Hawthorn are one of only three or, at most, four teams that enter this 2024 AFL season without a clear ambition of playing finals.
Yet, the Hawks of 2023 floored both grand finalists, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions, last year – upsets that underscore the compacted nature of the AFL competition.
After their heartbreaking loss in last year’s grand final, the Brisbane Lions shape up as the most bankable team in the AFL ahead of season 2024. Credit: Getty Images
Another measure of this unpredictability is Carlton, who were 15th on the ladder with four wins from 13 games – tanking territory in years past for some clubs – before an astonishing revival that put the Blues in a preliminary final and secured Michael Voss’s position for at least a couple more years.
Amid this volatility, it is natural to look for the bankable team and clubs; those who, barring major mishap, will contend for the premiership. Over the decade gone, the most trusted has been Geelong.
In 2024, the team that (almost) never lets you down, in terms of getting into the top bracket, shapes as the Brisbane Lions.
So while it’s entirely possible that GWS, Collingwood, Carlton, Sydney, Melbourne or someone else could out-perform the Lions, Brisbane is the team most assured – Winx odds – of making the top four.
Thus, the Brisbane Lions (first) are my premiership topweight, the team best-positioned to take the flag. Crucially, like GWS, they have served a thorough finals apprenticeship, finishing fifth, fourth, fifth, fourth and second over the past five years.
They have fewer players aged 30-plus on the downswing than Collingwood now or Geelong of last year. And they are underwritten by the Gabba, just as the Cats have been fortified by their home ground.
Tom Doedee is a nice inclusion to the backline. Will Ashcroft eventually will return to assist Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage in a midfield that was beaten on grand final day.
Why I’ve got Carlton finishing just ahead of Collingwood this season
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05.03.2024
Hawthorn are one of only three or, at most, four teams that enter this 2024 AFL season without a clear ambition of playing finals.
Yet, the Hawks of 2023 floored both grand finalists, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions, last year – upsets that underscore the compacted nature of the AFL competition.
After their heartbreaking loss in last year’s grand final, the Brisbane Lions shape up as the most bankable team in the AFL ahead of season 2024. Credit: Getty Images
Another........
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