Ok, so I reckon this season is probably one of the most open in years. I think there are probably 6 teams who I could see winning the flag this season - West Coast, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Sydney, Carlton and possibly Adelaide. I'l pick those teams for my top 6, and chuck in Richmond and Fremantle to round out the top 8.
I'm going to back the Eagles to win it (with a bit of bias). With Kennedy and LeCras back, they have the best forward line in the AFL in my opinion (Darling, Kennedy, Coxanui, LeCras, Hill, resting mid - looks pretty damn scary on paper). The backline is pretty solid as well. The midfield is a concern though, really need one of Selwood, Shuey, Masten or Gaff to step up and become an A grader. Obviously the rucks are amazing. Early injuries have me a bit concerned though
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I'll pick Hawthorn to be the losing grand finalist. They've got a pretty handy forward line as well, very good midfield, and the addition of Lake should help their defense, which has been an issue.
Geelong will be the slider. Its time. Thinking losing Scarlett, as well as some of their guns like Chapman and Bartel getting a bit older, will see them slide. They seem to have some decent kids coming through, so probably only a matter of time before they rise up.
I think both Gold Coast and GWS will start to rise up the ladder. So my pick for the wooden spoon is the Bulldogs. Aside from Boyd and Griffen, there really isn't much to like about them.
I think the riser will be Carlton. There is too much talent on that list to keep them down the bottom. An injury free year and they will be amongst it.
Brownlow is a crapshoot. I'm going to have a stab at Patrick Dangerfield - he seems to be on the rise, and the Crows should win alot of games.
Rising star? beats me.
Plugging for Jack Riewoldt in the coleman.