PRE-SEASON, our reporters were challenged to peer into the crystal ball and come up with their predictions for the 2017 season.
Some were bold, some were conservative, and some were simply bonkers.
Now, as we head into round 17 and the shape of the season has taken some form, we look back on their predictions, along with a gentle critique from a colleague of each of these stabs in the dark. And it's fair to say there are more brickbats than bouquets.
Nick Bowen
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: St Kilda
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Jamie Macmillan (North Melbourne)
Headline you'll see: Fyfe turns his back on Vic suitors to re-sign with Dockers
Headline you won't see: Bring back third man up: Sandi
Game-changer: Quick ball movement will be a huge focus for most teams, with players instructed to play on whenever possible.
Pass the tissues: David Swallow returns from horror injury run to win Gold Coast's best and fairest award.
The new normal: Following the example Hawthorn set last year with Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis, clubs will be more prepared to trade star veterans when their lists need youthful makeovers.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Adelaide
St Kilda
Geelong
Melbourne
-----------
Hawthorn
Collingwood
Port Adelaide
Gold Coast
North Melbourne
Richmond
Fremantle
Essendon
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
A fine effort from Nick Bowen with six of the top eight spots in place after round 16 with only Port Adelaide and Richmond replacing the Western Bulldogs and West Coast. He was spot on with Nat Fyfe too, with the Dockers skipper declaring his intention to stay and although David Swallow won't win the club best and fairest his run has been full of merit. Unfortunately, he let his Kangaroos leanings to nominate Jamie Macmillan as a surprise All Australian and his affinity with men closest to his age, Aaron Sandilands, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis to make an outlandish suggestion about Mitchell. Hard to knock his expertise however despite my keenness to do so. - Peter Ryan
Ashley Browne
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: Western Bulldogs
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: Geelong
Brownlow Medal: Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Ryan Burton (Hawthorn)
Recruit of the year: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Surprise All Australian: Dayne Beams (Brisbane Lions)
Headline you'll see: Crowd records smashed
Headline you won't see: Angry Giants fans slam AFL
Game-changer: The art of ruckwork will return with the 'third man up' now abolished. Some will tap, others will punch, while the palm might also make a comeback. It will be beautiful to watch.
Pass the tissues: Sam Mitchell gets a standing ovation from Hawthorn fans during the pre-game warm-up just before the round five game at the MCG.
The new normal: Star player is a late withdrawal from a game then misses another two weeks. Club says he has a 'grumbly' groin. Social media, 'Snowy' on the tram and the second cousin of someone you went to school insist he is serving a ban for an illicit drug and that the AFL is keeping it a secret.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
West Coast
Hawthorn
Melbourne
Adelaide
St Kilda
-----------
Geelong
Fremantle
Gold Coast
Essendon
Collingwood
North Melbourne
Richmond
Port Adelaide
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
I'd fully intended to sledge Browney over his predictions, so it's disappointing that he has provided me with so little ammunition. My astute colleague's prophesies are more resembling Nostradamus' quatrains than Lou Richards' Kiss Of Death. His Hawthorn allegiance aside, Browney's choice of Ryan Burton as his NAB AFL Rising Star winner has proved an inspired choice given the youngster's injury history, and Swan-turned-Hawk Tom Mitchell is easily the pick-up of the year. Browney also correctly forecast record crowds, and to date he's on the money with five of his top eight teams, including his expected riser Melbourne. He overrated the Bulldogs and his beloved Hawks, and didn't anticipate such strong returns from Geelong, Richmond or Port Adelaide, but he wasn't Robinson Crusoe there. Next time, I'm gonna look over his shoulder. - Ben Collins
The Giants for the premiership proved a popular pick. Picture: AFL Photos
Ben Collins
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: West Coast
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Collingwood
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Will Brodie (Gold Coast)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Steve Johnson (GWS)
Headline you'll see: No Shanghai surprise: Chinese support Suns and Kochie goes crook
Headline you won't see: Big-headed Bulldogs rest on laurels
Game-changer: Nathan Buckley saves his job by sharing it more with others. His new focus on delegation and player-empowerment results in more Pies enjoying personal-best seasons and a vastly improved team effort.
Pass the tissues: Jarryd Roughead becomes the All Australian captain.
The new normal: An old normal will return, with handball numbers to go through the roof again following the success of the Bulldogs' famed 'handball club'. And there will be an unofficial competition to see who can deliver the most outrageously inventive (and legal) handball.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
West Coast
Adelaide
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn
Geelong
Collingwood
-----------
Melbourne
St Kilda
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Gold Coast
Essendon
Fremantle
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Unfortunately for 'Collo' his prediction of a Collingwood rejuvenation has not come to pass and coach Nathan Buckley's job is in serious jeopardy. The Magpies sit 15th on the ladder with five wins and 10 losses and the club has come under heavy fire for its decision to recruit Daniel Wells and Chris Mayne on lucrative deals. The Kangaroos' decline was a popular judgment and Ben appears to be right on the money with that assessment, with North in the bottom four with seven games remaining. The Bulldogs have done exactly the opposite of what Ben thought, with a lingering 'premiership hangover' underlining the club's fall. However, Collins' nomination of Josh Kennedy for the Brownlow Medal could still come true. - Ben Guthrie
Adam Curley
Premier: Western Bulldogs
Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Coleman Medal: Lance Franklin (Sydney)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jacob Hopper (GWS)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Josh Kelly (GWS)
Headline you'll see: NSW clubs dominate 2017 All Australian 22
Headline you won't see: Carlton's former Giants lead club revival
Game-changer: Coaches will find a way to have their star midfielders spend even more time forward and less time off the ground this season, meaning the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Parker, Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe will kick 30+ goals.
Pass the tissues: Bob Murphy retires with a premiership as the Bulldogs go back-to-back.
The new normal: West Coast duo Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell combining to rack up 70+ possessions between them.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Adelaide
West Coast
Geelong
Melbourne
Hawthorn
-----------
St Kilda
Essendon
Gold Coast
Richmond
Collingwood
Fremantle
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Carlton
‘Curls’ has a pretty myopic view of footy. He’s a West Australian who lives in Sydney and barracks for the Western Bulldogs, so his thoughts on the season reflected a bit of that. Mind you, I’m also guilty of feeling bullish about the Dogs, so who am I to talk? He did well with his Melbourne and North Melbourne predictions and those two clubs are fifth and 17th as I write this. Jacob Hopper was his call for the NAB AFL Rising Star but the Giants midfielder has only played six games this year. He got the recruit of the year half-right – it will indeed be a Mitchell, but Hawk Tom not Eagle Sam. And his top eight is reasonably sound although, like a few of us, he may have whiffed on Port Adelaide. - Ashley Browne
Ryan Davidson
Premier: Western Bulldogs
Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Sam Mitchell
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast)
Recruit of the year: Travis Cloke
Surprise All Australian: Steven May
Headline you'll see: Tigers miss the eight, again
Headline you won't see: Power surge saves Hinkley
Game-changer: The AFL has vowed to crack down on the practice, but the super-quick handball (or borderline throwing) from contests the Bulldogs employed so successfully last year was prevalent amongst other teams in the JLT Community Series. Increased ball movement through the corridor will also be prevalent.
Pass the tissues: For a kid that has had terrible luck since being drafted, the football world would be hoping Saint Nathan Freeman's hamstrings would finally let him show his immense talent at senior level.
The new normal: Like it or not, GWS will play finals consistently for the foreseeable future, and be most experts' tip for the flag in that period.
Ladder
Western Bulldogs
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney Swans
Adelaide
Geelong
Hawthorn
West Coast
Essendon
-----------
St Kilda
Melbourne
Gold Coast
Collingwood
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Fremantle
Richmond
Carlton
Brisbane Lions
Like many in the football world, Davo failed to foresee the Western Bulldogs' premiership hangover – possibly due to his own celebrations of that drought-breaking flag continuing well into the early months of 2017. He played it safe tipping a Bulldogs-Giants decider and although that now seems highly unlikely, it was certainly a better call than plucking out Brayden Fiorini as a left-field NAB AFL Rising Star winner, or expecting Travis Cloke to be the recruit of the year. Steven May making the All Australian team remains a chance, though. Ryan wasn't alone predicting Port and Richmond to languish near the bottom of the ladder, so we won't whack him too hard, and he deserves credit for picking Adelaide as a top-four team when many others had their doubts about the Crows' credentials. - Travis King
The Dogs are outside of the top eight and struggling to reach the heights of 2016. Picture: AFL Photos
Nat Edwards
Premier: Sydney
Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Essendon
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide)
Recruit of the year: Jaeger O'Meara
Surprise All Australian: Dylan Shiel
Headline you'll see: Port sees red as Chinese fans side with Suns
Headline you won't see: Hawks bomb on Jaeger trade
Game-changer: Drawing free kicks for a high tackle is going to be very tough in 2017 with the umpires cracking down on shrugging the shoulders and dropping the knees. Several clubs have benefited from this over in the past, and will need to find a new tactic quick smart.
Pass the tissues: After a year out of the game, Jarryd Roughead returns to lead the Hawks and has a phenomenal year, winning Hawthorn's best and fairest.
The new normal: 40-plus possession games for Patrick Dangerfield as he waltzes towards yet another Brownlow Medal.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney Swans
West Coast
Hawthorn
Geelong
Western Bulldogs
Adelaide
Melbourne
-----------
St Kilda
Collingwood
Richmond
Essendon
North Melbourne
Gold Coast
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
If you can't tell by a few of these selections, Nat has a little bit of a Hawthorn bias. Those brown and gold glasses were extremely optimistic about the prospects of boom recruit Jaeger O'Meara. Unfortunately, knee issues have kept the former Rising Star winner to four games for his new club, putting the decision to bring him across from the Suns squarely in the crosshairs. Nat's dream of an all-NSW grand final is still very much alive. But don't feel bad about not seeing Hawthorn's decline coming – only five of our 17 reporters predicted they would miss the top eight. - Lee Gaskin
Lee Gaskin
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: West Coast
Wooden spoon: Brisbane Lions
Moving up: St Kilda
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
Coleman Medal: Eddie Betts (Adelaide)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide)
Recruit of the year: Zach Tuohy (Geelong)
Surprise All Australian: Zac Williams (GWS)
Headline you'll see: Electric Eddie kicks goal of the year for third straight season
Headline you won't see: Dusty becomes regular panel member on The Footy Show
Game-changer: After the Dockers kick the first point of the game, Ross Lyon instructs them to play keepings off for the next two hours as they hang on for a gritty 1-0 victory.
Pass the tissues: Nat Fyfe has a spectacular season for the Dockers and finishes just one vote behind Dangerfield in the Brownlow Medal.
The new normal: Every side is running at least a dozen players through the midfield to copy the versatility of the Bulldogs.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney Swans
Geelong
West Coast
Adelaide
St Kilda
Hawthorn
Melbourne
-----------
Western Bulldogs
Richmond
Gold Coast
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
North Melbourne
Essendon
Fremantle
Carlton
Brisbane Lions
It's pretty hard to pick fault in Lee's crystal ball gazing, especially when you factor in his prediction for the reigning premiers to tumble outside the top eight. There are big ticks also for his Rising Star, premier, wooden spoon, moving up, set to fall, Brownlow Medal and recruit of the year calls. But enough with the back slaps. What was he thinking overlooking Port Adelaide and underrating Adelaide, right under his nose in South Australia? And how didn't he see the Tiger army coming? West Coast and Hawthorn are letting Lee down, too, and he was far too gung-ho about Nat Fyfe and Zac Williams. - Marc McGowan
Nat Fyfe has failed to recapture his Brownlow Medal form. Picture: AFL Photos
Ben Guthrie
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: West Coast
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Essendon
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Adam Treloar (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Oliver Florent (Sydney)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs)
Headline you'll see: Opposition clubs cry foul at Giants' dominance
Headline you won't see: Port Adelaide president David Koch declares club is rebuilding
Game-changer: The corridor kick. Teams will look to use the '45 kick' (a pass inboard on a 45-degree angle) more than ever to open up the ground and exploit opposition zone defences. The reward of hitting the 'corridor kick' far outweighs the risk as teams focus on transition footy.
Pass the tissues: Jobe Watson is named to the All Australian team after a year out of the game, giving him a consolation prize after losing his 2012 Brownlow Medal.
The new normal: The hybrid defender will take away the need for teams to pick key backmen in position. Even though they are undersized, hybrid defenders can generally cover the ground quickly and defend space more efficiently than key defenders. Players such as Jeremy McGovern and Jeremy Howe will thrive.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
West Coast
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Geelong
Adelaide
Essendon
St Kilda
-----------
Melbourne
Hawthorn
Gold Coast
Collingwood
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Richmond
North Melbourne
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Let's start with the ladder. Ben has got it right with his prediction the Roos would be on the wane, and they look likely to finish right about where he had them placed in the rungs of the bottom four. But in his pre-season tips, Ben had Port Adelaide back in 14th position. They've done a little better than that in what shaped as a make-or-break year for Power coach Ken Hinkley, and they sit in the top four with seven games to go. Perhaps Guthrie's best example of foresight came in how he expected Jeremy Howe to "thrive" this season in his hybrid defensive role. Howe is on track for All Australian selection after a brilliant year in the Pies' backline. - Callum Twomey
Travis King
Premier: West Coast
Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Tim Taranto (GWS)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Bradley Hill (Fremantle)
Headline you'll see: Power out on Hinkley
Headline you won't see: Cats skipper booked again for speeding
Game-changer: High-risk, high-reward kicking into the corridor.
Pass the tissues: Emotional Jobe Watson bows out by winning Bombers best and fairest.
The new normal: The introduction of a twilight Grand Final sounds the death knell for the traditional 2.30pm bouncedown.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney
West Coast
Western Bulldogs
St Kilda
Melbourne
Geelong
Adelaide
-----------
Hawthorn
Collingwood
Fremantle
Gold Coast
Richmond
Essendon
Port Adelaide
North Melbourne
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Given the unpredictable nature of the regular season so far, 'Kingy' can be pretty satisfied with his pre-season picks. Like most experts he missed on the rise of Port Adelaide and Richmond, especially with his call of 'Power out on Hinkley', plus the premiers' fall from grace. His beloved Eagles won't be capturing the flag, nor will the Blues get the spoon, but he correctly tipped the Dees to jump up the ladder into finals contention, and the Roos to drop. Injuries to Kennedy and Taranto will cost him, but Bradley Hill has been outstanding for Fremantle and wouldn't be out of AA calculations. - Adam Curley
Howard Kotton
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: Brisbane Lions
Moving up: St Kilda
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Callan Ward (GWS)
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Marc Murphy (Calrton)
Headline you'll see: Board backs Hardwick/Buckley
Headline you won't see: Malthouse to coach his fifth AFL club
Game-changer: The new ruck rule banning the 'third man up' will lead to a better spectacle. Play won't be as congested and purists will delight in watching the two ruckmen going head to head.
Pass the tissues: Young Magpie Sam McLarty, whose battle to get to the elite level has been well documented, wins a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination on the back of several impressive performances.
The new normal: If the JLT Community Series is any indication, clubs have followed the Bulldogs' template for success with the use of handball. Statistics show there have been already many more handballs than kicks – but will it last? Unlikely.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Hawthorn
West Coast
Sydney
St Kilda
Gold Coast
Geelong
Western Bulldogs
-----------
Adelaide
Melbourne
Fremantle
North Melbourne
Collingwood
Richmond
Essendon
Port Adelaide
Carlton
Brisbane Lions
Howard was the only one among us to tip another Grand Final appearance for the Hawks, getting off to a poor start. Safe picks for premier (GWS), wooden spoon (Brisbane Lions) and set to fall (North Melbourne) added some credibility, and Howard's veteran game sense can be seen in his tip for the Western Bulldogs to finish eighth (only one other tipster had them that low). St Kilda to finish fifth was another bold prediction that could pay off, but even the most experienced can be blinded by love and Howard didn't really put himself out there when tipping Marc Murphy as a 'surprise' All Australian. Port Adelaide (16th) and Richmond (14th) were the howlers on the ladder, and he didn't see Adelaide's rise coming. - Nathan Schmook
Unfortunately for Howard, it doesn't look like his Hawks tip will be coming in. Picture: AFL Photos
Dinny Navaratnam
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: West Coast
Wooden spoon: Brisbane Lions
Moving up: Richmond
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Mitch McGovern (Adelaide)
Headline you'll see: Good Friday footy a success
Headline you won't see: Clarkson: I shouldn't have traded Mitchell and Lewis
Game-changer: Teams go handball-heavy to break through opposition defences.
Pass the tissues: Jobe Watson racks up 36 disposals to help Essendon to a two-point victory on Anzac Day, wins Anzac Medal.
The new normal: Players go to extreme lengths to avoid deliberately rushing behinds.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Geelong
Hawthorn
Adelaide
Richmond
-----------
Melbourne
Collingwood
St Kilda
Gold Coast
Essendon
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
North Melbourne
Carlton
Brisbane Lions
Dinny has read the play well, starting with the Tigers moving up. You can't fault his 'GWS for premier' prediction, at least yet, nor his wooden spoon tip with the Lions. Sam Powell-Pepper is in the mix for the Rising Star and he was also spot on with North being the team set to fall. Jobe Watson had 28 touches in a three-goal win on Anzac Day, but didn't win the medal. The biggest query is West Coast as runner-up combined with Sam Mitchell as recruit of the year. All in all though, a great step up on last year's predictions from Dinny, who is no longer the new kid on the block in our newsroom. - Matt Thompson
Jennifer Phelan
Premier: GWS
Runner-up: Adelaide
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Wayne Milera (Adelaide)
Recruit of the year: Jordan Lewis (Melbourne)
Surprise All Australian: Daniel Wells (Collingwood)
Headline you'll see: Martin to stay a Tiger
Headline you won't see: Power lose first 10 games, Kochie fine with it
Game-changer: 'Third man up' ban sees more clubs play two recognised ruckmen.
Pass the tissues: The Bulldogs go back-to-back and Bob Murphy wins the Norm Smith.
The new normal: More small forwards in contention for the Coleman Medal.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney Swans
Western Bulldogs
Adelaide
West Coast
Melbourne
Hawthorn
Geelong
-----------
Collingwood
St Kilda
Richmond
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Fremantle
Essendon
Gold Coast
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Jen foresaw the Greater Western Sydney-Adelaide monopoly at the top of the ladder (kind of, at least with her Grand Final teams) and Jeremy Cameron's prolific goalkicking, but it was slim pickings from there. Was far too generous about the Bulldogs – not sure there will be any Kleenex moments – and Hawthorn, and was one of many left wanting over Port Adelaide's and Richmond's rise. Jen must have checked if there were any fortune teller jobs going when Rory Sloane stormed out of the 2017 blocks, but she didn't see the return of the tagger. The Daniel Wells selection was a shocker! - Marc McGowan
Daniel Wells has struggled with injury since joining the Magpies. Picture: AFL Photos
Peter Ryan
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Adam Treloar (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
Recruit of the year: Bradley Hill (Fremantle)
Surprise All Australian: Callan Ward (GWS)
Headline you'll see: Players win landmark pay-deal
Headline you won't see: Trading ban on Greater Western Sydney
Game-changer: A club playing two ruckmen has massive advantage at stoppages.
Pass the tissues: Essendon's first win for the season.
The new normal: Clubs rest their stars as they are more focused on finishing in top eight with their best team on park than winning the double chance by finishing top four.
Ladder
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Greater Western Sydney
Adelaide
Geelong
Melbourne
West Coast
St Kilda
-----------
Hawthorn
Collingwood
Gold Coast
Essendon
Port Adelaide
Fremantle
North Melbourne
Richmond
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
When you look at what Peter 'the Doyen' Ryan envisioned back in March, it’s not hard to see why he considers himself one of the most respected journalists in the game. He predicted a big pay deal for the players, the rise of St Kilda and Melbourne, the demise of Hawthorn, while forecasting Docker Bradley Hill’s move back home to Perth would pay immediate dividends. However, the quietly-spoken newshound didn’t foresee the Bulldogs' fall from grace or Carlton's renaissance. While he doesn’t wear a nose ring and a pair of Doc Martens these days, the former punk rocker’s anti-establishment ethos was like a patch on his old leather jacket with his cynical view that Greater Western Sydney - the perceived 'golden child' of the AFL - would not be excluded from this year’s trade period. - Ryan Davidson
Nathan Schmook
Premier: Sydney Swans
Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide)
Recruit of the year: Sam Mitchell (West Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Jack Billings (St Kilda)
Headline you'll see: Saint 'Richo' signs on for the long haul
Headline you won't see: Early resolution in Dusty talks
Game-changer: Rewarding tacklers. Blowing the whistle this year instead of play on when the ball spills free could be the answer to congestion.
Pass the tissues: Dumped Dockers ride Giant wave into GF.
The new normal: Tuesday night parmas for the Tribunal jury. With only five cases in 2016 (down from 11 in 2015 and 15 in 2014), a new low could be set this year.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney Swans
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Geelong
Hawthorn
Melbourne
Adelaide
-----------
St Kilda
Collingwood
Richmond
Essendon
Gold Coast
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Fremantle
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Nathan just wasn't ready to see the Hawthorn empire crumble, was he? How else can you explain two of his major blunders: the Hawks to finish sixth – missed the signs of decline in late 2016, did you, Schmooky? – and former Hawk Sam Mitchell to be recruit of the year … at 34. That said, I suspect Monsieur Schmook's crystal ball makes better reading than most. Sydney's recent resurgence means it can't be written off for the flag, GWS is the most likely minor premier, while Melbourne has risen and North Melbourne fallen as forecast and, as you'd expect, Nathan was all over his MRP beat, correctly predicting a lean year for Tribunal hearings. There were other misses, though, most embarrassingly Port to finish 15th and Richmond to miss the top eight. - Nick Bowen
Matt Thompson
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: Western Bulldogs
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Melbourne
Set to fall: Hawthorn
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
Coleman Medal: Lance Franklin (Sydney)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Andrew McGrath (Essendon)
Recruit of the year: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Surprise All Australian: Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Headline you'll see: Players get massive pay rise
Headline you won't see: Dustin Martin splits from celebrity agent
Game-changer: Off the field, now the AFL owns Etihad Stadium, tenant clubs will reap the rewards of newfound prosperity.
Pass the tissues: Fans finally get a full look at Jaeger O'Meara's potential, bringing tears to the eyes of both Hawks and Gold Coast supporters - albeit for different reasons.
The new normal: The barrier between fans and players becomes further restricted, with more controlled media access meaning we hear less from the stars of the game.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
West Coast
Geelong
Melbourne
Collingwood
St Kilda
-----------
Hawthorn
Essendon
Gold Coast
Richmond
Adelaide
North Melbourne
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Whether his predictions were barracking for good stories – which we know he loves – or insightful, calculated forecasts, Matty is looking like a genius at this stage. Selecting the Giants as premiers, Blues as wooden spooners and Melbourne as the big risers were all popular selections and still in play, but his real nous comes with the player markets. Dangerfield for the Brownlow, Franklin for the Coleman and McGrath for the Rising Star all look 50-50 bets late in the year, which any punter would take after 16 rounds. Merrett as a surprise All Australian and Tom Mitchell as the best recruit were outstanding picks. The one prediction he totally botched was that of Jaeger O'Meara having a great first season with his new club Hawthorn. Matt should consider retiring from the 'crystal ball' game because he'll never go better than this again. - Michael Whiting
Callum Twomey
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: West Coast
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Essendon
Set to fall: Geelong
Brownlow Medal: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)
Recruit of the year: Jaeger O'Meara
Surprise All Australian: Orazio Fantasia
Headline you'll see: Mitchell makes Hawks pay
Headline you won't see: Dusty calls press conference to update media on contract talks
Game changer: Play on, play on, play on. The 'rush' tactic is in vogue with clubs keen to break open play instead of short-passing the ball to find an opening.
Pass the tissues: Jobe Watson wins Essendon best and fairest and returns to career-best form.
The new normal: Stricter media access to players despite new CBA deal.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
West Coast
Western Bulldogs
Adelaide
Sydney
Hawthorn
Essendon
Geelong
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Melbourne
Gold Coast
Fremantle
St Kilda
Collingwood
Richmond
Port Adelaide
North Melbourne
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
More misses than hits for Cal – it's lucky he shows better form when it comes to his mock draft predictions. West Coast would have to make an extraordinary comeback to be the runner-up and with Geelong sitting third, there's no sign it will fall down the ladder. Nat Fyfe won't win the Brownlow, Gold Coast's Tom Lynch isn't taking the Coleman home and the NAB AFL Rising Star won't be going Ben Ainsworth's way. As for recruit of the year? Not Jaeger O'Meara. In fairness to Cal, Orazio Fantasia as surprise All Australian was an impressive selection. The Bomber might not make the team but he wouldn't be too far away. - Dinny Navaratnam
Dinny was impressed with Callum's tip on Orazio Fantasia as a surprise All Australian. Picture: AFL Photos
Michael Whiting
Premier: Greater Western Sydney
Runner-up: Sydney
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Moving up: Gold Coast
Set to fall: North Melbourne
Brownlow Medal: Luke Parker (Sydney)
Coleman Medal: Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
NAB AFL Rising Star: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Recruit of the year: Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast)
Surprise All Australian: Dylan Shiel (GWS)
Headline you'll see: How long can Bucks hold on?
Headline you won't see: Eddie says Giants losing the Riverina is bad for game's growth
Game-changer: Who's going to be the first to not press everyone up and leave a couple of forwards stationed at home?
Pass the tissues: Nic Nat returns and helps West Coast storm into a prelim final.
The new normal: Signing draftees to multi-year extensions before they've played a game – particularly interstate clubs. The Suns have done it and watch for others to follow. Win-win for player and club.
Ladder
Greater Western Sydney
Sydney
West Coast
Western Bulldogs
Adelaide
Geelong
Hawthorn
Gold Coast
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Melbourne
St Kilda
Collingwood
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Essendon
North Melbourne
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Not a bad effort, Fish, but both of us are guilty of overestimating the fortunes of the Suns under our mate 'Rocket' while underestimating the rise of the Power and Tigers. Looks like you are spot on with the bottom three but probably in the wrong order (sorry Lions). You were right about the Kangaroos and temperature gauge reaching boiling point on Nathan Buckley. Fair bit of home-state bias about the predictions of Hugh McCluggage for the NAB AFL Rising Star and Pearce Hanley for recruit of the year. Both are highly unlikely to come to fruition, although I admit you were unlucky with the Sun due to unforeseen circumstances. - Howard Kotton
