With the trade period done and next season’s AFL fixture released, the road to 2018 has begun.
To add to that, here is my prediction for how the ladder will look after the home-and-away season.
1. Adelaide
They are an awesome side and the best team of 2017 heading into the grand final. They will continue this with the addition of Bryce Gibbs.
2. Greater Western Sydney
May have lost Steve Johnson but their best can certainly take them all the way. However, a third straight prelim final loss is predicted.
3. Sydney
Started 2017 0-6 then finished sixth. Their’s is an awesome team which includes some talented young players, and they always seem to have an impact.
4. Geelong
May have veterans gone, but still have Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood.
5. Richmond
Going from 13th to premiers, the Tigers have really stepped up their game.
6. Melbourne
Set to enjoy their best season in more a decade. Their spine looks just about set, they just need to continue on from last year and have better discipline.
7. Western Bulldogs
They will recover from last year’s drop and be back to their best.
8. West Coast
Have lost Drew Petrie, Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell, but will scrape into the eight again with the return of Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy.
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9. Port Adelaide
With the inability to defeat top sides I can’t see them being at their best in 2018.
10. Essendon
Lost Jobe Watson, and while they have talent in Joe Daniher and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, they will drop off from their 2017 finals appearance.
11. Fremantle
They’ll improve in 2018 but need to be a little more aggressive.
12. Hawthorn
Other than Tom Mitchell, their recruiting is not a pretty sight. Still a rebuilding side, but they’ll cause a few upsets.
13. St Kilda
Not a decent rebuild. A lot of fast players, but the skill isn’t there, particularly after losing Nick Riewoldt.
14. Collingwood
Defeated a few top eight sides in 2017, but need to perform less like seagulls at the chip and takes risks with pushing the ball forward.
15. North Melbourne
Still rebuilding, but should be back to their best in coming seasons with the talent of young players.
16. Brisbane
One of the youngest sides but they have an experienced coach and will be led by Luke Hodge, meaning more young players could prove to be stars.
17. Gold Coast
They have pace but are extremely sloppy.
18. Carlton
Need to improve on the depth of their midfield.
Denzel
Guest
Swap bulldogs and eagles with essendon ad port and put eagles fifteenth and gc last
Anthony
Guest
Lmao some people have limited idea and live in the bubble of only understanding whats happening with their side, delusional. Give me the reason why west coast should earn 8th spot in your books? They should finish somewhere from 12-18. They have lost players which will make them significantly slower with less experience. Port Adelaide should finish in the top 6 as they have also added to an already powerful side. Using the phrase ''they have the inability to defeat top 8 sides' is a joke and clearly you follow too much media crap lol. Collingwood will improve due to an easy run and there side inst as bad as people think. As long as they move the ball better they should be knocking on the door. Between 8th - 12th. Fremantle will not finish 11th as there list isnt strong enough at this stage. Bottom 4 is most likely. Essendon is alot stronger then your prediction. Your statement with Watson looses credibility due to the fact he was a burden on there side last year. The have added 3 players who will make that list a lot stronger and strengthen areas of there game such as attack, which already was powerful, and defense.They will finish top 6. Lastly, Geelong wont be as strong as you indicate. Lost a few back men which is experience and they simply lack pace. Other sides improvements will be a lot bigger then theirs which will see them slide to about 7th and maybe even struggle to make the 8. Thankyou
M.J
Guest
I have no idea how you could rate Essendon and Port Adelaide that low. The bombers have possibly the best attack in the game and are perhaps the quickest side in the game. Combine that with a friendly draw and they are a Monty to play in September. And Port have traded beautifully and will be near unbeatable at Adelaide oval.
Pelican
Guest
Just unimpressed.
Stephen
Guest
Agree. Big fan of Ben Brown. Most unlucky of all to miss All Australian selection for mine. Much more difficult playing forward in a bottom side. Just ask Jack Gunston.
Don Freo
Guest
That injury list I posted for Rusty explains much of 2017. Even more out (including Fyfe) in 2016. It will make a monster difference.
Stephen
Guest
They are an interesting case study Fremantle. Top five finish - 2013, 2014, 2015. Bottom five finish - 2016 and 2017. I guess my point is - 2018 is difficult for me to predict.
Don Freo
Guest
Unaware of his career?
Pelican
Guest
Freo need a new coach more than anything. Ross Lyon is good at lowering expectations and deflecting critical comments but thats all. Saints style rebuild will be needed when Ross is done with them.
Don Freo
Guest
You can believe everything I say. I'd love him at Freo...but he is just a good, skilled player, not a match winner. Port have recruited a bunch of middle of the road players (all with fingers crossed). None will make a difference to what Port already have. They just shuffled the names.
Stephen
Guest
Don Freo, You did state in a post last month that you were a fan of Jack Watts and would have liked him at Freo. What am I to believe sir?
Stephen
Guest
Well that's subjective. Only time will resolve this discussion.
Don Freo
Guest
That is not "much". That is a list of added players. Where is the "much" in that lot?
Stephen
Guest
Yes Cat. But if you don't take any calculated risks in football or life for that matter - nothing much changes. No trade is ever really risk free for mine.
Cat
Roar Guru
And all of them pushed out of their last clubs. Port has added a lot of question marks. Add Lindsey Thomas to the list too.
Stephen
Guest
Don, When you say 'Port hasn't added much at all' - they may argue, Trent McKenzie, Steven Motlop, Tom Rockcliff, Jack Trengrove and Jack Watts are meaningful additions.
Don Freo
Guest
I think that is Freo's ONLY area of need. Our medical and high performance staff have the same performance achievement as those that manage the Aussie fast bowlers.
Aransan
Guest
Don, I hope your medical and high performance staff are up to dealing with injuries and development. One gets suspicious if injuries become an ongoing concern.
samuel hogarth
Guest
fremantle all the way
Don Freo
Guest
Port hasn't added much at all. They'll miss...and drop down further. Essendon are more likely to fall short than make it. CERTAINLY no "certainty". My boys will return to their familiar place under Rossie...in the finals Look at Freo's additions (and I don't mean their trades and drafts) and be afraid. Just look through the injury list in their last 8 games and add them to this wonderful, wonderful side! As you can see, I'll be having a Happy Christmas because there is still the draft to come as well. ? Everything is beautiful?