ADELAIDE

It's going to take something of a Christmas miracle for the first-round pick the Crows received from Greater Western Sydney in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft to finish in the top 10, let alone top five. The Giants are firmly in the premiership window, but a few injuries could see them slide down the ladder and help accelerate the Crows' rebuild. Re-signing reigning best and fairest Brad Crouch would also be a more than handy present. - Lee Gaskin

BRISBANE

Pure and simple, the Lions want Groundhog Day. They want to be put back into the exact same position they were last season – playing finals and trying to advance. Although super-competitive against Richmond and a touch unlucky against Greater Western Sydney, the two September losses stung Chris Fagan's men and they're hungry for another shot. – Michael Whiting

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CARLTON

The Blues would have 'breakout year for Paddy' written on their Christmas wish list. Young onballer Paddy Dow has all of the attributes to be a valuable point of difference in Carlton's midfield – he's lightning quick, finds it in congestion and has the ability to break clear from stoppages. But he struggled in 2019, failing to win double-digit disposals in five straight games before being relegated to the VFL. If he can start winning the footy more regularly next year, the Blues have a genuinely talented prospect on their hands. - Riley Beveridge

COLLINGWOOD

Footy fades into insignificance when it comes to the health and wellbeing of its people, so the Pies will be wishing and hoping and praying that troubled veteran Dayne Beams can find his happy place during his indefinite break to deal with his mental demons. If he does that and finds he's able to play, it'll be a bonus. – Ben Collins

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ESSENDON

Imagine the Bombers' delight if Joe Daniher ran into the club before Christmas – ran being the operative word, given his injury battles – and said he wanted to re-sign beyond 2020. It would save the Bombers 10 months of answering questions about the forward's future and the club needing to explore ways to replace him if he chooses to head to Sydney as a free agent next year after his failed trade request in October. The Bombers would also be wishing Daniher can recapture his fitness and regain the spring, pace and agility that made him such a force in 2017 when he made the Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team. He is one of a number of first-choice Bombers battling injuries this pre-season. - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE

It was a drama-packed first season as a Docker for Jesse Hogan. The former Demon missed round one after making "poor choices around alcohol consumption", re-injured his troublesome right foot to end his season and recently had a car accident. All Freo fans will be hoping Hogan can get through the pre-season without any setbacks to spearhead the new-look Dockers in round one. - Chris Correia

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GEELONG

The Cats lost star midfielder Tim Kelly to West Coast but will be optimistic that this blow will be buffered somewhat by the recruitment of former Saint veteran Jack Steven. Mental health issues restricted Steven to just seven games this year but now that he has the comfort of being closer to family and friends there are hopes he will return to his gut-running best. – Ben Collins

GOLD COAST

Christmas came early for the Suns after drafting Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson with the top two picks, as well as inking contract extensions for Jack Lukosius and Ben King. What they'd love under the tree more than anything though is some magic dust to wipe away the injury curse that has dogged the club since its inception. Good health in 2020 is what Gold Coast wants more than anything. – Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Given their record of keeping stars, the Giants will be confident of re-signing gun forward Jeremy Cameron next year, but it might take a little longer than they'd like and move into the season proper. If they're being greedy, a double shot of new contracts for Cameron and star defender Zac Williams in March would do GWS nicely. - Adam Curley

HAWTHORN

Let's keep it simple, Santa: all the Hawks want for Christmas is for Tom Mitchell and Chad Wingard to make it through pre-season (and beyond) without any injuries. They didn't even survive January this year – Mitchell breaking his left leg and Wingard's calf issues starting – and they're kind of important, so if those two are fit and firing, it would make a world of difference. - Marc McGowan

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MELBOURNE

After the disaster that was the injury-riddled, 17th-ranked season of 2019, Melbourne wants nothing more than a fit, healthy squad for most of the pre-season. Most of the key Demons - including Tom McDonald, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, Max Gawn, Steven May and Jake Lever – have made it to Christmas without any setbacks. The club will be desperate for the good fortune to continue until late March, as it bids to find out whether last season was an aberration or the new normal. - Michael Rogers

NORTH MELBOURNE

If a clone of 2013 Scott Thompson is asking too much, then Robbie Tarrant would love for at least two of Majak Daw, Josh Walker, Sam Durdin, Ben McKay and new defender Mason Wood to be reliable 'wingmen' next year. Not the types who roam the wings but the ones that make a guy who should have been an All-Australian backman by now feel like he's not alone in defence. - Marc McGowan

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PORT ADELAIDE

A fit and firing Charlie Dixon is a gift the Power desperately need in 2020. The key forward booted 79 goals in his first two seasons at the club (1.93 goals per game, 63.2 per cent accuracy), however he's kicked just 39 goals in 29 games (1.34 goals per game, 52.7 per cent accuracy) in the past two years, largely due to injury. The former Sun is entering the fifth and final year of his contract. - Lee Gaskin

RICHMOND

Safe to say it's been a pretty good year at Tigerland – the injury rollercoaster aside – but one thing that would definitely bring a smile to fans would be Jack Higgins taking the field in round one. The exuberant youngster underwent two bouts of surgery for a brain bleed in 2019 and has now returned to training. A full pre-season for Marlion Pickett to continue practicing his blind turns wouldn't go astray, either. - Sarah Black

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ST KILDA

Saints fans don't want a lot for Christmas, there's just two things they need – a Dylan Roberton return and a Max King debut. Roberton has been sidelined for nearly two years now with a heart condition, after collapsing in an AFL match in round four, 2018. Highly rated young key forward King missed out on playing his first game in 2019 due to knee and ankle injuries, but at this stage, is now fully fit. - Sarah Black

SYDNEY

A full season of Lance Franklin in form. He's on track to be ready for full training in January and if the superstar forward can have a strong summer, there's no reason to suggest he can't get back to regain his standing as the game's best forward. If Franklin can get to round one healthy and stay that way, the magical 1000-goal mark will be in sight (he needs 56). - Adam Curley

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WEST COAST

Nothing would please Eagles supporters more than for marquee recruit Tim Kelly to make an immediate impact and led them to their second premiership in three years. Kelly has made every post a winner in the pre-season and looks to be an outstanding addition to an already stacked midfield. - Lee Gaskin

WESTERN BULLDOGS

A 'Super Spine'. Much will be expected of key recruits Alex Keath and Josh Bruce at either end of the ground. If they can have a strong impact, along with new skipper Marcus Bontempelli in the middle, Aaron Naughton forward, and someone like Easton Wood, Zaine Cordy or Jackson Trengove deep in defence, the Dogs will have a dependable core to build the side around. The rest of the ground is stacked with enough talent to take them deep into September. - Adam Curley