With the AFL draft having been completed, let’s preview every team’s 2019 season.
Adelaide
The Crows experienced a disappointing drop from grand finalist to 12th over the past few seasons, due mainly to injuries. I think they will bounce back in 2019 and will make the eight.
Predicted finish – Eighth
Brisbane
They have gained Lachie Neale and lost Dayne Beams. They will have a great forward line in 2019 and should have a similar year to 2018.
Predicted finish – Fifteenth
Carlton
A young side who has gained Mitch McGovern and have delisted four players. Will be back to their very best soon.
Predicted finish – Sixteenth
Collingwood
An amazing rise from 13th to runner-up. The Magpies have a great lineup of players including Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, Mason Cox and Adam Treloar who will all be unstoppable in 2019.
Predicted finish – Third
Essendon
They have gained Dylan Shiel. They will have a stronger year in 2019 after a shock drop out of the eight with players including Joe Daniher, Jake Stringer, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley.
Predicted finish – Fourth
Fremantle
The final year of their four-year rebuild. They have gained Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb which is a boost for the Dockers. I can see them causing a few upsets.
Predicted finish – Twelfth
Geelong
The Cats may have elite players including Gary Ablett and Patrick Dangerfield but I believe the next few years will be development time for most of their players.
Predicted finish – Tenth
Joel Selwood. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Gold Coast
I am predicting another long year for the Suns. They have lost a few star players and will need to continue to improve on the depth of the team.
Predicted finish – Eighteenth
Greater Western Sydney
Have lost a few players but still have an exciting number of young stars including Jeremy Cameron.
Predicted finish – Sixth
Hawthorn
The Hawks defied the odds and made top four. They have gained Chad Wingard and Tom Scully but I still think they will dip down the ladder.
Predicted finish – Seventh
Melbourne
Has a strong Lineup including Max Gawn. Although losing Jesse Hogan, they have gained Steven May and will have a similar year to 2018.
Predicted Finish – Fifth
North Melbourne
Had one of the fastest rebuilds in 2018. Has a strong lineup of players but I can’t see them pushing for finals again in 2019.
Predicted finish – Thirteenth
Port Adelaide
Have gained Scott Lycett and has an amazing lineup of players. They have also lost Chad Wingard and I believe they will just miss out on Finals.
Predicted finish – Ninth
Richmond
Richmond were the best team in 2018 leading into the third week of the finals. They gained Tom Lynch and have a great team which also includes Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin. Will go one better and claim the 2019 premiership.
Predicted finish – Second
St Kilda
Very inconsistent, a lot of pace, but extremely sloppy. Gaining Dan Hannebery may be a boost for the Saints but they should be back at their best soon.
Predicted finish – Seventeenth
Sydney
Had a disappointing year at the SCG having only won 5 Games and have one of best forward line-ups as well as losing Dan Hannebery and I think they will drop out of the eight.
Predicted finish – Eleventh
West Coast
A team everybody had dropping out of the eight in 2018. However, they finish second and claimed their fourth flag.
Mark Lecaras has retired and Nic Natanui maybe out for a fair bit of the season but still has an amazing lineup of players.
Predicted finish – First
Western Bulldogs
Since winning the 2016 premiership, they have evolved into a rebuilding side and have gained Sam Lloyd. Will have a similar year to 2018.
Predicted finish – Fourteenth
The bounce of the ball was very kind to James Rowbottom.
Gold Coast were supposed to be the easy-beats this year. Before their one-point loss to St Kilda, they were 25-point underdogs on the road.
