ANALYSIS: Your AFL team's predicted finish for 2023
Brodie Grundy's arrival has made a difference to Melbourne's forward structure — can he get the Demons back to number one?abc.net.au/news/afl-team-predicted-finish-2023/102096574It's the time of the year where the first leaves of the trees start to turn yellow. When the pads and stumps are packed up, and footy posts rise into the sky.
West Coast's horror run with availability looks to turn around next year, while the loss of Josh Dunkley will be felt by the Dogs.If the Crows keep their direct style of attack, forward Darcy Fogarty will be one of the beneficiaries. Clubs seemed to adjust to the way they operated later in the year, shutting down their ability to do damage by winning hard ball. The Blues had relatively low quality inside 50s, and tended to be predictable up forward in the back half of the year. Variety is the spice of life, and will be key to their chances this year.
New coach Brad Scott is poised to lead a rebuild that will have to start with installing core defensive principles, including how to trap the ball in their forward half. Making sure that teams can't run up cricket scores will be the key to their long-term plans.Last year, Fremantle made the leap into the finals behind arguably the league's most impressive defence.
Each team has spent the off-season studying how to beat the Cats and their slightly unique defensive and midfield structures. Geelong's ability to repeat largely rests on how they can counter that increased focus.For the past four seasons, the Suns have been slowly building steam. Gold Coast have reshaped their list profile, adding young stars while shedding past potential saviours. On paper, the side is well balanced and rounded, with plenty of depth.
Their defence looks to have a solid base, led by James Sicily, Changkuoth Jiath and Denver Grainger-Barras. Can Mitchell find long term contributors elsewhere as well?For the first three months of last season, Melbourne looked to be on top of the footballing world again. The 2021 premiers sat on top of the ladder in round 16, ready to contend again. Instead, the Demons lost in straight sets, hampered by up to a dozen injuries to their key players.
The list is strong, with Ollie Wines, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Aliir Aliir, Charlie Dixon and co able to match it with the best. But at times their on-field identity was jumbled, struggling to fend off repeated opposition attacks. Putting teams away early might be the simplest way to avoid the mid-table chaos.As more and more teams begin to ape the style of Richmond, the Tigers might just break the other way.
The return of Max King might be the key to any hopes of finals this year — if they can survive until then.Errol Gulden shapes as an even more crucial piece of the Sydney Swans' puzzle after his breakout season in 2022.
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