These are the question marks that hover over the 18 AFL clubs ahead of the 2020 season.
Adelaide Crows
Who cares?! They had their review but will it actually change anything? I think they have too many good players to be in the bottom four but don’t see them bothering the eight come September.
Brisbane Lions
Was it a fluke?! No, the real question is can they win a final? To go out the way they did raises alarm bells and they need to focus on not becoming a one-hit wonder or we could have Melbourne 2.0.
Carlton Blues
Eddie Betts is back yet the Baggers are still useless. Can they rise above the easy-beat moniker? I still think bottom four is calling. It’s a shame as I would like to see them be the big club they were so many years ago.
(AAP Image/Michael Dodge)
Collingwood Magpies
Can they take their game to the next level and achieve ultimate success? Player management is the key. Healthy players win grand finals. No gambling would help, too.
Essendon Bombers
Essendon have found themselves being a very meh team of late. Hopefully it’s more than just Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti playing footy.
Fremantle Dockers
Freo might as well heeve-ho 2020 and just use the year to get some experience. No questions other than will Justin Longmuir be a good coach and make them relevant. Poor Nat Fyfe.
Geelong Cats
Are they too old? Danger’s favourite hobby is fishing and he wants to live at Moggs Creek – the man was born 80. Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor and Gary Ablett are all getting on in age but will they be the fine wine or the past-its-used-by-date milk?
Gold Coast Suns
Seriously, I thought no one cared about Adelaide but this club has to do something before even Gill McLachlan begins not caring. They have some good players now and the younger guys have had a taste of AFL footy, time to convert that into wins.
(Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Greater Western Sydney
Will the big, big sound be as big this year? The team is stacked with stars and will be there in September but that big sound needs to be more like The Who rather than Play School when it counts.
Hawthorn Hawks
Can the Hawks become the juggernaut that they once were? September calls with Tom Mitchell coming back.
Melbourne Demons
What chalet will they book for September? I can’t see the Dees making an impact in 2020 but can they be a hoodoo side and get some form back?
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Should they just move to Hobart? It seems that they are more confident in their home away from home. Still a bit of work to do before the Roos bounce into the eight.
Port Adelaide Power
Never tear us apart! Because we can do that ourselves. Honestly no questions other than how long until you become relevant. Honestly, they are their own worst enemy and until they get out of their own way they will be in the bottom eight.
Richmond Tigers
Just keep being you! While Alex Rance is a huge loss, they proved that they can do it without him. The question is will they be able to keep blooding new players to keep the experience there?
(Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
St Kilda Saints
Well that was a big off-season! Lots expected from the Saints this year but I still don’t see them being a premiership contender.
Sydney Swans
Should we call it a rebuild now or Round 6? The Swans will most likely be on their end-of-season trip in September but a good opportunity for John Longmire to blood some of the younger talent.
West Coast Eagles
The only question is can they win it all? It’s between them and those legends at Punt Road. Tim Kelly added to that midfield is scary. Can’t wait to see him teamed up with Nic Nat.
Western Bulldogs
On paper the Dogs are one of the top teams in the comp and I feel like last year may have been enough to get a bit more bite behind the bark.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Baa'aa'aa.
Sir Ossis
Guest
19th question. Is Jordan Dawson the best kick in the AFL?
RT
Roar Rookie
Actually the thread started with PTS saying Geelong can win the flag.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Once again I was discussing with Brendon how Geelongs home and away record will affect their ladder position. So finals are irrelevant. I know I am wasting my time discussing the actual facts but Richmond have a seriously bad record in finals in the last 30 years. The exception is 2019 and 2017.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Are you joking TTF. Non stop bleating.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Tigers are no doubt the team to beat but as 2018 showed against the Pies and as GWS showed against us last year, it only takes one bad final at the wrong time and your out.
Steve J
Roar Guru
Fremantles big question is can they get there big men on the field all together? Pearce, Taberner, Lobb, Hogan, Darcy and Hamling are all either injured or coming back from injury. If they are all fully fit and available for the majority of the season then Freo will worry a lot of teams That Longmuir will play the kids is a given, especially since he has the unseen talents of Valente and Sturt from last year and then Youg, Serong and Henry from the most recent draft.
Steve J
Roar Guru
September calls for Hawthorn if Tom Mitchell comes back in? I would think that the Hawks have bigger issues than one midfielder
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Hey Pete, i agree, I am not overly confident about West Coast we were very ordinary last year mate, this year 2 things need to happen (a) Fire in the belly (b) Not dropping of in games The Tigers will take some beating
JamesH
Roar Guru
That's not what I meant Peter and I think you know that. The snark does you no favours.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Finals are irrelevant? Yep, I gotcha.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
TTF we are talking about Cats away from him during the regular season. Relevance? Why don’t you compare the Cats vs Tigers record over the last 15. How about the Tigers in the last 30.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Jollywobbles hahaha sounds like Billy brownless
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Why not? We hung tough and overcame them without ever offering injury as an excuse. Yet you use a couple of missing players as the only thing that stopped the Cats from lifting the trophy. Cry me a river.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
What about Geelong's finals record at the G? Some serious Jollywobbles there, Toots.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I had you down for fifth. Like last year, a lucky win or unlucky loss can decide the four. Even injuries.... don’t mention that to Tiger supporters.
Nico
Roar Rookie
I hope Lions and Port do surprise. Port are a great team. Just need to “click” more regularly/often.
Nico
Roar Rookie
+ Bulldogs. West Coast with toughest draw are unlikely.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
tigers,westcost,bulldogs. cats and colliwobbles no chance.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Actually Brendon, the Cats has a better record at the MCG than home last year. They beat Richmond, Hawthorn, Essendon and the Pies at the Gee, GC in GC, Adelaide in Adelaide, North at Marvel and Sydney in Sydney. Your statement is just wrong.