With the 2018 trade period completed and the 2019 fixtures released, the drafts and delisted free agency periods are still to take place.
But with the picture for 2019 starting to clear up, let’s have a look at how I predict the ladder to look at season’s end.
1. Richmond Tigers
They are an awesome side and were best team of 2018 until Week 3 of the Finals. However, they will go one better in 2019 and make the grand final.
2. Collingwood Magpies
When the Pies started 2018 zero and two, nobody thought they would make the finals in 2018. However, they went on to finish third and lost the grand final by under a Kick. Will have a similar year.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)
3. West Coast Eagles
A team nobody thought would make the eight in 2018, but they went on claim their fourth flag and will succeed even more in 2019.
4. Essendon Bombers
My bolter for 2019. They will recover from last year’s drop and fire up next year.
5. Melbourne Demons
An outstanding team who made the final four for the first time since 2000. They include some younger talented players and always seem to have an immediate impact on the game.
6. Port Adelaide Power
With the loss of players such as Chad Wingard, I still see them bouncing back with plenty of talent across their line-up.
7. Greater Western Sydney Giants
They have a young and exciting group of players. Their best can certainly take them all the way.
8. Hawthorn Hawks
Defied the odds and finished fourth, however, I think they will just take the last spot in the 8.
9. North Melbourne Kangaroos
Had one of the fastest rebuilds in AFL History and will have a similar year to 2018, missing out on finals by percentage.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
10. Geelong Cats
I believe Geelong will dip down the ladder in 2019. The next few years will be development time for most of their players.
11. Sydney Swans
May have one of best forward line-ups, but I think they will drop out of the eight.
12. Fremantle Dockers
The final year of the four-year rebuild and have performed very well in the trade period gaining Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb. I can see them causing a few upsets.
13. Adelaide Crows
I can’t see them bouncing back in 2019 after a shock drop out of the eight in 2018.
14. Western Bulldogs
Since winning the 2016 premiership, they have evolved into a rebuilding side but should be back to their best soon with plenty of talented players.
15. Brisbane Lions
A young and upcoming side – they should be looking very exciting again in 2019.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
16. Carlton Blues
Will improve a bit. Plenty of their players should develop strongly this year.
17. St Kilda Saints
Very inconsistent, a lot of pace, but extremely sloppy. However, they will be back to their best soon.
18. Gold Coast Suns
Will need to continue to improve on the depth of the team if they want to see any improvement.
Now, here is how finals will play out next season
2019 AFL finals predictions
Week 1
Qualifying final 1: Richmond vs Essendon
Qualifying final 2: Collingwood vs West Coast
Elimination final 1: Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Elimination final 2: Port Adelaide vs Greater Western Sydney
Week 2
Semi-final 1: Essendon vs Hawthorn
Semi-final 2: Collingwood vs Port Adelaide
Week 3
Preliminary final 1: Richmond vs Port Adelaide
Preliminary final 2: West Coast vs Essendon
Week 4
Grand final: Richmond vs West Coast
2019 AFL Premiers: Richmond.
Dazza
Guest
Richmond make the grand final LMAO dreamin, omg the roar the roar what a joke.
Craig Johnstone
Roar Rookie
If I was to go purely off the Champion Data stats, baring in mind Adelaide have the second easiest draw, but their list is ranked the second best, I can definitely see the Crows improving this year. Having said that, my boys (West Coast Eagles), have got the 4th hardest draw, but even as reigning premiers, they are ranked as the 11th best list, & they weren't even predicted to finish in the finals last year & look what happened. Looking at the reigning premiers from the last 3 years (Western Bulldogs, Richmond & West Coast), all teams were not even considered to be in the premiership window. Knowing what we know & with the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fast approaching, it's fair to say that there will be plenty of surprise results (upsets), which I think is a fair point considering the competition has never been more open & the last 3 years have shown us that. Here's my predicted ladder for 2019: 1. West Coast 2. Richmond 3. Collingwood 4. Melbourne 5. Adelaide 6. Essendon 7. G.W.S 8. Geelong 9. North Melbourne 10. Hawthorn 11. Port Adelaide 12. Brisbane Lions 13. Sydney 14. St Kilda 15. Western Bulldogs 16. Carlton 17. Fremantle 18. Gold Coast Suns
Calm down don
Guest
As a freo fan I really hope don is taking the piss. Freo to sneak the 8 with a lucky run
anon
Roar Pro
I predicted the top 8 a few posts above this. Stop with the lying.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Don Freo quotes- Ballantyne is better than Eddie Bett's. Neale loves Ross and Freo he will never leave. We do not need Hogan. Lobb will not be best 22 will play for Peel. Freo will win 21 games in 2019 and be premiers. Good onya Don you might get one right one day.
Andrew Ramsay
Guest
Carlton above StKilda. No chance.
Shaw
Roar Rookie
You nailed it to the perch!
Paul D
Roar Guru
So a side that has won 20 games in the last 3 years is now going to win 21 in one year? Laughable. Do you teach creationism in your classes Don? The exclusion of all factual reasoning and clinging to blind adherence seems your stock in trade.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's different...again...to what you just said. Pick a position and keep that position at least for two posts in a row. I wonder if you know that that game was last year. Nevertheless, what has that to do with anything? Back to the challenge of this article that you conveniently ignore. Have a go at predicting even the top 8. You are unlikely to even try the top 2.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
The eight will include Eagles, Collingwood, Richmond, GWS, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Essendon and Port. Hawthorn, Geelong and Sydney and Adelaide to miss out. Richmond will not make GF they win most of their games at home and will be knocked out in first week of finals. Freo will improve but just miss out on finals. Ross Lyon will be gone as coach. Carlton will not get wooden spoon that will go to Gold Coast. Brisbane will be surprise package. St Kilda and Bulldogs will not improve much. I could be completely wrong of course. Let’s see. As much as I want it don’t think Eagles will go back to back but will still be very hard to beat. I am perhaps going to pick Melbourne to do it maybe Collingwood. Eagles will do it again in 2020 though.
David
Roar Rookie
You say West Coast after claiming their fourth flag last year, will “succeed even more in 2019”. In 2019: • You have them third, after they finished second last year. • You have them Runners Up, after winning it last year. Something’s not right?
User
Roar Rookie
Spot on matto, I've been saying it since I joined the roar that list wise Geelong are heading for the cliff Thelma and Louise style, cannot see where the improvement will come from. No slight on the organisation but the list mngmt has been for two years ago and the decision to take Kelly was always baffling as he was always set to leave at some stage. Now with the delisting of Menzel it looks like extra pressure on Hawkins as who else is their noted fwds? Dalhaus is a high half fwd not a goal kicker and Rohan is a if. Is danger able to produce at an even higher level as that is only way Geelong are a possible lower finalist.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I seem to remember similar forecasts for Richmond in 2018. What went wrong,do you think? Coleman medallist,7AA players,two games clear,17 home games and the Tigers still couldn't do it.
New York Hawk
Roar Rookie
I have heard it all now. Poor Don Freo never got ever the the Dockers inability to beat the Hawks when it mattered.
anon
Roar Pro
They are a rudderless team, poorly managed. I don't know what you're arguing. Their round 22 performance against Geelong was arguably the worst performance in the last 120 years.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Well, that's different to what you usually say. Your standard comment is that every player is outstanding, it's the best list but it's all Ross' fault. No excuses. Now, you reckon they are hopeless and have excuses because they're not good enough. You've covered every base so that by the end of the year one of them might be right and you'll say you predicted it. I notice you never make a prediction despite claiming to have made them. C'mon, have a go. Do you know the teams in the AFL?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's just how it unfolded. I was so surprised to see Freo do that well...but...there you go.
big four sticks
Guest
Fantastic article. One of the best pieces I have ever read on this website. You clearly know your football.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Unlike your dreams, Don's never come true. His ladder is a shambles for all to see.
anon
Roar Pro
5th worst defence in the league, 3rd worst for inside 50's, now lost a key component of that midfield, miles off the pace. Poorly coached side, big cultural issues.