Here are my early picks for the top eight in the 2019 AFL season.
1. Richmond
They will be hurting more than any other side during the pre-season. Very rarely does a side finish two games clear at the end of the season and get bundled out in the prelim.
Getting Tom Lynch will make them less predictable up forward and frees up Dustin Martin to play in the midfield where he is most damaging. Their blueprint for success is there in the form of Jack Darling.
2. Collingwood
They will be hurting almost as much as Richmond after missing out on a premiership by a solitary kick, albeit a controversial one.
Dayne Beams adds to their midfield depth and possibly frees up Scott Pendlebury to play as a general in defence in a similar manner to how Hawthorn used Luke Hodge.
Jamie Elliot coming back from injury will give opposition coaches another headache to deal with.
3. Essendon
Their form in the second half of the season was impressive enough to indicate a surge up the ladder. The inclusion of Dylan Shiel will cover for their lack of a strong bodied midfielder.
A top-four finish is contingent upon Joe Daniher finding his All-Australian form.
4. West Coast
The loss of Scott Lycett on top of not having Nic Naitanui plus the possibility of a premiership hangover has them sliding down to 4th.
5. Melbourne
The inclusion of Steven May and Jake Lever coming back strengthens their defence. Doubts remain over whether their midfield can challenge the sides that finished above them.
The loss of Jesse Hogan means they will be banking on Sam Wiedemann to come good as their second tall forward.
6. Adelaide
It’s rare for the Crows to have two poor seasons in a row. Expect them to bounce back. Undoubtedly the drama of their preseason camp interrupted their preparation in 2018.
7. Hawthorn
Expect them to float around the fringe of the eight for most of the season. Their ability to win close games should see them hold on to a spot in the eight.
8. Geelong
Should win enough games at GMHBA stadium to finish in the eight.
eric
Guest
the gold coast suns and freo and north and geelong and melboune red and
Graeme
Roar Rookie
Where is Robert Walls when we need him?
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Spoken like a gentleman, Big Four Sticks. It’s all over now, bar the shouting.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
It is good to see that you have Richmond on top. We will be like Essendon were in 2000, yet we will not drop a game, before going on to win the flag. The rest of the AFL is on notice: underestimate Richmond at your own peril! 2019 is the year of the Tiger!
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
I can almost agree with your top 8 but think that the Roos will be in their somewhere. Injuries could determine who does or doesn't make it. Even so, I think the Crows will miss again leaving a space for the Roos. The order and who makes top 4 could be just a matter of percentage and scheduling could assist that, eg on a very wet weekend pouring with rain it would be an advantage to play at Marvel instead of the MCG. Could affect places on ladder and within the 8.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Goalless in the first half I mean.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Collingwood were worthy Grand Finalists. Watching them dismantle Richmond in the Prelim was quite a sight, then West Coast holding Melbourne goalless in the other Prelim, you could sense a tight GF was on the cards... although the 5 goal blowout at the start of the GF did initially suggest otherwise.
Klompy
Roar Rookie
My top Six for the 2019 afl Season is. 1 West Coast Eagles. 2 Essendon 3 Collingwood. 4 Adelaide. 5 Port Adelaide. 6 Richmond. 7 Hawthorn. 8 Fremantle. I think GWS and Melbourne along with Sydney Swans will be the biggest Sliders in 2019.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The Pies are aware of that Joe. If we had have held on after the Eagles were peppering the inside 50's in that last and missing gettable goals it would have all been about the one that got away for the Eagles. After the first 20 minutes of the game, we were barely hanging on and ultimately the Eagles beat us 3-0 in 2018. We need to get better to take luck out of the equation if we want to win the flag as the Pies and Grand Finals are not mutually compatible. The past two flags we have won by 48 points and 56 respectively, with the 56 point win after barely surviving a draw thanks to the one bit of luck in the Pies modern grand final history. The ball bounced the wrong way for Milne.
Gary
Roar Rookie
What controversial kick are you talking about? You do realise West Coast had 5 more scoring shots than Collingwood... I would think Collingwood is aware they were lucky the margin wasn't greater. Top 3 : WC, Coll, Rich - Any order 4 - 6 : Melb, Ade, GWS - Any order 7 - 8 : Syd, Haw, Ess, Bris, Freo - Any two