THE AFL’s captains have overwhelmingly voted Geelong to be there on the final Saturday in September, and many also expect Brendan Fevola to lead Carlton to finals action this year.

The AFL has polled all 16 skippers a week out from the 2009 Toyota Premiership Season, with the club leaders asked five key questions on the coming year. Answers from the poll remained anonymous.

When asked which club, other than your own, was likely to reach the Grand Final, the Cats received 14 of a possible 15 votes. Two captains believe reigning premier Hawthorn will also be back at the ‘G to defend their 2008 flag.

As for which player is likely to be crowned the fairest and best this season, the voting was fairly clear cut.

Nine skippers believed Geelong superstar Gary Ablett will win the Brownlow Medal he has been close to taking out the past two seasons, while Chris Judd (three votes) was the only other multiple vote-winner.

The players’ thoughts on Ablett backs an afl.com.au survey conducted earlier this month, in which nine of the League’s 16 coaches chose him as the best player in the competition.

Click here for the latest in our series of articles in our exclusive poll of the 16 AFL coaches.

Ablett’s team received a perfect score when it came to the captains having to nominate which side, other than their own, would make the finals in 2009.

Hawthorn and Carlton also received a maximum number of 15 votes.

The Blues, who finished 11th last season, were a popular pick among the skippers, with all believing them to be a big improver in 2009.

While they boast a young, talented list, it seems the captains believe spearhead Brendan Fevola could be the key to his team’s success.

Ten players picked Fevola as the likely Coleman Medallist, despite Hawk Lance Franklin being younger and taking the honour last season. Franklin polled only five votes.

Voting was fairly open for the NAB Rising Star Award, however Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich (five votes) just edged North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell (four).

The gathering at Docklands stadium is a marathon for the 16 skippers, and one of their first tasks of the day was to answer five key questions on the season ahead, with the proviso that their individual answers would be treated anonymously.

The questions