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How will the 2022 AFL ladder end up?

Roar Rookie
18th February, 2022
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Roar Rookie
18th February, 2022
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My friends and I made our annual AFL 2022 season ladder predictions on our podcast called Tha Poscast.

There were a few surprise calls made in choosing teams positions. I decided to put Sydney in third position, which would be a remarkable achievement if they managed it.

Carlos is also bullish on the Swans, predicting Isaac Heeney to make a run at acquiring the Brownlow Medal this year.

Ezra has gone to the other side of NSW in his predictions, claiming that GWS will sneak into eighth spot.

GWS are a resilient team. They showed that last year after starting the season 0-3. They ended up making a semi-final.

However, missing their main player Toby Greene for the first five games will make it difficult.

Toby Greene of the Giants rues a missed shot on goal

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Donal’s ladder
There are a few relatively straightforward predictions towards the top of the table. I hope.

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We’ve seen in the past few years, teams have bolted from lower down the ladder to a top-four berth.

The most notable was Melbourne going from finishing outside the top eight in 2020 to winning the premiership in 2021.

Essendon exceeded a lot of people’s expectations last year. I have them finishing seventh. Richmond are another side that could rise again and threaten the top four.

Being a Lions fan myself, I’m excited for the year ahead. However, they’ll need to start better than last season and not let the loss of Eric Hipwood impact them too much.

Hawthorn in last spot will be a mistake. Sam Mitchell will be a good coach.

1. Dees
2. Lions
3. Swans
4. Bulldogs
5. Power
6. Tigers
7. Dons
8. Cats
9. Blues
10. Saints
11. Dockers
12. Giants
13. Pies
14. Eagles
15. Crows
16. Kangaroos
17. Suns
18. Hawks

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Ezra’s ladder
Ezra has put good faith in Richmond, expecting them to bounce back into the top four. If they do, there will be some nervous teams come finals time.

Melbourne will start off slowly but finish the season strong, surging into third. Geelong are in the top eight once again. They are a very difficult team to write off.

He’s gone the same as me with Port Adelaide missing the top four after consecutive preliminary finals.

Carlton in 13th would be not welcome for the Blues’ faithful. Although the absence of Sam Walsh to begin the season is telling.

If they can beat Richmond in Round 1, then they might surprise a few teams. Suns finishing in last spot would be bad news for Stuart Dew.

1. Lions
2. Bulldogs
3. Demons
4. Tigers
5. Power
6. Swans
7. Cats
8. Giants
9. Dockers
10. Dons
11. Eagles
12. Saints
13. Blues
14. Pies
15. Hawks
16. Crows
17. Kangaroos
18. Suns

Hugh Mcluggage of the Lions celebrates after scoring a goal

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

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Carlos’ ladder
Carlos has been more adventurous with his selections. Carlton will make their first finals appearance since 2013, claiming their list is good enough.

He has Freo to play in finals for the first time since finishing minor premiers in 2015. Carlos believes that both Richmond and Geelong have reached their peak and are on the downwards trajectory.

Richmond are in 15th spot, condemning Tigers to their lowest finish since 2010. Geelong will miss the finals for only the second time in ten years.

The top four is pretty sound, with the Dees continuing where they left off. Carlos has the Dons finishing two spots higher than last season in sixth.

The Kangaroos once again are reserving the bottom rung of the ladder.

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1. Dees
2. Power
3. Lions
4. Dogs
5. Swans
6. Dons
7. Blues
8. Dockers
9. Saints
10. Eagles
11. Geelong
12. Adelaide
13. Giants
14. Collingwood
15. Richmond
16. Hawks
17. Suns
18. Kangaroos

There are our predictions and some reasoning behind them.

It’s set to be a very exciting 2022 AFL season with many fans believing their club can do something special this year.

Hopefully, the season is played in front of full crowds with no interruptions.

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