With the calendar moving from 2019 to 2020, our attention now moves towards the countdown towards the 2020 AFL season.
Here are my crystal ball predictions for 2020.
Ladder
1. Richmond Tigers
They may have lost Alex Rance to retirement, but this team has now become one of the best modern-era sides, having won two premierships in three years.
2. Geelong Cats
They defied the odds to finish as minor premiers in 2019, but I don’t see that happening in 2020 despite a huge amount of elite players.
3. Greater Western Sydney Giants
They’ll be stronger in 2020 than in 2019, when they were lucky to make the grand final and were annihilated as Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield and Phil Davis all fit and returning.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
4. West Coast Eagles
The Eagles will also be stronger in 2020 than last season, when they were denied another top-four finish and were eliminated in the semi-final, with the addition of Tim Kelly and an elite line-up of players such as Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy.
5. Collingwood Magpies
They’ll be a great side in 2020 but will drop off despite a list full of gun players.
5. Brisbane Lions
After an impressive 2019 they’ll have a harder draw in 2020. With the loss of Luke Hodge, I think the Lions will drop a few places despite a wonderful young side.
7. Hawthorn Hawks
They’ll bounce back with the return of Tom Mitchell after a disappointing 2019, having nearly made the finals.
8. Western Bulldogs
They have a great line-up of midfielders, with Marcus Bontempelli and co and with Tim English improving even more. I can see the Dogs producing a follow-up season to 2019.
(Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
9. North Melbourne Kangaroos
With a great new coach, the return of Majak Daw and talented midfield and forward line-ups, especially including Ben Brown, the Roos will just fall short of a finals berth.
10. Essendon Bombers
With their reliance on star players and John Worsfold heading into his final year as coach, I cannot see this team following up from 2019.
11. Melbourne Demons
Mark my words, the Dees are on the up in 2020. They may not make the eight, but they will have their midfield issues resolved. Their defence line, which includes Steven May and Jack Lever, should help them have a stronger year than 2019.
12. Fremantle Dockers
With the return of Jesse Hogan, the loss of Bradley Hill and a new coach, the Dockers will show some improvement on recent years to win a large number of home games and some away games.
(Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
13. Port Adelaide Power
They’ve lost a few elite players, such as Patrick Ryder, and will enter a rebuilding phase.
14. Sydney Swans
This team features Buddy Franklin and a few young kids and will continue to rebuild. Aliir Aliir is a gun, but the loss of Zak Jones as well as some veteran players will see the team continue languishing outside of finals contention.
15. Carlton Blues
More improvement will come in 2020 under David Teague with a decent young team all around with Mitch McGovern, Charlie Curnow and Cade Simpson.
16. Adelaide Crows
A rebuild will be coming along in 2020 with the loss of Eddie Betts. Taylor Walker also appears to be out of form.
17. St Kilda Saints
With the loss of Jack Stevens and Josh Bruce and the gaining of Bradley Hill, I can’t see this team improving further in 2020
18. Gold Coast Suns
Woe continues for the Suns, but they should rise in coming years.
Finals
Week 1
Qualifying final 1: Richmond vs West Coast
Qualifying final 2: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
Elimination final 1: Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs
Elimination final 2: Brisbane vs Hawthorn
Week 2
Semi-final 1: West Coast vs Western Bulldogs
Semi-final 2: Geelong vs Brisbane
Week 3
Preliminary final 1: Richmond vs Brisbane
Preliminary final 2: Greater Western Sydney vs West Coast
Week 4
Grand final: Richmond vs Greater Western Sydney
Premiers: Greater Western Sydney
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Coleman Medal: Ben Brown (North Melbourne)
alexander
Guest
Eagles will win
Benjamin
Guest
2020 AFL Grand final 2019 Grand final rematch GWS v Tigers
poordemons
Guest
One down so far.
Poordemons
Guest
Obviously a croweater.
Shane
Guest
Good luck with that, mostly interesting but cant see the unpredicatable GWS getting it right 3 games in a row. If they don't meet Richmond in the last game they are a good chance. And if Rance comes back ... 17 teams can look to 2021,
Scott
Guest
Still finished 7th in the goalkicking despite missing 2 games and having no preseason. Also played the least amount of minutes he has in his career. Also still bloody quick as far as full forwards go, even now
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I was talking about Kennedy. Cooked.
Scott
Guest
Yeah I’m a bit confused by the slow FF issue comment as well. Was he talking about West Coast? Kennedy, Darling and Allen are fast as F. Petracelle is pushing for fastest player in the comp, whilst Ryan and Cripps are lightning quick. Venables and Jarrod Cameron would be the next in line who are both incredibly fast as well. Plus they had Rioli until their final game last year. What the hell, where did that comment come from? They very likely have the fastest mix of small and tall forwards in the comp. Name me a team that’s quicker and I’ll happily pay it, Richmond perhaps? I honestly don’t know
RT
Roar Rookie
If Taylor kicked the goal... who knows what chain of events that would have lead to? Maybe if Dangerfield didn't stage so badly for his goal he might have played a better second half. Perhaps whatever Dusty said to him after that played on his mind. We do know what actually did happen though. Richmond kicking 8 goals to 2 in the second half.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I only said top 8 not top 4.
Nico
Roar Rookie
I really hope you are right. We have the toughest draw. I’ll be proud of the boys if they make the 8.
Kompy
Guest
Sorry Yattuzzi I will put the Poor Cats in 10 position and Put Adelaide third and Adelaide 4th.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
No it is Not I should put of the cold pies 18th Peter the Scribe.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
New coach, new decade. They only need to win one maybe two more games. Keep your cash but you can hold me too it. I won’t do an anon.
Realist
Guest
There's absolutely no way Adelaide will make the 8. I'll take any genuine bet on Adelaide.
A Iyer
Guest
Pies will be much stronger if they can manage to keep Moore and de Goey fit for the whole season. Essendon were just calamitous losses away from 6th spot which would have meant a home final. ANd they achieved without Bellcho for nearly 10 games and obviously Joe for nearly the whole season. There is real quality in the midfield. Shiel had a slow start in 2019 but grew into the setup as the season progressed, he will step up. Merrett can only improve from here. If our skipper and Zaharakis can give use a full season then this list can aim higher than 8th spot. You are being a little harsh on St Kilda - Losing Steven was bad but still think that they had a very good trade period. I will probably swap Saints with Power. Power's rebuilding phase has just begun. Richmond and just.... Richmond... Hard to see anyone else winning the flag.
Dean
Guest
Your reasoning for the Hawks to slide and not make the 8 is that they are too old but you have the Pies and Eagles both their who are an older team on average. Quality of a list rather than age will determine if a team will challenge for the 8. I expect the Hawks to make the 8, form in the second half of the year proved they can match the top sides in the comp. Mitchell is a big inclusion, will make a big difference. Not sure about the Demons making the 8, need to change more than just how they play.
Thatsashame
Roar Rookie
Hawks won't be there. They'll slide further down. Too old. Cats will be top 4, not just because if home ground. They're a good team and had Taylor kicked the goal in the 2nd quarter for a 27 point in prelim, they win the premiership. Tigers,Eagles, Pies, GWS also certainties. Last 3 spots out of Brisbane, Bombers, Doggies, Demons, Expecting Blues and Saints to rise.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Put wce at fifth, Ess and Haw out and Port and Adelaide in. Collingwood looks just right.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
That's a brave prediction, I like it, except for Port not being premier.