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AFL finals 2021 crystal ball: Experts predict premier, Brownlow medalist and more

Who will take home the flag? How much damage can the Bombers do in September? See our expert’s predictions and look back at what we got wrong in the pre-season crystal ball.

Who would hold up the cup on Grand Final day?

Can the Bombers shake up the finals? Does Marcus Bontempelli have the Brownlow sewn up? Which player will emerge to stamp their name on September?

Scroll down to see all our expert predictions for premier, Brownlow, Norm Smith and more — plus a look back at what we got right and wrong in the pre-season crystal ball.

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MICK MALTHOUSE

PREMIER: GEELONG

The Cats are mature enough and have matchwinners on every line including a three-headed monster forward. Mitch Duncan’s return will add more value to the midfield.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Joel Selwood

Mr September: Max Gawn

SPRING SURPRISE

Essendon will cause severe damage until the preliminary finals. With an ounce of luck it could go all the way.

Brownlow Medal: Max Gawn

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Collingwood and West Coast out of final eight.

What I missed on in pre-season crystal ball: Melbourne and Sydney out of final eight.

Joel Selwood is hoping to add a fourth premiership to his resume.
Joel Selwood is hoping to add a fourth premiership to his resume.

MICK McGUANE

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

A fit and healthy list going into September action is a big advantage. Their best defenders in May, Lever, Salem, plus midfielders in Oliver, Petracca and Gawn and forwards in Brown, McDonald, Fritsch, Pickett and Spargo are all in good form and must believe they can achieve what no other Melbourne team has done since 1964.

Runner-up: Geelong

Norm Smith Medal: Clayton Oliver. Made for Grand Final day. Competitive and has a great temperament to keep his emotions in check.

Mr September: Clayton Oliver was born for this month of footy.

SPRING SURPRISE

Trent Rivers, at 20 years of age and with only 31 games experience, can elevate his reputation with a strong finals campaign.

Brownlow Medal: A tie between Marcus Bontempelli and Clayton Oliver.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Clearly got it wrong leaving Melbourne out of my top eight.

Can Max Gawn lead the Demons to a drought-breaking premiership? Picture: Michael Klein
Can Max Gawn lead the Demons to a drought-breaking premiership? Picture: Michael Klein

JON RALPH

PREMIER: PORT ADELAIDE

Brisbane couldn’t nail the home-ground advantage last year but if the Power get it right they get two home finals and don’t have to leave their beds for weeks. The old stagers in Robbie Gray and Travis Boak finally get that elusive premiership.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Aliir Aliir

Mr September: Lance Franklin

SPRING SURPRISE

Karl Amon.

Brownlow Medal: Clayton Oliver

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Gillon McLachlan cementing his legacy with Tasmanian timeline for the 19th team. Might be right by March next year....

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Richmond as minor premier. Only 10 spots out....

MICHAEL WARNER

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

Big Max to lift up the cup. No long-suffering fan base deserves it more. If only it was at the ’G.

Runner-up: Port Adelaide

Norm Smith Medal: Christian Petracca

Mr September: Clayton Oliver

SPRING SURPRISE

Ben Brown.

Brownlow Medal: Ollie Wines

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Port to finish second.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Collingwood in the eight.

REBECCA WILLIAMS

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

Winners across the ground and everything seems to be falling into place at the right time. The emotional favourite, this one is long overdue.

Runner-up: Geelong

Norm Smith Medal: Clayton Oliver

Mr September: Clayton Oliver and Ollie Wines

SPRING SURPRISE

Getting through the finals campaign without any more Covid-inflicted dramas.

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Port Adelaide finishing top-two.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Overrating Richmond and underrating the Demons.

SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON

PREMIER: PORT ADELAIDE

It’s all coming together for the Power and other sides are getting hit with injuries and looking a bit shaky.

Runner-up: Geelong

Norm Smith Medal: Travis Boak

Mr September: Ollie Wines

SPRING SURPRISE

Sydney

Brownlow Medal: Jack Steele

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: North Melbourne winning the wooden spoon.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Patrick Cripps for the Brownlow and Matt Rowell for the Rising Star ... ouch.

Travis Boak and Ollie Wines can add to their trophy cabinets over the next month.
Travis Boak and Ollie Wines can add to their trophy cabinets over the next month.

CHRIS CAVANAGH

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

Defence wins premierships and Melbourne has the best backline in the competition, especially with Tom Stewart missing in action for Geelong now. A good team-first attitude will also help propel the Demons all the way.

Runner-up: Port Adelaide

Norm Smith Medal: Max Gawn

Mr September: Ollie Wines

SPRING SURPRISE

Kysaiah Pickett

Brownlow Medal: Ollie Wines

What I got right from pre-season crystal ball: Melbourne playing finals.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Thought Collingwood would play finals.

MARC McGOWAN

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

Defence wins flags and no team conceded fewer points in the home-and-away season. Steven May and Jake Lever are the AFL’s best backline combo, the Demons have a strong midfield packed with matchwinners and several scoring options in attack.

Runner-up: Geelong

Norm Smith Medal: Christian Petracca

Mr September: Clayton Oliver

SPRING SURPRISE

Nakia Cockatoo

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Marcus Bontempelli is one of the favourites for the Brownlow. Picture: Michael Klein
Marcus Bontempelli is one of the favourites for the Brownlow. Picture: Michael Klein

NICK SMART

PREMIER: GEELONG

Had the Cats before the start of the season and I’m sticking with them now, despite a few late-season hiccups. The loss of Tom Stewart is big, but the Cats to salute — just — in their fourth flag since 2007.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Cam Guthrie

Mr September: Christian Petracca

SPRING SURPRISE

Max Holmes

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: North Melbourne to finish last, and predicting 2021 would be Nathan Buckley’s final year as Collingwood commit to a new era after sliding out of contention.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Jeremy Cameron to win the Coleman and the Eagles and Tigers to finish in the top five.

SAM LANDSBERGER

PREMIER: WESTERN BULLDOGS

Stefan Martin to mimic Clark Keating (2002) and Brad Ottens’ (2009) September comebacks and revitalise the AFL’s best but battling midfield, which is still blessed with the magic handball power that proved unstoppable in 2016.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Mr September: Jake Lever

SPRING SURPRISE

Covid protocols prove no match for the might of Buddy Franklin as fans attempt to keep one of football’s great traditions alive by charging on to the field to celebrate the Sydney superstar’s 1000th goal. He needs eight more majors.

Brownlow Medal: Clayton Oliver

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Geelong, Brisbane in the top four.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Richmond to win the premiership.

JAY CLARK

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

Melbourne will complete the fairytale. Defence wins finals and they can dominate the game out of the middle.

Runner-up: Geelong. Has done so much right but Tom Stewart’s injury was a huge blow.

Norm Smith Medal: Clayton Oliver

Mr September: Steven May

SPRING SURPRISE

Kysaiah Pickett

Brownlow Medal: Ollie Wines

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Alastair Clarkson will leave Hawthorn.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Richmond to win the flag.

Kysaiah Pickett could light up September. Picture: Michael Klein
Kysaiah Pickett could light up September. Picture: Michael Klein

SCOTT GULLAN

PREMIER: WESTERN BULLDOGS

Clearly like to do it the hard way. The midfield has taken a couple of weeks to reconnect with Treloar and Dunkley back. Beveridge is a genius and will find a way to spark them again.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Mr September: Aaron Naughton

SPRING SURPRISE

Laitham Vandermeer

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Four of the top five correct with Port Adelaide and Geelong on the money in second and third.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: No Melbourne in the top eight and way overrating Collingwood (fifth).

GLENN McFARLANE

PREMIER: MELBOURNE

If your team isn’t in the finals, how could you not barrack for the Demons and Max Gawn? Melbourne is perfectly positioned and three wins away from ending the curse of Norm Smith by winning its first flag since 1964.

Runner-up: Geelong

Norm Smith Medal: Clayton Oliver

Mr September: Christian Petracca

SPRING SURPRISE

Kozzie Pickett takes the finals by storm.

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Kangaroos to win the wooden spoon and Bont to be right in Brownlow contention.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: Whoops ... Richmond, West Coast, Collingwood and St Kilda to play finals.

CHRIS HONNERY

PREMIER: BRISBANE LIONS

They’re a more experienced squad compared to last year’s playoffs and have learnt their lessons on what it takes to win during the finals.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Jarryd Lyons

Mr September: Charlie Cameron

SPRING SURPRISE

Dayne Zorko

Brownlow Medal: Ollie Wines

Don’t count out Charlie Cameron and the Lions.
Don’t count out Charlie Cameron and the Lions.

MATT TURNER

PREMIER: BRISBANE LIONS

Because that is what I predicted pre-season and I will stick with it. The Lions have the stars and evenness to win it.

Runner-up: Melbourne

Norm Smith Medal: Hugh McCluggage

Mr September: Dayne Zorko

SPRING SURPRISE

Ben Brown to kick five-plus goals in one of the finals.

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

What I got right in pre-season crystal ball: Not a lot, although I was lukewarm on the Bulldogs due to a lack of backline height and durability concerns on ruck recruit Stef Martin.

What I missed in pre-season crystal ball: West Coast, Richmond, St Kilda and Collingwood making the eight, and Melbourne parting ways with coach Simon Goodwin mid-season. Eek.

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