AFL Season Preview
With pre-season coming to a close and the AFLW grand final approaching, the wonderful world of footy is set to embark on its next big venture: the 2020 AFL season. With the first game between Richmond and Carlton just around the corner, you can almost smell the leather of a Sherrin, hear the melody of your club’s song, and feel the anticipation of the crowd.
Footy never disappoints; it gets better each year, and with so much talent and fierce competition exposed in last season, we can only assume this year will be bigger than ever.
Ladder Predictions
With a solid pre-season and a coach who gets his team and the game like no other, reigning premiers Richmond are tipped to take home the 2020 flag, but not without some strong competition. West Coast, Collingwood and GWS will be right behind the Tiger’s as they claw their way up the ladder, and Geelong and Brisbane are predicted to finish in favourable positions within the top-eight. Everyone’s favourite underdogs, the Western Bulldogs, have a chance to push a top-four spot, but they are still in the stage of building up their young talent. Coach Luke Beveridge and newly appointed captain Marcus Bontempelli may have to wait another year to match the magic of 2016.
Top Eight Round-Up
GWS
Reaching their pinnacle in 2019, the Giants gave us all orange, white and charcoal fever on their way to the grand final but this season is set to be more subdued. Phil Davis and Heath Shaw are star players in the back ends of their careers, so there isn’t much that will propel the club forward into September glory.
Hawthorn
Welcoming back Tom Scully and Chad Wingard, the Hawks are coming into the 2020 season fit and looking to dominate. While they are not favourites for the flag, this year is set to be a passionate reminder of their capabilities and strong band of talented players.
Brisbane Lions
Rocketing from bottom four to semi-finalists last year, Brisbane took the footy world by surprise and are tipped to repeat their tricks again this year. The Lions are set to dominate at the Gabba, and draw in crowds and goals like nobody’s business, but they will ultimately struggle at away games.
Western Bulldogs
Lacking firepower in the 2019 season from some of their forwards, new acquisitions Josh Bruce and Alex Keath will bring the much-needed spark into the Dog’s game. Loved by supporters and general footy fans alike, the likeable boys in red, white and blue will execute another season of exciting footy, gearing themselves up for future grand final glory in the years to come.
Geelong
Constant finals contender Geelong look primed for another big season. Josh Jenkins and Jack Steven will add some quality to the team, and 2020 should see the Cats sit firmly in the top four.
Collingwood
The pressure on Collingwood is almost at boiling point. Nathan Buckley wants a flag, the Pies’ players want a flag, and the black and white army would do anything for a flag. Their list is strong and experienced, and the 2020 season should see them rise the top, with the possibility of a grand final win.
West Coast
The Eagles are like a star-studded event; anyone who is anyone is there. The addition of Tim Kelly during the off-season further adds to the talent they possess and will ultimately see them dominate and remain a powerhouse for the 2020 season, with the very real possibility of September glory.
Richmond
The reigning premiers have set the benchmark for quality for the past three seasons and this year is set to be more of the same. The Tigers are as good as it gets and with a unified team led by Damien Hardwick, they are currently unmatched in the whole of the AFL. If they continue to be as great as we all know them to be, then they will cement themselves a top ladder position and celebrate with a back-to-back flag.
Let the 2020 AFL Season Begin
Grab your scarf and record, it’s time to hit the stadiums and support your beloved team in the 2020 AFL season. Game on!