each team and attempt to predict just what’s going to happen in 2014.
Some I feel have a shot at the eight but might not be strong enough towards the end of the season and may fall away. In the end it’s all speculation, so enjoy.
Adelaide
Despite a downer season in 2013 things are looking up for 2014.
Even though Taylor Walker is not fully fit and firing, the investments in Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly will no doubt pay off.
With the likes of Patrick Dangerfield leading the midfield, the Crows will come charging back into the eight in 2014.
Brisbane
Big things were tipped for the Lions following their breakout 2009 season but those hopes were all in vain as the team crumbled, and three years later club champion Michael Voss has been given the flick.
So what happens now? Despite losing a lot of talent during the last trade period the Lions still have a lot to show in 2014.
If Daniel Rich can show more consistency and if Jonathon Brown can prove his doubters wrong the Lions will scare the unexpected.
They can push for the eight but they need to play together more consistently.
Carlton
Despite getting a golden ticket to the finals last year, Carlton will not be featuring this year.
Dale Thomas is a good get for the Blues in arresting an ageing midfield problem but that does not address the inconsistently shoddy forward line.
Andrew Walker always plays well but he needs support and Carlton just does not have it.
Although they can move the ball well and rebound when necessary when the opposition defence crowds the forward line Carlton has no answer and goals suddenly become hard to come by.
They can hold on to the ball but they can’t find enough targets to hit up.
Unless they address this problem they could struggle for years to come, Andrejs Everitt may aid this to some degree but He can be out positioned to easily, particularly by bigger defenders.
Collingwood
As stated by coach Nathan Buckley, 2013 was a failure for the Pies. At times they looked unstoppable tearing teams apart but not regularly.
Early in the year they looked a shadow of their former selves, being blitzed by the Hawks and suffering a humiliating loss to the fledgling Gold Coast Suns outfit.
They need to bounce back and Buckley’s no-nonsense approach needs to show results. Personally I think it can – even with the loss of Daisy the midfield is still strong.
Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams on their day can be unstoppable, moving the ball quickly and out-muscling opponents.
If they work together along with more support for the rampant Travis Cloke, Collingwood will challenge for the top four.
Essendon
The drama queen of 2013, losing its coach and being banned from playing finals, things did not turn out the way they should for the mighty Bombers, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
With Premiership coach Mark Thompson taking over and with pretty much the entire list fit and firing the Bombers will be hard to beat, expect them to contest for the top two as long as ASADA stays away.
Fremantle
Although last year was the best season in Fremantle’s history they still did not achieve the ultimate glory and that would burn.
The time will never be better for the purple haze to charge again and it would not be a great shock if they once again make it to last day in September and this time walk away with the flag.
Geelong
No one will forget the heartbreak of the preliminary final loss to Hawthorn, it was an amazing fight but when the siren sounded and Geelong’s season ended people instantly began questioning whether Geelong will be as good in 2014.
Surely not this year, although they have defied the expectation of many to stay competitive and come within a goal of their fifth Grand Final appearance in seven years, they surely can’t do it again.
Ousting several veterans in order to bring in more youth is not a bad plan but it means the team is made up of more inexperienced players then not.
This will as always benefit them in the long but for this year they will slide down the ladder and may be hard pressed to make the eight.
Gold Coast
The suns are coming and they are looking scary. During a busy trade period the suns did nothing, the young team with another year under their belts are looking good, and their fearless leader is in fine form.
Coming of a Brownlow Medal-winning season Gary Ablett Jr is not slowing up even if he does throw support for Charlie Dixon in the forward line he can still greatly influence the game and to take over his midfield duties is non-other than the prodigious Jack Martin.
Things are looking up for the lads up north.
Greater Western Sydney
We will always foresee pain for the fledgling Giants but maybe not so much this year.
A good trade period with Heath Shaw and Shane Mumford coming to the club and the selection of Tom Boyd in the preseason draft things are looking a little more even for the playing list.
The biggest problem will always be whether they can play out the four quarters, if they can then look forward to a lot of closer games from the young guns of the Harbour City.
Hawthorn
Do they have another flag tilt in them? of course, despite the loss of their number one man the Hawks will be feeling pretty confident, the defence is to die for, with Josh Gibson and Brian Lake leading the way.
With Luke Hodge charging ahead in a hard-nosed midfield there is not much wrong with this side, and there will be no shocks if they go all the way again.
Melbourne
How has this team survived everything that they’ve gone though is a mystery, to many sacked coaches in to short a time, it wasn’t that long ago that the Demons were considered the team on the up and up.
With a solid list involving several top draft picks that were developing nicely, fast forward two years and nothing could be further from the truth.
Jack Watts is a shadow of what he could be, the co-captain experiment failed and more than anything Melbourne lack conviction. They don’t know how to win.
Enter Paul Roos. The man knows how to get a team going.
Because of his ongoing success with Sydney he has achieved legend status among coaching ranks and if he can apply his successful methods to Melbourne’s team and get them to work together then they will rise.
Being more competitive and stringing together more wins against teams on the same level as them is vital.
North Melbourne
Anything short of a top-six finish will be failure for the boys from Arden Street and if they don’t make the eight it will surely spell the end for Coach Brad Scott.
The time has never been better as long as the team can play out games and not fall apart at critical moments, and the addition of Nick Dal Santo will help this no end.
Port Adelaide
The surprise packet of 2013 despite not being able to beat their boogie team the Western Bulldogs the power had a break out year, can they go around again and improve in 2014?
A young team with another pre-season under their belts have every chance of being there in September once again and maybe even go further than before.
Chad Wingard and Justin Westhoff are growing as a forward line combination and the acquisition of Jared Polec will only improve their stocks.
Richmond
The Tigers charged into the finals for the first time in 11 years only to be ousted in the first week by Carlton, an anti-climax in many ways for the Tiger Army.
If they can’t improve on that it’s going to spell trouble for Damien Hardwick. He has been at the helm since 2010 but has not much to show for it apart from that one finals appearance.
Although his list has room for improvement there is still a lot to like about them, Jack Riewoldt continues to dominate the forward line and will once again push for the Coleman Medal and the midfield combination of Cotchin, Martin and Delidio will always fight for Brownlow votes.
St Kilda
There is a lot of pain in store for the Saints, the list is a total mess and although they acknowledged this and have made moves to improve it in last year’s draft, the climb back will be a long one.
Still their talisman Nick Riewoldt is in fine form and will continue to lead them.
The biggest problem for St Kilda is the lack of experience across the field, particularly in the ruck. Tom Lee has no support what so ever and will found out regularly by the opposition.
Sydney
The red and the white were known for a list of half decent players, a couple of stars and a culture everyone wanted to be a part of.
Now they have Buddy, they have Kurt Tippett and they have stamped themselves as a team not to be messed with.
Nothing will be left to chance for the Swannies, anything less than a grand final appearance would be considered a failure for them and it could be a 2012 grand final rematch.
West Coast
Once touted as Premiership certainties, 2013 was a down year for West Coast.
Injury and close losses hurt the Eagles and when it came to season’s end club hero John Worsfold retired from the coaching game, citing burnout.
So in 2014 with a new coach at the helm things will get interesting for the Eagles.
Some on-field changes in the off season will certainly help them though it is yet to be determined what kind of influence Elliot Yeo will have. The Eagles gave up a decent draft pick for him when ultimately his ability is not yet fully known.
Western Bulldogs
The boys from the West need a big year. Brendan McCartney needs to start showing results after two years in charge, particularly after a promising end to the season last year.
With the addition of Stewart Crameri in the forward line, the development of young forwards Liam Jones and Tory Dickson plus good signs from injury prone midfielder Adam Cooney things can only get better for the Doggies. The contract extension for Daniel Giansiracusa will only help this developing young forward line.
berrlins
Roar Pro
I was off by a year with Geelong, out in straight sets 14 and missed 15. But this article was a pretty terrible attempt at predicting the season anyway but I did call the grand final, which I'm quietly proud of.
Windrince
Roar Rookie
you got the cats pretty wrong too
berrlins
Roar Pro
Just reviewing some of the calls I made in this article, probably the most glaring is the fact that Essendon would charge on to the top two and challenge. Another was the Richmond call, although I dont think I was alone with that one.
David Justins
Guest
Round 1 has just started for 2014 the first game was played Froe thrashed the Pies. Buckley stuffed it up and was out coached by Ross Lyon. The Magpies have Ben Hudeson and Lynchie two dud pickups. They did not play but should of as Collingwood needed stronger bodies. They were out muscled. Buckley failed again and is yet to show any promise or that he will be any good. Ross Lyon had he game set up well and out coached Buckley. Michael Malthouse must be laughing at Eddie now as Buckley is so far a failure. Freo are a real threat to win the flag they have plenty of depth and a good coach with a game plan unlike Collingwood who has a coach with no game plan and no structure. The concession of Nathan Buckley in Mick Malthouse out is clearly not working. If i was a Collingwood supporter i would be filthy anf furious with Eddie for getting rid of Mick for a coach with no proven track record who thinks he knows it all and coaching is easy. As far as i can see the Magpie players are not responding to Buckley as they look disinterested. If the Magpies wan't to be a real threat awin a flag in the next 6 years they need to find a new coach before round 2 2014 season. Ross lyons experince showed and Bucks in experience also showed. Coll could be 0-6 at the start of the season. Syd,Gee,Ess,Rich and Haw comming up i the early part of the season.
adrian
Guest
Melbourne will improve gradually but it will take time. Paul Roos is the correct man to set this up. But he will not be able to perform miracles. After 3 years Melboune will start to shine thanks to Roosey, but only then. Geelong end of season result.X? Not sure, but i can guarateee a top 4 finish as they are too good not to finish top 4. Hawks right up there again, Sydney too. Fremantle a real threat. A real chance to go all the way. Nth Melb, Rich too improve. Carlton not sure think they need more talls. Collingwood no hope in hell they have no game plan and it is plain to see the players don't respond well to anything Buck's says or does. The pies have gone backwards since 2011 when under Mick Malthouse. Gold Coast the biggest improver of them all should play in their 1st finals. Adelaide will do well. Port has still a lot of improving to do but going in the right direction. West coast will stay the same and Greater Western Sydney are three years away still . Bulldogs will improve but probable need some talls and bigger men. St Kilda have to start over again under there new coach Alan Richardson. But if they respond to him well could be a surprise packet. Essendon after its 2013 could go better but may go worse it will all depend on the players state of mind. Because of their off feild troubles it may hamper them greatley. Top 4 Fremantle Geelong Sydney Hawthorn. Then West Coast Carlton Adelaide Gold Coast. Bottom 4 Collingwood Melbourne Greter western Sydney and Brisbane.
Justin
Guest
Everything i wrote is 100% fact and 100% truth. Even Greg Swann who swore aligence to Collingwood forever left and went to our arch enemy Carlton and Ed did not know till it came out in the media. Greg Swan stated that he was so glad to leave Collingwood and the fact he can't stand Nathan Buckley. Any Collingwood supporter, football follower, supporters of other clubs, the media, ex players Coll non Coll and football experts-commontators that believe their is perfect harmony at magpie land is deluded. It further from the trurh. the culture at Collingwood is very bad.worse than the Melbourne Demons. Nathan has coaused all this single handedly it is 100% his fault. As a Collingwood supporter all my life i know deep down in my heart that the club will never ever win a flag, or have a good culture. Nathan has be sacked today. The media should be all over this. Sorry Ed McGuire but the buck stops with the supporters the members not Nathan and yourself.
Justin
Guest
Collingwood is my team but they will miss the finals in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.!!!!!!!! Why you ask.? Well here it is the 100% truth 100% fact. I love my beloved Magpies but unfortunaltley through Eddies stubborness - know it all attitude - big mouth - spreuking we can not win untill he sacks Nathan Buckley who is destroying Collingwood. Fist Ed employes the worst Coll coach in history Nathan Buckley who none of the players like, Yes that is right not one Collingwood player has any respect, time or care or Natham Buckley. The players will not play for him and stoped listening to his arrogant drivell. He has no game plan, no heart and Buck's will not take advice from any body. He has been there and done it he know's it all geez he must be god well he thinks he is. Unfortunaltely Buck's treats our Magpie players like dirt. Now Eddie Mcguire is gagging all cheer squad members and supporters from speaking to the media. Well i ask all Collingwood supporters to defy Ed and speak to the media and tell the truth like it really is.!!!! Collingwood supporters are fed up and wan't Nathan Buckley sacked he has demorilised every single player at Magpie land and shafted some 1st class players Jolly, Thomas, Shaw, Didak and others. Getting rid of Mick Malthouse as coach was Eddies biggest blunder, Collingwoods biggest blunder and the biggest blunder in Afl history. Either Nathan Buckley is sacked before round 1 2014 season or Mr Mcguire will be sacked as president before rounf 1 2014 Afl season. It is Bucks or Eddie the call is Eds if Ed wants to stay president he has to sack Nathan Today right this very minute, this very second. The real reason Ed McGuire wants Coll supporters to not talk to the media is he has stopped listening to the Magpie faithful-army. Also it is to hide the fact that appointing Nathan Buckley as coach was a mistake as he has not prefomed well and will never preformed well. As long as Bucks is coac i myself and my family will never ever renew my Collingwood membership or attend any Collingwood games. I urge all Collingwood supporters, members, non members, Magpie faithful and Magpie the magpie army to tell Ed in no un in certain terms to sack Nathan Buckley now or we will sack Eddie Mcguire.!!!!!!!
berrlins
Roar Pro
keen to see your top eight predictions John Fedec, get on it!!!!!!!!!!
John Fedec
Guest
there's a lot of rubbish here !! Some good stuff too ! Okay...let's look at some facts ! The team with the best draw in the top 8 has made the top 4 6 of the last 8 years so...a good draw helps ALOT !! who has a good draw...?? Hawthorn....double ups vs Freo, Geel, Sydney,Coll, GCS, tough really 4/10 potentially, dropping a few here NO doubt Geelong....Haw, Freo, Carl, North, Bris could get ugly here, 2/10 potentially, hard to see them winning more than 6 !! Sydney....Hawks, Port, Rich, Ess, GWS, 6/10 at a minimum, cosy but not great Freo....Hawks, Geelong, Port, Bris, Wce, 7/10 at a minimum, home ground should be as good as geelong were in their power years at Cattery Port...Freo, Syd,Carl,Adel,melb, 4/10 at a minimum. They didn't travel well in 2013, they need to improve ! Carlton...Geel, Port, Coll, Ess, STK, 4/10 at a minimum, they get two wins automatically against STK ! Richmond...Syd, Ess, Bris, STK,GWS, WTF?? this draw is GOLD!! 6/10 at a minimum, and potentially 8-9/10....AUTO FINALS, prob TOP 4 North...Geelong, Adel, Bris, WB, Meln, good draw, TOP 8 is there for sure Wce.....Freo, Coll, GCS, STK, melb, could make finals with some IMPROVEMENT WB....Ess, North, Melb, GCS,GWS, not bad.....huge chance to push for 8 !! GEELONG/HAWKS also have plenty of 6 day breaks in the wrong spot Predictions .....coming soon :)
Mark form Derby
Guest
Kangaroos and Tigers to finish ahead of the Cats! Can I get a bet on!
Bill
Guest
Bulldogs will be knocking on the door of the 8 this year. If they had not dropped those supposelly easy games early they would have made the 8 last year. 2014 will be a better year and 2015 will be an even better year for the dogs. Get on board and watch em go. GO DOGS.
Lightning Jim
Guest
The Crows making the 8 depends on how quickly Walker gets back from injury and gains form. How well Pods and Betts perform in tandem with Walker. The supply to the forwards. And how soon Bailey can return. Loss of VB and Vince can be covered but will also have an effect. For my money unless everything gels, they won't see any September action.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Swans for the Premiership!
vocans
Guest
VB often comes up with the captain's thing and his work on the ground is underrated but the Crows midfield is a coming thing. Vince was often great but he took the foot off the pedal too often. So the midfield is up to it. Betts will thrive with the Crows culture and he's a Croweater after all, long before the whitefellas got here. Almost made the 8 last year but there's more to the cake this year. Depends on how well other teams progress. Need ruck depth and forward stability. Good young team on the rise meets other teams, some of whom may also be on the rise.
Lightning Jim
Guest
At this time of the year, it's difficult to call with a great degree of accuracy due to injuries, surprises in reversal of form, and other unknown factors. However all things being considered, feel that Collingwood still has a chance of making the 8 rather than Nth Melbourne. But fairly confident that Carlton will miss out. Last year they only scraped in by default.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Stavrios, We now get into the second layer of 'Its all bad'. Does the Essendon Football Club know what it's players were given at Hypermed ?
Stavros
Guest
Ian, no I can't and neither can you, as neither one of us was in the South Yarra clinic at the time.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
So, Stavros, before you tell any more lies, can you kindly explain what the 'Mexican substance' indirectly acquired from a muscular dystrophy patient was, and specifically if it was indeed a muscle-building myostatin inhibitor, like those prohibited under S4 ?
Stavros
Guest
Good point Ryan. The AFL don't know whether the Bombers used illegal drugs but decided to throw the book at them anyway.
Stephen
Guest
As a long-term Essendon member, I hope James Hird never again holds an official capacity at the club for a long, long time.