Goals. Matches with plenty of goals are more appealing. We all loved the great rivalry between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles but footy, in its purest form, involves hard running, open spaces and long kicking. We've been blessed over the last few seasons. As for individual goalkickers, we haven't seen a centurion since Buddy Franklin in 2008. Will the Hawk recapture his best in 2011, or can Jack Riewoldt kick a ton? Regardless, let's hope all sides continue to attack.
Mic Cullen
I'd like to see Perth get a decent football stadium, but that keeps getting lost in the specious "do you want a new footy ground or a new children's hospital" argument. Someone needs to make a stand. It would also be good if Richmond fans did not get carried away next year; a list with a lot of kids means there will be some inconsistent performances. Tiger fans, please be patient.
Katrina Gill
Collingwood become the first club of the modern era to replace a coach after winning the premiership. It was described as a major coup when Collingwood announced its succession plan, where Nathan Buckley will take over from incumbent coach Mick Malthouse at the end of 2011. But if the Pies go back-to-back next season will their supporters still want Bucks to take the reins, or will they rally for Malthouse to stay on and continue the run of success they've waited so long for?
Luke Holmesby
Jack Watts stepping up to become what the Demons have always said he would become. He has suffered from the fact that every other No.1 draft pick in the modern era has been an instant hit, while he is still developing. Seeing him run his opponents off their feet, dropping back to take contested marks and kicking the occasional bag next year would be great. Also a Saints flag after a controversy-free year would be nice.
Steve Lavell
A season without a coach being sacked, which will take a fair bit of luck given that seven of them will be out of contract. The exits of Matthew Knights (Essendon) and Mark Williams (Port Adelaide) were as sudden as they were acrimonious, however after three seasons out of the finals, favourite son John Worsfold (West Coast) could feel the heat from round one. Michael Voss (Brisbane Lions), Brett Ratten (Carlton), Neil Craig (Adelaide), Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn), Dean Bailey (Melbourne) and Rodney Eade (Western Bulldogs) would also know that results are king.
Adam McNicol
Ted Baillieu come to his senses and throw his weight behind North Melbourne's push to play some home games in Ballarat. Apart from the weather, which is pretty ordinary one day and absolutely terrible the next, the 'Rat is an ideal place for the Roos to host teams like Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and Fremantle. C'mon Ted, as a resident of the said rural metropolis, all I'm asking for is $30 million so I can walk to the footy every now and then.
Jason Phelan
It's rare that we get to see a team born and grow before our eyes and that's what will make Gold Coast one of the major storylines of 2011. The Suns dominated the last draft and have a bevy of young guns ready to unveil alongside bona fide stars like Gary Ablett, Jared Brennan and Nathan Bock. How will they jell as a unit? What style of footy has Guy McKenna been schooling them in? One thing's for sure: with a VFL season and a year of conditioning under his belt David Swallow is capable of bursting onto the AFL scene like few before him.
Michael Rogers
The prospect of John Longmire going head to head with Kevin Sheedy in the battle for air-time in the occasionally hostile Sydney media will be intriguing. It's a long, long way to Rooty Hill but Sheeds is always entertaining, while Longmire has big shoes to fill after Paul Roos’ departure. Sheeds' job will be made much easier if it turns out Israel Folau can actually kick a footy, too. Further afield, the prospect of a full season from mercurial Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah will be something to savour.
Nathan Schmook
It's going to be fascinating to see how the league's coaches use the new substitute rule as a tactical tool. What types of players will become specialist subs? Will it extend careers? Will less rotations create the rise of the utility? It's the coach's job to counter rules that restrict his side tactically. With that in mind, let’s be thankful interchange pioneer Mick Malthouse will have one year to show us what he can do under the new system.
Jen Witham
Watching how the NRL-to-AFL experiment pans out. In 2011, we'll witness Karmichael Hunt playing for Gold Coast in the AFL and Israel Folau for GWS in the NEAFL. Hunt has shed his excess rugby league kilos and is in the best shape of his life. Will that translate to the field? Will Folau's natural athleticism help him make a smoother transition? And how many of their former NRL teammates and opponents will follow them if it all works out?
The views in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
