Most people would have different opinions on where they think their team will be at the end of the ladder.
As a Hawks supporter I think we will finish first or second at the end of the home-and-away season but what is to come for teams like Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney?
Melbourne Demons
The Demons have had no luck since around 2007. Most people looked at them and agreed that they have got the talent there but it just has not developed as they would have wanted.
With Paul Roos taking the controls there was hope but miracles are hard to find. In his first year he worked on their defence and improved their total wins from two in 2013 to four in 2014. Along with this, percentage improved from 54.07 per cent in 2013 to 68.04 per cent in 2014. Most people would take this as a win and a huge improvement in all areas.
Now with the defence improved they also have a very healthy forward line, with Jeff Garlett and Jesse Hogan fit and ready and Chris Dawes off suspension.
The big question is whether they can win more games than last year and get higher up the ladder. For me they will need to be hoping for at least four to three wins before their bye. So do they have winnable games in that time?
The games against the Suns, Giants, Dogs and Saints all arrive before their bye and are all winnable games. I think three victories would represent a win for the Demons coming into the halfway mark.
Greater Western Sydney
Greater Western Sydney are in the same boat as the Demons. At the start of 2014 they had a new coach but were under less pressure. They had a succession plan in place with new ideas and in the 12 months they showed glimpses of improvement and class.
With five extra wins from the 2013 season and an improvement of 25.73 per cent on their averages, they have shown that they are improving every time they come out on the field. Along with their young players starting to look stronger and the added the experience of Joel Patfull, Ryan Griffen as well as Heath Shaw and Shane Mumford still on the books, they have a good group of players.
They will be hoping to improve again on games won this year, and no less than eight wins by the end of the home-and-away season is necessary. Similar to Melbourne I think they need at least three to four wins before the halfway mark.
For both these teams I think one of their main aims will be to avoid the wooden spoon. But that is unlikely with how they have improved over the last 12 months. As long as they stick to the plans that have been set out for the them via the coach, they should continue to head the right way on the ladder.
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