AFL Crystal Ball: Experts give their way-too-early predictions for the 2024 season
The Crows have been able to get some Showdown wins, but it’s been the Power leading the ladder in SA – could that all change in 2024? HAVE YOUR SAY on our 2024 predictions here.
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We know it’s December but that doesn’t stop us ruminating on how next year’s AFL season could pan out.
Our team of experts try their hand at the way too early predictions.
2024 could be the toughest season yet to not just pick the premiers but to actually predict who will make the top eight.
Carlton and Collingwood loom as the teams to beat but could there be a few dark horses up north?
Of course, these will change come next year but for now...do you agree with the answers below?
MARK ROBINSON
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Melbourne
Top 8: Collingwood, Melbourne, Brisbane, Carlton, Adelaide, St Kilda, Bulldogs, Giants
Bottom 4: West Coast (last), North Melbourne, Richmond, Fremantle
Who is under the most pressure?
Gold Coast
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Melbourne’s first final
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Concussion developments
JON RALPH
Premier: Carlton
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Carlton, Collingwood, Brisbane, GWS, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast
Bottom 4: Fremantle, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, West Coast
Who is under the most pressure?
Luke Beveridge
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Harley Reid’s AFL debut
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Clayton Oliver. Whether the penny drops and he gets well or the circus continues. Let’s desperately hope it’s the former.
GLENN McFARLANE
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants, Melbourne, Sydney, Port Adelaide, Adelaide
Bottom 4: Fremantle, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, West Coast (last)
Who is under the most pressure?
It might well be Ticketek … if you thought getting Taylor Swift tickets was impossible, just imagine the chaos that a possible Collingwood-Carlton grand final clash could throw up next September. Good luck trying to manage that one.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
The King’s Birthday ‘grudge match’. Given the bad blood between Melbourne and Collingwood last September, just imagine what might transpire when the two teams meet again after the Brayden Maynard-Angus Brayshaw incident, the Steven May fuel on the fire and the fact these two teams don’t really like one another.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Concussion, concussion, concussion … there is no bigger story or no greater challenge facing the AFL and football!
JAY CLARK
Premier: Carlton
Runner-up: Brisbane
Top 8: Carlton, Brisbane, GWS, Collingwood, Sydney, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Gold Coast
Bottom 4: Richmond, Hawthorn, West Coast, North Melbourne
Who is under the most pressure?
Luke Beveridge
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Patrick Cripps leading Carlton into a grand final
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Bailey Smith’s future and the crossroads at the kennel
LAUREN WOOD
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Brisbane, Carlton, Sydney, Melbourne, GWS, Port Adelaide, Adelaide
Bottom 4: Richmond, Fremantle, West Coast, North Melbourne
Who is under the most pressure?
Simon Goodwin and the Demons. Questions were raised early in the off-season about the club’s culture, and the revelation that the coach hadn’t spoken to forward Joel Smith in the wake of a positive drug test raised more than a few eyebrows. All that coming off a second consecutive straight-sets exit from the finals - there’s a lot to prove.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Jack Ginnivan facing not only his former teammates but the Collingwood crowd for the first time. More theatre than Broadway and the West End combined.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Concussion to remain a significant headache for the AFL in the months - and even years - to come.
CHRIS CAVANAGH
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Carlton, Brisbane Lions, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, GWS, Sydney
Bottom 4: Richmond, Fremantle, North Melbourne, West Coast
Who is under the most pressure?
Luke Beveridge. The Bulldogs must return to September after an off-season of change. The club has backed its 2016 premiership coach – who will be in his 10th season at the helm – and with good reason. But the blowtorch will be on.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Jack Ginnivan’s first game for Hawthorn against former club Collingwood. If you like a little theatre, pencil April 7 in your diary.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Will there be some big changes in store across the game? The AFL is generally in good shape after a brilliant 2023 season, but a new chief executive and head of football will surely be keen to make their mark.
SAM LANDSBERGER
Premier: Sydney
Runner-up: GWS Giants
Top 8: Brisbane Lions, Sydney, Adelaide, GWS Giants, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Geelong
Bottom 4: Richmond, West Coast, North Melbourne, Fremantle
Who is under the most pressure? AFL chairman Richard Goyder … and clubs simply won’t cop a hand-picked successor devoid of clubland experience chosen from Goyder’s current commission.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
King’s Birthday. Maynard vs Brayshaw, Goodwin v McRae, May v everyone. These contenders might be next door neighbours, but they are anything but chummy.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Respected new footy boss Laura Kane’s sweeping competitive balance review. From pick purchasing to father-sons to NGA and Northern Academy rules, this is the piece of work with the power to recalibrate an array of rortable riches or even tug at threads intertwined in football fabric.
CALLUM DICK
Premier: Brisbane
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Brisbane, Collingwood, GWS, Carlton, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Gold Coast
Bottom 4: West Coast, North Melbourne, Fremantle, Hawthorn
Who is under the most pressure?
Melbourne. The Dees have been battered from pillar to post on and off-field in recent months. The magnifying glass will be squarely on Simon Goodwin’s side to prove the naysayers wrong (or right).
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Collingwood and Carlton prelim. Good luck surviving that chaos, Melbourne.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Damien Hardwick leads the Suns to their first finals appearance. Bonus points: They nab a finals win also.
ED BOURKE
Premier: Carlton
Runner-up: Brisbane
Top 8: Carlton, Brisbane, Collingwood, Port Adelaide, GWS Giants, Geelong, Fremantle, Melbourne
Bottom 4: Western Bulldogs, Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast
Who is under the most pressure?
Port Adelaide and coach Ken Hinkley have the biggest battle against expectations on their hands next season. The Power have filled the holes in the ruck and key defensive posts and boast the best midfield double act in the game in Connor Rozee and Zak Butters. Fans won’t accept anything less than a preliminary final berth in Hinkley’s 12th year at the helm.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
When North Melbourne unleashes George Wardlaw after his first full pre-season. Alastair Clarkson spent the second half of last year salivating over what Wardlaw could achieve once his “training age” ticked over from zero to one. Good luck to any draftee trying to prise the Rising Star out of his hands in 2024.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Another incident similar to Brayden Maynard’s collision with Angus Brayshaw forces a tough AFL tribunal decision that impacts the Brownlow Medal or the finals series.
JOSH BARNES
Premier: Brisbane Lions
Runner-up: Collingwood
Top 8: Brisbane, GWS, Collingwood, Adelaide, Melbourne, Carlton, Sydney, Geelong
Bottom 4: North Melbourne, West Coast, Richmond, Hawthorn
Who is under the most pressure?
The microscope is zoomed all the way in on Melbourne. Clayton Oliver needs to bounce back and the Dees don’t have that many swings left with Max Gawn and Steven May as key figures. It’s almost now or never territory for this group to be remembered as a one-hit wonder or a great side.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
There is still some spice left in Jack Ginnivan’s trade story. It’s a shame we have to wait all the way until round 19 for him to play against his old mob at the MCG but the showman will surely have a special celebration up his sleeve.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Park the cameras outside Whitten Oval, everyone is going to have their eyes on Luke Beveridge unless the Dogs start well. If his team doesn’t bounce back big after a bloodless club review, then claret will be spilled.
MATT TURNER
Premier: Brisbane - They get Will Ashcroft back, Tom Doedee is a very handy addition and their best players are all in their prime.
Runner-up: Collingwood - Lachie Schultz is a great get, but after so many close ones for so long, can they go back-to-back?
Top 8: Brisbane, Collingwood, Sydney, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, GWS, Carlton
Bottom 4: 15th: Richmond, 16th: Fremantle, 17th: North Melbourne, 18th: West Coast
The Dockers have lost Lachie Schultz and Liam Henry with no major additions, and feel like they could slide, along with the Tigers.
Who is under the most pressure?
Luke Beveridge - The Dogs have been underwhelming since making the 2021 grand final, finishing eighth and ninth. If they miss the eight again, you suspect the club will part ways.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Although I don’t love the “opening round” concept (no issue with having four games in the northern states, but all nine matches should be played that weekend), the AFL has scheduled some juicy clashes to kick off the season. Brodie Grundy v the Dees, Dimma v the Tigers and rematches of both prelims. Bring it on.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Adam Simpson steps aside as West Coast coach after another tough season with plenty of heavy losses.
SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON
Premier: Collingwood
Runner up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Brisbane, Carlton, GWS, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney
Bottom 4: Hawthorn, Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast
Who is under the most pressure?
Luke Beveridge’s runs on the boards at the Bulldogs are starting to dry up, especially if he can’t get them back into finals and another star in Bailey Smith wants out.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
The Thursday night Showdown, finally the best rivalry in the league gets a standalone prime time slot.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
Questions of the club’s culture are going to continue to hover over Melbourne, with a big focus on Clayton Oliver’s form.
LACHLAN McKIRDY
Premier: GWS GIANTS
Runner-up: Carlton
Top 8: Collingwood, Giants, Carlton, Brisbane, Swans, Melbourne, Adelaide, Western Bulldogs
Bottom 4: North Melbourne, Fremantle, Richmond, West Coast
Who is under the most pressure?
Ken Hinkley and Port Adelaide - The Power were bounced out of the finals after a promising season and showed some really disappointing signs in the back half of 2023. It will be tough to find that momentum to go again after working so hard to finish in the top four and wasting the opportunity.
Most anticipated moment of 2024?
Already can’t wait for the Giants-Collingwood showdown in the Opening Round. Mason Cox’s subtle dig online has already drawn a strong response from the Giants, and the men from western Sydney will be up for the fight after their one-point preliminary final loss. This game could be anything.
What will be the biggest story of 2024?
The Crows should surge up the ladder and force their way back into the finals picture in 2024 as they continue to grow under Matthew Nicks. They’ll have some fantastic wins and could pull a surprise or two once it gets to September.
Originally published as AFL Crystal Ball: Experts give their way-too-early predictions for the 2024 season
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