The following five clubs have the most at stake going into the new season.
Brisbane
The feel-good story of the 2019 season in so many different ways. The Lions meteoric rise from 17th to 2nd was unfortunately overshadowed by their straight-sets finals exit. With the retirement of Luke Hodge, the Lions will be looking toward their new nine-man leadership group to fill the void left by the former premiership captain.
Facing a tougher schedule than last year, the Lions will also have to deal with being โhuntedโ for the first time; with sides now better prepared to combat their fasted paced playing style. Having gone through the 2019 season relatively injury-free, the Lions will hope luck will once again be on their side. Will be an interesting season up at the Gabba.
GWS
The Giants surprised many during their late run to the Grand Final last year. Their gritty, tough preliminary final win against Collingwood took everything the Giants could muster and ultimately saw them fail to turn up on the biggest stage of all the following weekend.
Outclassed by the Tigers, the Giants had a day to forget, and supporters will be hoping those demons donโt follow them into 2020. ย Having beaten a number of Victorian clubs to the signature of Stephen Coniglio, the Giants will also be out to repay the faith in their newly appointed skipper.
Collingwood
After their narrow defeat in the 2018 Grand Final, many predicted the Pies would go one better last season. Once again favoured for September glory, the Pies will hope they can maintain a healthy list, with injuries to key players ultimately letting them down throughout last season.
With Brodie Grundy recently signing a new seven-year deal to remain at the club, questions still surround the future of Jordan De Goey following a split with his long-time manager. Will the Pies be able to put off-field dramas aside and finally give Nathan Buckley that elusive premiership medal or will the black and white faithful endure another season of finals heartbreak?
Melbourne
Following a hellish 2019, 2020 seems to be a make or break year for the Demons. Many tipped the Dees to break their 55-year premiership drought in 2019, however, the side instead suffered what can only be described as a season from hell.
Finishing 17th on the ladder, they looked a shadow of the side that had fans dreaming of September glory. In an attempt to regain the form of 2019, Max Gawn has taken over the captaincy from previous co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney, however, one big question still remains. Was 2019 a blip for an otherwise promising side, or was 2018 simply a dream Melbourne fans refuse to wake up from?
Port Adelaide
With club chairman, David Koch confirming it is finals or bust for coach Ken Hinkley, expectations are high for a Power side that narrowly missed September last year. Celebrating its 150th anniversary, Port will hope the likes of Connor Rozee and Xavier Duursma can improve on impressive rookie seasons and help lead the side to a top-eight finish.
Having failed to make the finals in the past two seasons, the pressure will once again be on Hinkley, who will rely heavily on the experience of the likes of Travis Boak and skipper, Tom Jonas. If they fail to make a play in September action, expect a new coach at Alberton next year.
