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Early days I know but in all honesty pre season games aren't much of a guide either. Fremantle flogged WC in the JLT last season and look where they both ended up. The draft is done and dusted so anyone prepared to make a goose of themselves and make any bold predictions for next year? Robert Walls over to you!

I'll have a crack using the 2018 season ladder order.

West Coast Eagles - should be hard to beat again given all the adversity they went through with injuries this year and Gaff's, well gaff, Ryan's off field issues etc. Re signing Gaff must almost feel like a gain. Maybe vulnerable in the ruck if Vardy or Hickey goes down. Missed out on Tim Kelly but will most likely get him next year.

Richmond - The addition of Tom Lynch has to add to their firepower you would think but they will have to get used to a new structure. Should be thereabouts again and share early favs with WC.

Collingwood - Probably fair to say the surprise packet in 2018. Can they do it again or will that be a flash in the pan? They threw everything to get Tom Lynch and missed out. Can the big Texan become a consisted tall target? Thereabouts I reckon.

Hawthorn - Sliders I reckon. Roughead not getting any younger and past his best, I think they played above themselves and surprised a few people last year.

Melbourne - Seemed to not miss Jessie too much and Sam Weiderman (is it) stepped up. Young side chock full of talent and hungry for success. They should be challenging for the top 4.

Sydney - I'd be happy to see them slide out of the 8 but they have a knack of hanging around. Seemed to have lost their way last season. Tipping them to slide out of the eight.

GWS - Very hard to read. Big losses in Sheil, Lobb and to a lesser extent Scully but as usual they got well compensated and picked up top end talent to replace them. Should be top 8 but bottom half of the 8 for me.

Geelong - Surely has to be another slider. Starting to look like Dad's Army but probably got enough high end talent to be a nuisance and sniff around the 8 but I'm hoping and tipping them to slide as others improve.

North Melbourne - Always a hard club to predict. Could surprise but knocking on the door and will depend who else steps up. Around the 8 but not sure if they are in or out.

Port Adelaide - Probably the biggest disappointments of 2018 and Ken Hinkley will need a big year next year or he's in trouble. Scott Lycett should be a good asset for them to support the injury prone Paddy Ryder. They have to make the 8 next year or I predict Hinkley won't see the season out as head coach.

Essendon - I predict to be one of the big improves next year. Devon Smith was an excellent recruit last season and his former GWS team mate Dylan Shiel will really add some grunt. Predicting they make the bottom half of the 8.

Adelaide - Had a bad 2018 after making the GF the year before. Should be knocking on the door of the 8 and maybe fighting their cross town rivals for a spot in the 8.

Western Bulldogs - Lost their way last couple of years after being premiers in 2016 but could force their way back in the 8 if things go right and Bevo gets them playing that brave football again.

Fremantle - Ahh yes finally we land a couple of big fish after all these years. Incredible we pick up not one but two big key forwards in one trade period but lost a gun midfielder in the process so it will come down to how well the rest of the young midfield pick up the slack and if Ross Lyon can ditch his old habits and put in place a brave attacking style of football. We should be knocking on the door of the top 8 and if things go well could be one of the big movers in 2019. Also could be Ross Lyons last year as coach of Fremantle if we have anything like last season with the two big new additions.

Brisbane - Showed big signs of improvement in 2018 and look like a club moving in the right direction under Chris Fagan. Might seem like a nil all draw gaining Lachie Neale from Fremantle but then losing Dayne Beams but I see it as a win for Brisbane in the long run given Lachie is a few years younger. I think Brisbane are going to be one of the big movers in 2019 but probably have them just outside the 8.

St Kilda - Taken a bit of a risk picking up one of the King twins coming off an ACL in the draft but I'm sure they've done their due diligence there. Took a punt on Dan Hannebery coming off a couple of quiet seasons by his standards but if he can find his old form and bring some of that Sydney culture it should rub off on his team mates. Missing Josh Bruce last season really hurt them. Should be improves but can't see them threatening the top 8.

Gold Coast - after finishing second last and losing Tom Lynch and Steven May they had a swathe of early picks in the draft which will rejuvenate their list and they could surprise in 2019. Still probably got to have them in the bottom 4 at this stage.

Carlton - Blue baggers have been more like the hand baggers in recent times still paying for salary cap breaches several years ago and an appalling decision to sack Brett Ratten and appoint an angry and bitter old dinosaur in Mick Malthouse. Not sure Brendon Bolten is the right man to lead them out of the darkness. Bottom 4 again for me.

Good summary DD, agree with most of it.

I know you haven't got to Brisbane yet but with the recruiting they have done I would expect them to rocket up the ladder next year and maybe even challenge for top 8.

Cheers Mike agree re Brisbane. Not sure why I spent more time on the bottom 5 I guess they need more explaining lol.

Anyway after all that I will have a crack at where I think they'll all finish up.

West Coast
Richmond
Collingwood
Melbourne
I expect all these clubs above to stay where they finished in 2018. Now it gets interesting.
Essendon
Fremantle (biased I know and wishful thinking)
GWS
Adelaide
Western Bulldogs
North Melbourne
Hawthorn
Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Geelong
St Kilda
Carlton
Gold Coast

I’ll have a crack at this

Richmond: I reckon they were the best side for most of last season and hunger and Tom Lynch should put them back up there again. Need to keep Dusty fit, he was moving like my grandma during that final against Collingwood and it weakened them severely
West Coast: their senior core are still mostly near their prime, have some very good youngsters, and Simpson gives them freedom and has a simple, old fashioned game plan
Melbourne: the loss of Hogan is offset by a stronger defence with Steven May, and have strength all over the ground
Collingwood: Beams should be a handy pickup, and will have a burning hunger. Lack a big key forward.
GWS
Adelaide: surely won’t have the horror injury list they had last season
Sydney: any team that has Buddy I’m putting in my 8
Geelong: I can’t leave them out just yet ( hope they miss though)
North Melbourne: Roos will be up there, always prove people wrong
Essendon: not the greatest midfield, a lot depends on Danihers fitness
Port
Hawthorn: severely weakened by losing Mitchell
Fremantle: I’ll probably cop the wrath of Freo supporters here (where is Anchorman?) but I think theres a lot holes in their list and I think Lyons time was up long ago and have doubts about Fyfes captaincy credentials. Seem to hoping for a lot from Brayshaw and Cerra this year and don’t think they’ll deliver it, yet.
Brisbane
Bulldogs
St kilda
Gold Coast
Carlton

Tiger of old wrote: I’ll have a crack at this

Richmond: I reckon they were the best side for most of last season and hunger and Tom Lynch should put them back up there again. Need to keep Dusty fit, he was moving like my grandma during that final against Collingwood and it weakened them severely
West Coast: their senior core are still mostly near their prime, have some very good youngsters, and Simpson gives them freedom and has a simple, old fashioned game plan
Melbourne: the loss of Hogan is offset by a stronger defence with Steven May, and have strength all over the ground
Collingwood: Beams should be a handy pickup, and will have a burning hunger. Lack a big key forward.
GWS
Adelaide: surely won’t have the horror injury list they had last season
Sydney: any team that has Buddy I’m putting in my 8
Geelong: I can’t leave them out just yet ( hope they miss though)
North Melbourne: Roos will be up there, always prove people wrong
Essendon: not the greatest midfield, a lot depends on Danihers fitness
Port
Hawthorn: severely weakened by losing Mitchell
Fremantle: I’ll probably cop the wrath of Freo supporters here (where is Anchorman?) but I think theres a lot holes in their list and I think Lyons time was up long ago and have doubts about Fyfes captaincy credentials. Seem to hoping for a lot from Brayshaw and Cerra this year and don’t think they’ll deliver it, yet.
Brisbane
Bulldogs
St kilda
Gold Coast
Carlton

Good quinella for Last. Should pay $1.30. However Eagles & Dons should fight our G/F (subject to injuries)
Your concern about Fyfe seems OK BUT is he injured? Brisbane could be a surprise & close the the eight. Pies must be hurting ever since 1/4 time in G/F. Correct on Hawks but Tigers may follow the Dogs in sliding. Cant rely on just Martin.

If there’s any truth in the old saying that you have to lose one to win one, then watch out for the Wobblers. Richmond too have something to prove after their finals effort last year. As for Freo, I think they have individuals that have the ability to give it a shake - finals not out of the question. I think their future all lies in whether the coaching staff can turn the individuals in to a team and come up with a game plan. As for Fyffe, an average game from him is still quality, but he doesn’t cut it as a captain for me- personal opinion. Captains to me are made of the Selwood and Hurn types.

Which coaches are under pressure .And which clubs are running out of patients with there coaches.Will a coach be sacked in the 2019 season.Watch Port Adelaide +StKilda+ Freo.
St Kilda if a player can't hit a team-mate by foot with a 30m pass.And there 1 win mid season.Would sack all the coaches.
Freo Peter Bells back at the club and look at the big draft they had.Ross has to win a minimum of 8 wins.
Port Adelaide The worst team to watch in the AFL.Move the footy slowley.And 7 or there top 8 players according to Champion Data are aged over 28.Only Dougle Howard is under 28.If Port only has 4 or 5 wins mid season.Could Jarrod Schofield be Ports senior coach the end of this season.
Jack Watts playing on the wing this year.Can the new midfield coach turn him into a footballer.

Good call gtr on the coaches under the pump but add Carlton coach Brendan Bolton to that list. It's a make or break year for Ross Lyon I reckon even though he's still contracted until the end of 2020. He would be well aware of that. Fremantle have delivered him the cattle up front and Fremantle have also invested heavily in the midfield in the past couple of drafts.

Heard a whisper if Fremantle aren't looking like finals contenders Ross Lyon will be sacked before the end of the season and he'll end up at Carlton. Personally I hope he finds his mojo again and turns this new group into the hungry beasts they were that took them to within 15 points of premiership success in 2013.

gtrxuone wrote: Which coaches are under pressure .And which clubs are running out of patients with there coaches.Will a coach be sacked in the 2019 season.Watch Port Adelaide +StKilda+ Freo.
St Kilda if a player can't hit a team-mate by foot with a 30m pass.And there 1 win mid season.Would sack all the coaches.
Freo Peter Bells back at the club and look at the big draft they had.Ross has to win a minimum of 8 wins.
Port Adelaide The worst team to watch in the AFL.Move the footy slowley.And 7 or there top 8 players according to Champion Data are aged over 28.Only Dougle Howard is under 28.If Port only has 4 or 5 wins mid season.Could Jarrod Schofield be Ports senior coach the end of this season.
Jack Watts playing on the wing this year.Can the new midfield coach turn him into a footballer.

Jack Watts on a wing? Doesn't exactly send tremors of concern through the opposition I would have thought. I've never seen a bloke suddenly become a good player at the age of 28. How has he played 170 odd games? Talk about a free ride..

Tiger of old wrote:

gtrxuone wrote: Which coaches are under pressure .And which clubs are running out of patients with there coaches.Will a coach be sacked in the 2019 season.Watch Port Adelaide +StKilda+ Freo.
St Kilda if a player can't hit a team-mate by foot with a 30m pass.And there 1 win mid season.Would sack all the coaches.
Freo Peter Bells back at the club and look at the big draft they had.Ross has to win a minimum of 8 wins.
Port Adelaide The worst team to watch in the AFL.Move the footy slowley.And 7 or there top 8 players according to Champion Data are aged over 28.Only Dougle Howard is under 28.If Port only has 4 or 5 wins mid season.Could Jarrod Schofield be Ports senior coach the end of this season.
Jack Watts playing on the wing this year.Can the new midfield coach turn him into a footballer.

Jack Watts on a wing? Doesn't exactly send tremors of concern through the opposition I would have thought. I've never seen a bloke suddenly become a good player at the age of 28. How has he played 170 odd games? Talk about a free ride..

TOO he can't pack mark or overhead mark.So he's not a forward.He can't read the play that we'll so he's not a defender of proper midfielder.The only strong part of his game is his disposal by foot.Which champion data calls elite.