Prediction Who finishes highest out of Tigers, Cats, Giants, Eagles & Lions in 2020

[Gold Rocks]

1. Richmond Tigers
We may have lost Alex Rance to retirement, but this team has now become one of the best modern-era sides, having won two premierships in three years.

2. Geelong Cats
They defied the odds to finish as minor premiers in 2019, but I don’t see that happening in 2020 despite a huge amount of elite players.

3. Greater Western Sydney Giants
They’ll be stronger in 2020 than in 2019, when they were lucky to make the grand final and were annihilated as Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield and Phil Davis all fit and returning.
4. West Coast Eagles
The Eagles will also be stronger in 2020 than last season, when they were denied another top-four finish and were eliminated in the semi-final, with the addition of Tim Kelly and an elite line-up of players such as Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy.
5. Brisbane Lions
After an impressive 2019 they’ll have a harder draw in 2020. With the loss of Luke Hodge, I think the Lions will drop a few places despite a wonderful young side.

 

[Forward Press]

Probably should include Collingwood in that list of the top 6 teams of 2019.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Eagles
Giants
Tigers

lions
Cats

 

[Yojimbo]

There were only three teams to go Geelong, Brisbane and Richmond it was a fairly simple formula, but no
what everyone needs is more West Coast and Richmond interaction, save us jeebus.

 

[captain blood 17]

GWS or WCE to finish top. But it doesn’t mean squat come finals.

 

[Groo2]

I love that the lions are actually in the question.

 

[Tenny]

Hahaha this will be fun. Let’s try and keep this civil...

Dogs and Pies should be in the conversation IMO.

 

[Tubby loggins]

Richmond

 

[Numero Uno]

Eagles certain to be the highest judging by their proud history with shall we say non mainstream substances.

2nd post Richmond flogs already embarrassing themselves

 

[HardcoreGeelongFan]

I don't see GWS and Collingwood even close to winning the flag. West Coast are past their peak. After all the hype everyones giving these clubs you'd wanna hope they go far

 

[Forward Press]

I don't see GWS and Collingwood even close to winning the flag. West Coast are past their peak. After all the hype everyones giving these clubs you'd wanna hope they go far

GWS and Collingwood have come closer to winning a flag than Geelong in the past eight years.

The average age of the West Coast squad is even less than 2017. We'll be fine this year.

 

[HardcoreGeelongFan]

GWS and Collingwood have come closer to winning a flag than Geelong in the past eight years.

Nope they pop up once or twice then fade away. Geelong are better chance of a flag until Danger/Selwood/Hawkins retire.

I don't rate West Coasts chances due to interstate travel. I thought they were extremely lucky to win 2018. Definitely have the list though

 

[Forward Press]

Nope they pop up once or twice then fade away. Geelong are better chance of a flag until Danger/Selwood/Hawkins retire.

I don't rate West Coasts chances due to interstate travel. I thought they were extremely lucky to win 2018. Definitely have the list though

Perhaps but they have made Grand Finals in the past seven years. Geelong have not.

West Coast won in 2018 so I don't see why they cannot replicate it in 2020. The difference between this year and 2018 is effectively Mark LeCras, Chris Masten, Willie Rioli and a declining Kennedy, mixed in with natural improvement from a host of players plus Tim Kelly.

 

[HardcoreGeelongFan]

Perhaps but they have made Grand Finals in the past seven years. Geelong have not.

Sydney made 2 Grand Finals and faded away. Very bad measuring stick. The difference with Geelong is if you'd want to bet anyone will make top 4 (or even top 2) it will be us. It's only 2 or 3 games we'll win them all eventually.

 

[Forward Press]

Sydney made 2 Grand Finals and faded away. Very bad measuring stick. The difference with Geelong is if you'd want to bet anyone will make top 4 (or even top 2) it will be us. It's only 2 or 3 games we'll win them all eventually. Only matter of time

In the end Sydney were closer to a flag in that period than Geelong too - and a host of other clubs. I just fail to understand how you can say GWS and Collingwood cannot get close to winning a flag (and implying Geelong can) when merely the past two years suggests otherwise.

I like your optimism but I don't think Geelong will ever win a flag with this list and Chris Scott at the helm. Danger/Selwood/Hawkins aren't exactly young either. I am happy to eat my words if 2020 or beyond proves otherwise.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

2nd post Richmond flogs already embarrassing themselves

Alright, ok, not my best ever post. You should take it as a compliment that we are attacking you, it means we see you as a genuine threat.

My reading of the situation is we have moved way past where you can just say team x, y, z are the three best teams this year a couple of months prior to the season commencing. 2016 Bulldogs won after being unfancied, 2017 Tigers ditto, and 2018 Eagles double ditto. The Tigers last season were probably on the 2nd or 3rd line of betting so they are the only reasonably fancied premiers since 2015.

So much will depend upon tactics, management of players, injuries, new trends etc that this is a bit of a futile exercise. My team, the Richmond Tigers for eg, have lost ball movement coach Caracella and ball movement was our point of difference during the last renewal of Toyota AFL Premiership season. It would not really shock me if we slipped back to the pack just due to that alone. And he has moved to Essendon, so again, not shocked if they start to show a lot better ball movement and if that happens I fully expect them to make an unexpected climb up the Toyota Premiership table.

GWS would only need to fix their injury curse.

I like the Demons prospects and barring another injury horror show, I think they could be right there when the whips are cracking. My blue tongue lizard Truscott is a mad demons supporter and he really rates their chances this year. Collingwood definitely good enough if things go right for them. If Natanui stands up then West Coast in it up to their glazed over eyeballs. Bulldogs only want a good run to be right there. Teams I am prepared to bet against are the ones that built multiple premiership teams through the draft but are trying to trade their way to a flag, Cats and Hawks, who will both go around with anything up to about half their team having been on the list of a rival club. Lions in reality may have been about the 6th or 7th best performed team last term, so they need to carry on with a similar improvement curve but no obvious reason presents as to why they couldn’t. Any of these teams could win it or miss the 8 without shocking me depending on what sort of run they have with uncontrollables, like the Eagles being the recipients of an avalanche of charitable umpiring for eg.

Most likely premier: Eagles

Most likely bolter for top 4: Melbourne

Most likely spooner: whoelse

Most likely bolter for bottom 4: Kangaroos

Wouldn’t back at current odds for premiership, top 4, top 8: Carlton, Adelaide, Cats, Hawks

Would back at current odds for premiership, top 4, top 8: GWS $9, Demons $23, Bulldogs $14, Bombers $31.

Confidence that any of the above turns out correct: zero.

 

[CarnTheScray]

Dogs

 

[Foley#41]

Dogs > Cats

 

[Ok Boomer]

West Coast will defeat Richmond in team deathmatch 75-74.

Dom Sheed hits a noobtube from the boundary.

 

[Lsta062]

Eagles certain to be the highest judging by their proud history with shall we say non mainstream substances.

2nd post Richmond flogs already embarrassing themselves

And so it begins

 

[Toump Ass]

Hawtohron! Hawthorn! Hawthorn!!

Best coac- Alistair Clarkson
Reigning brownlow medalist
Scully + O'Meara + Wingard fit and firing
WORPEDO!!!!
Can't see how they lose any game!!!

 

[dylan93]

Richmond: Between 1st and 3rd
Geelong: Between 5th and 10th
GWS: Between 2nd and 6th
WCE: Between 1st and 3rd
Brisbane Lions: Between 5th and 10th

 

[juss]

Are finals included?
I feel like Eagles will finish top after the home and away and be premiers, but for the rest I reckon Tigers will make a deep finals run without necessarily finishing 2nd in the home and away.

Giants are top 4, and potentially premiers or runners up too. I reckon they finish 2nd.

Brisbane 5th-7th home and away,

Cats 4th - 8th but nowhere near the premiership. Propped up by wins in Geelong which will inflate their ladder position, then lose in finals.

 

[threesixpio]

Richmond poster creates thread so buddies can talk about Richmond.

 

[Master91]

GWS and Collingwood have come closer to winning a flag than Geelong in the past eight years.

The average age of the West Coast squad is even less than 2017. We'll be fine this year.

I actually agree with you. Since 2011 Geelong have only been good enough to win the flag last year and probably 2013. For a team thats made the finals every year bar one since '07 our strike rate should be better than that. We will make the finals and maybe top 4 again, but more than that probably not.