With the year changing from 2015 to 2016, attention moves towards the next AFL season. So here is a fresh ladder, finals and awards forecast for you.
1. West Coast
A great team with a great list (including Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis and Josh Kennedy) and they are currently the most defensive side in the competition.
2. Hawthorn
The premier side in the AFL will be aiming for a fifth-straight grand final and possibly a fourth-straight flag.
3. Fremantle
A classy side but not quite in the same league as Hawthorn and West Coast. Though with the loss of Luke McPharlin and the gaining of Harley Bennell, I can see them creating club history.
4. Sydney
The Swans will bounce back after a disappointing 2015 finals campaign and will have a similar year to 2013 and 2014 by playing good defensive football again. They will have to cope without Lewis Jetta and Adam Goodes, however.
5. Port Adelaide
Plenty of class, though being without Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries will be difficult.
6. Western Bulldogs
Will produce a follow-up season to backup a wonderful season in 2015 under new coach Luke Beveridge.
7. North Melbourne
Have made the preliminary final three times (1997, 2014 and 2015) from the bottom half of eight. North Melbourne will play some great football with the likes of Nick Dal Santo, Jarrad Waite, Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie.
8. Collingwood
They were finals-bound in mid-season but trailed off. With players like Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke and Dane Swan, however, there should still be enough for them to return to the finals after missing the last two.
9. Richmond
Can’t see them in top eight, reflecting on their last three finals campaigns.
10. Geelong
Had a disappointing end to 2015. The Cats may have gained Patrick Dangerfield but I still can’t see them in top eight for 2016.
11. Greater Western Sydney
They were finals bound mid-season in 2015 but suffered an injury crisis and are still not ready for September action.
12. Adelaide
Have a harder draw after having a wonderful year following the death of coach Phil Walsh. They will drop off.
13. St Kilda
There is a lot to like about the Saints as they are currently in the rebuilding stage, and possess a young and upcoming roster.
14. Gold Coast
Had a poor season in 2015 and will finish lower if Gary Ablett misses out on much of the season.
15. Melbourne
Had an average season in 2015 and the same thing will occur in 2016, though they have a young and upcoming roster as well.
16. Essendon
It is hard to place Essendon on the ladder. The Bombers will finish bottom three, with 12 players out through suspension for 2016.
17. Carlton
Had a poor season last year but will soon rebuild under new coach Brendon Bolton, who has a brilliant record.
18. Brisbane
Certainties for the wooden spoon due to the loss of James Aish, Matthew Leuenberger and Jack Redden. But they will soon climb back up the ladder.
Finals
Week 1
Qualifying final 1: West Coast defeat Sydney
Qualifying final 2: Hawthorn defeated by Fremantle
Elimination final 1: Port Adelaide defeat Collingwood
Elimination final 2: Western Bulldogs defeated by North Melbourne
Week 2
Semi-final 1: Sydney defeat Port Adelaide
Semi-final 2: Hawthorn defeat North Melbourne
Week 3
Preliminary final 1: West Coast defeat Hawthorn
Preliminary final 2: Fremantle defeat Sydney
Week 4
Grand final: West Coast defeated by Fremantle
Awards
Brownlow Medal: Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) or Dan Hanneberry (Sydney)
Coleman Medal: Josh J Kennedy (West Coast)
Norm Smith Medal: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
jax
Guest
I'm expecting WC to improve and fairly significantly. Where they finish up is another story but a WC fan couldn't ask for more from the group this early in the year. This time last year they had 29 players on the track including Ezy and Brown, this year they have 40 players on the track and they are training the absolute house down with elite fitness, skills and ball movement. Jetta and Redden both said they are really impressed with the standards and fitness levels at WC but then again every experienced recruit says that when he compares WC training to where they came from eg Wellingham. Just as importantly they are all very good mates. Simmo has acknowledged that he's never seen a group this tight off the field. WC is also the fittest team in the comp (arguably) and reduced interchanges will play right into their hands. If WC can keep their spine together and have a reasonable run with injuries they'll be in it up their necks. Hopefully the Hawks come to Perth for the prelim (instead of the QF) so that we can bundle them out. An all interstate GF would be nice. I can't see the Hawks finishing higher than WC on the ladder after the H&A at this stage.
Stewie
Guest
The standards on the articles here have been slipping a bit lately :P
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Just leave it to Mastermind or someone who has a clue. This is woeful. Sorry, but can anyone take this seriously?
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Not a chance either of those teams will make the GF, WC over performed massively and Rosco's gameplay won't allow Free to go past a prelim. Port V Hawks GF for mine, Port to roll over the top early in the forth when the old blokes at Hawthorne run out of steam. Mark it down.
Black Jack
Guest
Hahahaa..thats the funniest GF prediction ever.. and to leave hawthorn out. but a WA derby GF is quite possible...but seriously...West Coast now have too many quality additions not to capitalise on their return to the big dance. they got there before without their formal backline structure. if they get that far, and the injury gods smile on them this season, itll be a different Eagle, theyll be rock solid and ruthless, be it freo or hawks or...i'm being the cocky eagles fan this i know, but i suggest from round 1, certainly by round 5, the competition will look upon us...then some distance.....then the rest...shock and awe baby!! dont you love it, preseason passion! ((;
Stewie
Guest
These sorts of articles are always tricky. You'll always miss out on something. For example, the Swans have not only lost Jetta and Goodes, but also Shaw, Pyke and Bird. It could be a new look Swans in 2016.
David C
Guest
Richmond will be top 4. Doggies won't be able to repeat last seasons great effort. They'll miss the 8 as will Collingwood.
David C
Guest
Not the first time I've seen Carlton overrated. Between Essendon and Carlton for the spoon.
Hrundi V Bakshi
Guest
Essendon will have 15 odd blokes on it's list now without AFL level base fitness. A dead cert to come home with a wooden spoon. Almost a certainty to be winless. They would have to get some guns outside of the system which is highly unlikely with 18 clubs combing the nation for anything that is even half decent. To be honest, who really has any sympathy for them? And why would you? They deliberately and systematically went about trying to get an unfair edge on the rest of the competition. If we were serious the Essendon football club would be barred for the season as well.
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
Derby grand final: I like it!
Victor
Guest
9thmond again with Hardwick sacked
Trent
Guest
Geez you really have an axe to grind with Brisbane don't you. Given we didn't finish last with the injury list we had, i struggle to see how it happens this year. Funny how you mention 3 players who we lost as big impacts yet none of them did much on field in 2015 at all.