PREMIERS: Greater Western Sydney Giants
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 10th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: 11th
BOTTOM TWO: Carlton – Gold Coast
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Joshua Kennedy (West Coast Eagles)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Jake Stringer (Essendon)
AFL RISING STAR: Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
GOING PLACES: Dom Sheed (West Coast Eagles)
PUT A FORK IN HIM (HE'S DONE): Luke Hodge (Brisbane Lions)
MOVING UP: Brisbane.
FALLING DOWN: Richmond.
FIRST COACH GONE: Nathan Buckley.
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Saints win flag.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Saints make finals.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
Optus Stadium proves to be.
THE NEW NORMAL:
Players return to key positions.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
Goals from set plays.
Young GWS gun Josh Kelly is a hot tip for the Brownlow Medal.
Photo: Eddie Jim
Ben Cameron (Croc Media WA producer):
TOP 8 (in order):
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney
Adelaide
Geelong
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Western Bulldogs
Melbourne
PREMIERS: Greater Western Sydney
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 13th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: 11th
BOTTOM TWO: Gold Coast & North Melbourne
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Joe Daniher (Essendon)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB:
Matt Kennedy (Greater Western Sydney to Carlton)
AFL RISING STAR: Cam Rayner (Brisbane Lions)
The word is he is miles ahead of the rest of the crop) although, interestingly, five-game Premiership player Jack Graham is still eligible.
GOING PLACES: Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
He comes in as a ready-made omelette rather than the eggs some of the other kids out of the draft are. I’m not sure he has as high a ceiling as others from last year’s draft, but wouldn’t be surprised if he plays close to 20 games in his first season.
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Not done, but I’m really concerned about Brad Crouch's (Adelaide) body. He just can’t get a run at it.
MOVING UP: Melbourne should finally take the quantum leap to finals.
FALLING DOWN: West Coast.
FIRST COACH SACKED:
Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) is the most under the pump. He has a two-year deal, but if things go pear shaped the Pies wouldn’t be afraid to tear up the second year. I for one, hope Buckley and the Pies go well.
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Ablett Back To Best.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Kane Cornes antagonising people.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
The Match Review Officer, Michael Christian, will become a far more consistent model than what we’ve seen in recent seasons. Christian – a former player and media performer – is the perfect man for the role.
THE NEW NORMAL:
The usual follow-the-leader we see in the AFL. Teams trying to emulate Richmond’s small forward line and high-pressure game.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
The increasing player power with the AFLPA.
Michael Christian with new AFL Football Operations boss Steve Hocking.
Karl Langdon (6PR Sportsday host):
TOP 8:
Greater Western Sydney
Adelaide
Port Adelaide
Geelong
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne
Western Bulldogs
PREMIERS: GWS
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 13th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: 12th
BOTTOM TWO: Brisbane – North Melbourne
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Devon Smith (Greater Western Sydney to Adelaide)
AFL RISING STAR: Paddy Dow (Carlton)
GOING PLACES: Jack Billings (St Kilda)
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs)
MOVING UP: Melbourne.
FALLING DOWN: West Coast.
FIRST COACH GONE: All safe this year.
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Eagles and Dockers buck the odds and storm into finals.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Mid-season draft and loan deals confirmed for 2019.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
Sydney Swans miss the top 8.
THE NEW NORMAL:
Players changing clubs at will.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
AFL reserves for both men and womens league.
The Demons are tipped to make the 8 after last year's heartbreak.
Photo: AAP
Paul Hasleby (6PR Sportsday co-host):
TOP 8:
Adelaide
Greater Western Sydney
Richmond
Geelong
Sydney
Port Adelaide
Melbourne
Essendon
PREMIERS: Adelaide
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 12th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: 11th
BOTTOM TWO: North Melbourne – Gold Coast
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Joe Daniher (Essendon)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
AFL RISING STAR: Paddy Dow (Carlton)
GOING PLACES: Matt Taberner (Fremantle)
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Josh Jenkins (Adelaide)
MOVING UP: Carlton.
FALLING DOWN: West Coast.
FIRST COACH GONE: Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Fremantle rewired, replumbed, restumped and ready for September.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Carlton are finally ready to challenge for finals.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
Matt Taberner to finish in top 5 goalkickers in the competition.
THE NEW NORMAL:
Long torpedo kicks out of defence and into crowded forward lines.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
Teams kicking the ball as high as they can to avoid kicking the ball towards the boundary, rugby style.
Matt Taberner is tipped to become the dynamic forward Freo needs after the exit of Matthew Pavlich (right).
Photo: Michael Dodge
Andrew Fordham (6PR Afternoons producer):
TOP 8:
Adelaide
Port Adelaide
Geelong
Richmond
Sydney
Greater Western Sydney
West Coast
Carlton
PREMIERS: Geelong
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 7TH
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: 9TH
BOTTOM TWO: Gold Coast – Collingwood
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Sam Gibson (Adelaide)
AFL RISING STAR: Bailey Banfield (Fremantle)
GOING PLACES: Zac Guthrie (Geelong)
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Danyle Pearce (Fremantle)
MOVING UP: Port Adelaide.
FALLING DOWN: Greater Western Sydney.
FIRST COACH SACKED: Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Dockers and Eagles invincible at new Optus Stadium.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Players call for clarity on high tackle rules.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
Carlton will surprise everyone with their speed and skill and go deep into the finals.
THE NEW NORMAL:
Very fast, physical and exciting starts to games now that teams aren't allowed on the ground for pre-game warm-ups.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
The new one-man MRP will create all sorts of opposition selection tactics near finals time, especially now that charges from Thursday and Friday night games will be handed down within 24 hours.
Kim Hagdorn (6PR AFL expert):
TOP 8:
Geelong
Sydney
Greater Western Sydney
Richmond
Adelaide
Melbourne
Hawthorn
Essendon
PREMIERS: Sydney
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: About 12th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: About 10th
BOTTOM TWO: North Melbourne – Carlton
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Lance Franklin (Sydney)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Jake Lever (at Melbourne from Adelaide)
AFL RISING STAR: Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
GOING PLACES: Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Josh Kennedy at West Coast.
MOVING UP: Western Bulldogs back into the top 8.
FALLING DOWN: West Coast from sixth last season.
FIRST COACH GONE:
At least one could be forced to stand down.
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Nic Naitanui back to his finest.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
West Coast coach Adam Simpson's future shaky after run of mid-season losses.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
Ross Lyon actually presents a pleasant nature in his after-match media conferences which is received by Fremantle’s crucially loyal stakeholders across the nation.
THE NEW NORMAL:
Big-bodied midfielders follow Dustin Martin’s model of resting forward with views to bagging around 45 goals each.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
Lance Franklin spends more time around midfield to average close to 20 disposals an outing and finishes for goal more efficiently this season than his 73.60 last year. That’s Brownlow winning returns.
Lance Franklin looks set for a big 2018.
Photo: AAP
Adam Papalia (Fox Footy broadcaster and 6PR broadcaster):
TOP 8:
Geelong
Adelaide
Greater Western Sydney
Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Sydney
Western Buldogs
PREMIERS: Greater Western Sydney.
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 9th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: 11th
BOTTOM TWO: Brisbane – North Melbourne
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Joe Daniher (Essendon)
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
AFL RISING STAR: Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
GOING PLACES: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Kurt Tippett won't make a comeback despite Swans ruck crisis.
MOVING UP: Melbourne.
FALLING DOWN: West Coast.
FIRST COACH GONE: Not this year.
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Record number of goals kicked as teams go for all out attack.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Optus Stadium the best in the country.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
Dee's to make a prelim.
THE NEW NORMAL:
Players using social media to call out 'fake news'.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
The Torp is back!.
Returning cat Gary Ablett with Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield.
Photo: Wayne Ludbey
Jake Battrick (6PR newsreader and footy tragic):
TOP 8:
Port Adelaide
Greater Western Sydney
Richmond
Adelaide
Geelong
Essendon
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
PREMIERS: Port Adelaide.
THE EAGLES WILL FINISH: 12th
THE DOCKERS WILL FINISH: A game outside the top eight
(that could be 10th, 11th or even 12th this season)
BOTTOM TWO TEAMS: North Melbourne – Carrrrrlton.
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Nathan Fyfe or Dangerfield, flip a coin. (Hopefully someone else though…)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Buddy Franklin, put the house on it (don't actually, that'd be silly… gamble responsibly).
BEST IMPACT AT NEW CLUB: Tom Rockliff (Brisbane)
AFL RISING STAR: Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
GOING PLACES: Jack Graham (Richmond)
You could argue young Jack Graham has already gone places. Shut down Rory Sloane in the Grand final, whilst kicking three goals him self to become a premiership player in just his FIFTH game. Expect the tackling machine to take his game to another level in season 2018.
PUT A FORK IN HIM: Gary Ablett (Geelong)
The little champ is cooked. It's sad isn't it? A fit and firing Gaz could be the difference between top four and missing the eight for the Cats. I think Geelong have the depth to make them competitive which is why I have them sixth. Unfortunately Gary won't have the impact Cats fans were hoping for. Happy homecoming.
MOVING UP: Port Adelaide
They mean business and they've recruited accordingly. Throw in a visit from the umpires department letting them know they were robbed in the final against West Coast last year. Fair to say they'll be fired up for a big year.
FALLING DOWN: West Coast Eagles
Sorry West Coast fans. I can't see the Eagles scoring enough this year. Don't expect your new forward line to click until the latter part of the season when it'll be too little to late. I hear the Greek Islands are beautiful in September.
FIRST COACH GONE: Nathan Buckley or Alan Richardson. The Magpies have a slightly better draw which may swing in their favour. I expect both these sides to finish in that 'one game outside the top eight' zone with Fremantle. But If either Collingwood or St Kilda finish 12th or lower… expect one of their coaches to be out the door.
HEADLINE YOU'D LIKE TO READ:
Pies Poach Clarkson
(As a Collingwood supporter I'm pretty tired of watching a side that can't hit a target inside forward 50… actually we rarely hit a target anywhere on the field. I love Nathan Buckley, he was one of my favourite players along side Leon Davis. But the bloke can't coach. I'd love for Eddie 'Everywhere' McGuire to poach Alistair Clarkson and sort our team out.
HEADLINE YOU'LL DEFINITELY READ:
Jeremy Howe wins 2018 Mark of the year.
BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2018?
See my ladder prediction! No, Matt Taberner will be Freo's leading goal kicking TALL (Nat Fyfe doesn't count).
THE NEW NORMAL:
Precise short kicks up the guts. My junior footy coach always use to say; "The quickest route to goal is straight down the middle." I think he might've been on to something… Long gone are the days of teams kicking to contests and using the boundary as a life line. It bodes well for fans, with more exciting footy. Teams with the best kicking efficiency in this year will win more often than they lose.
THE NEW GAME-CHANGER:
More teams adopting the 'star at full forward' model. Patrick Dangerfield started it last year when he kicked a bag against the Hawks on one leg. Nat Fyfe has already spent time down there in the pre season for the Dockers. The likes of Fyfe, Danger, Dustin Martin etc will all kick 35 goals plus in season 2018.
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