AFL 2021 fixture difficulty: Champion Data rates every club’s draw
They were the AFL’s big improvers last year. But before locking the Saints in your top four or eight for 2021, make sure you read this.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
St Kilda faces an uphill battle in its bid to jump into the top four this season, with the Saints judged to have the hardest fixture of any side in 2021.
Brett Ratten’s team took giant strides forward last year, qualifying for its first finals series since 2011 and winning its first final since 2010 with a three-point elimination final triumph over the Western Bulldogs.
Under unique circumstances due to COVID-19, every team played each other once last season.
However, the AFL is poised to return to a 22-round season this year and Champion Data has listed St Kilda as having the hardest fixture based on its five double-up opponents.
SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERY CLUB’S FIXTURE DIFFICULTLY RATING
The Saints have to meet both 2020 Grand Finalists — Richmond and Geelong — twice this season, as well as facing two matches against last year’s minor premier Port Adelaide.
The club’s other double-up matches are against West Coast, which finished fifth last season, and a Sydney side which finished 16th but is expected to be a big improver.
KFC SUPERCOACH: THE TOP-PRICED PLAYERS AT EVERY CLUB IN 2021
St Kilda midfielder Jack Billings said recently that his side had spoken over the off-season about the need for further growth and knew that qualifying for finals again would not come easily.
“Last year was a big step forward for the club and it was really exciting to make finals and win that first final,” Billings said.
“But every year’s different. There’s no guarantees for us this year. Just because we took that step last year it doesn’t mean we’re going to go again this year. We’ve got to earn it and improve what we’ve done last year.”
Out-of-contract Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley also has some work to do, with the Magpies having the third-hardest draw.
Outgoing Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said last week that while he was “pretty confident” the Magpies would have a good year, a new deal for Buckley was not “even on the table” for the time being.
Port Adelaide has drawn the easiest fixture, avoiding double-up matches against any of the four other top-five sides from last season.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
New Essendon coach Ben Rutten has also been handed an early free kick, with the Bombers judged to have the second-easiest fixture.
Essendon faces only one top-eight side from last season — Collingwood — in its five double-up matches.
The other opponents the Bombers face twice are Greater Western Sydney (10th last season), Hawthorn (15th), Sydney (16th) and North Melbourne (17th).
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL 2021 fixture difficulty: Champion Data rates every club’s draw
Shock scenario in Bailey Smith stalemate
Bailey Smith’s Western Bulldogs exit has set up a potentially rare scenario that could deliver a shock result as Geelong’s offer hits a stalemate.
The late draft pick that could deliver Stringer to Giants
Essendon is open to trading inconsistent star Jake Stringer to GWS as the 30-year-old considers a beefed-up offer from the Giants.