2024 predictions

[graystar1]

Hope they are all wrong​

EARLY 2024 PREDICTIONS​

PREMIER: Collingwood (5), Brisbane, Carlton (3), Sydney, GWS (1)
RUNNER-UP: Carlton (5), Collingwood (4), Brisbane (2), Melbourne, GWS (1)
TOP 4: Brisbane (13), Collingwood (12), Carlton (10), GWS (8), Sydney (3), Adelaide (2), Melbourne (2), Port Adelaide (2)
TOP 8: Collingwood, Brisbane, GWS, Melbourne (13), Carlton (12), Sydney (10), Adelaide, Port Adelaide (9), Gold Coast (4), Geelong, Western Bulldogs (3), Fremantle, St Kilda (1)
BOTTOM 4: West Coast (13), North Melbourne (13), Richmond (10), Fremantle (9), Hawthorn (6), Western Bulldogs (1)
*13 experts entered their 2024 predictions

 

[TigerFurious]

Something to consider when making prediction for next year.

In most recent seasons, a team that finished outside the top eight in the previous year will rise rapidly and finish top four. Conversely, a team that finished top four in the previous year will struggle to make the eight or miss it entirely.

 

[tigertim]

yeah, I was a bit surprised how many tipped as bottom 4.

TWENTY24 VISION


We know it’s December but that doesn’t stop us ruminating on how next year’s AFL season could pan out and our team of experts have tried their hand at the way-too-early predictions for 2024.
After a super close finals series, it could be the toughest season yet to not just pick the premiers but to actually predict who will make the eight.
Carlton and Collingwood loom as the teams to beat but could there be a few dark horses up north? Of course, these will change come next year but for now... do you agree with the answers below?

MARK ROBINSON​

Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Melbourne
Top 8: Coll’wood, Melbourne, Brisbane, Carlton, Adelaide, St Kilda, Bulldogs, GWS Giants
Bottom 4: West Coast (18th), North Melbourne, Richmond, Fremantle
Who’s under most pressure?
Gold Coast
Most anticipated moment?
Melbourne’s first final
Biggest story of 2024?
Concussion developments

JON RALPH​

Premier: Carlton
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Carlton, Collingwood, Brisbane, GWS, Melbourne, Port Adel, Sydney, Gold Coast
Bottom 4: Fremantle, Hawthorn, North, West Coast
Who’s under most pressure?
Luke Beveridge
Most anticipated moment?
Harley Reid’s AFL debut
Biggest story of 2024?
Clayton Oliver. Whether the penny drops and he gets well or the circus continues. Let’s hope it’s the former.

GLENN McFARLANE​

Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants, Melbourne, Sydney, Port Adelaide, Adelaide
Bottom 4: Fremantle, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, West Coast (last).
Who’s under most pressure?
It might well be Ticketek … if you thought getting Taylor Swift tickets was impossible, just imagine the chaos a possible Collingwood-Carlton grand final clash could throw up next September. Good luck trying to manage that one.
Most anticipated moment?
The King’s Birthday ‘grudge match’. Given the bad blood last September, just imagine what might transpire when the two teams meet again after the Brayden Maynard-Angus Brayshaw incident, the Steven May fuel on the fire and the fact these two teams don’t really like one another.
Biggest story of 2024?
Concussion, concussion, concussion … there is no bigger story or no greater challenge facing the AFL.

JAY CLARK​

Premier: Carlton
Runner-up: Brisbane
Top 8: Carlton, Brisbane, GWS, Collingwood, Sydney, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Gold Coast
Bottom 4: Richmond, Hawthorn, West Coast, North
Who’s under most pressure?
Luke Beveridge
Most anticipated moment?
Patrick Cripps leading Carlton into a grand final.
Biggest story of 2024?
Bailey Smith’s future at the crossroads at the kennel.

LAUREN WOOD​

Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Brisbane, Carlton, Sydney, Melbourne, GWS, Port Adelaide, Adelaide
Bottom 4: Richmond, Fremantle, West Coast, North
Who’s under most pressure?
Simon Goodwin and the Demons. Questions were raised early in the off-season about the club’s culture and the revelation the coach hadn’t spoken to forward Joel Smith in the wake of a positive drug test. All that coming off a second consecutive straight-sets exit from finals.
Most anticipated moment?
Jack Ginnivan facing his former teammates and the Magpie crowd for the first time. More theatre than Broadway and West End combined.
Biggest story of 2024?
Concussion to remain a significant headache for the AFL in the months – and even years – to come.

CHRIS CAVANAGH​

Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, W.Bulldogs, GWS, Sydney
Bottom 4: Richmond, Fremantle, North, West Coast
Who’s under most pressure?
Luke Beveridge. The Bulldogs must return to September after an off-season of change. The club has backed its 2016 premiership coach – who will be in his 10th season at the helm – and with good reason. But the blowtorch will be on.
Most anticipated moment?
Ginnivan’s first game against his former club Collingwood. Pencil April 7 in your diary.
Biggest story of 2024?
The AFL is in good shape after a brilliant 2023 season but a new chief executive and head of football will surely be keen to make their mark.

SAM LANDSBERGER​

Premier: Sydney
Runner-up: GWS Giants
Top 8: Brisbane Lions, Sydney, Adelaide, GWS Giants, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Geelong
Bottom 4: Richmond, West Coast, North, Fremantle
Who’s under most pressure? AFL chairman Richard Goyder … and clubs simply won’t cop a handpicked successor devoid of clubland experience chosen from Goyder’s current commission.
Most anticipated moment?
King’s Birthday. Maynard v Brayshaw, Goodwin v McRae, May v everyone. These contenders might be next-door neighbours but they are anything but chummy.
Biggest story of 2024?
Respected new footy boss Laura Kane’s sweeping competitive balance review. From pick purchasing to father-sons to NGA and Northern Academy rules, this is the piece of work with the power to recalibrate an array of rortable riches or even tug at threads intertwined in football fabric.

CALLUM *smile*​

Premier: Brisbane
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Brisbane, Collingwood, GWS, Carlton, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Gold Coast
Bottom 4: West Coast, North, Fremantle, Hawthorn
Who’s under most pressure?
Melbourne. The Dees have been battered from pillar to post in recent months. The magnifying glass will be squarely on Goodwin’s side.
Most anticipated moment?
Collingwood and Carlton prelim. Good luck surviving that chaos.
Biggest story of 2024?
Damien Hardwick leads the Suns to their first finals appearance. Bonus points: They nab a finals win also.

ED BOURKE​

Premier: Carlton
Runner-up: Brisbane
Top 8: Carlton, Brisbane, Collingwood, Port Adelaide, GWS Giants, Geelong, Fremantle, Melbourne
Bottom 4: Western Bulldogs, Richmond, North, West Coast
Who’s under most pressure?
Port Adelaide and coach Ken Hinkley have the biggest battle against expectations on their hands next season. Fans won’t accept anything less than a preliminary final berth in Hinkley’s 12th year at the helm.
Most anticipated moment?
When North unleashes George Wardlaw after his first full pre-season. Alastair Clarkson spent the second half of last year salivating over what Wardlaw could achieve once his “training age” ticked over from zero to one. Good luck to any draftee trying to prise the Rising Star out of his hands in 2024.
Biggest story of 2024?
Another incident similar to the Maynard/Brayshaw collision forces a tough AFL tribunal decision that impacts the Brownlow or the finals.

JOSH BARNES​

Premier: Brisbane Lions
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Brisbane, GWS, Collingwood, Adelaide, Melbourne, Carlton, Sydney, Geelong
Bottom 4: North, West Coast, Richmond, Hawthorn
Who’s under most pressure?
The microscope is zoomed all the way in on Melbourne. Clayton Oliver needs to bounce back and the Dees don’t have that many swings left with Max Gawn and Steven May as key figures. It’s almost now-or-never territory for this group to be remembered as a one-hit wonder or a great side.
Most anticipated moment?
There is still some spice left in Jack Ginnivan’s trade story. It’s a shame we have to wait all the way until round 19 for him to play against his old mob at the MCG but the showman will surely have a special celebration up his sleeve.
Biggest story of 2024?
Park the cameras outside Whitten Oval, everyone is going to have their eyes on Luke Beveridge unless the Dogs start well. If his team doesn’t bounce back big after a bloodless club review, then claret will be spilled.

MATT TURNER​

Premier: Brisbane.
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Brisbane, Collingwood, Sydney, Melbourne , Port Adelaide, Adelaide, GWS, Carlton.
Bottom 4: Richmond, Fremantle, North, West Coast
Who’s under most pressure?
Luke Beveridge - The Dogs have been underwhelming since making the 2021 grand final, finishing eighth and ninth. If they miss the eight again, you suspect he and the club will part ways.
Most anticipated moment?
Although I don’t love the ‘opening round’ concept (no issue with having four games in the northern states, but all nine matches should be played that weekend), the AFL has scheduled some juicy clashes. Brodie Grundy v Dees, Dimma v Tigers and rematches of both prelims. Bring it on.
Biggest story of 2024?
Adam Simpson steps aside as West Coast coach after another tough season with plenty of heavy losses.

SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON​

Premier: Collingwood
Runner up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Brisbane, Carlton, GWS, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney
Bottom 4: Hawthorn, Richmond, North, West Coast
Who’s under most pressure?
Luke Beveridge’s runs on the boards at the Bulldogs are starting to dry up, especially if he can’t get them back into finals and another star in Bailey Smith wants out.
Most anticipated moment?
The Thursday night Showdown, finally the best rivalry in the league gets a standalone prime-time slot.
Biggest story of 2024?
Questions of the club’s culture are going to hover over Melbourne, with a big focus on Clayton Oliver’s form.

LACHLAN McKIRDY​

Premier: GWS Giants
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Giants, Carlton, Brisbane, Swans, Melbourne, Adelaide, Bulldogs
Bottom 4: North, Fremantle, Richmond, West Coast
Who’s under most pressure?
Ken Hinkley. The Power was bounced out of the finals after a promising season and showed some really disappointing signs in the back half of 2023.
Most anticipated moment ?
Can’t wait for the Giants-Collingwood showdown in the Opening Round. Mason Cox’s subtle dig online has already drawn a strong response from the Giants. This game could be anything.
Biggest story of 2024?
The Crows should surge up the ladder and back into the finals picture under Matthew Nicks.

 

[Little Ziggyadee]

The only reason Geelong aren't with us in the bottom 4 is because of home ground advantage.
Not sure the purpose of the 8.
Port are useless
Adelaide no chance
Brisbane would get beaten by Fremantle on the G,
Sydney???
Gws is the only team on paper I can see winning it.
Carlton are slappers.
Clubs will finally work out, stop Little Dacios u win.
We were flag favourites last year 12 months later these jerk off's have us partying with scum like North and Fremantle.
Let's get lynch and big G back and one of Smith and Banks stands up and we will have a chance. Imagine the fear of the clubs playing us on the G..
Brisbane will fold and join the pony club.
Go Tiggies top 3.

 

[Sintiger]

EARLY 2024 PREDICTIONS​

PREMIER: Richmond
RUNNER-UP: Gold Coast
TOP 4: Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS, Brisbane,
TOP 8: Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS, Brisbane , Sydney, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Fremantle
BOTTOM 4: Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong, Essendon

About as valid as some of those nuff nuffs

 

[zgod]

Can't wait to see the blues crash and burn

 

[TrialByVideo]

EARLY 2024 PREDICTIONS​

PREMIER: Richmond
RUNNER-UP: Gold Coast
TOP 4: Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS, Brisbane,
TOP 8: Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS, Brisbane , Sydney, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Fremantle
BOTTOM 4: Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong, Essendon

About as valid as some of those nuff nuffs

Yep.... I concur!

Like, who are these so called visionaries anyway..... never heard of half of them and I reckon if we looked back on last year's predictions they'd be way off!
For instance.... Simeon Thomas-Wilson..... who's this person?

 

[Sintiger]

Yep.... I concur!

Like, who are these so called visionaries anyway..... never heard of half of them and I reckon if we looked back on last year's predictions they'd be way off!
For instance.... Simeon Thomas-Wilson..... who's this person?

Callum “smile” is my favourite

 

[graystar1]

Another little tit bit. about us

Average age at Opening Round, 2024: 24.9 (equal fourth oldest)
Average games: 71.1 (eighth most experienced)
Most games: Dustin Martin (289)
Players with 100-plus games: 15
Players with less than 50 games: 25
Most finals games: Dustin Martin and Nick Vlastuin (16)
Players with finals experience: 24

 

[mrposhman]

TBH out of all the teams this year, I find us hardest to place. Realistically we could finish anywhere from 5th to 17th depending on how various things go.

 

[Scoop]

TBH out of all the teams this year, I find us hardest to place. Realistically we could finish anywhere from 5th to 17th depending on how various things go.

Same, I have no idea what next year holds. Feel like we could have a transition year, win 10 games and miss finals but see a lot more of the kids and feel like we could bounce back quicker.

If Dusty and Lynch hold up and play 18 games or more, we could do anything.

 

[TigerForce]

EARLY 2024 PREDICTIONS​

PREMIER: Richmond
RUNNER-UP: Gold Coast
TOP 4: Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS, Brisbane,
TOP 8: Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS, Brisbane , Sydney, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Fremantle
BOTTOM 4: Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong, Essendon

About as valid as some of those nuff nuffs

Yep. Too true Sin. Funny how the majority is always shown again the year later. Surely, Dorks, lolnorf and even Wet Coke can improve out of the bottom 4. No-one knew GWS would be that high this year. This is all kids stuff.

 

[Sintiger]

Another little tit bit. about us

Average age at Opening Round, 2024: 24.9 (equal fourth oldest)
Average games: 71.1 (eighth most experienced)
Most games: Dustin Martin (289)
Players with 100-plus games: 15
Players with less than 50 games: 25
Most finals games: Dustin Martin and Nick Vlastuin (16)
Players with finals experience: 24

There is very little between being where we are and about 10-12 oldest
Take out one of our 30+ guys and replace him with an 18 year old and we are about 8th

 

[BrisTiger24]

For me:

PREMIER: Brisbane
RUNNER-UP: Carlton
TOP 4: Brisbane, Carlton, GWS, Melbourne
TOP 8: Brisbane, Carlton, GWS, Melbourne, Sydney, Collingwood, Gold Coast. Adelaide
BOTTOM 4: West Coast, North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

I hope they're all right...

... about Essendumb missing finals.

Let the streak continue.

 

[TJsFurrow]

The corresponding article prior to the 2017 season is hilarious. Some extremely pedestrian players and teams were tipped to take the AFL by storm by some of the names on this article. Billings and Powell-Pepper were going to be the next big things, Jobe was going to win a 2nd (!) Brownlow and, of course, the Tigers were going to languish.

 

[Brodders17]

I hope they're all right...

... about Essendumb missing finals.

Let the streak continue.

Funnily enough the bombers are the only team no one has picked to make the 8, or to finish in the bottom 4.

 

[ceehook2]

2023​			2024 predictiction	a Stab at actual order
1​	Collingwood	They have a good coach , good systems and a solid playing roster, expect more of the same	Top 4	2​
2​	Brisbane Lions	See Collingwood comment , and the Lions VFL side was strong , they have the depth to backup	Top 4	1​
3​	Port Adelaide	A difficult side to tie down , Hinkley divides the club , after losing the first 2 games the knives were out for Hinkley. Then an impressive run of wins secured him a contract extension. Late season injuries meant they weren't impressive in the finals .	Possible Top 4	5​
4​	Melbourne	Grundy gone might be a good thing for the Dees. They have the pieces , the development of Van Rooen might be the key to them going Top 4 /GF. Will losing Yze hurt them !!!	Possible Top 4	6​
5​	Carlton	Get them a bigger bath , their supporter base will have limitless capacity for drinking bathwater. They have that all important momentum , a good coach and a good list but it has holes and can look ordinary in patches	Possible Top 4	3​
6​	St Kilda	I think they've done well with their list , over performed if anything , can make the top 8 if things go their way	Possible Top 8	12​
7​	GWS Giants	Kingsley & Giants generated some real excitement last year , but I can see them equally going 3/4 or 9/10 in a very compressed comp	Possible Top 4	13​
8​	Sydney Swans	A very shrewd coach in Horse , they certainly have talent , but I think depth is their weaekness and the very top teams will expose them	Possible Top 4	7​
9​	Western Bulldogs	Been some off field changes at the kennel , were widely touted to go Top 4 last year , have a good list and depth , the pressure is very much on Bevo. I expect a clean up for their game plan and a much better year	Possible Top 4	4​
10​	Adelaide Crows	The Crows have been building under Nicks, I don't know they have the experience and depth of quality to go top 4 , but they have the stability and momentum to go Top 8	Possible Top 8	9​
11​	Essendon	Everyone loves a Scott brother ? Ok , maybe not , you'd think by trading in Duursma, Gresham , Goldstien & the value for money McKay Brad Scott thinks the Bombers premiership window is open for the Bombers. Shhhhh , don't say anything , we don't want to burst his bubble .	Possible Top 8	15​
12​	Geelong Cats	The Cats are doing a rebuild on the run , they are far from hopeless and with the home ground advantage and Cameron winning a couple off his own boot don't be surprised to see them around the bottom of the Top 8	Possible Top 8	8​
13​	Richmond	Not dissimilar to the Cats , but with a big change in the coaching Dept. , expect Yze & Newman to steer us well, expect Lynch to win us a few , we will have a few young guys step up. Good run with injuries could see us squeeze into 8th and maybe push Cats out	Possible Top 8	11​
14​	Fremantle	seems to be a run down list and lack of direction , but have had plenty of good performances in the past 2 years, I can see them sneaking enough home wins to finish 10 -16 , exactly where they finish depends on how many clubs crash and burn aroud them	Likely bottom 4	17​
15​	Gold Coast Suns	Stewie Dew seemed to be popular within the Club and was dragging the GC up from a very low base. They are assembling some serious talent , but 2024 mightnt be their year , Dimma might have their game plan on a reset and miss cruical wins early and just miss finals	seriously don't know	10​
16​	Hawthorn	I want to raise them up the ladder more, I think they are developing a good attacking game that will worry sides , but they have to stop leaking goals, in a tough comp they might still be another year away	Possible Top 8	14​
17​	North Melbourne	They'd love some wins to get the moneky off their back , but they are building for future years	Likely bottom 4	16​
18​	West Coast Eagles	run down list in a full rebuild , will be the whipping boys again	Likely bottom 4	18​

 

[fastin bulbous]

If one youngster steps up on every line which is possible if not probable. We’ll have a great year.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

The corresponding article prior the the 2017 season is hilarious. Some extremely pedestrian players and teams were tipped to take the AFL by storm by some of the names on this article. Billings and Powell-Pepper were going to be the next big thing, Jobe was going to win a 2nd (!) Brownlow and, of course, the Tigers were going to languish.

Mathew Lloyd’s comments about Prestia coming to us were particularly funny.