10 bold predictions for the 2017 AFL season

With the 2017 season just over a month away, here are our predictions for what lies ahead in the AFL this year. The Saints will go marching into September The Saints showed glimpses of what a brilliant side they can be in 2016, beating Geelong and going down to the Hawks by just three points in Tasmania. Twelve months on, a more mature and experienced side will rocket into the top eight and could even cause some boil overs in September. Adding to their up and coming talented midfield is the addition of defenders Nathan Brown and Jake Carlisle, who will both be hugely valuable additions to the side. Damien Hardwick to get the sack before season's end 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. St Kilda will land a big fish in the trade period [caption id="attachment_7525" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Dustin Martin of the Tigers calls for the ball during the round 18 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 24, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] The Saints are turning into a destination club. A young, exciting side with plenty of upside and a side set to play finals footy in the next few years. With plenty of youngsters, the club also has a lot of space in the salary cap and plenty of money to lure a big fish away from another club. A player of the caliber of Nat Fyfe or Dustin Martin could well join St Kilda in this year's trade period. Bont to take home Charlie [caption id="attachment_8088" align="aligncenter" width="730"] MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - OCTOBER 01: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates the win with fans during the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Marcus Bontempelli established himself as arguably the best young player in the game in 2016. After a premiership year, the Bont will go to yet another level this year and could well go all the way and win his first Brownlow Medal. Gary Ablett will return to Geelong [caption id="attachment_9297" align="aligncenter" width="734"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Gary Ablett of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round seven AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium on May 4, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Ablett's shock request to move back home to Geelong stunned the football world and with two years left on his contract, the Suns were quick to put a stop to any such move. However, 12 months later, the soon to be 33-year-old will not have a lot more to offer the Suns and the club will have little choice in the matter and the move will be beneficial for both parties. Ablett has even said there is no guarantee he will play on in 2018 and with the Suns standing to lose him for nothing if that eventuates, expect them to accommodate to their former skipper. After what should be a vastly improved season for the Suns, Gazza will not be a huge loss come 2018 with several players ready to step up on the Gold Coast. Freo will bounce back The Dockers won the minor premiership in 2015, before racking up just four wins for the season last year. A disastrous season was brought about by several things; injuries and a lack of personnel in key areas are just two of those issues. With a fully fit team and the additions of Cam McCarthy, Brad Hill, Shane Kersten, Harley Bennell and Joel Hamling the Dockers will bounce back in a big way and push for finals. Age is no barrier: Lewis, Mitchell to star at new clubs [caption id="attachment_8824" align="aligncenter" width="629"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Jordan Lewis in action during a Melbourne Demons AFL pre-season training session at Gosch's Paddock on November 21, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Mitchell, coming off a fifth best and fairest at the Hawks, is showing no signs of slowing down and will be a brilliant addition to the Eagles' engine room. His ball winning ability, coupled with his leadership skills, will prove invaluable to a side looking for an extra edge to go from the first week of the finals to deep into September action. Jordan Lewis' leadership has already been praised at the Demons after moving from Hawthorn and he will also add valuable experience to a young, developing side. At 30 years of age, he still had at least two good years left in him and he is fresh from finishing second in the Hawks' best and fairest last season. Giants to lift the premiership cup [caption id="attachment_8121" align="aligncenter" width="727"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 29: GWS Giants team celebrate with Jeremy Cameron of the Giants after kicking his 7th goal during the round #22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and Carlton Blues at Spotless Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Craig Golding/Getty Images)[/caption] Greater Western Sydney delivered on the immense talent on its list even earlier than some expected last season. In the Gaints' first year in the finals, they were within a kick of reaching the Grand Final. This year, they will go one better. The AFL's monster could well dominate all comers in 2017 and absolutely blitz the field. Prestia, Caddy to lift Tigers to...ninth [caption id="attachment_8826" align="aligncenter" width="831"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: New Tigers recruit Dion Prestia poses for a photograph during a Richmond Tigers press conference at Punt Road Oval on October 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)[/caption] The Tigers made some great additions to their side in the off-season, with onballers Dion Prestia, when fit, and Josh Caddy set to add some real talent and depth to their midfield. These additions, plus a real hunger from the playing group following a dismal 2016, plus a make or break season for coach Damien Hardwick, will ensure Richmond make improvements this season. However, with several other teams, such as Melbourne and St Kilda also likely to improve, plus the likes of Sydney, Hawthorn, Geelong, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs set to remain in the top eight, it's difficult seeing the Tigers climb back into the finals. Their list still lacks a key forward good enough to help out Jack Riewoldt and more than one elite key defender. Betts to win Coleman Medal [caption id="attachment_9118" align="aligncenter" width="773"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Eddie Betts of the Crows celebrates after kicking a goal during the AFL 1st Elimination Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on September 10, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)[/caption] We all know the brilliance of Eddie Betts. The Adelaide forward has kicked 51, 63 and 65 goals in the past three home and away seasons since joining the Crows. As we continue to see big forwards struggle to dominate games as they did in eras gone by, this year we may well see a small forward, in particular the legend that is Eddie Betts, take out the Coleman Medal with around 75-80 goals. He is such a difficult match-up. He is fast, skillfull and can nail goals from just about anywhere. If defenders thought they had their hands full last season, watch out in 2017.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	12	11	1	44	135.2
2	SYD	12	10	2	40	152.4
3	HAW	12	8	3	34	114.8
4	GEEL	12	8	4	32	121.9
5	GC	11	7	4	28	116.9
6	MELB	12	7	5	28	101.8
7	WB	12	7	5	28	93.7
8	ADEL	11	6	5	24	107.9
9	BL	12	6	6	24	103.9
10	GWS	12	6	6	24	103.2

10 bold predictions for the 2017 AFL season

6. Freo will bounce back

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