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AFL 2015 Season Preview: 1st - 8th

The AFL season kicks off on Thursday and we've run the rule over every team's prospects and come up with our prediction of how the 2015 ladder will look after 23 rounds.

Channel Seven's Chief AFL reporter, Mark Stevens chimes in with his two cents in "Stevo Says" on how some of these teams are shaping up for the year ahead.

8th - Richmond Tigers

Coach: Damien Hardwick

Captain: Trent Cotchin

Last five years: 15-12-12-7-8

Premierships: 10 (1920-21, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973-74, 1980)

Key five: Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, Dustin Martin

One to watch: Alex Rance. The key defender enjoyed a standout 2014 campaign that saw him rewarded with All-Australian honours for the first time and he'll need to recapture that form if the Tigers are going to push into the top four. The Western Australian becomes a free agent at the end of the season and speculation over his future at Punt Road could become a distraction if it lingers too long into the year.

Ins: Dan Butler (North Ballarat U18), Nathan Drummond (Murray U18), Corey Ellis (Western U18), Taylor Hunt (Geelong), Reece McKenzie (Northern U18), Connor Menadue (Western U18), Anthony Miles (Richmond rookie).

Outs: Aaron Edwards (delisted), Brad Helbig (delisted), Dan Jackson (retired), Jake King (retired), Brett O'Hanlon (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Steven Morris, David Astbury, Troy Chaplin
HB: Bachar Houli, Alex Rance, Nick Vlastuin
C: Shaun Grigg, Brett Deledio, Brandon Ellis
HF: Shane Edwards, Ben Griffiths, Sam Lloyd
F: Ben Lennon, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
R: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Anthony Miles
I: Chris Newman, Dylan Grimes, Reece Conca, Jake Batchelor

7th - Gold Coast Suns

Coach: Rodney Eade

Captain: Gary Ablett

Last four years: 17-17-14-12

Premierships: Nil.

Key five: Gary Ablett, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, David Swallow, Tom Lynch.

One to watch: Jack Martin. The exciting youngster's debut season was stymied by a serious shoulder injury, but he showed what he's capable of in the final round with a four-goal performance earning him a Rising Star nomination.

Ins: Andrew Boston (Gold Coast rookie), Josh Hall (Gold Coast rookie), Jarrod Garlett (South Fremantle WAFL), Mitch Hallahan (Hawthorn), Nick Malceski (Sydney), Touk Miller (Calder U18), Peter Wright (Calder U18).

Outs: Jackson Allen (delisted), Nathan Bock (retired), Campbell Brown (delisted), Karmichael Hunt (retired), Jack Hutchins (delisted), Tom Murphy (retired), Jeremy Taylor (delisted), Matthew Warnock (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Nick Malceski, Steven May, Trent McKenzie
HB: Greg Broughton, Rory Thompson, Matt Shaw
C: Jarrod Harbrow, David Swallow, Harley Bennell
HF: Brandon Matera, Tom Lynch, Jack Martin
F: Sam Day, Charlie Dixon, Aaron Hall
R: Zac Smith, Gary Ablett, Jaeger O'Meara
I: Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli, Kade Kolodjashnij, Tom Nicholls

PREVIEW: How the bottom of the ladder will look

6th - Geelong Cats

Coach: Chris Scott

Captain: Joel Selwood

Last five years: 3-1-7-3-5

Premierships: 9 (1925, 1931, 1937, 1951-52, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011)

Key five: Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor, Jimmy Bartel, Steven Motlop.

One to watch: Mitch Clark. Having reversed his initial decision to retire because of a chronic foot injury and clinical depression issues, Clark looms as a dangerous foil to Tom Hawkins in attack for the Cats or as a fill-in ruckman.

Ins: Sam Blease (Melbourne), Mark Blicavs (Geelong rookie), Mitch Clark (Melbourne), Nakia Cockatoo (NT Thunder NEAFL), Jordan Cunico (Gippsland U18), Cory Gregson (Glenelg SANFL), Dean Gore (Sturt SANFL), Rhys Stanley (St Kilda).

Outs: Mitch Brown (delisted), George Burbury (delisted), Allen Christensen (Brisbane Lions), Joel Hamling (delisted), Taylor Hunt (Richmond), Jordan Schroder (delisted), Jesse Stringer (delisted), Travis Varcoe (Collingwood).

Best line-up:

B: Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Jared Rivers
HB: Corey Enright, Harry Taylor, James Kelly
C: Mathew Stokes, Steve Johnson, Josh Caddy
HF: Jimmy Bartel, Mitch Clark, Mitch Duncan
F: Jordan Murdoch, Tom Hawkins, Steven Motlop
R: Hamish McIntosh, Joel Selwood, Cameron Guthrie
I: Rhys Stanley, George Horlin-Smith, Billie Smedts, Mark Blicavs

Stevo Says: They’re at an interesting stage, the Cats. They finished top four last year, but a so-so percentage was a sign that they had lost their ability to really put clubs to the sword. And they went out in straight sets in the finals, which would have undoubtedly stung the super competitive Brad Scott. With that timely kick up the backside, expect the Cats to better this year … Mitch Clark looks a great pick up, Tom Hawkins is fit and a career best season looms and there’s still enough depth in the midfield. With so many home games down at the Cattery, they’ll win 14-16 games. There’s a a chance they’ll play better than last year and be squeezed slightly lower on the ladder. It’s tough out there.

5th - North Melbourne Kangaroos

Coach: Brad Scott

Captain: Andrew Swallow

Last five years: 9-9-8-10-4

Premierships: 4 (1975, 1977, 1996, 1999)

Key Five: Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell, Drew Petrie, Andrew Swallow, Scott Thompson.

One to watch: Jarrad Waite. The Roos rolled the dice with the 32-year-old free agent, who hasn't managed to play more than 16 games in any of the past six seasons. Brad Scott is hoping the veteran can add another dimension to an attack that has relied too often on Drew Petrie.

Ins: Sam Durdin (West Adelaide SANFL), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Nelson (Eastern U18), Joel Tippett (North Melbourne rookie), Ed Vickers-Willis (Sandringham U18), Jarrad Waite (Carlton).

Outs: Liam Anthony (delisted), Tom Curran (delisted), Cameron Delaney (Geelong rookie), Levi Greenwood (Collingwood), Taylor Hine (delisted), Mitch Wilkins (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Sam Wright, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Nathan Grima, Luke McDonald
C: Daniel Wells, Ben Cunnington, Shaun Atley
HF: Brent Harvey, Jarrad Waite, Aaron Black
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Kayne Turner
R: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I: Sam Gibson, Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Ryan Bastinac

4th - Fremantle Dockers

Coach: Ross Lyon

Captain: Matthew Pavlich

Last five years: 6-11-6-2-6

Premierships: Nil

Key five: Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Matthew Pavlich, Stephen Hill, Aaron Sandilands.

One to watch: Nat Fyfe. Is this the year Fremantle's star onballer wins the Brownlow? Despite being ineligible and missing four games through suspension last year he finished just one vote behind winner Matt Priddis while also taking out the AFLPA's MVP award and earning All-Australian honours for the first time.

Ins: Connor Blakely (Swan Districts WAFL), Josh Deluca (Subiaco WAFL), Ed Langdon (Sandringham U18), Lachie Weller (Broadbeach Qld).

Outs: Kepler Bradley (retired), Scott Gumbleton (retired), Josh Simpson (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Paul Duffield, Zac Dawson, Lee Spurr
HB: Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson
C: Stephen Hill, Matt de Boer, David Mundy
HF: Chris Mayne, Matt Taberner, Michael Walters
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich, Lachie Neale
R: Aaron Sandilands, Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow
I: Zac Clarke, Tendai Mzungu, Cameron Sutcliffe, Danyle Pearce

Stevo Says: The Dockers are ageing, and perhaps have missed their “window”. That is the common perception, at least. I don’t agree. Yes, they are getting old (Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin immediately come to mind), but they have Nat Fyfe in his prime. He could be the No.1 player in the comp by the end of the season .. if he isn’t there already. The loss of Ryan Crowley will hurt, but I’m backing in any team coached by Ross Lyon to be competitive. That defensive grunt will continue to live on … that means 16-plus wins and a top four finish.

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3rd - Port Adelaide Power

Coach: Ken Hinkley

Captain: Travis Boak

Last five years: 10-16-14-5-3

Premierships: 1 (2004)

Key five: Chad Wingard, Travis Boak, Justin Westhoff, Matthew Lobbe, Robbie Gray.

One to watch: Paddy Ryder. The former Essendon big man could form one of the most potent ruck tandems in the AFL alongside Matthew Lobbe. With his combination of size, skill and athleticism, he may prove to be the final piece of Ken Hinkley's premiership puzzle.

Ins: Logan Austin (Belconnen ACT), Billy Frampton (South Fremantle WAFL), Dougal Howard (Murray U18), Kane Mitchell (Port Adelaide rookie), Jesse Palmer (North Ballarat U18), Paddy Ryder (Essendon).

Outs: Dom Cassisi (retired), Campbell Heath (delisted), Cam Hitchcock (delisted), Ben Newton (Melbourne), Lewis Stevenson (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Jasper Pittard, Alipate Carlile, Tom Jonas
HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Cam O'Shea
C: Jared Polec, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
HF: Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard
F: Angus Monfries, Jay Schulz, Paddy Ryder
R: Matthew Lobbe, Hamish Hartlett, Ollie Wines
I: Matt White, Kane Cornes, Jarman Impey, Andrew Moore

Stevo Says: The Power were so close to the grand final. A bit of luck here and there and they were home in a preliminary final against a suddenly wobbly Hawthorn. Their ball movement was breathtaking for most of the season and given the age demographic there is no reason why they can’t take another step.

2nd - Sydney Swans

Coach: John Longmire

Captains: Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack

Last five years: 5-6-1-4-2

Premierships: 5 (1909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012)

Key five: Lance Franklin, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh, Luke Parker

One to watch: Lance Franklin. The human highlights reel kicked 79 goals in his first season in the Harbour City and again looms as a key figure as the Swans attempt to atone for their grand final defeat.

Ins: Abe Davis (Sydney academy), Isaac Heeney (Sydney academy), Jack Hiscox (Sydney academy), Jake Lloyd (Sydney rookie), Xavier Richards (Sydney rookie), Daniel Robinson (Sydney rookie), James Rose (Sturt SANFL).

Outs: Matthew Dick (delisted), Jordan Lockyer (delisted), Nick Malceski (Gold Coast), Tim Membrey (St Kilda), Ryan O'Keefe (retired), Lewis Roberts-Thomson (retired), Tommy Walsh (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Gary Rohan
C: Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn
HF: Dan Hannebery, Lance Franklin, Harry Cunningham
F: Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Sam Reid
R: Mike Pyke, Luke Parker, Jarrad McVeigh
I: Craig Bird, Lewis Jetta, Jake Lloyd, Tom Mitchell

Stevo Says: The grand final was un-Sydney-like, if that makes sense. Amazingly, the Swans lost that “Bloods” attitude. The grunt and animal instinct went missing as they were out-worked and out-tackled. Can they re-discover it? Undoubtedly, they will be in the mix again, but it’s easy to see Port going past them. Jarrad McVeigh’s pre-season calf niggle is a concern, as is Kurt Tippett’s on-going injury battles. Lance Franklin looks primed and the midfield might, so expect 16-plus wins. Can’t see them winning the flag though.

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1st - Hawthorn Hawks

Coach: Alastair Clarkson

Captain: Luke Hodge

Last five years: 7-3-2-1-1

Premierships: 12 (1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014)

Key Five: Jarryd Roughead, Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson, Luke Hodge.

One to watch: Cyril Rioli. Because he's one of the best players in the league to watch, but also for how he responds to a long off-season of treatment on his troubled hamstring. Few players light up the league like Rioli in full flight, and he gives the Hawks another dimension.

Ins: James Frawley (Melbourne), Jared Hardisty (Claremont WAFL), Daniel Howe (Murray U18), Lachlan Langford (Melbourne Grammar), Teia Miles (Geelong U18), Jermaine Miller-Lewis (South Fremantle WAFL), Jonathan O'Rourke (GWS), Marc Pittonet (Oakleigh U18), Zac Webster (Hawthorn rookie), Dallas Willsmore (Hawthorn rookie).

Outs: Kyle Cheney (Adelaide), Dayle Garlett (delisted), Mitch Hallahan (Gold Coast), Jordan Kelly (delisted), Luke Lowden (Adelaide), Ben Ross (delisted), Brad Sewell (retired), Derick Wanganeen (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Grant Birchall
HB: Matt Suckling, Ben Stratton, Sam Mitchell
C: Isaac Smith, Will Langford, Bradley Hill
HF: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Hodge
F: Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Ben McEvoy
R: David Hale, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels
I: James Frawley, Jed Anderson, Paul Puopolo, Shaun Burgoyne

Stevo Says: Last year’s grand final performance was close to perfection, then the Hawks go out and pluck James Frawley and the highly rated kid Jono O’Rourke. They’re kidding, right? On paper, there is no reason to think it won’t be a three-peat. The only concern is age … there’s several stars over 30 including Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Sam Mitchell and Brian Lake. If that group maintains the form of last year, the Hawks are certs. But age and injury can catch up with anyone. That said, right now we’re nit-picking. The Hawks will win 18-plus games and are in the box seat for another glorious GF.

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