AFL Pre-season Preview

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To give you a helping hand with your Premiership, Top 4 and Top 8 season bets, here’s our predictions for the AFL Top 8 in 2023, with the key factors for each team…

1^st Brisbane

• After falling short of the flag by a kick, Brisbane have all the motivation in 2024
• Minimal list changes, though Doedee could prove handy if his body is right
• Their superb record at home remains a huge advantage

2^nd GWS

• Many seem to almost have forgotten GWS were one point from a grand final
• Kingsley has already proven himself an astute leader
• Toby Greene seems to have finally put immaturity behind him and is a genuine superstar

3^rd Collingwood

• Three finals wins by a total of 12 points… will their luck ever run out?
• Smart trading – Schulz is a solid upgrade on Ginnivan
• History says back-to-back is very difficult

4^th Sydney

• The top three in the 2023 best and fairest is exciting: Gulden, Blakey and Rowbottom
• Brodie Grundy comes relatively cheap and could be an astute acquisition
• Logan McDonald is a critical piece of the puzzle who should progress further

5^th Port Adelaide

• Big changes with Ratugolea, Soldo and Zerk-Thatcher all likely to step into the senior side, freeing up Aliir Aliir
• At 23yo, Zak Butters is about to step up to the truly elite level
• Connor Rozee may not be far behind him

6^th St Kilda

• Ross the Boss will have the Saints incredibly well-drilled
• Exits of Billings, Gresham and others suggests Lyon is clear on what he wants
• Could Max King be primed for a huge breakout year?

7^th Carlton

• A lot rests on the shoulders of Charlie Curnow after his 81-goal 2023 season
• Harry McKay is a big factor – if he can return to his best, he’s an enormous headache for opposition next to Curnow
• Carlton do need improvement to really challenge the top few teams. Where does it come from?

8^th Melbourne

• Tumultuous off-field developments… can they isolate their on-field performances from it?
• Oliver is clearly the massive concern – an incredible player when healthy and focused
• Gawn and May are bedrocks of the team, and not getting younger