AFL Season Preview

2011, the Year of the Demon. It certainly has a nice ring to it.

As much as I would love that to occur, I am realistic about the Dees chances this year and just want to see ‘progress’ rather than a Premiership. We’re still the youngest team in the comp so we can’t expect domination and we’ll definitely see some inconsistency again with some great wins followed by some disappointing defeats. As such, I’m expecting the Dees to finish in the 8^th-10^th range with 10-12 wins, although a first finals appearance since 2005 would be very welcome news.

Anyway, the season is nearly upon us and I for one can’t wait. I’ve been looking forward to it since the second GF last year with a heightened state of excitement growing ever since the Ashes were lost. While it’s not exactly cold and wet here in Queensland signalling the winter months and the footy season, there’s definitely something in the air about a new beginning for the Lions and of course the Suns and the next six months revolving around what happens to each team each weekend.

Yes, I can smell it in the air – sweet leather on a new Sherrin, nostrils burning from too much Deep Heat, hot pies at the kiosk. I can feel it as well - hairs on your neck just before first bounce, knotted up insides as an opposition player lines up for goal, cold beer tipping down your leg as you celebrate him missing. Hhhhmmm, you reckon I’m excited?

As is customary at this junction of the season ahead, it’s time for the crystal ball and all manner of predictions. Now I don’t expect to get any of these right come the end of the year because the season is a long one and there’s just no way of knowing what’s to come. That’s what I love about it.

But hey, you’ve got to have a go and it’ll be good to revisit these predications in the middle of the season and then again at the end. Especially as I might be in the market for a new crystal ball by then. So here goes.

Premiers – Collingwood Magpies

Grand Finalists – Hawthorn Hawks

Wooden Spooners – Gold Coast Suns

Team on the up – Melbourne Demons

Team on the down – St Kilda Saints

Brownlow Medallist – Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood

Coleman Medallist – Lance Franklin, Hawthorn

Rising Star – David Swallow, Gold Coast

Goal of the year – Liam Jurrah, Melbourne

Mark of the year – Liam Jurrah, Melbourne

Biggest story of the year – impacts of new substitution rule

Coach most likely to be sacked – Brett Ratten, Carlton

Yes, there it is. The crystal ball has spoketh. And deliverth it has. So lock them in I say (with a hint of sarcasm).

EDM.