A week out from the start of the 2022 AFL season, each of the league's 18 captains have stared into their crystal balls and made a call on which sides will play finals, which players will share in the swathe of individual awards and the club primed for premiership success.

Although each skipper is unable to nominate their club or names they share a locker room with, the broad church of leaders provided a plethora of differing answers.

Having claimed their first premiership cup in 57-years last September, Melbourne were viewed as the side to beat out for premiership honours this season, with six of 18 captains claiming the Demons would run out on grand final day in 2022.

Interestingly, the oldest club in the land received no votes to play-off on the final Saturday in September at this stage last year.

As for their dance card date, five members of the skipper's fraternity held the view that Brisbane would make their way back to the final game of the year for the first time since 2004.

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After claiming the AFL Player's Association Most Valuable Player Award in 2021, chief Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli gained the lion's share of votes to breakthrough for his debut Brownlow later this year with eight votes.

Fiery Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver also earned four votes from his peers following his most recent All Australian, best and fairest and premiership-winning campaign.

Fresh off the back of slotting 58-goals last year, Carlton sharpshooter Harry McKay was the consensus view to win a second successive Coleman Medal.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Harry McKay of the Blues poses for a photograph after winning the 2021 Coleman Medal during a portrait session at Marvel Stadium on August 26, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Should the identical twin prove successful in his goalkicking bid, McKay would become the first Blue since the league's formation in 1897 to earn the gong in consecutive years.

As predicted by many pundits, North Melbourne youngster Jason Horne-Francis was the clubhouse leader to claim the 2022 Rising Star award, with seven of the competition's captains liking what they have seen from the teenager since arriving at Arden Street.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jason Horne-Francis and Leek Aleer pose during the NAB AFL Draft Media Opportunity at Adelaide Oval on November 25, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)


Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?

17 โ€“ Brisbane, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs,
16 โ€“ Port Adelaide
13 โ€“ Richmond, Geelong
11 โ€“ Sydney
9 โ€“ GWS Giants
5 โ€“ Essendon, Carlton
2 โ€“ Fremantle
1 โ€“ St Kilda

Which other club is most likely to reach the grand final?

6 โ€“ Melbourne
5 โ€“ Brisbane
3 โ€“ Western Bulldogs
2 โ€“ Richmond
2 โ€“ Port Adelaide

Which player from another club do you think will win the 2022 Brownlow Medal?

8 โ€“ Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs
4 โ€“ Clayton Oliver, Melbourne
2 โ€“ Patrick Cripps, Carlton
2 โ€“ Josh Kelly, GWS Giants
1 โ€“ Christian Petracca, Melbourne
1 โ€“ Lachie Neale, Brisbane

Which player from another club do you think will win the 2022 Coleman Medal?

6 โ€“ Harry McKay, Carlton
4 โ€“ Jeremy Cameron, Geelong
3 โ€“ Tom Hawkins, Geelong
3 โ€“ Aaron Naughton, Western Bulldogs
1 โ€“ Max King, St Kilda
1 โ€“ Lance Franklin, Sydney

Which player from another club do you think will win the 2022 NAB AFL Rising Star?

7 โ€“ Jason Horne-Francis, North Melbourne
5 โ€“ Nick Daicos, Collingwood
2 โ€“ Josh Rachele, Adelaide
1 โ€“ Logan McDonald, Sydney
1 โ€“ Finn Callaghan, GWS Giants
1 โ€“ Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Western Bulldogs
1 โ€“ Josh Ward, Hawthorn