2020 AFLTM Season Preview

[fightingfury_88]

Leading into the 2020 AFLTM season I'm going to post a quick preview of each team outlining last season's results, changes to the team and a prediction for where I feel they will finish. I'll start from the team who I predict will finish 16th and work my way up to the team I feel is favourite to win it all. So without further ado, first up in the 2020 AFLTM Season Preview is:


Tasmanian Magpies 2020 Season Preview

Coach: Pie 4 Life

Last year: 1 win, 14 losses, 16555.5 points for – 16th place

List Changes
In: Ryan Abbott, Trent Bianco, Will Brodie, Ryan Byrnes, Jye Caldwell, James Cousins, Marty Hore, Riley Knight, Jack Lukosius, Jack Mahony, Shane McAdam, Fischer McAsey, Jaxson Prior, Caleb Serong, James Worpel

Out: Jack Bowes, Zachary Clarke, Charlie Constable, Isaac Cumming, Tyson Goldsack, Heath Grundy, Tim Kelly, Matthew Kennedy, Tim O’Brien, Billy Longer, Ryan Nyhuis, Tom Papley, Christian Salem, Lachlan Sholl, Dawson Simpson, Ed Vickers-Willis

Biggest Addition: James Worpel



Biggest Loss: Tim Kelly

Possible Best 25
B: Liam Baker – Lachlan Henderson - Jason Johannisen
HB: Tom Phillips – Fischer McAsey - Riley Knight
C: Steele Sidebottom – James Cousins – Will Setterfield
HF: Bailey Smith – Max King - Rupert Wills
F: Jaidyn Stephenson – Nick Blakey - Caleb Serong
R: Archie Smith - James Worpel – Will Brodie
INT: Jackson Hately – Tom Langdon – Marty Hore – Mason Wood – Will Hayward – Jye Caldwell – Jack Lukosius

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1300
Predicted Finish: 16th

Summary
It's been a tough couple of seasons for the Magpies and 2020 is unlikely to bring too much change in terms of wins. The team is undoubtedly in a rebuild mode and continued to stockpile young talent in the recent off-season. Talented youngsters like Brodie, Caldwell, Lukosius, McAsey, Worpel and Serong join a young core of Max King, Bailey Smith, Jaidyn Stephenson and Jackson Hately to form a team chock full of potential but in all reality we are a few years away from really seeing this team at it's peak. While the team is mostly full of young players yet to fufill there potential there is still a sprinkling of veterans to keep the team competitive most weeks. Steele Sidebottom will almost certainly be the team's leading scorer for the season while Tom Phillips and Jason Johannisen provide solid backup. Most key positions are fairly well stocked with young talent but on major area of concern would be the ruck stocks with Archie Smith the only classified ruck at the beginning of the season. I'm not expecting much from the Magpies this season but really it's all about development of the young players as the team build towards competitiveness and a potential premiership challenge in the coming years.

 

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Northern Reds 2020 Season Preview
Coach: Bluesy

Last year: 7 wins, 8 losses, 19509 points for – 11th place

List Changes
In: Lachlan Ash, Jake Carlisle, Brennan Cox, Riley Garcia, Jordan De Goey, Tom De Koning, Orazio Fantasia, Cameron Guthrie, Jack Higgins, Daniel Howe, Jarrod Lienert, Patrick Lipinski, Brayden Maynard, Mitchell O’Neill, Christian Petracca, Jackson Ross, Josh Schache, Heath Shaw, Sydney Stack, Cameron Taheny, Hayden Young

Out: Noah Balta, Ryan Bastinac, Josh Battle, Aiden Bonar, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Adam Cerra, Josh Cowan, Brayden Fiorini, Joel Hamling, Tom Joyce, Nick Larkey, Liam McBean, Harry McKay, Daniel Menzel, Tom Nicholls, Reilly O’Brien, Luke Partington, Sam Walsh, Harrison Wigg, Zachary Williams, Cameron Zurhaar

Biggest Addition: Jordan De Goey


Biggest Loss: Sam Walsh

Possible Best 25
B: Jarrod Lienert - Robbie Tarrant – Heath Shaw
HB: Brayden Maynard – Darcy Moore - Blake Hardwick
C: Daniel Howe - Cameron Guthrie – Sydney Stack
HF: Jack Higgins – Josh Schache - Christian Petracca
F: Toby Greene – Mitchell Lewis - Jordan De Goey
R: Timothy English - Joshua Kelly - Patrick Lipinski
INT: Jordan Clark – Brent Daniels – Hayden Young – Lachlan Ash – Josh Thomas – Orazio Fantasia – Jake Carlisle

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1370
Predicted Finish: 15th

Summary
Northern Reds fought tooth and nail for an unlikely finals berth in 2019 but ultimately couldn't quite make it in the end. A difficult team to place; the Reds have retooled and are ready for another finals push in 2020 but unfortunately I'm predicting the Reds to fall a little short again this season. Despite trading out Sam Walsh in the off-season, the Northern Reds Best 25 has maintained a nice blend of veterans and youth and should be competitive most weeks. The volatility of some of the players means a mixture of incredibly high and low scores are possible; De Goey, Petracca and Greene are all some of the best scoring forwards in the game in some weeks but can also go missing in others. More midfield time or a breakout for one or two of these players could push the Reds deep into finals contention. Joshua Kelly is an absolute gun and will undoubtedly be the leading scorer for this team and Darcy Moore is looming as a premium key defender but the depth is heavily reliant on first year players in Young and Ash and as such maintaining a healthy list will be paramount to the team's success.

 

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West Adelaide Wolverines 2020 Season Preview
Coach: Hatchy1992

Last year: 2 wins, 13 losses, 18774.5 points for – 15th place

List Changes
In: Karl Amon, Jarrod Berry, Luke Brown, Chris Burgess, Zak Butters, Jason Castagna, Will Day, Sam Flanders, Zac Foot, Darcy Gardiner, Todd Goldstein, Emerson Jeka, Adam Kennedy, Dean Kent, Luke McDonald, Matthew McGuiness, Jackson Mead, Jared Polec, Ed Vickers-Willis, Marley Williams

Out: David Armitage, Matthew Buntine, Callum Coleman-Jones, Jacob Dawson, Darcy Fogarty, Cory Gregson, Brady Grey, Jayden Hunt, Ben Jacobs, Buku Khamis, Peter Ladhams, Brandon Matera, Daniel McStay, Jarryd Lyons, Ryan Schoenmakers, Sam Simpson, Joel Smith, Thomas Stewart, Liam Stocker, Jack Trengove, Darcy Tucker, Samuel Wright


Biggest Addition: Todd Goldstein


Biggest Loss: Jarryd Lyons

Possible Best 25
B: Adam Kennedy – Daniel Talia - Luke Brown
HB: Rory Atkins – Jeremy McGovern - Jarrod Berry
C: Shaun Higgins – Callan Ward - Jared Polec
HF: Jake Melksham – Jack Darling – Jason Castagna
F: Xavier Duursma – Ben Brown - Karl Amon
R: Todd Goldstein – Anthony Miles – Ben Cunnington
INT: Sam Flanders – Dean Kent – Luke McDonald – Darcy Gardiner – Liam Ryan – Zak Butters – Marley Williams

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1380
Predicted Finish: 14th

Summary
The Wolverines struggled last year managing to scrape together just two wins in total for the season. This season I'm predicting West Adelaide to struggle again but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. The Wolverines contain some great young talent in the likes of Duursma, Butters and the newly drafted Flanders who should all improve the team's potency. The key positions are well stocked with Talia, McGovern, Darling and Brown forming one of the better spines going around. The big ruck hole from 2019 has also been filled with one of the premium ruckman in the game, Todd Goldstein. The team is also surrounded by plenty of solid scorers but the lack of a real superstar scorer means very high scores are few and far between. With a bit of luck, finals are certainly not out of the question but a lot will rely on natural improvement from the second and third year players on the list.

 

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Gippsland Sharks 2020 Season Preview

Coach: Woefully Inept

Last year: 6 wins, 9 losses, 20029 points for – 13th place

List Changes
In: Matthew Buntine, Charlie Cameron, Oscar Clavarino, Caleb Daniel, Kyle Dunkley, Aaron Francis, Lachlan Hosie, Callum Jamieson, Liam Jones, Brodie Kemp, Michael Knoll, Todd Marshall, Tom McDonald, Matthew Rowell, Harry Schoenberg, James Sicily, Jordon Sweet, Sam Weideman, Lachlan Weller

Out: Oscar Allen, Charlie Ballard, Harley Bennell, Paddy Dow, Oliver Florent, Mitchell Hinge, Jack Lukosius, Darcy MacPherson, Oscar McInerney, Tom McKenzie, Hayden McLean, Tom North, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Lewis Pierce, Luke Ryan, Bradley Scheer, Angus Schumacher, Jack Scrimshaw, Ryley Stoddart, Aaron Vandenberg, Joshua Wagner

Biggest Addition: Caleb Daniel


Biggest Loss: Luke Ryan

Possible Best 25
B: Caleb Daniel – Aaron Francis - James Sicily
HB: Lachlan Weller – Liam Jones– Matthew Rowell
C: Jack Graham – Thomas Liberatore - Tent Cotchin
HF: David Mundy – Sam Weideman - Blake Acres
F: Sam Gray – Tom McDonald - Charlie Cameron
R: Max Gawn – Jaeger O’Meara – Rory Sloane
INT: Pearce Hanley - Adam Saad - Will Hayes – Jack Hombsch – Todd Marshall – Matthew Parker – Harry Morrison

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1385
Predicted Finish: 13th

Summary
A couple of years towards the bottom of the ladder the last few seasons has seen the Sharks undertake a mini list makeover and there are some really nice additions. The backline is entirely overhauled and now contains some of the highest scoring defenders in the league in Caleb Daniel, Lachlan Weller and James Sicily. All are still young and have more improvement coming so should form the core for the backline for many years coming. Aaron Francis and Liam Jones round out a formidable backline. Despite having one of the best ruckman in the league, the weakness of this team lies with it's lack of midfield stars. O'Meara and Sloane are both proven performers while Cotchin and Liberatore are handy, but none of the starting midfield have that superstar scoring status. Trading out Lukosius in the off-season was a huge call, but obtaining the number 1 draft pick, essentially Matt Rowell, in return was a nice get and if the Sharks can retain him in the off-season he promises to be huge addition to the team for many years. I'm not expecting the Sharks to make finals this year, but they will certainly challenge. A couple of breakouts and a healthy list and they'll be right in the mix.

 

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Adelaide Lions 2020 Season Preview


Coach: Roylion

Last year: 7 wins, 8 losses, 19703 points for – 10th place

List Changes
In: Callum Ah Chee, Connor Ballenden, Jonathon Ceglar, Harrison Jones (Ess), Lewis Melican, Conor Nash, Myles Poholke, Dylan Shiel, Dylan Stephens

Out: Hamish Brayshaw, Joshua Deluca, Pat Kerr, Jack Leslie, Ryan Lester, Jake Lever, Chris Masten, Clayton Oliver, Nicholas Robertson

Biggest Addition: Dylan Shiel



Biggest Loss: Clayton Oliver

Possible Best 25
B: Rory Laird – Harris Andrews - Zak Jones
HB: Harry Cunningham – Lewis Melican - Alex Witherden
C: Angus Brayshaw – Luke Dunstan – George Hewett
HF: Hugh McClugagge - Sam Day - Andrew Brayshaw
F: David Cuningham - Esava Ratugolea - Jonathon Ceglar
R: Rhys Stanley - Adam Treloar – Dylan Shiel
INT: Lachlan Plowman – Lincoln McCarthy - Callum Ah Chee – Jack Ross – Michael Hibberd – Kayne Turner – Ed Richards

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1400
Predicted Finish: 12th

Summary
It's been a steady build for the Lions the past few years and now they find themselves a genuine contender for a long-awaited finals berth. Adelaide have a predominately youthful best 18 with a couple of veterans sprinkled in which should mean natural improvement for many of their players. The backline, midfield and forwardline are all solid, albeit lacking genuine scoring power outside Treloar. Where this team has ran into trouble previously is the KPP stocks and this will likely be the story again in 2020. The KPDs are set nicely but all remaining KPP posts have no guaranteed starter amongst them. The loss of Clayton Oliver also stings; this loss is offset somewhat by the addition of Shiel but in reality there is an overall points loss as a result of the trade. Ultimately the lack of KPPs and star power has me predicting this team will finish slightly below where they finished last year and outside the finals in 12th place.

 

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Safety Bay Stingrays 2020 Season Preview
Coach: peterss

Last year: 7 wins, 8 losses, 19879 points for – 9th place

List Changes
In: Aliir Aliir, Oscar Allen, Tom Barrass, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jason Carter, Zaine Cordy, Tom Cutler, Mitch Georgiades, Liam Henry, Luke Jackson, Brandon Matera, Wayne Milera, Patrick Murtagh, Sam Sturt, Leno Thomas, Anthony Treacy, Darcy Tucker, Corey Wagner, Chad Warner

Out: Callum Brown, Luke Brown, Zak Butters, Wylie Buzza, Levi Casboult, Alex Fasolo, Hugh Goddard, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Patrick Lipinski, Griffin Logue, Marc Murphy, Quinton Narkle, Aaron Naughton, James Parsons, Jared Polec, Brodie Smith, Nathan Vardy, Joshua Walker, Bailey J Williams

Biggest Addition: Darcy Byrne-Jones



Biggest Loss: Aaron Naughton

Possible Best 25
B: Jayden Short – Aliir Aliir - Shaun Burgoyne
HB: James Harmes – Tom Barrass - Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: Wayne Milera - Jack Redden – Darcy Tucker
HF: Dustin Martin – Tim Membrey - Sam Menegola
F: Matthew De Boer - Tom Lynch – Jamie Cripps
R: Matthew Kreuzer - Dyson Heppell - Liam Shiels
INT: James Aish – Shai Bolton – Brandon Matera – Jake Waterman – Oscar Allen – Eric Hipwood – Paul Puopolo

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1415
Predicted Finish: 11th

Summary
Another interesting team that will be pushing for a finals spot in 2020. The spine of this team is brilliant with Kreuzer, Aliir, Barrass, Membrey and Lynch forming one of the better KPP groups going around. Dustin Martin and Dyson Heppell are the heroes of the team but after that the star power drops off quite quickly. Naughton is a big loss as one of the most exciting young KPP propsects in the competition but luckily for the Stingrays they have the KPF positions well covered. Adding Luke Jackson via the draft means a long term ruck/KPF prospect has also been secured. Like most teams fighting for the eight they need a few breakout performers and the most likely from this team are Short, Tucker, Aish and Bolton. If a couple manage to push their scores up to the next level then we could be looking at a team that slots into 7th or 8th place; they will need a bit of luck to go their way though if that's to happen and the most likely outcome is they fall just short again.

 

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Western Vultures 2020 Season Preview

Coach: sante

Last year: 4 wins, 11 losses, 19451 points for – 14th place

List Changes
In: Tom Atkins, Noah Balta, Harley Bennell, Miles Bergman, Nick Bryan, Trent Burgoyne, Darcy Cameron, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Jy Farrar, Brayden Fiorini, Tom Green, Isaac Heeney, Kysaiah Pickett, Jarvis Pina, Ryley Stoddart, Lachie Young

Out: Hunter Clark, Hugh Goddard, Jordan De Goey, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Tom De Koning, Jacob Koschitzke, Billy Gowers, Levi Greenwood, Mitchell Hannan, David McKay, Oleg Markov, Connor Menadue, Sam Powell-Pepper, Alex Rance, Samuel Reid, Jackson Ross, Jordon Sweet

Biggest Addition: Isaac Heeney



Biggest Loss: Jordan De Goey

Possible Best 25
B: Jasper Pittard – Jacob Weitering - Jarman Impey
HB: Nick Vlastuin – Kyle Hartigan - Shane Edwards
C: Ricky Henderson – Dion Prestia – Cameron Ellis-Yolmen
HF: Jack Steven – Taylor Walker - Michael Walters
F: Isaac Heeney – Levi Casboult - Ryan Burton
R: Callum Sinclair - Lachie Neale – Brayden Fiorini
INT: Jamie Elliott – Nathan Wilson – Tom Green - Kamdyn Mcintosh – Alex Neal-Bullen – Cameron McCarthy – Daniel Rioli

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1420
Predicted Finish: 10th

Summary
Despite a fairly quiet trade week, the Vultures are one of the teams I'm predicting a rise for this year. 14th place in 2019 was a disappointing result but in all reality the gap between 9th and 14th place was minimal when you look at points for. One benefit of finishing towards the lower end of the table was an early draft pick and the Vultures used this to quickly snap up the bull of a midfielder Tom Green. Green has already shown some great promise in pre-season and will have an immediate impact on the team. Isaac Heeney also joins the team in 2020 and effectively fills the hole left by the departing De Goey. Neale, Walters, Fiorini and Prestia will lead a solid midfield and the KPP stocks look nicely stocked however there is a question over depth on this team if a few injuries occur to starting 18 players. Overall, the Vultures should challenge for finals in 2020 and with a little luck can make it, particularly if Jack Steven can regain some of his lost form and Neale and Walters continue their high scoring ways.

 

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West Coast 2020 Season Preview


Coach: eddiespocket

Last year: 11 wins, 4 losses, 20865 points for – 6th place

List Changes
In: Noah Anderson, Mitchell Brown, Tom Cole, Charlie Comben, Noah Cumberland, Bailey Dale, Taylin Duman, Darcy Fogarty, Hamish Hartlett, Jayden Hunt, Ben Jacobs, Toby McLean, Touk Miller, Hugo Ralphsmith, Ryan Schoenmakers, Brock Smith, Thomas Stewart, Kieran Strachan, Aaron Vandenberg

Out: Karl Amon, Hayden Ballantyne, Jason Castagna, Oscar Clavarino, Caleb Daniel, Jack Henry, Luke Hodge, Dan Houston, Ned McHenry, Patrick Naish, Conor Nash, Daniel Rich, Gary Rohan, Dominic Sheed, Jy Simpkin, Nick Smith, Tim Smith, Scott Thompson, Marley Williams

Biggest Addition: Touk Miller


Biggest Loss: Caleb Daniel

Possible Best 25
B: Thomas Stewart – Mark Blicavs - Jamie MacMillan
HB: Nathan Jones – Phil Davis - Hamish Hartlett
C: Travis Boak – Luke Parker - Bradley Hill
HF: Matthew Taberner – Lance Franklin - Paul Seedsman
F: Bailey Dale - Joshua Kennedy – Toby McLean
R: Ben McEvoy - Edward Curnow – Touk Miller
INT: Noah Anderson - Mitchell Brown – Taylin Duman – Darcy Fogarty – Eddie Betts – Jayden Laverde – Tarryn Thomas

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1430
Predicted Finish: 9th

Perennially finals contender West Coast will be in the mix again in 2020 however the season marks somewhat of a turning point for the club. Some proven performers were traded out in the off-season and has been replaced by younger players that have yet to prove themselves at this level. Noah Anderson is top of this list and he may have an immediate impact on the club, but the loss of players the ilk of Caleb Daniel, Dominic Sheed and Dan Houston are difficult to replace. This team will likely take a bit of a hit in terms of average score this season but despite this, a solid midfield and deep spine will mean they will still be right in the thick of things at the end of the season. I have them currently missing out on finals action this year, but only just. If they do miss out, a quick rebound is likely with Noah Anderson leading the way.

 

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Wagga Wagga Warthogs 2020 Season Preview
Coach: Gee Dub

Last year: 7 wins, 8 losses, 20526.5 points for – 8th place

List Changes
In: Marcus Adams, Wylie Buzza, Keidean Coleman, Francis Evans, Will Gould, Changkuoth Jiath, Ben Johnson, Lachlan Johnson, Doultan Langlands, Tom T Lynch, Will Martyn, Brody Mihocek, Ronin O’Connor, Jake Pasini, Fraser Phillips, Jordan Roughead, Try Ruscoe, Jack Viney

Out: Logan Austin, Darcy Cameron, Nicholas Coffield, Jeremy Finlayson, Ryan Gardner, Jarrod Garlett, Dougal Howard, Jack Maibaum, David Mirra, Dale Morris, Callum Porter, Jarryd Roughead, Thomas Sheridan, James Stewart, Billy Stretch, Matthew Wright

Biggest Addition: Jack Viney


Biggest Loss: Jeremy Finlayson

Possible Best 25
B: Bachar Houli – Jordan Roughead - Bayley Fritsch
HB: Jack Martin – Marcus Adams - Brad Ebert
C: Lachlan Hunter – David Swallow – Jack Viney
HF: Kane Lambert – Mitch McGovern - Mitch Robinson
F: Tom T Lynch – Wylie Buzza - Robbie Gray
R: Scott Lycett - Sebastian Ross – Oliver Wines
INT: Chrsitopher Mayne – Grant Birchall – Jarrod Harbrow – Josh Caddy – Shane Mumford - Travis Colyer – Caleb Marchbank

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1440
Predicted Finish: 8th

Summary
No wholesale changes to the Warthogs squad in the off-season but they'll once again contend for a fonals position in 2020. Viney and Tom T Lynch are brilliant additions and if both fire they should at least make finals and could challenge for top 4 at their best. The Warthogs midfield remains strong and the additions of Roughead and Adams shore up the KPD positions nicely. The obvious weakness in this team though is the KPF stocks with Finlayson traded out leaving McGovern and Buzza as the main KPFs; either of these players are no guarantee to play each and every week. In the end, the lack of depth in the KPFs are likely to push Wagga Wagga out of top 4 contention and leave them a borderline finals participant in 2020.

 

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Auckland Raiders 2020 Season Preview
Coach: Marklar_33

Last year: 6 wins, 9 losses, 20197 points for – 12th place

List Changes
In: Brad Close, Will Golds, Zach Guthrie, Joel Hamling, James Jordan, Nick Larkey, Jarryd Lyons, Tom McCartin, Ben Paton, Flynn Perez, Sam Philp, Marlion Pickett, Alex Sexton, Jeremy Sharp, Cooper Stephens, Elijah Taylor, Sam Taylor, Cody Weightman

Out: Connor Ballenden, Nathan Brown, Nakia Cockatoo, Brennan Cox, Todd Goldstein, Billy Hartung, Elliott Himmelberg, Jake Neade, Lochie O'Brien, Jake Patmore, Alex Pearce, Josh Schache, Joshua Schoenfeld, Jimmy Toumpas, Brandon White, Lewis Young, Robert Young

Biggest Addition: Jarryd Lyons


Biggest Loss: Todd Goldstein

Possible Best 25
B: Connor Blakely – Steven May – Shannon Hurn
HB: Brandan Parfitt - Nick Haynes – Brandon Ellis
C: Jarryd Lyons –Josh Kennedy – Taylor Adams
HF: Jed Anderson – Tom McCartin– Gary Ablett
F: Connor Rozee – Josh Bruce - Patrick Ryder
R: Rowan Marshall - Stephen Coniglio – Jack Steele
INT: Alex Sexton - Ryan Clarke – Marlion Pickett - Jack Lonie - Lewis Taylor - Ben Paton – Sam Frost

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1450
Predicted Finish: 7th

Summary
Things are really heating up now; every team from now on I've rated as a genuine top 4 chance and if things go their way, a premiership contender. Marklar_33 has returned as an AFLTM coach and takes control of one of the most stacked midfields in the league. Incredible depth in this area sees Jarryd Lyons; a 97.5 averaging midfielder in 2019, as perhaps the weakest starting midfielder in the starting 18. All this is topped this off with one of the more promising young ruckman in the league. The backline and forwardline is also solid, particularly if the likes of Ellis and Blakely can improve on their 2019 season. The one weakness in this team appears to be the KPFs. Josh Bruce is a solid starter but behind him the stocks are quite bare. It shouldn't keep them out of the finals but it may keep them out of the top 4 and ultimately, premiership contention.

 

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Ballarat Dragons 2020 Season Preview

Coach: fightingfury_88

Last year: 8 wins, 7 losses, 20934 points for – 7th place

List Changes
In: Adam Cerra, Callum Coleman-Jones, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Willem Drew, Dougal Howard, Griffin Logue, Dominic Sheed, Liam Stocker, Deven Robertson, Thomson Dow, DP36, RP1

Out: Marcus Adams, Allir Allir, Zaine Cordy, Aidan Corr, Kyle Dunkley, Zac Foot, Tom Hickey, Jack Higgins, Luke McDonald, Justin McInerney, Toby McLean, Gryan Miers, Jordan Roughead

Biggest Addition: Dominic Sheed

Biggest Loss: Aliir Aliir

Possible Best 25
B: Sam Docherty – Tom Clurey – Callum Mills
HB: Reece Conca – Dougal Howard – Hayden Crozier
C: Trent Dumont – Jacob Hopper – Ed Langdon
HF: Josh Dunkley – Jeremy Cameron – Dominic Sheed
F: Chad Wingard – Jesse Hogan – Darcy Parish
R: Toby Nankervis – Tom Mitchell - Jackson Macrae
INT: Adam Cerra, Sean Darcy, Ben Ainsworth, Peter Wright, Noah Answerth, Willem Drew, Griffin Logue

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1460
Predicted Finish: 6th

Summary
A solid season from the Dragons saw them make the finals again and lose in heartbreaking fashion to the eventual premiers Melbourne in the first week. In 2020 this team is a real wildcard and could finish anywhere from first to out of the finals. There are two reasons for the huge variance in potential finish for this club and those two reasons are Tom Mitchell and Sam Docherty. Both are proven elite scorers from past seasons but both are also coming off at least 12 months out of the game due to injury. If they return to near their best then the Dragons will push strongly for a top four finish. Alternatively, if they struggle on their return from injury then a finals spot is not guaranteed. The top end of this team is stacked with star power with the returning Mitchell and Docherty joining other premium talent in Josh Dunkley, Jackson Macrae and Jeremy Cameron. Unfortunately there is a bit of a drop off towards the end of the starting 18 and the KPF stocks are a big question mark with no guarantee of Jesse Hogan returning to the game. All up though, missing out of the finals would be a huge underachievement for Ballarat and based on talent anything less than at least one finals win is a disappointing result for this team.

 

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Harbour City Hornets 2020 Season Preview


Coach: knobby

Last year: 11 wins, 4 losses, 21315 points for – 2nd place

List Changes
In: Daniel Butler, Louis Butler, Ned Cahill, Hunter Clark, Aidan Corr, Leo Connolly, Ben Crocker, Mitch Crowden, Michael Gibbons, Bryce Gibbs, Tom Hickey, Josh Honey, Dan Houston, Jeremy Howe, Ethan Hughes, Tim Kelly, Jacob Koschitzke, Sam Powell-Pepper, Malcolm Rosas, Christian Salem, Lachlan Sholl, Jy Simpkin, Nathan Vardy, Joshua Worrell, Cameron Zurhaar

Out: Tom Atkins, Timothy Broomhead, Jye Caldwell, Brayden Crossley, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Richard Douglas, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Stefan Giro, Hugh Greenwood, Cameron Guthrie, Zach Guthrie, Isaac Heeney, Kieren Jack, Adam Kennedy, Dean Kent, Riley Knight, Jordan Lewis, Touk Miller, Aaron Sandilands, Heath Shaw, Jackson Trengove, Will Walker, Declan Watson, Maverick Weller, Easton Wood, James Worpel

Biggest Addition: Tim Kelly


Biggest Loss: Isaac Heeney

Possible Best 25
B: Christian Salem – Thomas Jonas - Hunter Clark
HB: Taylor Duryea – Jeremy Howe - Dan Houston
C: Isaac Smith - Tim Kelly - Bryce Gibbs
HF: Sam Powell-Pepper – Tom Hawkins – Jack Sinclair
F: Sam Lloyd - Jack Gunston – Jy Simpkin
R: Stefan Martin - Tim Taranto – Matt Crouch
INT: Tom Hickey – Jack Riewoldt – Cameron Zurhaar – Nicholas Holman – Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – Michael Gibbons – Harry Taylor

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1465
Predicted Finish: 5th

Summary
A perennial finals performer, the Hornets fell just short in 2019 after losing in the Grand Final to Melbourne. Quite a few changes occured over the off-season at Harbour City but again they present as a strong premiership contender. Tim Taranto's pre-season injury is a big loss but the likes of Crouch and the newly recruited Tim Kelly should be able to pick up a lot of the slack in the midfield. The Hornet's backline is particularly strong with the likes of Clark, Houston and Howe or likely to improve on their 2019 scores. The KPP stocks also look solid with Stefan Martin and ageing but reliable ruck. Just how far this team goes will depend a lot on the growth of Clark, Houston, Powell-Pepper and Crouch. In particular, Crouch has shown tendencies to be an elite AFLTM scorer in past seasons but has never been able to quite make the leap. If he can step it up in 2020 he could push the side towards another top 4 finish and potentially one step further than last season.

 

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Gold Coast Devils 2020 Season Preview

Coach: sausageroll

Last year: 10 wins, 5 losses, 21638.5 points for – 4th place

List Changes
In: Logan Austin, Charlie Ballard, Aiden Bonar, Jack Bowes, Connor Budarick, Nicholas Coffield, Isaac Cumming, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Paddy Dow, Jeremy Finlayson, Hugh Greenwood, Matthew Kennedy, Finn Maginness, Oscar McInerney, Reilly O’Brien, Tim O’Brien, Wil Powell, Trent Rivers, Jack Scrimshaw, Will Walker, Francis Watson

Out: Ryan Abbott, Brayden Ainsworth, Matthew Buntine, Chris Burgess, James Cousins, Mitch Crowden, Brett Deledio, Aaron Francis, Bryce Gibbs, Marty Hore, Jeremy Howe, Sam Jacobs, Liam Jones, Alex Keath, Michael Knoll, Tom T Lynch, Todd Marshall, Shane McAdam, Tom McDonald, Jarrad McVeigh, Brody Mihocek, Sydney Stack, Dale Thomas, Jack Viney

Biggest Addition: Reilly O’Brien


Biggest Loss: Jack Viney

Possible Best 25
B: Jack Crisp – Michael Hurley – Nic Newman
HB: Zach Tuohy – Tim O’Brien - Jack Silvagni
C: Shane Savage - Hugh Greenwood – Jack Bowes
HF: Jack Ziebell – Jeremy Finlayson - Mitchell Wallis
F: Luke Dahlhaus – Josh Jenkins – Allen Christensen
R: Reilly O’Brien - Elliot Yeo – Dayne Zorko
INT: Zac Smith – Paul Ahern – Nicholas Coffield – Tom Doedee – Jack Scrimshaw – Oscar McInerney – Paddy Dow

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1470
Predicted Finish: 4th

Summary
Always a premiership contender, Gold Coast will be right in the mix again in 2020. There's been a bit of movement in the off-season but the core of the team has generally been kept intact. Reilly O'Brien is a nice addition to the ruck stocks, effectively doing as he did in 2019 and taking over from Sam Jacobs as the number 1 ruck. Yeo and Zorko lead a solid midfield and Finlayson bolsters the KPF stocks nicely but the real strength to this team is the depth. There are no particular weak points in this team, with all lines in the starting 18 posting decent and consistent scorers. Gold Coast will be aiming for a premiership again in 2020 and top 4 should be a minimum target, anything less would be a disappointment but in a tight 2020 competition it's certainly possible.

 

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St Kilda Titans 2020 Season Preview
Coach: ShaunDuggan

Last year: 11 wins, 4 losses, 21294 points for – 5th place

List Changes
In: Callum Brown, Nakia Cockatoo, Jacob Dawson, Oliver Florent, Matthew Flynn, Elliott Himmelberg, Sam Jacobs, Jesse Joyce, Alex Keath, Daniel McStay, Clayton Oliver, Tom Papley, Sam Ramsay, Jay Rantall, Daniel Rich, Jackson Trengove, Dylan Williams, Easton Wood

Out: Callum Ah Chee, Thomas Boyd, Daniel Butler, Ben Crocker, Orazio Fantasia, Michael Gibbons, Hamish Hartlett, Lin Jong, James Jordan, Matthew Lobbe, Jesse Lonergan, Sam Mayes, Callum Moore, Ben Paton, Wil Powell, Alex Sexton, Dylan Shiel, Lachlan Weller, Aaron Young

Biggest Addition: Clayton Oliver


Biggest Loss: Dylan Shiel

Possible Best 25
B: Bradley Sheppard – Alex Keath - Harry Perryman
HB: Scott Pendlebury – Jack Watts - Daniel Rich
C: Daniel Hannebery – Tom Rockliff – Andrew Gaff
HF: Devon Smith – Charlie Dixon - Adam Tomlinson
F: Rory Lobb – Daniel McStay - Tom Papley
R: Sam Jacobs - Brad Crouch – Clayton Oliver
INT: Andrew McGrath – Nicholas Naitanui – Oliver Florent – Luke Breust – Jarryn Geary – Jake Kelly – Liam Duggan

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1520
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Summary
A disappointing finals series from St Kilda last year saw them bow out in straight sets after finishing third on the ladder. Despite the disappointment, St Kilda will be right in the hunt again with perhaps an even better team in 2020. Clayton Oliver was a huge get in the off-season after he was heavily courted by the club through the entire process. Clayton tops off a high powered midfield with all 5 midfielders capable of big scores on their day. Jacobs is also an underrated addition to the team after the Titans leaned heavily on the inconsistent Rory Lobb as their ruck for most of 2019. As expected for a top 4 team, the forward and backlines are both in great shape with Devon Smith likely to have a huge impact after returning from injury. A premiership will be the goal for this season and with a little luck come finals time they may just get there.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Melbourne 2020 Season Preview
Coach: goldcoastsun

Last year: 9 wins, 6 losses, 22055 points for – 1st place

List Changes
In: Joe Daniher, Lachlan Gollant, Darcy MacPherson, Marc Murphy, Bigoa Nyuon, Josh Morris, Minairo Frederick, Tom Hutchesson, Brady Rowles, Jack Bell, Patrick Wilson

Out: Brendon Ah Chee, Mark Baguley, Mitchell Brown, Charlie Cameron, Scott Jones, Jesse Joyce, Brayden Maynard, Corey Maynard, David Myers, Trent Mynott, Andy Otten, Scott Selwood

Biggest Addition: Joe Daniher


Biggest Loss: Charlie Cameron

Possible Best 25
B: Jake Lloyd – Dane Rampe - Kade Simpson
HB: Matthew Suckling – Cale Hooker – Conor McKenna
C: Marc Murphy - Luke Shuey – Darcy MacPherson
HF: Aaron Hall – Justin Westhoff - Kyle Langford
F: David Zaharakis – Joe Daniher - Tom Bellchambers
R: Jarrod Witts - Zachary Merrett – Patrick Cripps
INT: Jack Newnes – Sam Reid – Mason Redman – Shaun McKernan – James Rowbottom – Harrison Himmelberg – Callum Wilkie

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1550
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Summary
A new coach has arrived at Melbourne but the expectation will be set very high immediately. After winning the premiership in 2019 the Giants will be aiming for a back to back performance this season and have the talent to achieve just that. The majority of the team has been held over from the previous season which should hold the club in good stead. The addition of Joe Daniher adds some star power to the KPF stocks if he can get healthy. Darcy MacPherson is also eyeing a breakout year and should add to an already potent midfield that contains the likes of Witts, Merrett, Cripps and Shuey. All lines are covered in this great team with even the bench players likely to be in the starting 18 if they were on other teams. For 2020 a finish in the top 4 is expected and another premiership should be the goal.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Geelong 2020 Season Preview
Coach: GeeCat

Last year: 13 wins, 2 losses, 22674.5 points for – 3rd place

List Changes
In: Josh Battle, Charlie Constable, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Jack Henry, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Tom Joyce, Peter Ladhams, Jake Lever, Ned McHenry, Justin McInerney, Harry McKay, Gryan Miers, Patrick Naish, Quinton Narkle, Aaron Naughton, John Noble, Alex Pearce, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jake Riccardi, Mitch Riordan, Luke Ryan, Brodie Smith, James Stewart, Sam Walsh, Bailey J Williams, Zachary Williams, Lewis Young, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

Out: Tom Barrass, Jarrod Berry, Shai Bolton, Will Brodie, Jake Carlisle, Jonathon Ceglar, Tom Cole, Jordan Cunico, Tom Cutler, Bailey Dale, Joe Daniher, Willem Drew, Taylin Duman, Matthew Flynn, Darcy Gardiner, Fergus Greene, Jordan Houlahan, Daniel Howe, Jarrod Lienert, Tom McCartin, Lewis Melican, Wayne Milera, Teia Miles, Christian Petracca, James Sicily, Zach Sproule, Sam Sturt, Sam Taylor, Sam Weideman, Lachie Young

Biggest Addition: Sam Walsh


Biggest Loss: James Sicily

Possible Best 25
B: Zachary Williams – Josh Battle - Luke Ryan
HB: Jordan Dawson – Jake Lever – Brodie Smith
C: Mitchell Duncan – Nathan Fyfe – Sam Walsh
HF: Lachie Whitfield – Aaron Naughton - Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Jade Gresham – Charlie Curnow - Jack Billings
R: Brodie Grundy – Marcus Bontempelli – Patrick Dangerfield
INT: Sam Petrevski-Seton – Joel Selwood - Charlie Constable – Riley Bonner – Gryan Miers – Harry McKay – Bailey Williams

Predicted Best 18 Weekly Score: 1600
Predicted Finish: 1st

Summary
Despite no premiership the past two years, there is little doubt that Geelong has been the dominant team of the past 5 years and the gold standard to which all AFLTM teams aspire to. Geelong dominated again in 2019 with the most wins and points for by far during the home and away season but unfortunately couldn't win their preliminary final meaning they finished in 3rd place overall. Scarily for opposition teams there has been a lot of changes made at Geelong over the off-season and their team is now even better and younger! This team is absolutely stacked on every line will all positions covered nicely. Sam Walsh is a huge get on a long term deal and the backline is nearly completely revamped. One look at the interchange tell you just how strong this team is, with Joel Selwood sitting alongside the likes of Petrevski-Seton and Bailey Williams on the bench. If you were to pick one weakness in this team it is probably the KPF stocks and that is mostly due to injury history more than anything else. Geelong will be eyeing off some revenge in 2020 and nothing but a premiership will do; anything less than a top 4 finish would be a huge shock.