Our experts, including Andrew Demetriou, predict the season
AFL.com.au and AFL Record reporters share their tips for the year ahead, with Fremantle the hot tip to win the premiership.
NICK BOWEN
Top four: Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Fremantle, North Melbourne
Premier: Hawthorn
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: Greater Western Sydney
Moving up: West Coast
Set to fall: Geelong
Brownlow Medal: Scott Pendlebury
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron
NAB AFL Rising Star: Brodie Grundy
Coach of the year: Alastair Clarkson
Headline you'll see: Bomber fans want 'Bomber' to stay on
Headline you won't see: Equalisation Eddie says the Pies are happy to share
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes
How many goals will Buddy kick? 62
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Eight
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
Big things are expected of North Melbourne in 2014, including a top-four finish. Picture: AFL Media
ASHLEY BROWNE
Top four: Sydney Swans, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Richmond
Premier: Sydney Swans
Runner-up: Fremantle
Wooden spoon: Greater Western Sydney
Moving up: West Coast
Set to fall: Port Adelaide
Brownlow Medal: Scott Pendlebury
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: James Aish
Headline you’ll see: Demetriou answers Lake Como's call
Headline you won’t see: It's a schedule, not a fixture, admits League
Coach of the year: Adam Simpson
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Can? Yes. Will? No.
How many goals will ‘Buddy’ kick? ?Every marketing, media and membership goal the Swans hoped for in hatching the deal.
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Six
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
BEN COLLINS
Top four: Fremantle, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Sydney Swans
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: Greater Western Sydney
Moving up: Essendon
Set to fall: Port Adelaide
Brownlow Medal: Scott Pendlebury
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Brodie Grundy
Headline you’ll see: 'Bomber' to coach Bombers in 2015
Headline you won’t see: Dour Dockers no more – Lyon releases shackles
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Could but unlikely.
How many goals will ‘Buddy’ kick? 54?
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Three to four
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? No
The tipsters believe Fremantle can go one better in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
JAMES DAMPNEY
Top four: Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, Geelong
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: West Coast
Set to fall: Collingwood
Brownlow Medal: Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans)
Coleman Medal: Jarryd Roughead
NAB AFL Rising Star: Josh Kelly
Coach of the year: Chris Scott
Headline you’ll see: From Bondi to Brilliant: Buddy puts off-field controversy behind him to lead Swans to victory
Headline you won’t see: Geelong scribes show their love for Lyon
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes
How many goals will Buddy kick? 71
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Six
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
BEN GUTHRIE
Top four: Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Geelong
Premier: Sydney Swans
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: West Coast, Adelaide
Set to fall: Carlton, Port Adelaide
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield
Coleman Medal: Travis Cloke
NAB AFL Rising Star: Josh Kelly
Coach of the year: Adam Simpson
Headline you’ll see: Danger time: Patrick Dangerfield the AFL's new best
Headline you won’t see: I'll be back: Demetriou
Can Gold Coast make the finals? No
How many goals will Buddy kick? 52?
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Six?
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
The Swans on track to repeat their 2012 feats with an even stronger line-up this in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
MICHAEL LOVETT
Top four: Hawthorn, Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Collingwood
Premier: Sydney Swans
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: Greater Western Sydney
Moving up: Western Bulldogs
Set to fall: Carlton
Brownlow Medal: Scott Pendlebury
Coleman Medal: Travis Cloke
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jack Martin
Coach of the year: Adam Simpson
Headline you’ll see: Gazza better than his old man
Headline you won’t see: ‘Buddy’ fumes over nine-year deal
Can Gold Coast make the finals? No
How many goals will ‘Buddy’ kick? 75
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Five
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
ALEX MALCOLM
Top four: Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Fremantle, Essendon
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: West Coast
Set to fall: Carlton
Brownlow Medal: Nat Fyfe
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jack Martin
Coach of the year: Brendan McCartney
Headline you’ll see: Supplements saga sours another season
Headline you won’t see: AFL goalkicking accuracy at an all-time high
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes?
How many goals will Buddy kick? 65?
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Six
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
Despite an incredible pre-season, our tipsters can't see the Hawks going back-to-back. Picture: AFL Media
ADAM McNICOL
Top four: Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Richmond, North Melbourne
Premier: Sydney Swans
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: North Melbourne
Set to fall: Fremantle
Brownlow Medal: Trent Cotchin
Coleman Medal: Jay Schulz
NAB AFL Rising Star: Luke McDonald
Headline you’ll see: Bombers finally admit Hird not coming back
Headline you won’t see: A team for all Tasmanians is a reality
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes
How many goals will ‘Buddy’ kick? 65
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Five
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? No
JENNIFER PHELAN
Top four: Hawthorn, Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Collingwood
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: Greater Western Sydney
Moving up: Gold Coast
Set to fall: Carlton
Brownlow Medal: Scott Pendlebury
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron
NAB AFL Rising Star: Brodie Grundy
Coach of the year: Ross Lyon
Headline you'll see: Jack Riewoldt breaks media ban in spectacular fashion
Headline you won't see: Hawks miss eight - Kennett stays silent
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes
How many goals will Buddy kick? 52
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Five
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
Gary Ablett's Gold Coast is expected to start challenging for finals in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
PETER RYAN
Top four: Fremantle, Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, North Melbourne
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: North Melbourne
Set to fall: Port Adelaide
Brownlow Medal: Dustin Martin
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jack Martin
Coach of the year: Brad Scott
Headline you’ll see: Melbourne in the eight after round one
Headline you won’t see: Eddie McGuire sets the record straight: ‘As long as Melbourne is in a position to break its premiership drought, I'm happy.’
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes
How many goals will Buddy kick? 75
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Six
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? No
NATHAN SCHMOOK
Top four: Fremantle, Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Richmond
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: North Melbourne
Set to fall: Carlton
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Brodie Grundy
Coach of the year: Adam Simpson
Headline you’ll see: Fortress WA: Eagles rebuild House of Pain
Headline you won’t see: Wellingham sidelined after half-pipe mishap
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes
How many goals will Buddy kick? 65
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Five
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? No
Will the Cats dip in 2014? Early injuries to somekey players are a worry for Geelong. Picture: AFL Media
HARRY THRING
Top four: Hawthorn, Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Richmond
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: Gold Coast
Set to fall: Geelong
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield
Coleman Medal: Travis Cloke
NAB AFL Rising Star: Luke McDonald
Coach of the year: Ross Lyon
Headline you’ll see: Martin rises as Suns’ little master
Headline you won’t see: Sloane cut from Crows after fight with coach
Can Gold Coast make the finals? No
How many goals will Buddy kick? 35
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Five
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
CALLUM TWOMEY
Top four: Hawthorn, Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Geelong
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: Gold Coast
Set to fall: Carlton
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Luke McDonald
Coach of the year: Ross Lyon
Headline you’ll see: Gil set for Chief's seat
Headline you won’t see: Giants: we aren't open to trading our early draft pick
Can Gold Coast make the finals? They can, but won't.
How many goals will Buddy kick? 54?
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? Four
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes
MICHAEL WHITING
Top four: Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, North Melbourne
Premier: Fremantle
Runner-up: Sydney Swans
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Moving up: North Melbourne
Set to fall: Port Adelaide
Brownlow Medal: Gary Ablett
Coleman Medal: Jarryd Roughead
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jack Martin
Coach of the year: Brad Scott
Headline you’ll see: No Franklin? No Buddy problem for Hawks
Headline you won’t see: Not even Paul Roos can help the Demons
Can Gold Coast make the finals? Yes. Three years in and they'll join a glut of teams chasing the final few spots in the eight. Any team with that talent has to be a chance.
How many goals will Buddy kick? 60
How many wins will Paul Roos lead the Dees to? 6
Will James Frawley stay at Melbourne? Yes. A few more wins and a bit of light at the end of the tunnel will be enough to convince him – despite the lures from elsewhere.
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