AFL 2015 Season Preview: 9th - 18th
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.
Here are the teams who will not make the finals:
18th - St Kilda
Coach: Alan Richardson
Captain: Nick Riewoldt
Last five years: 2-7-9-16-18
Premierships: 1 (1966)
Key Five: Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Jack Steven, David Armitage, Jack Billings.
One to watch: Paddy McCartin. A No.1 draft pick will always attract a lot of attention, but when he's a tall forward the level of interest only intensifies. With Nick Riewoldt well into the twilight of his career, the Saints are hoping to build a new forward line around McCartin.
Ins: Hugh Goddard (Geelong U18), Jack Lonie (Dandenong U18), Paddy McCartin (Geelong U18), Daniel McKenzie (Oakleigh U18), Tim Membrey (Sydney), Darren Minchington (St Kilda rookie), Cameron Shenton (St Kilda rookie), Eli Templeton (St Kilda rookie), Maverick Weller (St Kilda rookie).
Outs: Trent Dennis-Lane (delisted), Sam Dunnell (delisted), James Gwilt (Essendon), Lenny Hayes (retired), Clint Jones (delisted), Beau Maister (retired), Terry Milera (delisted), Rhys Stanley (Geelong).
Best line-up:
B: Hugh Goddard, Luke Delaney, Jarryn Geary
HB: Cameron Shenton, Sam Fisher, Sean Dempster
C: Jack Newnes, Jack Steven, Leigh Montagna
HF: Maverick Weller, Josh Bruce, Jack Billings
F: Paddy McCartin, Nick Riewoldt, Josh Saunders
R: Billy Longer, David Armitage, Luke Dunstan
I: Seb Ross, Tom Hickey, Tom Curren, Eli Templeton
Stevo Says: So close to a flag in 2009-10, yet seemingly so far away now. There's still some quality in the older reaches of the list and the recent high draft picks should be blue chip investments, but there is not enough depth in the key mid 20s demographic. It will take time. Early injuries have cruelled the Saints too. Three to four wins about it.
17th - Western Bulldogs
Coach: Luke Beveridge
Captain: Robert Murphy
Last five years: 4-10-15-15-14
Premierships: 1 (1954)
Key five: Robert Murphy, Marcus Bontempelli, Dale Morris, Tom Boyd, Stewart Crameri.
One to watch: Tom Boyd. Boyd made sure he'll be one of the most scrutinised second-year players in the competition's history when he left the Giants for a seven-year, multi-million dollar contract. It's a lot of pressure for a young man, but the Dogs are determined to take it slowly with the talented key forward.
Ins: Shane Biggs (Sydney), Tom Boyd (GWS), Zaine Cordy (Geelong U18), Bailey Dale (Dandenong U18), Caleb Daniel (South Adelaide SANFL), Declan Hamilton (Port Adelaide SANFL), Joel Hamling (Geelong), Lin Jong (Western Bulldogs rookie), Toby McLean (Western U18), Jack Redpath (Western Bulldogs rookie), Lukas Webb (Gippsland U18).
Outs: Adam Cooney (Essendon), Daniel Giansiracusa (retired), Ryan Griffen (GWS), Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne), Christian Howard (delisted), Liam Jones (Carlton), Jason Tutt (Carlton), Tom Williams (retired), Tom Young (delisted).
Best lineup:
B: Joel Hamling, Jordan Roughead, Dale Morris
HB: Matthew Boyd, Michael Talia, Robert Murphy
C: Jake Stringer, Mitch Wallis, Mitch Honeychurch
HF: Marcus Bontempelli, Stewart Crameri, Luke Dahlhaus
F: Ayce Cordy, Tom Boyd, Nathan Hrovat
R: Will Minson, Jack Macrae, Liam Picken
I: Tory Dickson, Easton Wood, Lin Jong, Koby Stevens
Stevo Says: There’s something brewing out west! A new positivity, a new fluency of ball movement and an exciting new wave of kids. Marcus Bontempelli could be anything as a midfielder capable of floating forward and dominating in the air, Jackson Macrae just keeps winning the footy and Michael Talia might just be able to steady in defence. Jake Stringer just has something about him...whenever he goes near it there’s chaos. The opposition shudders. All the publicity is going Bont’s way, but watch out for Stringer down forward. The downside for the Dogs is the loss of experience: Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney and Shaun Higgins all gone. Losing Tom Liberatore on top of that has stretched the midfield depth, so don’t expect miracles. Lock in 8-10 wins though.
16th - Melbourne Demons
Coach: Paul Roos
Captain: Nathan Jones
Last five years: 12-13-16-17-17
Premierships: 12 (1900, 1926, 1939-41, 1948, 1955-57, 1959-60, 1964)
Key Five: Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Heritier Lumumba.
One to watch: Heritier Lumumba. The souring of the relationship between Collingwood and Lumumba could turn out to be a big positive for the Demons. He's already part of the leadership group and, at his best, the dashing wingman offers plenty to a squad lacking premiership experience.
Ins: Angus Brayshaw (Sandringham U18), Sam Frost (GWS), Jeff Garlett (Carlton), Neville Jetta (Melbourne rookie), Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood), Oscar McDonald (North Ballarat U18), Alex Neal-Bullen (Glenelg SANFL), Ben Newton (Port Adelaide), Christian Petracca (Eastern U18), Billy Stretch (Glenelg SANFL).
Outs: Dom Barry (retired), Sam Blease (delisted), Shannon Byrnes (retired), Mitch Clark (Geelong), Michael Evans (delisted), Mitch Clisby (delisted), James Frawley (Hawthorn), Daniel Nicholson (delisted), James Strauss (delisted), Luke Tapscott (delisted).
Best line-up:
B: Sam Frost, Lynden Dunn, Colin Garland
HB: Jack Grimes, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem
C: Dom Tyson, Jack Viney, Heritier Lumumba
HF: Dean Kent, Jack Watts, Bernie Vince
F: Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes, Jeff Garlett
R: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Daniel Cross
I: Neville Jetta, Jack Trengove, Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe
Stevo Says: Have seen a lot of the Dees on the track in the past eight weeks. They've busted their backsides off and there's a real spark and energy about the place. The ball movement should be more fluent and it needs to be.
Love the look of Christian Salem and Angus Brayshaw. They're all class. Jesse Hogan will also make a huge difference if he stays fit as a key forward, with Jeff Garlett a real x-factor player buzzing around his feet. But there's still not enough midfield class and outside polish to push for the eight. Six wins par score.
15th - Carlton Blues
Coach: Mick Malthouse
Captain: Marc Murphy
Last five years: 8-5-10-6-13
Premierships: 16 (1906-08, 1914-15, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981-82, 1987, 1995).
Key five: Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Lachie Henderson, Dale Thomas, Chris Judd.
One to watch: Matthew Kreuzer. The former No.1 draft pick has been cruelled by foot injuries, but he is still a big part of Mick Malthouse's plans. He'll make a huge difference on the ball and up forward for the Blues if he can get his career headed in the right direction again.
In: Blaine Boekhorst (Swan Districts WAFL), Matthew Dick (Sydney), Jayden Foster (Calder U18), Kristian Jaksch (GWS), Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs), Clem Smith (Perth WAFL), Jason Tutt (Western Bulldogs), Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (Western U18), Mark Whiley (GWS).
Outs: Josh Bootsma (delisted), Nick Duigan (delisted), Jeff Garlett (Melbourne), Kane Lucas (Westr Coast rookie), Andrew McInnes (delisted), Brock McLean (delisted), Mitch Robinson (delisted), Heath Scotland (retired), Tom Temay (delisted), Jarrad Waite (North Melbourne).
Best line-up:
B: Zach Tuohy, Michael Jamison, Andrew Walker
HB: Simon White, Sam Rowe, Chris Yarran
C: Kade Simpson, Chris Judd, Andrejs Everitt
HF: Liam Jones, Lachie Henderson, Dale Thomas
F: Troy Menzel, Levi Casboult, Matthew Kreuzer
R: Robbie Warnock, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs
I: Ed Curnow, Tom Bell, Andrew Carrazzo, Sam Docherty
14th - Essendon Bombers
Coach: James Hird
Captain: Jobe Watson
Last five years: 14-8-11-9-7
Premierships: 16 (1897, 1901, 1911-12, 1923-24, 1942, 1946, 1949-50, 1962, 1965, 1984-85, 1993, 2000)
Key five: Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley.
One to watch: Joe Daniher. The talented father-son pick is poised for a big year after learning the ropes in 26 games in his first two seasons at the club. The towering forward is thriving under the tutelage of legendary Essendon goal-kicker Matthew Lloyd.
Ins: Patrick Ambrose (Essendon rookie), Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs), Jonathan Giles (GWS), James Gwilt (St Kilda), Kyle Langford (Northern U18), Jayden Laverde (Western U18).
Outs: Sean Gregory (delisted), Kyle Hardingham (delisted), Leroy Jetta (delisted), Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide), Dylan van Unen (delisted).
Best line-up:
B: Michael Hibberd, Cale Hooker, Dustin Fletcher
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hurley, Mark Baguley
C: David Zaharakis, Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard
HF: Paul Chapman, Jake Carlisle, Adam Cooney
F: Jason Winderlich, Joe Daniher, Zach Merrett
R: Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking
I: Ben Howlett, David Myers, Patrick Ambrose, Travis Colyer
13th - GWS Giants
Coach: Leon Cameron
Captains: Callan Ward, Phil Davis
Last three years: 18-18-16
Premierships: Nil
Key five: Callan Ward, Jeremy Cameron, Ryan Griffen, Phil Davis, Shane Mumford
One to watch: Ryan Griffen. The former Bulldogs skipper cited a need to rekindle his love of the game as the reason behind his shock move at the end of last season - hopefully he can recapture that passion because there are few more exciting players in full flight.
Ins: Paul Ahern (Calder U18), Jeremy Finlayson (GWS academy), Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs), Caleb Marchbank (Murray U18), Pat McKenna (Gisborne Vic), Joel Patfull (Brisbane Lions), Jarrod Pickett (South Fremantle WAFL), Jack Steele (GWS academy).
Outs: Tom Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Sam Frost (Melbourne), Jonathan Giles (Essendon), Stephen Gilham (retired), Josh Hunt (retired), Kristian Jaksch (Carlton), Jonathan O'Rourke (Hawthorn), Mark Whiley (Carlton).
Best line-up:
B: Curtly Hampton, Phil Davis, Joel Patfull
HB: Adam Kennedy, Nick Haynes, Heath Shaw
C: Toby Greene, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Devon Smith, Jonathon Patton, Tom Scully
F: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson
R: Shane Mumford, Ryan Griffen, Stephen Coniglio
I: Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly, Tomas Bugg
Stevo Says: They’re coming, the Giants … and probably more quickly than you think. The loss of Tom Boyd to the Dogs and Jon Patton to injury hurts in the key talls department, but GWS looks super strong down back and through the midfield. Ryan Griffen, nabbed from the Dogs, is a powerhouse. Griff’s that good, he’ll have an immediate impact on the club’s competitiveness. Joel Patfull’s another handy pick up and the blend of youth and experienced looks good. GWS will win 7-10. Finals beckon in 2016.
12th - Collingwood Magpies
Coach: Nathan Buckley
Captain: Scott Pendlebury
Last five years: 1-2-4-8-11
Premierships: 15 (1902-03, 1910, 1917, 1919, 1927-30, 1935-36, 1953, 1958, 1990, 2010)
Key five: Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom.
One to watch: Ben Reid: The talented tall was restricted to just four games last year by calf, quadriceps and hamstring injuries. The Pies sent Reid to Germany to consult with a world-renowned soft-tissue expert and are confident they're on top his issues. A fit and firing Reid will make a huge difference this season.
Ins: Jack Crisp (Brisbane Lions), Jordan De Goey (Oakleigh U18), Matthew Goodyear (Calder U18), Levi Greenwood (North Melbourne), Brayden Maynard (Sandringham U18), Darcy Moore (Oakleigh U18), Travis Varcoe (Geelong).
Outs: Luke Ball (retired), Dayne Beams (Brisbane Lions), Martin Clarke (retired), Ben Hudson (retired), Heritier Lumumba (Melbourne), Quinten Lynch (retired), Nick Maxwell (retired).
Best line-up:
B: Tom Langdon, Nathan Brown, Alan Toovey
HB: Marley Williams, Ben Reid, Lachie Keeffe
C: Brent Macaffer, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Varcoe
HF: Jarryd Blair, Jesse White, Steele Sidebottom
F: Tyson Goldsack, Travis Cloke, Jamie Elliott
R: Jarrod Witts, Dane Swan, Levi Greenwood
I: Taylor Adams, Jack Frost, Paul Seedsman, Clinton Young
11th - West Coast Eagles
Coach: Adam Simpson
Captain: Shannon Hurn
Last five years: 16-4-5-13-9
Premierships: 3 (1992, 1994, 2006)
Key five: Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis, Shannon Hurn
One to watch: Josh Kennedy. The big forward went goalless just once in a 2014 season where he kicked a career-high 61 goals. He finished the campaign with 12 majors in his last two outings and looms as a key figure in the Eagles' bid to return to finals footy.
Ins: Damien Cavka (Calder U18), Liam Duggan (Western U18), Tom Lamb (Dandenong U18), Jackson Nelson (Geelong U18), Callum Sinclair (West Coast rookie), Alec Waterman (Claremont WAFL).
Outs: Jacob Brennan (delisted), Adam Carter (delisted), Dean Cox (retired), Ash Smith (delisted), Blayne Wilson (delisted).
Best lineup:
B: Jamie Bennell, Will Schofield, Jeremy McGovern
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Sam Butler
C: Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo
HF: Xavier Ellis, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
R: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis
I: Brad Sheppard, Scott Lycett, Matt Rosa, Sharrod Wellingham
10th - Brisbane Lions
Coach: Justin Leppitsch
Captain: Tom Rockliff
Last five years: 13-15-13-12-15
Premierships: 3 (2001-03)
Key five: Tom Rockliff, Dayne Beams, Jack Redden, Matthew Leuenberger, Dayne Zorko.
One to watch: Dayne Beams. The star onballer shocked the Magpies with his trade demand, but Collingwood's loss is Brisbane's gain. Beams is still only 25 and shapes to be a prime mover for the Lions as they look to move back up the ladder in 2015 and beyond.
Ins: Harris Andrews (Aspley, Qld), Dayne Beams (Collingwood), Allen Christensen (Geelong), Josh Clayton (Sandringham U18), Liam Dawson (Aspley, Qld), Jaden McGrath (Bendigo U18), Josh McGuinness (Lauderdale, Tas), Mitch Robinson (Carlton), Josh Watts (Glenorchy, Tas).
Outs: Jonathan Brown (retired), Jack Crisp (Collingwood), Jordan Lisle (delisted), Ashley McGrath (retired), Brent Moloney (retired), Joel Patfull (GWS), James Polkinghorne (delisted), Andrew Raines (delisted), Patrick Wearden (delisted).
Best line-up:
B: Jed Adcock, Daniel Merrett, Darcy Gardiner
HB: Pearce Hanley, Justin Clarke, Sam Mayes
C: Marco Paparone, Daniel Rich, Jack Redden
HF: Allen Christensen, Michael Close, Dayne Zorko
F: Lewis Taylor, Brent Staker, Josh Green
R: Matthew Leuenberger, Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff
I: Stefan Martin, James Aish, Rohan Bewick, Mitch Robinson
9th - Adelaide Crows
Coach: Phil Walsh
Captain: Taylor Walker
Last five years: 11-14-3-11-10
Premierships: 2 (1997-98)
Key five: Patrick Dangerfield, Taylor Walker, Sam Jacobs, Daniel Talia, Rory Sloane.
One to watch: Taylor Walker. The 24-year-old spearhead was a surprise choice to replace Nathan van Berlo as Crows skipper, ahead of Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane. Adelaide's hopes for 2015 rest largely on how well he handles his dual responsibilities as captain and the primary focus of the Crows' attack.
Ins: Charlie Cameron (Adelaide rookie), Kyle Cheney (Hawthorn), Harry Dear (Sandringham U18), Jake Lever (Calder U18), Luke Lowden (Hawthorn), Mitch McGovern (Claremont WAFL), Harrison Wigg (North Adelaide SANFL).
Outs: Angus Graham, (delisted), Lewis Johnston (delisted), Shaun McKernan (delisted), Jared Petrenko (delisted), Jason Porplyzia (retired), Ben Rutten (retired), Luke Thompson (delisted).
Best line-up:
B: Ricky Henderson, Daniel Talia, Matthew Jaensch
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Kyle Cheney, David Mackay
C: Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield, Brodie Smith
HF: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Brad Crouch
F: Eddie Betts, Taylor Walker, James Podsiadly
R: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas
I: Sam Kerridge, Luke Brown, Jarryd Lyons, Matthew Wright
