With the 2017 season just over a month away, here are our predictions for what lies ahead in the AFL this year.

2. Damien Hardwick to get the sack before season's end

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Hardwick has had more than enough time to make this Richmond side his own, but has failed to make many in roads. Despite taking the Tigers to three consecutive finals appearances from 2013-15, a poor showing in 2016 has his job firmly in the balance once again. It's tough to see Richmond jumping back into the finals and if that is the case, expect Hardwick to be out the door by the end of the year.