The Crows appear to be two to three years away. The club's preliminary final in 2012 was an exaggerated view of its true position in the scheme of things, as 2013 showed. The Crows' 11th placed finish this year wasn't an accurate reflection either and, while they looked a fair way off the top sides, they should rebound into the eight next year. Adelaide's midfield needs a boost to support the likes of Brad Crouch, Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane, who will form one of the League's most potent trio within three years. The side looks better positioned defensively than in attack, with Kyle Hartigan looking like he could forge a long career down back. Young attacking talent needs to be brought in ASAP though, with stocks thinning quickly after the current options of Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins and Lewis Johnston. - Harry Thring
BRISBANE LIONS
Four to five years away. With a number of holes in their list, it's hard to see the Lions jumping to the elite bracket too quickly. They have a promising midfield, but behind veterans Simon Black and Brent Moloney, need to develop more clearance players and depth in that area. Most notably though, they need a target forward to follow Jonathan Brown and supply goals regularly. With Matthew Leuenberger, Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, Tom Rockliff and co, there's enough hope to believe the Lions will continue to improve in the coming seasons, but it appears a big jump to go all the way. - Michael Whiting
CARLTON
In a perfect world, the Blues would position themselves for a premiership tilt next season to capitalise on the talents of veterans like Chris Judd, Jarrad Waite and Kade Simpson while they are still near the top of their games. However, it appears coach Mick Malthouse will need to play the long game. Significant generational change will take place in the next couple of seasons, so a lot depends on recruitment and the development of their younger players. The backline is settled, but the midfield and forward zones require serious attention. Matthew Watson needs to become the next Ben Reid in defence to allow Lachie Henderson to be a permanent forward, and it would help enormously if talented teenagers Troy Menzel and Nick Graham quickly become regulars. Skipper Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer must grab hold of their club's destiny and lead the way with decisive actions to ensure their opportunity comes sooner rather than later - Ben Collins
COLLINGWOOD
Three to four years away. Collingwood's golden period is over, with a number of its premiership stars moved on or preparing to move on. As such, the Magpies appear a few seasons away from seriously challenging for the flag again. Coach Nathan Buckley has busily been transitioning the club's younger players in to the side in readiness for this scenario. The Pies still have the midfield depth - led by stars Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan - to challenge some of the better sides. However, the Magpies still rely heavily on Travis Cloke as their primary source in front of goal. Ben Reid has shown he is a more than adequate forward option - but he is considered an elite defender. Adding a quality third tall and a defensive, shutdown small defender would balance the Pies' list nicely. Then the expected development of their youngsters - such as Brodie Grundy and Jamie Elliott - will determine the club's climb up the ladder. – Ben Guthrie
ESSENDON
If not for the supplements scandal this year, who knows how far the Bombers could have gone. They were second on the ladder before round 18, and played some incredible football at stages. But they still seem to lack the midfield depth to compete with the best teams, losing to Hawthorn, Geelong and the Sydney Swans in games that showed an extra runner or two is probably needed. Nobody knows how the damage of this year will impact the club next year and beyond. From a playing point of view, Essendon's list is at a stage where it should be aiming for a Grand Final appearance in the next two seasons. - Callum Twomey
GEELONG
Given the Cats' brilliant run over the past seven seasons it would take a brave pundit to tip them to miss the Grand Final next season ... and I'm not about to do it. Although Geelong is likely to be without veterans Joel Corey, Josh Hunt and Paul Chapman next season, the club will have the firepower to make the big one in 2014. And The Cats won't stop there. They want to get enough games into their youngsters to be a flag chance in 2015 and '16 as well. - Adam McNicol
GOLD COAST
Three years away. The building blocks are in place but the list still needs time to develop. The Suns have a glut of inside and outside midfielders, half-forwards and half-backs, and a number of quality emerging ruckmen. They have an improving backline and really just need one of their young key forwards to jump from the pack. That takes time though, so if Sam Day, Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch can continue their rate of improvement over the next two years, the Suns should be right in the mix. Dual Brownlow medalist Gary Ablett still has plenty of good years left in him as the younger players begin to take over, so it looks feasible that the Suns could push for finals next year, consolidate the following year and then be in the mix for a flag in 2016. - Michael Whiting
If Charlie Dixon can develop into a match-winning power forward, the Suns will rise. Picture: AFL Media
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
A Grand Final appearance is nothing but a distant dream for a team that has won just three games in its first two years in the competition. The Giants have a line-up full of youngsters and desperately need some experienced help just to become competitive on a weekly basis. But some significant building blocks are in place and GWS' young players, many of whom will push towards 50 career games in 2014, can expect to improve rapidly. To take the next step, Phil Davis and Tim Mohr need some defensive help, Jon Giles requires support in the ruck and some mature bodies are needed urgently across the park. By 2015, the Giants might be able to start thinking of finals football. - James Dampney
MELBOURNE
One thing for certain is that it won't be next season but anything is possible after that. It's tougher now than ever but the Sydney Swans finished bottom in 1994 and were in a Grand Final in 1996 while Collingwood went from bottom in 1999 to a Grand Final in 2002. If Melbourne can snag some good midfielders and improve it will create momentum to attract free agents and build on the foundation set in the past two years. Its forward line and backline are strong on paper and relatively young. The risk is that other clubs improve more quickly and Melbourne becomes disheartened. It's tough times ahead and a realistic prediction is five years from now. - Peter Ryan
NORTH MELBOURNE
North appears to still be three or four years away. The Roos are projecting their list will reach premiership-model experience and maturity in 2016. North's list is well balanced and the natural development of its current batch of youngsters should help lift it up the ladder from next year. However, the Roos could do with at least another classy runner like Daniel Wells and an elite ball-user like St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo. North could fast-track its premiership tilt if it can attract experienced recruits such as Dal Santo over the next two years, but otherwise looks at least three years away from its next Grand Final. - Nick Bowen
PORT ADELAIDE
It's incredible how quickly things can turn. A year ago most would have questioned whether the Power could have threatened for the premiership within the next decade, but on the back of a seriously impressive 2013 the dream is now far more vivid. Darren Burgess' appointment as high performance manager has seen the vast majority of the club's early draft picks stay fit and take a good step in their development. It’s one of the youngest lists in the competition and with Chad Wingard, Oliver Wines and Jake Neade all with huge development still in front of them, not to mention key forward Mason Shaw and defender Tom Clurey yet to debut, the future looks bright. In a three years' time the list should have a nice mix of experience and youth, with the current stars hitting their straps as finals-hardened players. - Harry Thring
Chad Wingard is one of many exciting Port players who should develop further. Picture: AFL Media
RICHMOND
Two years away. The Tigers appeared to build depth in their midfield this year, but it's an on-ball group that still doesn't stack up when compared with this year's Grand Finalists. More work is also needed to build a strong support cast for captain Trent Cotchin in the leadership department before Richmond will be seriously challenging. Premiership teams inevitably have influential ruckmen, so finding and developing a strong ruck duo is another task ahead after an injury-hampered season for Ivan Maric. The backline was a strength this year and that will be the foundation for a yellow and black premiership tilt. All going well Richmond could make the Grand Final in 2015. Next year shapes as a crucial stepping stone, but perhaps a year too soon. - Nathan Schmook
ST KILDA
Five to six years away. This season revealed a list in transition and saw three players - Stephen Milne, Jason Blake and Justin Koschitzke, who were all significant in the Saints' last foray deep into September in 2009/10 - retire, with Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo to follow in the next few years. They've got the nucleus of a good midfield, have some forwards to develop and have made recruiting defenders a priority, which means it might not be as far away as people think if the likes of Jack Steven, David Armitage, Tom Curren, Nathan Wright and the untried Daniel Markworth improve the way they should. The Saints also have plans to aggressively recruit and have the salary cap room to do it. There will be some initial pain but it's not all doom and gloom for the Saints.
SYDNEY SWANS
It is not too unrealistic to suggest the Swans could bounce back quickly and earn another Grand Final berth next season. Crippled by injuries, the defending premiers still managed to get back into a preliminary final this year, where they were soundly beaten by Fremantle. A tough end to the home and away season, when they lost three of their final four games, cost them an all-important home qualifying final. But with a number of impressive youngsters given a taste of senior football, coupled with the expected returns of Adam Goodes, Sam Reid, Rhyce Shaw and Alex Johnson from injury, the Swans should be right among the top teams again in 2014. - James Dampney
WEST COAST
It can be done within two years. The Dockers have shown that with the right system and a buy in from the playing group anything can be achieved. The Eagles have a very talented spine and a group that will be the perfect age and experience by 2015. The key for them is some pace and skill through the midfield and a definitive game style under a new coach should give them the impetus to be a challenger again in the near term. - Alex Malcolm
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Grand Finals are hard to make - just ask the Western Bulldogs. The club has played in just two in its history and has only one cup to speak of. But droughts are there to be broken and one thing we know, a list can turnaround very quickly. Find a couple of midfield stars, a few good big men, and throw in a top coach, and the wheel can turn sharply. The Bulldogs are certainly on the way.Tom Liberatore is destined to be a star of the future and Luke Dahlhaus and Mitch Wallis are not far behind. Many of the club's senior players also improved this year and showed they will be punching on for a few more seasons yet. There are still holes in the Dogs' list but if they get the timing right, and recruit well, they could be there in September in six years. - Cameron Noakes
