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Having seen what the fortune cookies hold for teams in Part 1 and Part 2, our final instalment reveals the last of the coaches’ 2015 predictions, as well as the cookie containing the final regular-season ladder.
Damien Hardwick – Richmond Tigers
What the fortune cookie thinks: “Improvement is necessary for survival.”
Another coach who many people have facing the chop at season’s end. Hardwick will at least need to progress to the semi-finals to retain his coaching position, three years in a row of getting knocked out in the first week of finals won’t look good.
What I think: Richmond probably won’t finish in the top four and their depth is not as good as the other sides in the top four. but they have enough stars to achieve a top-six finish.
Alan Richardson – St Kilda Saints
What the fortune cookie thinks: “This may be the year you go bald.”
It’s going to be a long year for the Saints, with most supporters predicting four or fewer wins yet again. Clearly the fortune cookie thinks the club’s poor disposal and inability to run out games will see Richo to pull out his hair in frustration.
What I think: Another bottom-two finish is on the cards, but the Saints get to see Jack Newnes step up to a new level, Jack Steven has signed a five-year deal, and and other promising draftees will get games and build a future for the club.
Once the year is over the hardest part of the rebuild will be complete.
John Longmire – Sydney Swans
What the fortune cookie thinks: “You learn from your mistakes, that knowledge is for now.”
The Swans’ dismal showing in the 2014 grand final troubled all supporters and players, and it still does. It’s important for the Swans to learn from their mistakes and come back bigger and better this season.
What I think: Sydney have a fantastic side and are a clear top-three side. Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett working together for a full season will be a joy to watch, and I expect another successful and entertaining season from the side.
I’ll be looking at how the players who struggled on grand final day open the season, hopefully there’s some fire in the belly.
Hawthorn and Port Adelaide will both be ahead of them this year, however.
Adam Simpson – West Coast Eagles
What the fortune cookie thinks: “Try again next year.”
The Eagles have focused on retaining their draft picks and bringing in some young players. A few of their new draftees will be forced to play this year, especially early on, with players such as Eric Mackenzie, Mitch Brown, Jack Darling and Xavier Ellis on the Eagles’ injured list.
Mackenzie (season) and Darling (up to eight weeks) are out for an extended period, and their structure may take a hit.
The fortune cookie thinks this season could be one to forget, and to try again next year.
What I think: With Liam Duggan, Tom Lamb, Jackson Nelson and Damian Cavka, the Eagles did very well with their selections in the 2014 draft. Along with Dom Sheed, a few of these players should get some time at senior level.
However with a few of their key players injured they will struggle and finish in the mid-low section of the ladder.
Luke Beveridge – Western Bulldogs
What the fortune cookie thinks: “You will be visited by the lost dogs home on May 30.”
With Ryan Griffen joining the Giants, there’s one very big game on the cards for the season.
What I think: The Bulldogs will be in the bottom two this year.
After losing so many players, they’re starved for experience and will suffer a poor year with few wins.
Positives include watching the further development of future stars in Jack Macrae, Jake Stringer, Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Boyd.
Final ladder prediction
1. Hawthorn Hawks
2. Port Adelaide Power
3. Sydney Swans
4. Geelong Cats
5. Fremantle Dockers
6. North Melbourne
7. Richmond Tigers
8. Gold Coast Suns
9. Essendon Bombers
10. Adelaide Crows
11. GWS Giants
12. Brisbane Lions
13. Collingwood Magpies
14. West Coast Eagles
15. Melbourne Demons
16. Carlton Blues
17. Western Bulldogs
18. St Kilda
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