Plenty of people are making predictions for the coming AFL season, I figured I’d get in on the act with my top eight for season 2014.
1. Sydney Swans
Swans do it again – landing a major free agent in Lance Franklin and their forward line is possibly one of the best the league has ever seen.
Sam Reid will be played in the back line if the key forwards are delivering the goods.
Key players: Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippet, Jarrad McVeigh, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack
Look out for: Gary Rohan and Luke Parker
Record: 18/5/0
2. Fremantle Dockers
Losing in the 2013 grand final has made the desire for the flag greater than ever. Additions Colin Sylvia and Scott Gumbleton will thrive under Ross Lyon’s approach.
Key players: Garrick Ibbotson, Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley and Matthew Pavlich
Look out for: Anthony Morabito and Scott Gumbleton
Record: 17/6/0
3. Hawthorn Hawks
With the loss of Buddy the talents of Luke Bruest, Jack Gunston and Jarrad Roughhead have a chance to show their skills and that they are better off without Franklin.
In 2013, Hawthorn’s inside 50 targets had Buddy dropped from 40.3% in 2012 to 28.3% in 2012. I’m interested to see how they cope without Buddy.
Key Players: Jarrad Roughead, Ben McEvoy, Isaac Smith, Matthew Suckling, Grant Birchall and Sam Mitchell
Look out for: Jed Anderson and Derick Wanganeen
Record: 17/6/0
4. North Melbourne Kangaroos
North Melbourne are looking the dark horse of 2014, coming off a season where they were described as the ‘chokers’ of 2013 that couldn’t finish off tight games.
Nick Dal Santo, Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell will be the big three in the midfield and the new rookie in North Melbourne, Luke McDonald, will be expected to deliver as he matures during the year.
Key Players: Todd Goldstein, Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell, Brent Harvey and Shaun Atley
Look out for: Ben Jacobs, Aaron Mullet and Joel Tippett
Record: 15/7/1
5. Geelong Cats
Geelong missed out by a whisker to advance through to grand final, but the question is: Is the desire to continue the dynasty they have created the past eight years still there?
It will be a slow start with a wake-up call to get them up and going. Data shows Geelong’s 2014 list will be the youngest they have produced in seven years.
Key Players: Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor, Steven Motlop, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson and Matthew Stokes
Look out for: Josh Caddy and Jackson Thurlow
Record: 15/7/1
6. Essendon Bombers
The drug scandal is in the past for the Bombers and they are angrily looking forward to getting revenge by having another good year after being kicked out of the top eight.
Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson is the right choice for Essendon and he is looking to transform the injury prone Michael Hurley from a key forward to a key defender.
Key players: Patrick Ryder, Jobe Watson, Heath Hocking, Dyson Heppell and Brendon Goddard
Look out for: Joe Daniher and Zach Merrett
Record: 14/9/0
7. Richmond Tigers
Richmond were haunted by ninth place again, with a shocking defeat to Carlton (finished ninth but were placed at eighth due to the de-ranking of Essendon).
In 2014, the Tigers are looking to bring the roar back to Tigerland. Last year’s addition of Troy Chaplin boosted the defence and a fit Aaron Edwards could be damaging with Jack Riewoldt also kicking straight.
Also, if Richmond give ex-Port Adelaide Matt Thomas a go in the middle he could roughen up the midfield.
Key players: Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Bachar Houli, Troy Chaplin and Chris Newman
Look out for: Ben Lennon and Matthew Thomas
Record: 13/10/0
8. Port Adelaide Power
The feel-good story of 2013, could it be a fluke – was Ken Hinkley a Power surge and this year could be the failure? I think not.
Following Port Adelaide’s effort to beat good quality teams in Sydney, Collingwood and going down close in the semi-finals to Geelong, Hinkley’s aim in the off season was to recruit hard-running players and that he did with the additions of Matt White, Jared Polec, Daniel Flynn and Jarman Impey.
In 2014 Port Adelaide will pick up where they left off in 2013. Could it be the start of strong years ahead at Alberton?
Key players: Travis Boak, Chad Wingard, Justin Westhoff, Brad Ebert, Jay Shultz, Jackson Trengrove, Matthew Lobbe, Hamish Hartlett and Ollie Wines
Look out for: John Butcher, Jarod Polec and Aaron Young
Record: 13/10/0
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