Fox Footy Jury: Which Vic clubs finish higher in the head-to-head stakes?

Don’t look now, but there are less than 100 days until AFL 2021. Fox Footy experts deliver their verdict on who finishes higher out of a number of Vic clubs.

Can Andy McGrath help the Bombers finish higher than the Blues? Picture: Getty Images

It’s never too early to make some bold predictions.

As AFL 2021 edges closer, News Corp scribe Nick Smart hits up the Fox Footy jury — Nick Riewoldt, David King, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Montagna — to get their verdict on who finishes on top next year out of some the key Melbourne clubs.

CARLTON V ESSENDON

Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis:

“I think Carlton finishes higher. I just think they’re more progressed in terms of their list build and the experience of the team.”

Two-time All Australian Leigh Montagna:

“Carlton. The Blues are heading north and the Bombers are heading south, so Carlton will certainly finish above Essendon.”

Two-time North Melbourne premiership star David King:

“Definitely the Blues. They’ve got so much improvement and scope in these young key position players and already a game plan that’s brought some reward. I think David Teague is going to have some fun in the midfield with some fresh faces.”

Former St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt:

“Carlton because I just think they have more talent on their list and their trajectory is heading upwards.”

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Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield tackles Richmond great Dustin Martin in the 2020 Grand Final. Picture: Sarah Reed

GEELONG V RICHMOND

Lewis: “I think it’s a flip of the coin but I think the Cats, with who’ve they’ve included over the off-season, will finish higher in 2021.”

Montagna: “Tough one but I’d go Geelong purely on the fact they should have a bit more fire in the belly than the Tigers.”

King: “It’s 50-50. Whoever wins that head to head will finish on top, but all the excitement is with Geelong. Richmond is probably not hell bent on finishing on top of the table and would be happy to just qualify high enough to get that double chance.”

Riewoldt: “I think Geelong. I just feel like they’ll be driven by the disappointment of 2020 next year.”

Jade Gresham gets a handball away under pressure from Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury in June this year. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD V ST KILDA

Lewis: “I think Collingwood will finish higher than the Saints. I believe they’ll bounce back from their losses of personnel during the off-season.”

Montagna: “I believe St Kilda is heading in the right direction. I’m not sure where Collingwood is at and their forward line is still an issue. I think the Saints play finals and the Pies just miss.”

King: “The Saints, definitely. I think the Pies are resetting and regenerating, and there will be a slide.”

Riewoldt: “St Kilda. The Saints have gotten better in the off-season while Collingwood have good kids they’ve recruited but they’ve probably gone the other way.”

Bulldog Tom Liberatore evades Hawk Luke Breust at Adelaide Oval in September. Picture: Matt Turner/Getty Images)

WESTERN BULLDOGS V HAWTHORN

Lewis: “The Dogs will finish higher than the Hawks. The acquisition of Adam Treloar just strengthens their midfield.”

Montagna: “Clearly the Dogs. I think Hawthorn are a bottom six team and I expect Bulldogs will play finals.”

King: “The Dogs I’ve given an outside chance of finishing top four. If No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan can come in and do what he’s done in the underage ranks then away we go. But let’s wait and see.”

Riewoldt: “Definitely the Dogs. They’ve got a deeper list and they possess more talent.”

Originally published as Fox Footy Jury: Which Vic clubs finish higher in the head-to-head stakes?