Roarers, it’s time to put your name on some end-of-season predictions.
I will tip the minor premiers, flag winners, the grand final sides, the Brownlow medallist, Norm Smith medallist, Coleman medallist and NAB Rising Star winner for the 2014 AFL season.
Then it’s your turn to do the same, after deriding my selections of course.
Minor premiers – Sydney
The Swans will hold onto top spot thanks to a softer closing draw than their main rivals for the minor premiership, Hawthorn. The Hawks might have killed Sydney’s 12-game winning streak on the weekend with a typically accomplished and determined performance at the MCG, but I think they’ll have to win all their remaining five matches to finish in first.
Sydney only have one really tricky game left – against the fading might of Port Power in Adelaide in Round 20. Port may have nearly defeated the Swans at the SCG in Round 13 but they have lost a lot of momentum since then, winning just two of five games with those victories over struggling sides Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, have a horror run in the last three rounds, with a trip to Perth against Fremantle, then their bogey team Geelong, followed by Collingwood in Round 23.
Grand final – Hawthorn versus Sydney
These two sides should finish top two and win their first finals ensuring they won’t meet unless it is in the grand final. That’s all I have to say on this really.
Premiers – Hawthorn
It is incredibly hard to tip against Sydney, even after their undoing at the hands of the Hawks on the weekend. But Hawthorn’s effort to be less than one per cent outside first place, despite their poor run with injuries, has me believing they can upset the favourites for the flag.
Having battled admirably through a tough season in which they even lost their coach to an ailment, the Hawks are peaking at the perfect juncture. They are now close to full strength, with defenders Brian Lake and Matt Spangher to push for returns in the next two rounds.
Perhaps only enigmatic small forward Cyril Rioli would then be missing from their best 22. The Hawks have the personnel and, equally as importantly, the tactical acumen to limit the havoc wreaked by the potent Swans.
I’m tipping Hawks by two goals or less in a grand final thriller.
Norm Smith medallist – Luke Hodge
The man for the moment. The Hawks skipper is building form nicely after an interrupted season. After a muted start to 2014, Hodge has been wonderfully consistent.
He has averaged 27 touches over the past 13 games with his renowned precision footwork a highlight. Hodge loves having the ball in his grip late in the match when the contest is on an even keel.
Aside from his beguiling skills, Hodge also inspires his teammates with courageous, often selfless acts. I would tip him to add a second Norm Smith to his collection this season.
Brownlow Medal – Scott Pendlebury
To be honest I haven’t changed my mind since I wrote this article in the wake of Gary Ablett’s injury. Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury will take home his first Brownlow.
Coleman Medallist – Lance Franklin
This will be a very tight finish, with Port’s Jay Schulz, Sydney money man Lance Franklin and Geelong behemoth Tom Hawkins all closely grouped with five rounds left.
But Franklin’s form has been so monumental over the past two months that it’s hard not to see him running away from the other two. Franklin isn’t without a chance in the Brownlow race either.
NAB Rising Star – Marcus Bontempelli
This was the toughest prediction. The Bulldogs’ Bontempelli has shone in his emerging side but so has Luke Dunstan at Saint Kilda and Tom Langdon at Collingwood.
The latter was even included in some pundits mid-season All-Australia squad. Dunstan, too, would be a worthy winner having been one of the few pluses for the Saints in a horribly forgettable 2014 season.
But Bontempelli won me over with his two crucial goals to lift the Bulldogs to a thrilling win over Melbourne in Round 15. It was a remarkably cool performance from a 19-year-old footballer.
Jason K
Guest
An individual footballer can get a medal, but it's some kind of sin to have his name on the back of his jersey.
Don Freo
Guest
I reckon McPharlin and Johnson, along with the precision neutralizing that Dawson brings, makes them the best key defenders in the comp. It's why I reckon Freo has Sydney under control.
Sam
Roar Rookie
Minor Premiers: Syd GF: Syd v Freo (I think they're in better shape than most think, even with the St Kilda stinker. Walters back will be huge). Premier: Syd - DOn't think Freo has the backs to deal with Sydney's key forwards. Norm: Luke Parker - gets a lot of it and hits the scoreboard. Coleman: Hawkins - always a chance to kick 4 against anyone and - unlike Buddy - generally kicks straight Brownlow: Pendles - Pies have won enough games and he always has the ball in his hands for extended periods of time, as opposed to gettign rid of it straight away. Umps will notice. Rising Star: Bontempelli. Even field, but he's th eone rookie who has shown he can already take over and win them by himself.
Natalie Swansfan
Guest
Minor premiers - Swannies GF - Swannies v Cats Champs - Swannies by 52 Norm Smith - Hanners Coleman - Lovely Lance Rising star - Harry Cunningham Brownlow - Josh Kennedy It'll be bourbon and COLA all round!!
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Well I am a day late but I will have a crack. Minor Premiers: Sydney - I have them winning every game from here on in, equal with Hawks but some softer games that they should win by bigger margins. GF: Sydney vs Hawthorn - right at this point in time, the others aren't showing enough to be contenders. Ask me in two weeks though and it could be different. Premiers: Sydney - a 2012 style final, 80-90 points each with the Swans winning it 6 points. Norm Smith: Ben McGlynn - he has been playing out of skin since the start of 2013 and you can just sense he wants it even more after tripping at the second last hurdle in 2013. Mark my words, if the Swans make the grand final, he is the reason they will win. Coleman: Buddy - again the Swans softer draw should allow him to kick multiple 4-5 bags. Rising Star: The Bont. Brownlow: I'm going with a roughy and saying Dyson Heppell. Wooden Spoon: The Giants - the Saints will jag a win or two on the way through. One at he hands of the Suns.
Don Freo
Guest
That's the way, Macca. This training process is really beginning to bear fruit now. I hope you can feel the encouragement.
Don Freo
Guest
Even though it's only one eye, it's a very logical eye.
Steele
Guest
Not exactly going out on limb Ronan! Bontempelli-odds on favorite Hawthorn v Sydney-favorites Hawthorn for flag-second favorite, just beat the favorites. Pendlebury-second favorite...just Hodge- probably favorite, previous winner. Buddy-favorite, also previous winner. Why not write an article titled, "the top two favorites in every AFL category will have a better than average chance of winning"....riveting stuff! In my defense, you did say after deriding you! So I guess it's my turn, I pick(: The Bont! Hawthorn Buddy for Coleman SydneyvHawthorn Kennedy for Brownlow And Hodge for Normy! Equally adventurous
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Or... Norm Smith - Ablett Rising Star - Ablett Best Captain - Ablett Any other individual awards also are awarded to Ablett by default... :)
Cat
Roar Guru
I'm having trouble with making a real prediction so I will take a page out od Don Freo's book and post my one eyed highly biased hopes instead. Minor Premier: Sydney GF Hawthorn v. Geelong Premiers: Geelong Norm Smith: Steven Motlop Brownlow: Ablett and Selwood tie Geelong B&F: Jimmy Bartel, with 4 premierships, 1 norm smith, 1 brownlow all he needs is a much deserved B&F
Youknowitmakessense
Guest
Minor premiers Swans Grand Final Swans Hawks Premiers Swans Norm Smith Luke Parker Coleman Buddy Brownlow Josh Kennedy Rising Star Someone -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Luke Gazzard
Roar Rookie
My GF is different from other's so just accept it GF teams – Sydney v Fremantle Premier – Sydney Norm Smith – Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Brownlow – Josh Kennedy (Swans) Coleman – Buddy Franklin
AB
Guest
Minor premiers: Sydney GF: Hawthorn vs Sydney Premiers: Hawthorn Norm Smith: Sam Mitchell Brownlow: Ablett Best guess in all categories, but all my best guesses are more likely to be wrong than right.
Brian
Guest
Impoissble to predict this now because we don't know where Freo are at. Was St Kilda an aberration or a symptom of something deeply wrong. So far this season I've thought Pre-season Dockers v Sydney Early Rounds Hawks v Geelong After Easter Monday Freo v Geelong Rounds 7-11 Hawks v Freo Rounds 12 till St Kilda thrashed Freo - Swans v Freo Now I'm at Hawks v Swans. Its almost like msical chairs and whoever is in front when the music stops in September wins it.
Don Freo
Guest
Could be enough time for Sunny to pip Ballas for the Coleman.
Don Freo
Guest
Speaking of Manson, we could give Ty Vickery the Charles Manson award.
Bosk
Roar Rookie
The AFL really needs to implement a reverse-Brownlow award, they could call it the "Golden Potato" or the Koschitzke Kup in honor of the most unco spud the game's seen since James Manson.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Swans with the following treble... Premiers against Freo by 11 points Coleman - Buddy Brownlow - Kennedy Fyfe wins one of the medals of the year with Norm Smith
Don Freo
Guest
Remember Buddy's unpunished shoulder to the head? (...a lot harder and more intentional than Fyfe's.) Imagine the conversations if Buddy comes second to Fyfe in the count and therefore wins.
Don Freo
Guest