Based on a presumption that all sides have their best available list -apart from the currently known long term injuries:
1. West Coast. Gaff and Sheppard to add to the side -Nic Nat eventually (hopefully). Lycett is a loss -doubt Hickey is a like for like replacement.
2. Collingwood. Moore and Dunn to take up the key back positions. Elliot another wildcard forward. Beams adds to midfield. Better than last year.
3. Melbourne. Weakness last year was key defenders. May is a huge gain -added to if Lever gets back early in season. Can Weideman continue to improve and fill the gap left by Hogan?
4. Adelaide. A more settled pre-season and key players back from injury. Too much talent to stay outside the 8.
5. Richmond. Lynch is a plus -be interesting to see how he adapts to Tigers game style. 2nd ruck still a worry, more so now with new ruck rule. Mids are good, but rely heavily on Dusty.
6. GWS. Hopefully Patton and Cameron can stay on the park all season. Have enough depth to cover loss of Shiel and Scully.
7. Hawthorn. A fit Wingard with a point to prove will fire up the Hawks. Fingers crossed that Scully will regain his running ability.
8. Fremantle. Predict they will be the big improvers. Hogan and Lobb will vastly improve forwardline. Brayshaw, Cerra and Langdon to step up in Neale's absence.
9. North Melbourne. Have added some depth to their list, should gain a few more wins.
10. Geelong. Kardinia Park to again be a fortress, but think their off-season losses outweigh their gains.
11. Essendon. Not convinced they will improve as much as pundits predict. Shiel is a good player, but not the 'in and under' type the Bombers really needed. Daniher will determine how high they climb.
12. Brisbane. Young guns to continue to improve, but not enough to make the 8 in '19. Neale balances loss of Beams.
13. St Kilda. Hanneberry to give them needed leadership. Can their key forwards and backs stand up?
14. Sydney. Another side where loses outweigh gains in post season. Think they will finally end their run of finals appearances.
15. Carlton. Have recruited well. Young talented players to show gradual improvement.
16. Port Adelaide. Have lost a number of running on-ballers, plus Wingard. Will Mayes re-find his form now he's home in S.A.?
17. Western Bulldogs. Dalhaus, Roughead, Adams all leaving -doesn't seem to be a happy place. Can't see them climbing too far.
18. Gold Coast. Starting all over again. Too young to escape the 'spoon -but eyes on their top draft picks for early signs of talent.