It is always difficult to write a preview for a year. Bias, hopes, hates and general unknowns are just some factors that influence an author.
As such, my analysis will create criticism but I maintain it is my opinion and I cannot get everyone into the top eight unfortunately.
Swans 11 wins end of Rd12, 20 end of season (1st)
The Swans are a very powerful team this season. With many of their players to come back from injury after 2013 as well as the addition of Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett for a full season, this will be the team to beat.
They have historically one of the best defensive line-ups in the game. Their midfield is top class and their forward line, previously a weakness, is full of power and quick forwards that will challenge any defence.
Someone like Adam Goodes will get the third string defender – at least.
Fremantle 10 wins end of Rd12, 20 end of season (second)
Similar to the Swans in numerous ways. A coach hailing from his days at the Swans, defence as a key, a very strong midfield and forward line has been a weakness.
If they are fit, watch out as they will certainly push to make revenge for their loss in 2013. Midfield dominance is where they hold the key to success with players standing up and ability to hold within defence is powerful.
Hawthorn nine wins end of Rd12, 17 end of season (3rd)
The Premiers will look forward to a strong season but it is hard to continue the effort for a long period of time. While they will get over Franklin with Gunston outperforming him towards the end of the season, their defence is actually their weakness. Their defenders are all great individually it is the team defence that should be seen as the issue.
Their forward line and masterful midfield protect the defenders and help out well. A win against this team should make any team proud.
Essendon eight wins end of Rd12, 17 end of season (4th)
Fresh from their scandals of 2013, Essendon will be looking to prove they are a force within the game.
They are the dark horse of this competition and with a balanced team, many players being very versatile they will look for a strong season to look forward to and putting the past behind them.
Their key is being able to maintain and not let other teams into the game when they have a lead or not letting it get away from them.
Collingwood seven wins end of Rd12, 15 plus a draw end of season (5th)
This team has always had talent but has not always put it altogether on the ground at the one time. If they can do that this season then they will have a good season.
Their team morale and unity is what should be their focus and if they can unite as a group they will have many more wins than losses.
North Melbourne six wins end of Rd12, 15 end of season (6th)
The team that could not put any team to bed last season. With many tight finishes and fourth quarter fadeouts, North Melbourne were unlucky to miss the finals.
This year with their dominant ability to rack up points they need to utilise this to their advantage. If they fall, their defence will be to blame.
Geelong five wins end of Rd12, 15 end of season (7th)
The era of the Cats had ended. Household names like Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly are now at other clubs. Many of their dominant era have been retired. The Cats will not fall to far from grace but their team will struggle for goals this season I feel.
Defence and midfield still strong and they need their young kids to stand up in order to get wins. This is the real test of Chris Scott as the team which was led by Mark Bomber Thompson is now almost non-existent.
West Coast six wins end of Rd12, 12 end of season (8th)
Once upon a time they were the premiership contenders of 2013. A significant run of injuries meant they missed out on the finals by a long margin.
They still have many stars and missing the finals would be a fail for the new coach. They need to make their home ground theirs once more and should make finals if they can.
Their forward attack and ability to get rapid goals with the win of the ruck will go a long way to securing that finals spot.
Power five wins end of Rd12, 11 end of season (9th)
Unlucky to be where I have placed them but unfortunately many teams miss out on finals that would look like strong contenders. Their young group is impressive and Ken Hinkley makes this tram a force to be reckoned with.
Capable of upsets and probably the team I would consider most likely to be in a different position on my ladder if anyone.
Adelaide six wins end of Rd12, 10 end of season (10th)
They will look like a stronger team this season, like so many others, but not everyone can improve and make the eight. They will have a much stronger forward line eventually and will take many teams all the way to the line.
Carlton eight wins end of Rd12, 10 end of season (11th)
Mick Malthouse’s team will be more unified this year with the dumping of many players Malthouse didn’t want. The Blues will also become more familiar with his tactics.
They are a team for the future but for now will have to remain as a tough but beatable side.
Gold Coast six wins end of Rd12, nine plus a draw end of season (12th)
They have the reigning Brownlow medalist and the NAB Rising Star. This team is moving forward in leaps and bounds however this season is not theirs.
They will be a dangerous team capable of upsets but 2015 will be their year.
Richmond four wins end of Rd12, nine end of season (13th)
First finals in over a decade and they were knocked out first round. Richmond were the feel good story of the year last year.
Another team that could be higher up but the competition is so tight and someone has to fill every spot.
A team that will need to be more consistent and get wins against those in the top eight if they are to rise.
Bulldogs three wins end of Rd12, eight end of season (14th)
This team has much to look forward to in the coming years. They had a great run towards the end of last year but saved their run too late.
I would like to see these guys higher however maintaining their skills and efforts for the entire game is what has let them down previously.
Their young players have a lot of potential and are worth watching.
Melbourne two wins end of Rd12, four end of season (15th)
Under new coach Paul Roos they will look to improve considerably.
They will not care about how many wins they get but in the way in which they play – they want to be competitive and leave nothing out on the field.
We may see a different type of Demons this year but it it hard to see them rise too high just yet.
Giants two wins end of Rd12, three end of season (16th)
They have a lot to look forward to this year and will no doubt have many good patches of form. Their ability to exert their skills for the entire game is the only thing holding them back.
With another preseason and new coach with some fresh ideas Giants will look to be positive this year.
They will have a dangerous forward line but they need to be able to get it there to inflict damage. The building of a premiership team is what we will be seeing.
Brisbane one win end of Rd12, one end of season (17th)
This team is in a bit of disillusionment. They are in a crisis at the club financially and have just replaced their coach and have board issues. It will be hard to perform around this and their team has not developed the skill to ramp up enough wins.
They should challenge teams but do not have the manpower to break the big guns and teams with a run of form. Will end up with few wins but not because they are a poor team, simply because there will be better quality opposition.
St Kilda 0 wins end of Rd12, 0 end of season (18th)
The dud team for the year. I simply do not see them rising too high. They will struggle this year and they need a complete makeover to be competitive.
Personnel is where I would start at end of next year. Mismanagement of players has this team likely to be rotting at the bottom of the table.
Paul Thompson
Guest
Already after two rounds big cracks appearing in your predictions
Paul Thompson
Guest
Only round two but those win - loss predictions look like being way off the mark.
Wazz
Guest
I seriously cannnot see how Brisbane, who has been competitive with 10 wins last season and 10 in 2012, can all of a sudden be locked in for only one. That would require for the Lions development to go significantly backwards during the off season and I havent seen that at all from up here. The loss of 5 players, only 2 were in the best 22, is a set back, but not damaging to the point that sets us behind the pack. The clubs board issues are essentially resolved. The old guard has been swept out, and good riddence as I honestly thought they weren there far too long and seriously lacked any real connection to football. Leigh Matthews is on the board and in my opinion will provide a good voice between our football department. That can not be used as a reason for our season ahead. It was resolved months ago. What will greatly impact the results will be the players performance at training, on the field. Financially we have had issues for years, but it didnt stop the Lions in 2012 or 2013 in putting in strong performances, especially in the second half of the season. I cannot see how all of a sudden this will link into how Brisbane will perform this year. Where is your proof that Brisbane hasnt developed this off season? Are you saying we didntn have a pre season? Or that the boys did nothing? On what basis are you saying that Brisbane havent developed any skill this off season? I respect that this is your predictions based on your opinions, but I find your reasons for Brisbane finishing ith only one game to be a bit strange
Mark
Guest
6 wins out of 12 for west coast is just crazy I think there's a good chance they could win there first 5 games
Sam J
Guest
Saying Brisbane won't win a game all year is absurd. Though the article lacked credibility the moment the writer started predicting draws...
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Highly questionable indeed. Richmond will plummet 8 places on the ladder? Four wins only by round 12? Brisbane & St Kilda one win between them for the season? This can't be taken seriously.
Cat
Roar Guru
No chance Geelong misses the 8.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Not a bad 8. I basically hope I am wrong with my predictions, otherwise might be boring season for it all to come true :p Definitely a plausible 8. Such a tight comp hard to choose who goes in the 8 and who misses out. You'd have to back the captains call and have Freo, Hawks and Swans in top 3.
martin
Guest
HAWKS 3RD???c(1st) CATS 7TH?? (3rd) BOMBERS 4TH?? (8th) Apart from that Jack, i agree with you..
Ingot oodles
Guest
I also agree with you
Wedding
Guest
Western Bulldogs will make the eight.
Ingot oodles
Guest
"They have a large amount of players in their best 25 and just on the outside that can fill into and perform extremely well in any role" Sorry poor wording but read again.
Slane
Guest
You'd presume they'd have the same number of players in their best 25 as everybody else...
Radelaide
Guest
Hope that prediction is not based on pre season form because the crows always look great in Feb/March, even in 2012 they won the nab cup and still failed to make the Grand final (albeit only just but it still counts). Now they are missing more key players to injuries, sure they picked up Betts and Dangerfield is top of the shelf and has a more consistent year could easily take the Brownlow but him and Sloan were awesome last year and it still wasn't enough to make the finals they would need an unbelievably easy draw like 2012 where they played the bottom 6 twice to finish top 4 and even then...
Ingot oodles
Guest
This is true where your from does create your bias. I believe the crows have great depth in their side. They have a large amount of players in their best 25 and just on the outside that can fill into and perform extremely well in any role. I would argue that they have close to the best if not the best midfield in the comp. up and comers in that midfield have also recieved runner up nab and rising star nominations.Tgeir backline consists of 2 nab rising star nominees from last year, nab star runner up and nab star winner. Plus probably one of the leagues best full back man in Rutten (if played for a Vic team would have the recog. That Scarlett recieved). Their forward line is probably their weakest point, but how weak is a forward line that now contains betts, pods, walker, petrenko, wright and dangerfield moving through. Their has also been significant development in McKernans game up forwards. Last year was plagued with injuries and off field distractions and everyone saw how good adelaide was in 2012, these players are now almost 1.5 years more mature. And don't say it was an easy draw cos they pushed Hawthron to their limits in a prelim final with the leagues 3 youngest and 2nd most inexperienced team in relation the the amount of games they played. As for west coast, did you not see the amount of injuries they had last year to their best players? They also had a coach who did not want to be there. Well they are fit now and with a coach who believes in his game plan.
Cat
Roar Guru
Instead of you blaming where I am from and me countering with the same argument, why don't you back your statement up with some theories as to why you think it will happen, what has Adelaide (and west coast) done to improve so many ladder positions? I expect them to be better then last year (hard not to be) but not enough to vault into top 4. Both should have pretty soft schedules considering their finishes last year so that certainly helps, I just fail to see either of them being better then a lot of teams ahead of them.
Ingot oodles
Guest
That's because your probably a Vic or port supporter and can't view outside of your bubble. Adelaide a def chance for top four along with West Coast
Pope Paul VII
Guest
oh hang it as you were kind enough to ask Freo Haw Syd NM Richmond Carlton WC Collingwood
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Good on you Jack t if this comes true you are a genius. I'm the worst footy tipster because it's NM then order of hatred for the rest. Having said that Syd, Freo, Hawth well up there, with NM of course of the rest Can't see Essendon making the 8 with their troubles and some personnel losses. I think Fitzroy were the last team to go winless - 1964 - so can't see that happening but the Saints seem destined for a rough couple of years Roos can't lift Melbourne though they may surprise a few GWS still a way to go so what's that leave 10 others to battle out 4 spots, might be a year when 11 wins gets 8th and 12 might get you as high as 5th. Or not Let the games begin
Jason Cave
Guest
My top 8 ladder: 1. Fremantle 2. Sydney 3. Hawthorn 4. Geelong 5. Richmond 6. Carlton 7. West Coast 8. Port Adelaide