F
Frodo
Guest
ESSENDON:
COACH: Kevin Sheedy (since 1981).
CAPTAIN: James Hird.
PREMIERSHIPS: 15 (last in 1993).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 3rd.
KEY PLAYERS: Hird, Matthew LLoyd, Mark Mercuri, Sean Wellman.
STRENGTHS: The best depth in the competition. Possess the game's best full forward in Lloyd while Wellman and Fletcher lead a good defence. The recruitment of ex-Cat John Barnes will boost the ruck division while the return of Hird and Scott Lucas from injury plus the move to Colonial Stadium should give the Bombers a further edge after coming so close last year.
WEAKNESSES: As evidenced in last year's heartbreaking one point loss to Carlton in the preliminary final, the Bombers' less skilled players struggle when the pressure is on. The ruck position also still looks a worry.
PREDICTED FINISH: Premier. Should have won last year only to blow it against Carlton. That loss has burned into the souls of everyone at Windy Hill over the summer and with Hird back to fitness the Bombers look ideally placed to make amends.
KANGAROOS:
COACH: Denis Pagan (since 1993).
CAPTAIN: Wayne Carey.
PREMIERSHIPS: Four (last in 1999).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: First.
KEY PLAYERS: Carey, Corey McKernan, Mick Martyn, Peter Bell.
STRENGTHS: After seven successive years in the finals including two premierships and three grand final appearances in the last four years, the Roos are the yardstick for all other AFL teams. They have arguably the game's best-ever player in Carey, complemented by an aggressive defence led by Martyn and a hard-working midfield. Since last year's flag the Roos recruited the best player available in the draft in ex-Geelong skipper Leigh Colbert while the addition of ex-Docker ruckman Matthew Burton should allow McKernan to play more in attack.
WEAKNESSES: The critics have been saying it for years, the Roos' lack of pace through midfield is their weakness yet few teams have been able to exploit it. Many of the Roos' key players are also into the twilight of their careers.
PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd. Impossible to believe the Roos won't be up there challenging for back-to-back flags. But recent encounters suggest the Bombers are a fraction better.
BRISBANE
COACH: Leigh Matthews (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Michael Voss and Alastair Lynch.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nil.
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 4th.
KEY PLAYERS: Voss, Jarrod Molloy, Justin Leppitsch, Darryl White.
STRENGTHS: An even playing list with few superstars other than Voss but also few poor players. Eleven home games at their extended Gabba home is a huge advantage while the Lions have a superb backline, led by the much improved Leppitsch, which conceded a league low 76 points per game last season.
WEAKNESSES: Lack a forward line matchwinner in the mould of Lloyd or Carey. Still haven't proved they can win the big games in Melbourne although they were desperately unlucky to be hit by injuries and suspensions in last year's preliminary final loss to the Kangaroos.
PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd. The Lions rose from 16th to 4th under former Collingwood premiership coach Matthews last year and with their playing list and huge home ground advantage will be a genuine premiership hope.
CARLTON:
COACH: David Parkin (since 1991).
CAPTAIN: Craig Bradley.
PREMIERSHIPS: 16 (last in 1995).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: Runner-up.
KEY PLAYERS: Lance Whitnall, Matthew Allan, Stephen Silvagni, Brett Ratten.
STRENGTHS: Terrific midfield led by much improved ruckman Allan and profilic ballwinners Ratten, Bradley and Fraser Brown. Silvagni remains one of the game's elite defenders while the Blues have three of the most promising young forwards in the AFL in Whitnall, Aaron Hamill and Brendon Fevola.
WEAKNESSES: Lack of pace through the midfield is offset when the Blues play at their small Optus Oval home but can be exploited on bigger grounds. While their attack has improved the Blues still struggle to kick big scores.
PREDICTED FINISH: 4th. Stunned everyone last year by reaching the grand final and would have to improve again this season just to match that effort. Will certainly be up with the leading contenders again but may not have the firepower to match Essendon and the Kangaroos.
HAWTHORN:
COACH: Peter Schwab (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Shane Crawford.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nine (last in 1991).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 9th.
KEY PLAYERS: Crawford, Nathan Thompson, Paul Salmon, Jonathan Hay.
STRENGTHS: The Hawks have some of the most promising key position players within their ranks with Hay and Trent Croad two of the league's best young defenders and Thompson a potential 100 goal full-forward. Add to that the league's premier midfielder in reigning Brownlow medallist Crawford and the Hawks look well equipped to push up the ladder.
WEAKNESSES: A lack of depth in several key positions looks to be the Hawks' biggest worry with their back-up players not as good as the leading contenders. In particular a lack of a quality ruckman to help out veteran Salmon is a problem while in midfield the Hawks rely heavily on Crawford.
PREDICTED FINISH: 5th. The Hawks look poised to end a run of three years out of the finals and give new coach Schwab a first-up finals appearance.
WESTERN BULLDOGS:
COACH: Terry Wallace (since 1996).
CAPTAIN: Scott Wynd.
PREMIERSHIPS: One (in 1954).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 6th.
KEY PLAYERS: Chris Grant, Luke Darcy, Rohan Smith, Scott West.
STRENGTHS: Arguably the best midfield in the AFL. The Bulldogs are virtually an entire team of midfielders and coach Wallace has the luxury of being able to rotate numerous players through the middle. Also possess two quality ruckman in Darcy and veteran Wynd.
WEAKNESSES: A lack of quality key position players other than Grant, who still does not kick as many goals as he should. Still undersized in defence and lack a quality centre half-back as well as a recognised spearhead. Several key players such as Wynd, Tony Liberatore, Jose Romero and Paul Hudson are in the twilight of their careers.
PREDICTED FINISH: 6th. The Bulldogs have been one of the AFL's most consistent teams in the past three years but their chance to win that elusive premiership may have gone. Still too good to miss the finals.
ADELAIDE:
COACH: Gary Ayres (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Mark Bickley.
PREMIERSHIPS: Two (last in 1998).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 13th.
KEY PLAYERS: Shaun Rehn, Andrew McLeod, Darren Jarman, Ben Hart.
STRENGTHS: Ideal draw with with 12 games in Adelaide plus only one encounter with Essendon, Carlton and the Kangaroos. The return from injury of champion ruckman Rehn, who missed all of last year as the Crows slumped from 1st to 13th, is also a huge boost while the South Australian outfit still possess one of the league's better defences led by Hart and the underrated Peter Caven.
WEAKNESSES: Plenty of doubts hang over some of the Crows' best players. Rehn is coming back from his third knee reconstruction, McLeod has no cartilage on one knee, Jarman is 33, while Smart and Bickley turn 31.
PREDICTED FINISH: 7th. Will improve on last year's injury-marred season and should give new coach Ayres a first-up final appearance. But don't look good enough to recapture the glory years under Malcolm Blight.
ST KILDA:
COACH: Tim Watson (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Nathan Burke.
PREMIERSHIPS: One (in 1966).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 10th.
KEY PLAYERS: Robert Harvey, Peter Everitt, Barry Hall, Damian Monkhorst.
STRENGTHS: Potentially one of the best forward lines in the AFL particularly if veteran recruit Monkhorst can hold down the ruck position this year. That would allow the dangerous Everitt to play in attack where the Saints also have quality talls in Hall, Stewart Loewe and Jason Heatley. In Harvey and Burke the Saints also have two of the game's best midfielders.
WEAKNESSES: In the last two years the Saints have lost eight of their last 10 games and eight of their last 11 games respectively. While the Saints have several genuine stars they lack depth and their defence relies too heavily on the Wakelin brothers. Burke and Harvey also need more midfield support - players such as Aussie Jones and Tony Brown have gone backwards in recent years.
PREDICTED FINISH: 8th. A critical year for the Saints and second year coach Watson. Certainly good enough to make the finals but that was also the case last year.
WEST COAST:
COACH: Ken Judge (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Guy McKenna.
PREMIERSHIPS: Two (last in 1994).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 5th.
KEY PLAYERS: Ben Cousins, Scott Cummings, Peter Matera, Glen Jakovich.
STRENGTHS: Strong defence led by Jakovich and Ashley McIntosh while the recruitment of Cummings last year solved the club's previous lack of strikepower. The Eagles also have some of the game's best young midfielders in Ben Cousins and Michael Braun.
WEAKNESSES: Many key players are nearing the end of their careers. Skipper McKenna turns 31 this year, as does Peter Matera, Dean Kemp and Chris Lewis. The huge influence over the club of departing coach Mick Malthouse (10 finals appearances in 10 years) will be virtually impossible to replace.
PREDICTED FINISH: 9th. The Eagles have too many good players to drop into the lower reaches but equally don't appear capable of improvement with their key players ageing.
SYDNEY:
COACH: Rodney Eade (in 1996).
CAPTAIN: Paul Kelly.
PREMIERSHIPS: Three (last in 1933).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 8th.
KEY PLAYERS: Daryn Cresswell, Andrew Dunkley, Adam Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin.
STRENGTHS: With some Victorian clubs looking to cash in on the potentially lucrative Sydney market, the Swans have the luxury of 13 SCG matches this season. The Swans also have some of the AFL's most promising young players in last year's Rising Star winner Goodes plus Jason Saddington, Jude Bolton and Matthew Nicks. The return of ruckman Greg Stafford from injury is a boost while Cresswell and Wayne Schwass remain two of the game's best ball winners.
WEAKNESSES: The retirement of the game's greatest ever full-forward Tony Lockett and the loss through injury for most of the season of captain Paul Kelly leave two virtually unfillable holes in the Swans' line-up. Defence still looks a worry.
PREDICTED FINISH: 10th. Many people are tipping doom and gloom for the Swans this year following the losses of Lockett and Kelly. But their dream draw and promising crop of young players should keep Sydney in contention for a finals berth.
PORT ADELAIDE:
COACH: Mark Williams (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Gavin Wanganeen.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nil.
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 7th.
KEY PLAYERS: Warren Tredrea, Wanganeen, Matthew Primus, Stephen Paxman.
STRENGTHS: Good midfield led by skipper Wanganeen and Brayden Lyle. In Tredrea the Power have one of the game's most exciting forwards while the return from a serious knee injury of ruckman Primus will be a huge boost.
WEAKNESSES: Tough draw despite 12 games in Adelaide with return games against Essendon and Brisbane while once only clashes against the Kangaroos and West Coast are both away. Lack of strikepower, other than Tredrea, remains a big problem with the Power having only three players who kicked more than 20 goals last year.
PREDICTED FINISH: 11th. Capable of matching last year's finals appearance but not helped by tough draw. Other teams look capable of leapfrogging the Power this season.
MELBOURNE:
COACH: Neale Daniher (since 1998).
CAPTAIN: David Neitz.
PREMIERSHIPS: 12 (last in 1964).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 14th.
KEY PLAYERS: Neitz, David Schwarz, Jeff White, Jeff Farmer.
STRENGTHS: Powerful forward line with the addition of Bulldogs' spearhead James Cook complementing Schwarz at centre half-forward and the exciting Jeff Farmer in a forward pocket. The Demons also have one of the game's best young ruckman in White while they have plenty of good ball winners in Adem Yze, Guy Rigoni, Shane Woewodin and new recruit Stephen Powell.
WEAKNESSES: Backline looks a big worry even if the presence of Cook should allow skipper Neitz to play in defence more often this season. Full-back Jamie Shanahan is now 32 and no obvious replacement looms while a lack of a quality back-up for White is a worry.
PREDICTED FINISH: 12th. Off-field problems were a key reason behind the Demons fall from 4th to 14th last season after rising from 16th the previous year. Should improve this year but a lack of star quality is likely to keep Melbourne in the bottom half.
RICHMOND:
COACH: Danny Frawley (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Matthew Knights.
PREMIERSHIPS: 10 (last in 1980).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 12th.
KEY PLAYERS: Matthew Richardson, Wayne Campbell, Brad Ottens, Joel Bowden.
STRENGTHS: Has one of the AFL's few genuine matchwinners in star forward Richardson while Ottens is a rising star. Core midfield group of Campbell, Knights and Nick Daffy is solid while centre half-back Darren Gaspar should be far better this season after overcoming the illness that plagued him throughout 1999.
WEAKNESSES: Undersized in defence, too reliant on Campbell and Knights in midfield and lacking support for Richardson up forward. They are the problems that confront new coach Frawley and the signs throughout the pre-season are that the Tigers are still a long way from solving them.
PREDICTED FINISH: 13th. The Tigers always play with plenty of passion and will cause one or two upsets but lack the quality to make the eight.
COLLINGWOOD:
COACH: Mick Malthouse (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Nathan Buckley.
PREMIERSHIPS: 14 (last in 1990).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 16th.
KEY PLAYERS: Buckley, Saverio Rocca, Anthony Rocca, Paul Williams.
STRENGTHS: Possess one of the game's greatest players in Buckley while in the talented but inconsistent Rocca brothers they have quality key position players at both ends of the ground. But it is the addition of much respected ex Eagles coach Mick Malthouse that could prove to be the Magpies' biggest strength as he is renowned at getting improvement from young players and last year's wooden spooners have plenty of those including No.1 draft pick Josh Fraser and exciting goalsneak Leon Davis.
WEAKNESSES: A lack of quality right across the list with a lack of height in defence the biggest worry. Apart from Sav Rocca, who was injured for much of last season, the Magpies don't have a proven goalkicker while too much is left to Buckley in midfield.
PREDICTED FINISH: 14th: Will certainly improve under Malthouse but the 'Black and White Army' will have to wait a little longer for the glory days to return.
GEELONG:
COACH: Mark Thompson (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Ben Graham.
PREMIERSHIPS: Six (last in 1963).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 11TH.
KEY PLAYERS: Garry Hocking, Graham, Steven King, Ronnie Burns.
STRENGTHS: Top young ruckman in King and a solid defence led by new skipper Graham and the tough Tim McGrath. Good draw is a bonus with once only matches against Essendon and Brisbane (at home).
WEAKNESSES: Since the end of last year the Cats have lost their captain Leigh Colbert, two-time all-Australian defender Mick Mansfield and their best ruckman of recent years in John Barnes to rival clubs. Have a lack of quality across the list with players such as Barry Stoneham, Liam Pickering, Paul Lynch and Derek Hall weighed down by injuries in recent years. Lack of key forwards a big worry with too much goalkicking responsibility left to the inconsistent Ronnie Burns.
PREDICTED FINISH IN 2000: 15th: A tough first year in store for new coach Thompson.
FREMANTLE:
COACH: Damian Drum (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Adrian Fletcher and Shaun McManus.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nil.
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 15th.
KEY PLAYERS: Fletcher, Tony Modra, Clive Waterhouse, Daniel Bandy.
STRENGTHS: Possess one of the AFL's best spearheads in Modra and one of the game's most profilic ballwinners in Fletcher and a genuine home ground advantage with the Dockers usually competitive in most of their 12 Perth games.
WEAKNESSES: The worst list in the competition with no stars other than Fletcher and Modra and defence a huge worry. Hardly ever win away from Perth and lack height in most positions. Badly need a big year from Bandy in the ruck and will be hoping promising newcomers Matthew Pavlich and Paul Hasleby provide a boost to attack and midfield.
PREDICTED FINISH: 16th: With Collingwood likely to improve under Malthouse it's hard to imagine the Dockers finishing anywhere but last.
COACH: Kevin Sheedy (since 1981).
CAPTAIN: James Hird.
PREMIERSHIPS: 15 (last in 1993).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 3rd.
KEY PLAYERS: Hird, Matthew LLoyd, Mark Mercuri, Sean Wellman.
STRENGTHS: The best depth in the competition. Possess the game's best full forward in Lloyd while Wellman and Fletcher lead a good defence. The recruitment of ex-Cat John Barnes will boost the ruck division while the return of Hird and Scott Lucas from injury plus the move to Colonial Stadium should give the Bombers a further edge after coming so close last year.
WEAKNESSES: As evidenced in last year's heartbreaking one point loss to Carlton in the preliminary final, the Bombers' less skilled players struggle when the pressure is on. The ruck position also still looks a worry.
PREDICTED FINISH: Premier. Should have won last year only to blow it against Carlton. That loss has burned into the souls of everyone at Windy Hill over the summer and with Hird back to fitness the Bombers look ideally placed to make amends.
KANGAROOS:
COACH: Denis Pagan (since 1993).
CAPTAIN: Wayne Carey.
PREMIERSHIPS: Four (last in 1999).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: First.
KEY PLAYERS: Carey, Corey McKernan, Mick Martyn, Peter Bell.
STRENGTHS: After seven successive years in the finals including two premierships and three grand final appearances in the last four years, the Roos are the yardstick for all other AFL teams. They have arguably the game's best-ever player in Carey, complemented by an aggressive defence led by Martyn and a hard-working midfield. Since last year's flag the Roos recruited the best player available in the draft in ex-Geelong skipper Leigh Colbert while the addition of ex-Docker ruckman Matthew Burton should allow McKernan to play more in attack.
WEAKNESSES: The critics have been saying it for years, the Roos' lack of pace through midfield is their weakness yet few teams have been able to exploit it. Many of the Roos' key players are also into the twilight of their careers.
PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd. Impossible to believe the Roos won't be up there challenging for back-to-back flags. But recent encounters suggest the Bombers are a fraction better.
BRISBANE
COACH: Leigh Matthews (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Michael Voss and Alastair Lynch.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nil.
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 4th.
KEY PLAYERS: Voss, Jarrod Molloy, Justin Leppitsch, Darryl White.
STRENGTHS: An even playing list with few superstars other than Voss but also few poor players. Eleven home games at their extended Gabba home is a huge advantage while the Lions have a superb backline, led by the much improved Leppitsch, which conceded a league low 76 points per game last season.
WEAKNESSES: Lack a forward line matchwinner in the mould of Lloyd or Carey. Still haven't proved they can win the big games in Melbourne although they were desperately unlucky to be hit by injuries and suspensions in last year's preliminary final loss to the Kangaroos.
PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd. The Lions rose from 16th to 4th under former Collingwood premiership coach Matthews last year and with their playing list and huge home ground advantage will be a genuine premiership hope.
CARLTON:
COACH: David Parkin (since 1991).
CAPTAIN: Craig Bradley.
PREMIERSHIPS: 16 (last in 1995).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: Runner-up.
KEY PLAYERS: Lance Whitnall, Matthew Allan, Stephen Silvagni, Brett Ratten.
STRENGTHS: Terrific midfield led by much improved ruckman Allan and profilic ballwinners Ratten, Bradley and Fraser Brown. Silvagni remains one of the game's elite defenders while the Blues have three of the most promising young forwards in the AFL in Whitnall, Aaron Hamill and Brendon Fevola.
WEAKNESSES: Lack of pace through the midfield is offset when the Blues play at their small Optus Oval home but can be exploited on bigger grounds. While their attack has improved the Blues still struggle to kick big scores.
PREDICTED FINISH: 4th. Stunned everyone last year by reaching the grand final and would have to improve again this season just to match that effort. Will certainly be up with the leading contenders again but may not have the firepower to match Essendon and the Kangaroos.
HAWTHORN:
COACH: Peter Schwab (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Shane Crawford.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nine (last in 1991).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 9th.
KEY PLAYERS: Crawford, Nathan Thompson, Paul Salmon, Jonathan Hay.
STRENGTHS: The Hawks have some of the most promising key position players within their ranks with Hay and Trent Croad two of the league's best young defenders and Thompson a potential 100 goal full-forward. Add to that the league's premier midfielder in reigning Brownlow medallist Crawford and the Hawks look well equipped to push up the ladder.
WEAKNESSES: A lack of depth in several key positions looks to be the Hawks' biggest worry with their back-up players not as good as the leading contenders. In particular a lack of a quality ruckman to help out veteran Salmon is a problem while in midfield the Hawks rely heavily on Crawford.
PREDICTED FINISH: 5th. The Hawks look poised to end a run of three years out of the finals and give new coach Schwab a first-up finals appearance.
WESTERN BULLDOGS:
COACH: Terry Wallace (since 1996).
CAPTAIN: Scott Wynd.
PREMIERSHIPS: One (in 1954).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 6th.
KEY PLAYERS: Chris Grant, Luke Darcy, Rohan Smith, Scott West.
STRENGTHS: Arguably the best midfield in the AFL. The Bulldogs are virtually an entire team of midfielders and coach Wallace has the luxury of being able to rotate numerous players through the middle. Also possess two quality ruckman in Darcy and veteran Wynd.
WEAKNESSES: A lack of quality key position players other than Grant, who still does not kick as many goals as he should. Still undersized in defence and lack a quality centre half-back as well as a recognised spearhead. Several key players such as Wynd, Tony Liberatore, Jose Romero and Paul Hudson are in the twilight of their careers.
PREDICTED FINISH: 6th. The Bulldogs have been one of the AFL's most consistent teams in the past three years but their chance to win that elusive premiership may have gone. Still too good to miss the finals.
ADELAIDE:
COACH: Gary Ayres (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Mark Bickley.
PREMIERSHIPS: Two (last in 1998).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 13th.
KEY PLAYERS: Shaun Rehn, Andrew McLeod, Darren Jarman, Ben Hart.
STRENGTHS: Ideal draw with with 12 games in Adelaide plus only one encounter with Essendon, Carlton and the Kangaroos. The return from injury of champion ruckman Rehn, who missed all of last year as the Crows slumped from 1st to 13th, is also a huge boost while the South Australian outfit still possess one of the league's better defences led by Hart and the underrated Peter Caven.
WEAKNESSES: Plenty of doubts hang over some of the Crows' best players. Rehn is coming back from his third knee reconstruction, McLeod has no cartilage on one knee, Jarman is 33, while Smart and Bickley turn 31.
PREDICTED FINISH: 7th. Will improve on last year's injury-marred season and should give new coach Ayres a first-up final appearance. But don't look good enough to recapture the glory years under Malcolm Blight.
ST KILDA:
COACH: Tim Watson (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Nathan Burke.
PREMIERSHIPS: One (in 1966).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 10th.
KEY PLAYERS: Robert Harvey, Peter Everitt, Barry Hall, Damian Monkhorst.
STRENGTHS: Potentially one of the best forward lines in the AFL particularly if veteran recruit Monkhorst can hold down the ruck position this year. That would allow the dangerous Everitt to play in attack where the Saints also have quality talls in Hall, Stewart Loewe and Jason Heatley. In Harvey and Burke the Saints also have two of the game's best midfielders.
WEAKNESSES: In the last two years the Saints have lost eight of their last 10 games and eight of their last 11 games respectively. While the Saints have several genuine stars they lack depth and their defence relies too heavily on the Wakelin brothers. Burke and Harvey also need more midfield support - players such as Aussie Jones and Tony Brown have gone backwards in recent years.
PREDICTED FINISH: 8th. A critical year for the Saints and second year coach Watson. Certainly good enough to make the finals but that was also the case last year.
WEST COAST:
COACH: Ken Judge (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Guy McKenna.
PREMIERSHIPS: Two (last in 1994).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 5th.
KEY PLAYERS: Ben Cousins, Scott Cummings, Peter Matera, Glen Jakovich.
STRENGTHS: Strong defence led by Jakovich and Ashley McIntosh while the recruitment of Cummings last year solved the club's previous lack of strikepower. The Eagles also have some of the game's best young midfielders in Ben Cousins and Michael Braun.
WEAKNESSES: Many key players are nearing the end of their careers. Skipper McKenna turns 31 this year, as does Peter Matera, Dean Kemp and Chris Lewis. The huge influence over the club of departing coach Mick Malthouse (10 finals appearances in 10 years) will be virtually impossible to replace.
PREDICTED FINISH: 9th. The Eagles have too many good players to drop into the lower reaches but equally don't appear capable of improvement with their key players ageing.
SYDNEY:
COACH: Rodney Eade (in 1996).
CAPTAIN: Paul Kelly.
PREMIERSHIPS: Three (last in 1933).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 8th.
KEY PLAYERS: Daryn Cresswell, Andrew Dunkley, Adam Goodes, Michael O'Loughlin.
STRENGTHS: With some Victorian clubs looking to cash in on the potentially lucrative Sydney market, the Swans have the luxury of 13 SCG matches this season. The Swans also have some of the AFL's most promising young players in last year's Rising Star winner Goodes plus Jason Saddington, Jude Bolton and Matthew Nicks. The return of ruckman Greg Stafford from injury is a boost while Cresswell and Wayne Schwass remain two of the game's best ball winners.
WEAKNESSES: The retirement of the game's greatest ever full-forward Tony Lockett and the loss through injury for most of the season of captain Paul Kelly leave two virtually unfillable holes in the Swans' line-up. Defence still looks a worry.
PREDICTED FINISH: 10th. Many people are tipping doom and gloom for the Swans this year following the losses of Lockett and Kelly. But their dream draw and promising crop of young players should keep Sydney in contention for a finals berth.
PORT ADELAIDE:
COACH: Mark Williams (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Gavin Wanganeen.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nil.
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 7th.
KEY PLAYERS: Warren Tredrea, Wanganeen, Matthew Primus, Stephen Paxman.
STRENGTHS: Good midfield led by skipper Wanganeen and Brayden Lyle. In Tredrea the Power have one of the game's most exciting forwards while the return from a serious knee injury of ruckman Primus will be a huge boost.
WEAKNESSES: Tough draw despite 12 games in Adelaide with return games against Essendon and Brisbane while once only clashes against the Kangaroos and West Coast are both away. Lack of strikepower, other than Tredrea, remains a big problem with the Power having only three players who kicked more than 20 goals last year.
PREDICTED FINISH: 11th. Capable of matching last year's finals appearance but not helped by tough draw. Other teams look capable of leapfrogging the Power this season.
MELBOURNE:
COACH: Neale Daniher (since 1998).
CAPTAIN: David Neitz.
PREMIERSHIPS: 12 (last in 1964).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 14th.
KEY PLAYERS: Neitz, David Schwarz, Jeff White, Jeff Farmer.
STRENGTHS: Powerful forward line with the addition of Bulldogs' spearhead James Cook complementing Schwarz at centre half-forward and the exciting Jeff Farmer in a forward pocket. The Demons also have one of the game's best young ruckman in White while they have plenty of good ball winners in Adem Yze, Guy Rigoni, Shane Woewodin and new recruit Stephen Powell.
WEAKNESSES: Backline looks a big worry even if the presence of Cook should allow skipper Neitz to play in defence more often this season. Full-back Jamie Shanahan is now 32 and no obvious replacement looms while a lack of a quality back-up for White is a worry.
PREDICTED FINISH: 12th. Off-field problems were a key reason behind the Demons fall from 4th to 14th last season after rising from 16th the previous year. Should improve this year but a lack of star quality is likely to keep Melbourne in the bottom half.
RICHMOND:
COACH: Danny Frawley (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Matthew Knights.
PREMIERSHIPS: 10 (last in 1980).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 12th.
KEY PLAYERS: Matthew Richardson, Wayne Campbell, Brad Ottens, Joel Bowden.
STRENGTHS: Has one of the AFL's few genuine matchwinners in star forward Richardson while Ottens is a rising star. Core midfield group of Campbell, Knights and Nick Daffy is solid while centre half-back Darren Gaspar should be far better this season after overcoming the illness that plagued him throughout 1999.
WEAKNESSES: Undersized in defence, too reliant on Campbell and Knights in midfield and lacking support for Richardson up forward. They are the problems that confront new coach Frawley and the signs throughout the pre-season are that the Tigers are still a long way from solving them.
PREDICTED FINISH: 13th. The Tigers always play with plenty of passion and will cause one or two upsets but lack the quality to make the eight.
COLLINGWOOD:
COACH: Mick Malthouse (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Nathan Buckley.
PREMIERSHIPS: 14 (last in 1990).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 16th.
KEY PLAYERS: Buckley, Saverio Rocca, Anthony Rocca, Paul Williams.
STRENGTHS: Possess one of the game's greatest players in Buckley while in the talented but inconsistent Rocca brothers they have quality key position players at both ends of the ground. But it is the addition of much respected ex Eagles coach Mick Malthouse that could prove to be the Magpies' biggest strength as he is renowned at getting improvement from young players and last year's wooden spooners have plenty of those including No.1 draft pick Josh Fraser and exciting goalsneak Leon Davis.
WEAKNESSES: A lack of quality right across the list with a lack of height in defence the biggest worry. Apart from Sav Rocca, who was injured for much of last season, the Magpies don't have a proven goalkicker while too much is left to Buckley in midfield.
PREDICTED FINISH: 14th: Will certainly improve under Malthouse but the 'Black and White Army' will have to wait a little longer for the glory days to return.
GEELONG:
COACH: Mark Thompson (newly appointed).
CAPTAIN: Ben Graham.
PREMIERSHIPS: Six (last in 1963).
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 11TH.
KEY PLAYERS: Garry Hocking, Graham, Steven King, Ronnie Burns.
STRENGTHS: Top young ruckman in King and a solid defence led by new skipper Graham and the tough Tim McGrath. Good draw is a bonus with once only matches against Essendon and Brisbane (at home).
WEAKNESSES: Since the end of last year the Cats have lost their captain Leigh Colbert, two-time all-Australian defender Mick Mansfield and their best ruckman of recent years in John Barnes to rival clubs. Have a lack of quality across the list with players such as Barry Stoneham, Liam Pickering, Paul Lynch and Derek Hall weighed down by injuries in recent years. Lack of key forwards a big worry with too much goalkicking responsibility left to the inconsistent Ronnie Burns.
PREDICTED FINISH IN 2000: 15th: A tough first year in store for new coach Thompson.
FREMANTLE:
COACH: Damian Drum (since 1999).
CAPTAIN: Adrian Fletcher and Shaun McManus.
PREMIERSHIPS: Nil.
FINISHED LAST YEAR: 15th.
KEY PLAYERS: Fletcher, Tony Modra, Clive Waterhouse, Daniel Bandy.
STRENGTHS: Possess one of the AFL's best spearheads in Modra and one of the game's most profilic ballwinners in Fletcher and a genuine home ground advantage with the Dockers usually competitive in most of their 12 Perth games.
WEAKNESSES: The worst list in the competition with no stars other than Fletcher and Modra and defence a huge worry. Hardly ever win away from Perth and lack height in most positions. Badly need a big year from Bandy in the ruck and will be hoping promising newcomers Matthew Pavlich and Paul Hasleby provide a boost to attack and midfield.
PREDICTED FINISH: 16th: With Collingwood likely to improve under Malthouse it's hard to imagine the Dockers finishing anywhere but last.