22 Predictions: What will the AFL look like in 2022?

[Matchu]

Answer questions below. Feel free to add your own in if you like.

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership?
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership?
3. Will GWS have won a premiership?
4. Will GWS exist?
5. Will North Melbourne exist?
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist?
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist?
8. Will Port Adelaide exist?
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL?
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL?
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL?
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand?
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership?
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth?
15. Will the COLA still exist?
16. How high will the salary cap be?
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022
18. Will there be a national reserves competition?
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist?
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind?
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD?
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans?

 

[Vass]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? 50/50
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? mmmmm.... i hope yes. But a chance at no
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? same as above
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Yes
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? i think yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? They should
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? I wish but no
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? no
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Yes
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? No
15. Will the COLA still exist? i hope not
16. How high will the salary cap be? know idea
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022. This is impossible almost all the teams will be almost entirely different. but collingwood will be first ;-P
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? no
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? yes
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? don't think so
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? by 2030 yes but still not the case in 10 years
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? no chance in hell.

 

[Collingwoodity]

Don't know about any of that. All I know is that Franklin will be about halfway through his contract with the Swans.

 

[wally funk]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? Maybe
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Probably
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? In current form, maybe.
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Probably
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? No
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? No
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? No
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Probably
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? Not 80,000, no
15. Will the COLA still exist? Not in it's current form.
16. How high will the salary cap be? $11.75 million
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Essendon
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? No
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? Maybe not
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? No
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? Probably not in either state
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? Likely not

 

[MotleyLemon]

No.

 

[SayWhatAgain]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes.
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Probably not.
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? No
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? Yes
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Yes
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? No
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? No
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? No
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Only on Anzac Day
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Yes
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? No
15. Will the COLA still exist? No
16. How high will the salary cap be? Higher
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 Impossible. Hopefully Carlton is in there though
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? No
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? Yes
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? No
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? lolno

 

[Cmarsh]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? Yes
4. Will GWS exist? Definitely
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes, but relocated majority of it's home games to Tasmania
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? Yes
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Yes
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? Not of it's own, NM to play most home games there though.
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? Not of it's own
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? No way
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Yes
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? Not that much capacity
15. Will the COLA still exist? Yes, but in a different structure
16. How high will the salary cap be? $20 mill
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 Ridiculous question
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? No
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? Probably not
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? Exhibition matches that not many care about
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? No

 

[timtamWB]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Keep waiting Dockers fans!
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? Nope
4. Will GWS exist? Yes, but struggling big time.
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? We'll be the dominant club
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Yes
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Of course they will!
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? Yes
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? No
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? Yes
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Yes
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? No, but it will be higher capacity than currently
15. Will the COLA still exist? At a reduced rate, yes
16. How high will the salary cap be? Let's say $12 mil
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 Gold Coast, Bulldogs, Geelong, Brisbane
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? Yep
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? Yes, why not?
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? Probably not
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? He'll be getting paid for it. He'll have retired.

 

[Matchu]

9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? Yes
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? No
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? Yes

Interesting. When will the Tassie and NT teams be introduced into the AFL?

 

[justlookingaround]

Western Bulldogs won't exist but Footscray will return.

 

[Aussie_boy]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? Yes
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes, will continue to play games in Hobart though
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? Yes, will play games in the NT as well
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Going to say NO to this one, AFL finally decide to end the tradition of the MFC
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? For sure
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? No
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? No
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? No
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? No
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Not in capacity but in other areas
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? No maybe 70,000 but I doubt they would make it 80,000
15. Will the COLA still exist? No, salary cap gets larger for every club though
16. How high will the salary cap be? 15.5 million
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 - stab in the dark: Collingwood, West Coast, GWS, Richmond
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? Yes
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? It still exists now? So no
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? No
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No, still a fair way off of that I would imagine
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? Yeah

 

[timtamWB]

Interesting. When will the Tassie and NT teams be introduced into the AFL?

2020 and 2021 respectively, like they did with GC and GWS.

They just in my view both are untapped markets with more potential than a GC or GWS team,.

 

[timtamWB]

Western Bulldogs won't exist but Footscray will return.

And Sydney will return to being South Melbourne. It ain't gonna happen.

 

[Matchu]

2020 and 2021 respectively, like they did with GC and GWS.

They just in my view both are untapped markets with more potential than a GC or GWS team,.

Probably has something to do with the fact that both the NT and Tasmania are footy areas. GC and GWS are both Rugby areas. The indigenous talent of NT is definitely untapped, no doubt about that.

Do you think they'll let the already existing North Territory Thunder into the AFL? That would give them an easy transition into the AFL and a reserves side in the NEAFL. Also, how many games do you play in Darwin and how many in Alice Springs?

 

[timtamWB]

Probably has something to do with the fact that both the NT and Tasmania are footy areas. GC and GWS are both Rugby areas. The indigenous talent of NT is definitely untapped, no doubt about that.

Do you think they'll let the already existing North Territory Thunder into the AFL? That would give them an easy transition into the AFL and a reserves side in the NEAFL. Also, how many games do you play in Darwin and how many in Alice Springs?

It would definitely be an easier transition than just creating a new team, and you also have some existing fans for the team too. I'm not too familiar with Alice Springs honestly, during the AFL season would the conditions be more taxing than Darwin? You reckon they get 10-11 home games split between the two though. Darwin is very taxing, I know because the Dogs are up there every year, so you wouldn't be playing too many in Darwin you would think.

 

[Jamurp]

The Grand Final will still be broadcast in standard definition. The AFL website will still be shambles.

 

[The Swert]

All I know is that Franklin will be about halfway through his contract with the Swans.

And Dustin Fletcher will be considering retirement after 600 games and playing with 3 generations of Watsons.

 

[Matchu]

It would definitely be an easier transition than just creating a new team, and you also have some existing fans for the team too. I'm not too familiar with Alice Springs honestly, during the AFL season would the conditions be more taxing than Darwin? You reckon they get 10-11 home games split between the two though. Darwin is very taxing, I know because the Dogs are up there every year, so you wouldn't be playing too many in Darwin you would think.

Fair call. Marrara Oval (Darwin) has a capacity of 15,000 at the moment while Traeger Park (Alice Springs) holds 10,000. I would have thought a similar situation to GWS playing three games in Canberra and eight games in Sydney would be ideal. The conditions are taxing but that can be a real advantage for a team based in Darwin. Look at what happened when Richmond played in Cairns. Jack Riewoldt was seriously struggling with the conditions and the Suns got up. There would probably have to be some heat limitations put in place though.

How do you sort the Tasmania situation? Split games between Launceston and Hobart?

 

[Crawb]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? Yes
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? Yes
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? No. The sooner they get rid of this shit the better.
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? Yes
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? No
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? Not in my lifetime
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? I don't know.
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? Depends on the WA Government I guess.
15. Will the COLA still exist? No
16. How high will the salary cap be? A few dollars under $13mil
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 West Coast, Collingwood, Brisbane, Western Sydney
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? On the verge of one at best.
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? Sure I guess
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? East V West All Star Game. Maybe a State of Origin tournament every 3/4 years?
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No. But it will have it's market with the Giants and Suns having a large enough fanbase.
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans?Yes and on the verge of signing another 9 year contract (That was sarcastic, the answer is clearly no

 

[timtamWB]

Fair call. Marrara Oval (Darwin) has a capacity of 15,000 at the moment while Traeger Park (Alice Springs) holds 10,000. I would have thought a similar situation to GWS playing three games in Canberra and eight games in Sydney would be ideal. The conditions are taxing but that can be a real advantage for a team based in Darwin. Look at what happened when Richmond played in Cairns. Jack Riewoldt was seriously struggling with the conditions and the Suns got up. There would probably have to be some heat limitations put in place though.

How do you sort the Tasmania situation? Split games between Launceston and Hobart?

Exactly that. I'd be tempted to split them 50/50, maybe with an extra game going towards Launceston.

 

[DardySingh360]

If there was to be a team based in Darwin they'd have to play in an indoor, air-conditioned stadium.

 

[The Passenger]

Interesting thread

I can't see any new teams in the AFL by 2022, but there may be the relocation of some poorer vic clubs to either tassie, nt or canberra, or perhaps even a third perth team.

I think the next round of genuine expansion clubs will be around 2025-2030 (going with the grain of every ~15 years that we are currently on)

Answer questions below. Feel free to add your own in if you like.

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Hopefully not, but would be more likely to have one
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yeah
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? I reckon no
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist?
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist?
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist?
^ Yes to all three, but potentially relocated
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL?
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL?
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL?
^ Not a new club, but potentially have a team relocated to them
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand?
^ Yes and I reckon that will be one of the spots the AFL will be looking to use as the next expansion teams
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? No
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? No, 50-60k
15. Will the COLA still exist? No
16. How high will the salary cap be? ~17-20 mill
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 pointless
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? no
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? doubtful
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? all stars game in pre season the most likely
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? no, that is still a long way away
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? no, but will probably still be on the list to ease salary cap issues

 

[pazza]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes - 3
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes - 1
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? No
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? Yes
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Yes
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? Yes
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? Yes
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? Yes
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes - likely relocation of St. Kilda
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? No
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? Yes
15. Will the COLA still exist? No
16. How high will the salary cap be? Same as now
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022 - Essendon, Gold Coast, Richmond, Carlton
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? Yes
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? No
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? Yes - Biennial State Of Origin Carnival
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans?No

 

[jjsmitty8]

Answer questions below. Feel free to add your own in if you like.

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? YES
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? YES
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? NO
4. Will GWS exist? YES
5. Will North Melbourne exist? YES
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? YES
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? YES
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? YES
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? YES
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? NO
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? NO
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? YES
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? YES
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? NO
15. Will the COLA still exist? YES
16. How high will the salary cap be? NO IDEA
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022. Port Adelaide, Richmond, Gold Coast, North Melbourne
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? YES
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? NO
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? Hopefully state of origin
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? NO
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? Maybe in a coaching/mentoring role of some sort

 

[Lions_Fan]

1. Will Fremantle have won a premiership? Yes
2. Will Gold Coast have won a premiership? Yes
3. Will GWS have won a premiership? No, but I don't say it with any confidence
4. Will GWS exist? Yes
5. Will North Melbourne exist? Yes
6. Will the Western Bulldogs exist? Yes
7. Will the Melbourne Demons exist? Yes
8. Will Port Adelaide exist? Yes
9. Will Tasmania have a team in the AFL? No, they'll have other teams (mainly North) playing games there
10. Will Canberra have a team in the AFL? Possibly
11. Will Northern Territory have a team in the AFL? No
12. Will the AFL still be playing games in New Zealand? Yes (they'll put a team there one day, maybe not 2022)
13. Will the AFL look to upgrade Docklands Stadium after just taking over ownership? Yes
14. Will Fremantle and West Coast be playing out of a 80,000 seat stadium in Perth? No
15. Will the COLA still exist? The AFL will either take full control of it, or scrap it altogether
16. How high will the salary cap be? Not sure
17. Predict the top 4 in 2022? Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, GWS (really no way of knowing, the teams will be entirely different)
18. Will there be a national reserves competition? I so hope so
19. Will the International Rules series with Ireland still exist? Yes
20. Will the AFL have a form of rep football? If so, what kind? Not sure
21. Will Aussie rules be the dominant code in NSW and/or QLD? No. It'll be bigger, but not the dominant code
22. Will Buddy be completing the ninth year of his contract with the Swans? No