Sydney are coming off a bad loss in a Grand Final. Their big forwards are the reason they should be right up there again.

If their midfield can keep winning the ground balls around stoppages then their entries should be enough to kick winning scores.

Anything less than top four would be seen as a failure by some but I think they will have a tough time getting there. Try the bottom half of the eight.

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Adelaide made a statement by sacking their coach last year in Brenton Sanderson. While I have no doubt long term it is the right decision, their new coach Phil Walsh will have to fix their average output. I think under him they will trouble a lot of teams and be playing in the finals.

Just a good average side: Richmond. Photo: Getty

Richmond are just a good average team. If they play for each other they can be very good. They haven’t drafted enough quick players in the front half.

They have let themselves down in recruiting. When Anthony Miles came into the line-up last year he single handedly provided the energy around the contest they lacked. He showed up some very high profile names like Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio and skipper Trent Cotchin.

They probably need another three players with that much energy to move up to the top four. It wont happen. Although they are on a roll. Who knows for sure which Richmond we will get?

Port Adelaide are a top-four team. There is not an Aussie rules fan alive that doesn’t like the way they play. It is fast and exciting.

Their game plan is well structured and simple: move the ball quickly as it makes the opposition move it quickly. Port think they can and will outrun anyone trying to play at the same speed. For the most part, this is correct.

They will be driven by last year’s disappointment of not getting a double chance. They will get it this year.

Forget the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda. They will have competitive games but they are, in reality, bottom-four sides. They are too young and don’t yet have the fire power to win week-in, week-out.

Then there is Geelong. This is definitely Chris Scott’s team now. Geelong have a great culture, super support coaches and a talented list. Last year they kept coming up short in games. They were not able to overrun teams. I think they have a couple of players in the last year of their careers.

There’s nothing like the power of youth to get your club moving again. While they have the bonus of Mitch Clarke and the continuation of very good youngsters I don’t know if they have what it takes to get inside the top-four again.

Straight-sets elimination is not what anyone expected in 2014. I would say they will be sixth this year. Just not quite there, but hungry for a better finals campaign.

Lastly is my pick for the flag. Hawthorn are ready to take a third flag with Port right behind them.

Can Gary Ablett win a third Brownlow Medal? Photo: Getty

Hawthorn are a very good team in a very good club. Alistair Clarkson has reinvented coaching by not taking any drills in three years, leaving it to his assistants.

It is such a different approach that most coaches will start to follow his lead. It allows him to focus on the most important part of coaching: the relationships with players and staff. While groundbreaking, it makes a lot of sense.

What they do better than every other team is defence. They press up but they are a superb tackling team. Something most people don’t expect from them. Then, on the flipside, they hit moving 45-degree kicks with ridiculous precision.

If Hawthorn can make it three in a row it is a truly massive achievement.

I was lucky to play in last team to achieve three in a row. It isn’t easy.

Everybody wants to test themselves against you. Every team wants to be you. Every team will make it harder for you.

But I think Hawthorn can do it.

Lastly a Brownlow and Coleman Medal tip. Gary Ablett for the Brownlow, with some Port players right behind him.

Lance Franklin for the Coleman. He can finally take a mark above his head.

Drugs aside, it should be another drama-filled season.

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