Footy is built on hope. Fans have to BELIEVE.
Premierships are getting tougher to win, simply due to the basic mathematics, but we must be able to dream.
With one winner from 18 clubs, about to become one from 19 in the Tassie era, it's a brutal race. The draft and competitive balance is here to give every fan a chance at glory, right?
The reality is, some clubs are a looooong way off. Who is closest? Who is seemingly light years away from the AFL's ultimate prize?
I've tackled the difficult task of ranking clubs in order of who is closest to a premiership right now and who remains in a different galaxy ... from 18th (the longest distance from glory) to first.
Here we go:
10ST KILDA
I'm more bullish on the Saints than some. The draft collection looks OK, even if three high picks are in the VFL (and one suspended).
In Tom De Koning, they have a long-term ruckman, "Nas" will be a once in a generation game changer as long as the club can keep him and there has been improvement in mid-tier players.
The Saints need two things to happen - No.1 Max King finally returning and No.2 The recruitment of another tall forward to support him - and they might be a chance to have a shot at it in the next three to four years while Cal Wilkie is still running around.
I am a believer in Alix Tauru, despite his silly brushes with the footy law, and he could lead a resurgence.
Better placed than some, the Saints.
