You can't predict what Geelong will do without considering the status of the other teams.
I'd expect to see some movement next year at the top of the ladder.
Hawthorn should begin to slide. Surely the likes of Hodge, Burgoyne, Mitchell and Lewis will fall away a bit next year. I think we are already starting to see some early signs. Still top 6 but not the team to be feared anymore.
North and Freo, with ageing lists may be very competitive next year, but should fall as well soon after. WC will be strong and are my early tip for next years flag. You'd expect Port to bounce back and be a top 6 contender. Sydney should still be ok - Kennedy, Parker, Mitchell, Hannebury and Jack still form a very solid midfield. Much will depend on Franklin's ability to get back as to whether they are a just a finalist or a real contender.
Otherwise I still think Essendon, St Kilda, Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne and GWS won't make finals.
Adelaide, without Dangerfield, will probably stagnate. He is that important to them. Richmond should play finals but I can't see them challenging for the flag at this stage. I think the Bulldogs will continue to climb and will finish top 4 next year.
As for us I see improvement but perhaps that's through rose coloured glasses? We all know about Dangerfield, Henderson and S.Selwood. Assuming they all come in that addresses some real areas of weakness we had this year - contested possession and a competitive tall back to replace an ageing and deteriorating Lonergan. It will take more though for us to return to the top 4.
We need Duncan to play a full season. I truly believe he would have been an elite player this year if his body had allowed. Caddy needs to be more consistent. He was better this year - his good performances were better than last year and his poor ones not as poor if that makes sense. But he still needs to improve again in 2016.
You'd expect continuing improvement from the likes of Gregson, Lang, JK, Horlin-Smith, Cockatoo, Bews and Thurlow. How much this band improve will determine where we sit next year. Then there is the x-factors - Menzel and Vardy. IF, and it's a huge IF, they can get continuity, that will be the icing on the cake.
In summary, we need a number of things to go our way next year to be back in the top 8 but that is the same with most teams. I'm quietly optimistic.
I'd expect to see some movement next year at the top of the ladder.
Hawthorn should begin to slide. Surely the likes of Hodge, Burgoyne, Mitchell and Lewis will fall away a bit next year. I think we are already starting to see some early signs. Still top 6 but not the team to be feared anymore.
North and Freo, with ageing lists may be very competitive next year, but should fall as well soon after. WC will be strong and are my early tip for next years flag. You'd expect Port to bounce back and be a top 6 contender. Sydney should still be ok - Kennedy, Parker, Mitchell, Hannebury and Jack still form a very solid midfield. Much will depend on Franklin's ability to get back as to whether they are a just a finalist or a real contender.
Otherwise I still think Essendon, St Kilda, Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne and GWS won't make finals.
Adelaide, without Dangerfield, will probably stagnate. He is that important to them. Richmond should play finals but I can't see them challenging for the flag at this stage. I think the Bulldogs will continue to climb and will finish top 4 next year.
As for us I see improvement but perhaps that's through rose coloured glasses? We all know about Dangerfield, Henderson and S.Selwood. Assuming they all come in that addresses some real areas of weakness we had this year - contested possession and a competitive tall back to replace an ageing and deteriorating Lonergan. It will take more though for us to return to the top 4.
We need Duncan to play a full season. I truly believe he would have been an elite player this year if his body had allowed. Caddy needs to be more consistent. He was better this year - his good performances were better than last year and his poor ones not as poor if that makes sense. But he still needs to improve again in 2016.
You'd expect continuing improvement from the likes of Gregson, Lang, JK, Horlin-Smith, Cockatoo, Bews and Thurlow. How much this band improve will determine where we sit next year. Then there is the x-factors - Menzel and Vardy. IF, and it's a huge IF, they can get continuity, that will be the icing on the cake.
In summary, we need a number of things to go our way next year to be back in the top 8 but that is the same with most teams. I'm quietly optimistic.
.
