The Roar's 2019 AFL ladder prediction - as voted by you!

Yesterday we asked you to help us predict the 2019 AFL ladder. Today, with just one night left until the new season, here are the results – who The Crowd tipped to finish where, and my own personal tips as well.

Adelaide Crows

The Crowd’s prediction: fifth
My prediction: first

Most are of the view that Adelaide will move back up the ladder this year. The Crowd has them going to the middle of the finals pack, they’re my premiership tip.

Brisbane Lions

The Crowd’s prediction: 13th
My prediction: eighth

Although the Lions are an exciting young side, The Crowd doesn’t have them moving too quickly up the ladder. Personally, I’m tipping they sneak into finals. Stranger things have happened.

Carlton Blues

The Crowd’s prediction: 16th
My prediction: 17th

Carlton should be better in 2019 than they were last year, but perhaps only because it would be nearly impossible to do otherwise. Starting to get an impressive stockpile of talent.

(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Collingwood Magpies

The Crowd’s prediction: second
My prediction: sixth

The return of Dayne Beams and some good luck on the injury front could help Collingwood improve again in 2019. But a lot of things lined up for them last year and I’d say a tougher 2019 draw will see them take a step back.

Essendon Bombers

The Crowd’s prediction: seventh
My prediction: seventh

After bringing the hype hard earlier in the year, poor preseason performances combined with injuries to Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker have dulled the expectation on Essendon. I’ll admit I was tempted to leave them out of the eight.

Fremantle Dockers

The Crowd’s prediction: 14th
My prediction: 16th

Although Freo landed some good talent over the offseason, there’s evidently still some work to be done putting the pieces together. Seem unlikely to make a radical leap forward.

Geelong Cats

The Crowd’s prediction: eighth
My prediction: tenth

The Cats were a middling side in 2018 and didn’t really fire a shot in finals. I’m tipping they won’t get the chance to this time, though The Crowd thinks they’ll sneak in.

Gold Coast Suns

The Crowd’s prediction: 18th
My prediction: 18th

In any given week, the Suns will be fielding somewhere between three to six blokes they picked up from the bus station on the way to the game. A few plucky wins will come but it’s hard not to see them copping the spoon.

Greater Western Sydney Giants

The Crowd’s prediction: sixth
My prediction: second

Don’t let the fact they lost some players last year fool you – the Giants are still the most talented list in the competition. I’m tipping their first grand final appearance, The Crowd has them a little lower.

(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Hawthorn Hawks

The Crowd’s prediction: tenth
My prediction: 12th

The Hawks looked a class below in finals last year, which would suggest the needle is pointing down. A broken leg for Tom Mitchell, likely to cost him all or most of the season, makes that more likely.

Melbourne Demons

The Crowd’s prediction: fourth
My prediction: third

The Dees made enormous progress last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if they need a season to catch up with themselves in 2019. That said, they have more muscle than any other side in the comp.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

The Crowd’s prediction: 12th
My prediction: 11th

Tempted to sneak North into my top eight somewhere, but it’s a tight one this in 2019. They’ve got abundant midfield depth, can it all work in concert?

Port Adelaide Power

The Crowd’s prediction: 11th
My prediction: 14th

Port missed finals last year and then traded out two key players, which would suggest a backwards step in 2019. Still, I wouldn’t rule them out as a surprise packet.

Richmond Tigers

The Crowd’s prediction: first
My prediction: fifth

The crowd’s tipping Richmond for the Meatloaf flag (two out of three ain’t bad), and the addition of Tom Lynch makes a pretty compelling case. I reckon they may have been tactically found a little, and the new rules won’t help.

St Kilda Saints

The Crowd’s prediction: 17th
My prediction: 13th

The Saints were a solid side for a few years – what’s a better indication, that, or 2018? Hard to say, but I’m being optimistic. That said, some of the injury news in the preseason has them feeling a little wobbly and they’ll be in the mix for the spoon if the wheels fall off.

Sydney Swans

The Crowd’s prediction: ninth
My prediction: ninth

Tipping Sydney to miss finals is a mistake made on a regular basis, and both myself and The Crowd are set up to get bowled over this year. Your move, Swans.

(Photo by Tony Feder/AFL Media/Getty Images)

West Coast Eagles

The Crowd’s prediction: third
My prediction: fourth

With some quality players to add to a side that won the premiership last year – and the looming threat of a Dom Sheed breakout – the Eagles should be thereabouts again.

Western Bulldogs

The Crowd’s prediction: 15th
My prediction: 15th

The Dogs have plenty of raw potential, but this doesn’t seem likely to be the year we see it unlocked.

The Crowd’s ladder prediction

1. Richmond Tigers
2. Collingwood Magpies
3. West Coast Eagles
4. Melbourne Demons
5. Adelaide Crows
6. GWS Giants
7. Essendon Bombers
8. Geelong Cats
9. Sydney Swans
10. Hawthorn Hawks
11. Port Adelaide Power
12. North Melbourne Kangaroos
13. Brisbane Lions
14. Fremantle Dockers
15. Western Bulldogs
16. Carlton Blues
17. St Kilda Saints
18. Gold Coast Suns

My ladder prediction

1. Adelaide Crows
2. GWS Giants
3. Melbourne Demons
4. West Coast Eagles
5. Richmond Tigers
6. Collingwood Magpies
7. Essendon Bombers
8. Brisbane Lions
9. Sydney Swans
10. Geelong Cats
11. North Melbourne Kangaroos
12. Hawthorn Hawks
13. St Kilda Saints
14. Port Adelaide Power
15. Western Bulldogs
16. Fremantle Dockers
17. Carlton Blues
18. Gold Coast Suns