Best side outside of the 8 - and finals bound 2021

[Gavin Excell]

Who is the best side out of the 8 in 2020 and the one most likely to be playing finals next year?

According to ladder position Melbourne as the 9th placed side is best but in such a weird and disrupted year there may be an argument for other teams

 

[raskolnikov]

Freo.

 

[Mesc]

Adelaide played like a top 8 team in their last couple of games

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Pretty clearly GWS. Their problem is literally too many good players and not enough role players. They need pressure forwards and defensive running mids. No other side would have so many players in the top 50 in the comp.

 

[Off Tap]

I see the Crows, Roos, Swans, Hawks and Bombers as the likely sides to stagnate or fall in 2021.

The remaining sides outside the 8 all have the lists that can improve on this year for various reasons.

With a run of luck, injuries and a decent draw either could find themselves as genuine top 8 sides.

Unlikely that Freo and Suns make that transition to top 8 in 2021 as I believe that 2022 will be their year when they have a side mature enough to last out a full season.

That's my take after watching this year unfold.

 

[Angus Young]

Adelaide, Freo, GWS, Sydney

 

[Mt Isa Mustang]

The teams that clearly arent
North
Essendon
Adelaide
Hawthorn

The teams that have a shout but probably another 12 months away
Gold Coast
Sydney

The teams that could easily be finals bound 2021
Freo
GWS
Melbourne
Carlton

 

[TedDougChris]

On capability, it's GWS - but there does seem to be a few issues there. Perhaps they need some change to deliver on their potential.

In terms of heading in the right direction, Carlton and Freo are to two that spring to mind. Melbourne have the capacity to deliver more, but cannot seem to utilise it...

 

[Tugga27]

Pretty clearly GWS. Their problem is literally too many good players and not enough role players. They need pressure forwards and defensive running mids. No other side would have so many players in the top 50 in the comp.

Their problem is a spud of a coach.

A side that talented and only 1 in the AA.
Clearly not playing for him.

 

[owen87]

Their problem is a spud of a coach.

A side that talented and only 1 in the AA.
Clearly not playing for him.

They're not playing for anyone it seems, too many wanting to be the stars and not enough wanting to do the team stuff.

 

[magpiemaniac44]

GWS will and maybe Freo and/or Melbourne. Not sure who would drop out though

 

[Evolved1]

GWS then daylight.

 

[OniAu]

GWS - have a few holes to fill - Rucks will be a concern, Shaw down back will be a huge hole in terms of onfield leadership, plus zac williams. Could be a different look for them

Freo & Blues for mine to push into 8 next year

 

[Virgin Dog]

Depending on list changes, either Freo or Carlton

 

[Roobs321]

Giants & Carlton.

 

[fpm84]

I rate Carlton and think Williams will be a great get. Cripps was clearly playing injured this year, they will hopefully get Charlie Curnow back, there's big upside with the likes of Weitering/SPS/Fisher/McKay/Walsh. If they can stop those run ons where opposition teams kick 5+ in a row against them, I expect them to play finals next year.

 

[MattyJayJ]

You’d think GWS with their ridiculously underachieving list but I can only see it getting harder for them at this point. Something is seriously wrong at that club.

If Melbourne can secure a decent addition to their forward line and pull their finger out I’d say them. There’s a lot of talent there with the likes of Gawn, Oliver, Trac, May, Langdon, Viney, Salem etc. Some promising up and comers like Rivers and Pickett. Fritsch is a handy forward and will continue improving but not really someone you’d build a forward line around, while Weideman is still too inconsistent. If they can manage their recruiting well and get a solid preseason into the group I can see them taking the next step.

 

[PAFC_1870]

Freo, Sydney and GC heading in the right direction.

Other teams are yo-yos

Carlton the easiest to join them, think a mid or two and their much better

GWS, Melbourne and Essendon are head *s.

Hawks, North and Adelaide to spend some time at the bottom.

 

[mattwa]

GWS, Blues, Freo, GC

Rest are flawed football teams but the above teams at least either have youth, class coming through and a structure/game plan that everyone can see

 

[Gavin Excell]

Agree sentiment on Freo
Did the yards with a rebuild and slowly starting to see the rewards

 

[littlegg]

yikes people over rate gws going into 2021 they have lost 4 players who are best 22 already let alone camreon an co who are question marks

freo for me they nailed last years drat big time young will be a star

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Blues were in the top 4 of a number of critical stats this year. Improved percentage due to a number of close games. I'm ready for 2021.

 

[Yojimbo]

If you use Goals as a measure then Melbourne (155) already finished eight this year replacing Collingwood (139) and to be honest there does need to be some of the hard questions asked at Melbourne.

2020 Goals Ladder: Sponsored by Tradie Body Spray (fresh pits and bits).

Geelong: 182
St Kilda: 171
Port Adelaide: 168
Brisbane: 165
Richmond: 164
West Coast: 162
Western Bulldogs: 159
Melbourne: 155

Hawthorn: 147
Carlton: 146
GWS Giants: 145
Gold Coast: 142
Collingwood: 139
Essendon: 136
Sydney: 128
Fremantle: 127
North Melbourne: 124
Adelaide: 116

Port Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide all kicked more Behinds than Goals in 2020.

 

[Cuzz09]

Its hard to see anyone from the bottom 8 replacing the top 8 but every year it happens.

Melbourne and GWS probably the most likely with Bulldogs and StK most likely to fall out if I had to pick.

Also despite a great season Port can be flaky and are just as likely to finsh 12th next year.

Rich, Geel, WCE, Coll, Bris seem set for a few finals campaigns yet

On SM-G925I using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[pablo668]

I'm biased, but I'm thinking Freo.
It will depend on how consistent they can become though. The talent is there for the most part.