With the AFL off-season done and dusted; the 2015 AFL Draft completed, and the 2016 preseason only getting under way, there isn’t much for footy fans to debate, discuss and argue about.
So for a little bit of fun, I’ve decided to bring back ‘The AFL Playlist’ and put in very early predictions, via songs, for the 18 AFL clubs in 2016.
The clubs are listed in alphabetical order (not in predicted ladder positions), and the songs may be attached due to title, and not necessarily because of the meaning of the song. It’s a bit of fun…so don’t take it too seriously!
2016 Prediction Song: “Brand New Day” – Van Morrison
After a tragic and emotional 2015 season, the Crows will look towards new beginnings in the new year.
In 2016, it will be a new-look Crows. Dangerfield isn’t Adelaide’s danger man anymore. Don Pyke will be the man responsible to teach, challenge and lead the Crows to a consecutive finals appearance. There will also be a host of new names wearing the red, blue and yellow in 2016. Paul Seedsman, Curtly Hampton, Troy Menzel and Dean Gore have arrived, and all will no doubt be vying for a spot in the Crows’ best 22 come Round 1.
As well as adding new draftees Wayne Milera and Tom Doedee, the Crows will hope to get back youngster Brad Crouch, utility Andy Otten and defender Matthew Jaensch, all of whom missed a decent chunk of the 2015 season due to serious injuries.
It will be a new-look, new year and new era for the Adelaide Crows in 2016.
2016 Prediction Song: “Loyal” – Chris Brown
Brisbane’s 2016 theme song addresses the biggest issue they’ve faced over the past few years – loyalty.
Yes, they’ve lost games. Yes, they’ve been down the bottom of the ladder. And yes, they’re off-field financial issues haven’t helped. But too many players have walked out of Brisbane’s club and 2016 is the year for the Lions to show they are a strong and proud club and one which players want to play for.
The 2015 off-season was all about dodging a sequel to the ‘Homesick Five’ of 2013. This off-season, they disappointingly let James Aish and Jack Redden leave the club, despite being contracted. Matthew Leuenberger left via free agency, and the Lions said no thank you to former captain, Jed Adcock for 2016.
Despite the exits, they did bring in Tom Bell, Josh Walker, Jarrad Jansen and Ryan Bastinac. The Lions also welcomed key forward Josh Schache in the AFL Draft, along with academy players Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays.
Despite it only being December, the club had some exciting news to release earlier this week, with the announcement of three key contract extensions. Senior players Stef Martin, Mitch Robinson and Pearce Hanley all resigned, signalling a early and strong commitment to the club.
2016 Prediction Song: “The Only Way Is Up” – Yazz and the Plastic Population
This one was pretty simple. Carlton finished dead last in 2015; in what may of been one of their most disappointing and embarrassing AFL campaigns in recent memory.
If you finish 18th – the good news is – the only way is up.
Carlton absolutely cleared out their playing list over the off-season, and in 2016, the verdict will be out on some of their key drafting and trading decisions.
The future has to be bright. The kids they’ve drafted are talented and exciting. I anticipate a few more years at the bottom half of the table – but hey – the only way is up Blues fans… right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtKADQnjQmc
2016 Prediction Song: “Pressure” – Billy Joel
For my 2015 preseason ‘AFL Playlist’, I used this same song to describe Collingwood’s 2015 season. Fast forward almost a year and the same song applies heading in to 2016.
Collingwood undoubtedly had one of the most interesting and high profile off-seasons. When you bring in Adam Treloar, James Aish and Jeremy Howe, and trade out future draft picks and fringe players – the expectations immediately rise.
But with the fun and games over and the preseason warming up – the pressure will be on the Pies in 2016.
For two years in a row, the Pies have crumbled under the pressure of the second half of the season.
In 2016, the pressure will be on coach Nathan Buckley. The pressure – as always – will be on Travis Cloke and his goal kicking. And rightly so – the pressure will be on the big three recruits who will go from playing in front of 30,000 a week, to 80,000 passionate supporters.
2016 Prediction Song: “Let Us Move On” – Dido
Whether you support the Bombers or not, I think everyone in the AFL community believes it’s time to move on from this club destroying, game controlling and media suffocating saga that has dragged on for three years now.
With the WADA decision hanging over their heads, the Bombers are not in the clear yet.
But surely it’s time to let the players play and move on from this saga.
After two positive games of football to start 2015, it was evident when the WADA appeal was announced, the body language, the emotion and the will of the players to play changed.
It’s time to stop letting this ‘scandal’ control our game and our headlines every week.
Win, lose, draw – let the players play football.
2016 Prediction Song: “One Man Can Change The World” – Big Sean
Okay, ‘the world’ may be pushing it…but the point of this song is to beg the question – can one man, one player – Harley Bennell – change the Fremantle Dockers?
While most teams win games on defence or offence, the Fremantle Dockers win in the midfield. Their midfield is a powerful, elite cohort of stars who play selfless, contested and attacking football.
As is well documented, the Dockers’ defence at times is a little shaky, and their forwards struggle to kick enough goals to win games.
Pav is back for one last harrah, and in 2016, the Dockers may have one of the most underrated off-season recruits in Harley Bennell joining the purple army.
Bennell’s off-season issues are public, but his talents and star potential are yet to be fully exposed.
Can one player change a team? Can one player push his new side to its first premiership?
2016 Prediction Song: “Bring the Boys Back Home” – Pink Floyd
There’s not much explanation needed here. Simply put – the boys are back in town.
In trade week, the Cats pulled off one of the great off-seasons in recent years, acquiring Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson, Scott Selwood and Zac Smith.
Dangerfield and Henderson are now closer to home, while Scott Selwood joins his brother and captain, Joel, at Geelong. Zac Smith fills an important void for the Cats in recent years, and will no doubt thrive under some of Geelong’s great veterans and stars of the club.
The boys are definitely back – and I see no reason why the Cats can’t contend for a top four spot in 2016.
2016 Prediction Song: “Cold Day In the Sun” – Foo Fighters
2015 wasn’t the most enjoyable year for the Suns. With high hopes of making the finals preseason, the Suns finished in 16th place – after fighting off an array of injuries and off-field controversies.
Captain Gaz was no where to be seen, and Rodney Eade was back to Rocket Eade after consecutive disappointing performances.
If the 2015 AFL season was rough, the off-season was a little rougher for the Suns. The Suns said goodbye to controversial stars Harley Bennell and Charlie Dixon, while Zac Smith walked off to Geelong. The Suns brought in fringe ruckman Daniel Currie and West Coast veteran Matt Rosa. They lost out on the key signatures of high-flying Jeremy Howe and Collingwood’s Paul Seedsman.
Heading into 2016, there are already rumours swirling of the potential departures of star players Jaegar O’Meara and Dion Prestia.
It’s going to be another grind for the Suns this year, and I predict some miserable days ahead for the Suns in 2016.
2016 Prediction Song: “The Future Is Now” -The Offspring
This theme song is the same song used for the Giants in the 2015 AFL Playlist.
Since the inception of this club, experts have been tipping an exciting future for the Giants, mainly due to the crop of young guns the club brought in as 17-year-olds.
Despite losing Adam Treloar and Tom Bugg in the offseason, the club brought in veteran and superstar Steve Johnson and Dawson Simpson from the Cats.
On top of this, they played hardball on Cam McCarthy in the trade period, and managed to sign a host of upcoming stars on their list.
Think Jeremy Cameron. Think Dylan Shiel. Stephen Coniglio, Devon Smith and Will Hoskin-Elliott. These players all resigned in 2015.
There are no more excuses for the Giants.
The future is now.
2016 Prediction Song: “The Best There Ever Was” – Sleeping with Sirens
The Hawthorn Football Club – Are they the greatest AFL team of the modern era?
The Lions in the early 2000’s won three flags. The Cats won three in five years. And now the Hawks have achieved the extraordinary three-peat and will look to add another premiership cup to their trophy cabinet in 2016.
What’s scary is that there is no reason they can’t win a fourth in a row.
The Hawks may be already the best team of the modern era, but winning a fourth title in a row will surely cement their stature as the best there ever was.
2016 Prediction Song: “Things Can Only Get Better” – Howard Jones
After a really positive trade period and 2015 draft, things can only get better for the Melbourne Football Club.
Despite losing some pieces, the Dees had a solid off-season, bringing in Jake Melksham, Ben Kennedy and Tom Bugg from other clubs. They traded draft picks incredibly well and selected solid youngsters in Clayton Oliver and Sam Weideman.
The reality is the Dees are not ready and will not make the finals in 2016. However, if they can get games into their kids, play an exciting brand of football and bring fans back to the MCG, 2016 will be a success.
Petracca, Brayshaw, Viney, Hogan…things can only get better Dees fans!
2016 Prediction Song: “Jumpman” – Drake and Future
In 2015, the Roos were one win away from a grand final appearance against the Hawks. After blowing a lead against the Eagles in the prelim, the Roos were sent packing again after another topsy turvy season.
And in 2016, there is only one thing for the Roos to do…jump into a top-four spot and fight like hell to host a preliminary final in Melbourne.
The Roos have the squad. They have the coach. They have the fans and they have the belief. Now, it’s time to jump into 2016 with commanding and dominating performances, and cement yourself a top-four spot come September.
2016 Prediction Song: “Guess Who’s Back”– Rakim
After a dismal 2015 campaign, the Power were given ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends, by Green Day’ as their post 2015 theme song.
However, with the addition of Charlie Dixon, something tells me the Power will be ever present come September in 2016.
The Power will be back. Bigger. Stronger. Better.
2016 Prediction Song: “No More Excuses”– Kill The Alarm
Sorry Richmond, but in 2016, surely there can’t be any more excuses about not advancing past an elimination final, come September.
Like North Melbourne, it’s your time to challenge some of the AFL’s heavyweights and shake things up in the finals.
Adding Chris Yarran was the only major splash you made in the trade period – but is he enough to push you over the hump.
With Dustin Martin’s off-field behaviour creating a stir, can Richmond’s leaders step up and guide the team to some September success?
2016 Prediction Song: “Young, Wild and Free”– Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa
The Saints are young. The Saints are exciting. And the Saints and their potential in 2016 are unlimited.
The Dogs were the surprise team in 2015, but can the Saints replicate this and be the fairytale story of 2016?
Jake Carlisle – St Kilda’s biggest recruit over the summer – encapsulates this theme song the best – but can he regroup; prove all of his biggest doubters wrong and become a major defensive weapon for the Saints next year?
If the youngsters keep improving; captain Roo can keep on kicking and David Armitage can produce another brilliant season in the midfield, the Saints could be moving on up in 2016.
2016 Prediction Song: “Mystery Train”– Elvis Presley
Despite finishing fourth in 2015, the Sydney Swans are the greatest mystery heading into 2016, in my opinion.
Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Jetta and Adam Goodes are all gone, while youngsters Callum Sinclair and Michael Talia have been brought in.
If everyone at Sydney is clicking, the Swans could have a breakout year and make the grand final. However, their worst could see them falling out of the eight.
A mystery in my eyes, but I can’t wait to see what they deliver next season.
2016 Prediction Song: “I’ll See You Again”– Westlife
This theme song represents the fact that we haven’t seen the last of the West Coast Eagles on the grand final Stage.
Only a psychic could tell you if they’ll make the big dance in 2016, however, I predict the Eagles will finish 2-3 on the ladder and have another dominant home-and-away campaign.
The Eagles brought in two key players – Lewis Jetta and Jack Redden – and these two will no doubt help the Eagles see a lot of success in 2016.
Does anyone else want to see an all Western Australian grand final?
2016 Prediction Song:”Who Let The Dogs Out?” – Baha Men
There’s only one song to describe the Bulldogs’ 2015 season – ‘Who Let The Dogs Out?’
And now, as we head into 2016, this song still remains the strongest choice for the Dogs.
Like a few other clubs mentioned earlier, the potential of this team is limitless. They have the youth, they have the veterans and they have the stars.
If the Dogs can produce another exhilarating 22 weeks of football in 2016, other clubs will be trying to put the Dogs back in the kennel come September time.
Exciting times ahead.
Final Words
As I mentioned before, this article is just a bit of fun! These are all very early predictions, but I would love more suggestions for theme songs for each club… so give it a go!
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