5. ADELAIDE

The Crows made everyone take notice last year. Apart from Sydney’s win, they were the year’s biggest surprise, finishing second on the ladder and just losing their final to Hawthorn. Coach Sanderson has done a remarkable job in a short time. There’s no ignoring 17 wins and stellar seasons by Thompson and Dangerfield, ably backed by Riley, Walker and Jacobs. They’ll start fit, and Sanderson has given the team that "Sydney" feel. He gets it, and they’ll get finals footy.

6. FREMANTLE

Nor is there any ignoring what Ross Lyon has done. They were crippled by injury, yet Lyon quickly imposed his system so it didn’t matter. They won 14, and played finals. A fit Sandilands should dominate the scenery as any garden-variety Godzilla might, Morabito might be back, if his recent recurrence of a knee injury is not as bad as first thought, and Crowley will be in top form. Danyle Pearce from Port is a good get. Pavlich still doesn’t have that twilight feeling and is raring to go. Everyone (except St Kilda fans and, maybe, Mark Harvey) liked what they saw of the Dockers in 2012.  A definite finals contender. If nothing else, the Western derby will be a cracker.

7. GEELONG

Geelong didn’t fall too far. The legendary Scarlett has retired, as has Wojcinski, and they have bled talent in recent years, but they still have a powerful playing group and remain a dangerous contender. With the "Tomahawk" and the "Pod" up front, and Lonergan up back – all of whom have busted out and form a dynamic midfield with guts and run – they can still pressurise and punish any side. A top-four position would not surprise. After that – who knows, with the Cats?

8. RICHMOND

All the Tigers need to do is turn those heartbreakingly close losing margins around and they’ll be playing finals. Cotchin and the surprising Maric will again feature. Add Deledio and Martin and they have plenty of star quality. Riewoldt should start fit. They have good balance and the sort of gritty bottom six to be expected under the coaching of a man like Hardwick, who wouldn’t hear of taking passengers.

9. CARLTON

A perfect mix of youth and experience – the sort of mix new coach Mick could have great success with. Betts, Kreuzer, Waite, Carrazzo and Simpson are all entering the final third of their careers in fine form. Judd has relinquished the captaincy to concentrate on his own form – a daunting prospect. He has noticeably run out of steam in the last couple of seasons. Who can blame him? The fact that he didn’t win their B&F yet again is probably testimony to his decline rather than Heath Scotland’s ascendancy. However, the Blues, injury free, might finish higher this year. There may be some teething problems as the team and Mick adapt to each other, but they might also come together very quickly, and if they do, they’ll rattle some this season.

Heath Scotland's on-field-rise has coincided with Chris Judd's fall in form. Heath Scotland's on-field-rise has coincided with Chris Judd's fall in form. Image: Getty Images