AFL Nation analyst Garry Lyon can only find a handful of teams who he believes can go the distance in 2019.

Despite Geelong currently sitting a game above every other side on the ladder, Lyon isn't completely sold on the Cats, but did give them a mention in the list.

Lyon named three of the four preliminary finalists from last season, and backed GWS to join the pack and be one of the teams to beat.

โ€œI believe in Collingwood, I believe in the Giants, Richmond I believe in. Geelong Iโ€™m a believer in, but Iโ€™ve got some reservations,โ€ Lyon told AFL Nation.

โ€œWest Coast is the other one. Iโ€™m still a believer in them. I know theyโ€™re 3-3, but I suspect theyโ€™ll get it right.

โ€œThatโ€™s the way Iโ€™m looking at it at the moment.

โ€œI love what the Cats have done in terms of having a great off-season and pre-season, Iโ€™d argue that Geelongโ€™s targeted recruiting and their ability to change the way they play and look is just as impressive."