Supporters of Essendon, Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Carlton may as well book a family holiday this September because their clubs will not be playing in the finals.
And unless you follow one of Hawthorn, Sydney or Fremantle, you can dump any dreams you have of playing off for the flag, because it just won’t happen.
But don’t go blaming me. These predictions come from those closest to the action, the AFL club captains.
Quizzed on which teams (other than their own) would be most successful this year, the 18 leaders have used their intimate knowledge of the game (and their opposition) to compile a list that offers an interesting insight into the perceptions held by those within the sport itself.
After all these boys play against each other week in and week out, and they know more than anyone else which teams are hardest at it, which are suspect under pressure, and which are just plain soft.
In short, they offer an interesting perspective on how each club is viewed from within the competition.
And while they have no time for the Bombers, Crows, Power or Blues, it seems they have the utmost respect for the West Coast Eagles.
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Sean Q Lee - author and columnist 