With the AFL finals series about to begin, we look over all 18 clubs to assess their chances.
ADELAIDE CROWS
2016: 5th (SF); 2017: 1st (+4)
Anything but the title will be a huge disappointment, but their form has slipped with just two wins from last five.
RATING: A
BRISBANE LIONS
2016: 17th; 2017: 18th (-1)
The titles of 2001-03 are a distant memory and the AFL must be increasingly worried about the game up north.
RATING: F
CARLTON
2016: 14th; 2017: 16th (-2)
The once proud Blues look no closer to their first GF since 1999. Culture of failure is home to stay at Princes Park.
RATING: C
COLLINGWOOD
2016: 12th; 2017: 13th (-1)
Another bad season for the Pies making the decision to re-appoint Nathan Buckley even stranger. Painful for fans.
RATING: D-
ESSENDON
2016: 18th; 2017: 7th (+11)
Superb performance from the resurgent Bombers going from wooden spoon to finals in one season. WADA who?
RATING: A+
Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell.
FREMANTLE
2016: 16th; 2017: 14th (+2)
Another depressing season for Ross Lyon’s team who seem a long way away from the glory years of 2012-15.
RATING: C
GWS GIANTS
2016: 4th (PF); 2017: 4th (-)
One kick away from the GF last year, GWS will be rueing two draws that could see them miss out again this year.
RATING: A-
GEELONG CATS
2016: 2nd (PF); 2017: 2nd (-)
So long the bench mark of the competition, the Cats will again go close. In impressive form coming in to the finals.
RATING: A
Patrick Dangerfield.
GOLD COAST SUNS
2016: 15th; 2017: 17th (-2)
Another poor year from the expansion club, who have the lowest supporter base in the AFL — Ablett or no Ablett.
RATING: E
HAWTHORN
2016: 3rd (SF); 2017: 12th (-9)
The mighty Hawks came down to earth with a thud in 2017 and will be interesting to see if they can bounce back.
RATING: D
Tom Mitchell.
MELBOURNE
2016: 11th; 2017: 9th (+2)
All set for finals footy for the first time since 2006 before a shock loss to the Pies in final round. Will hurt all summer.
RATING: B-
NORTH MELBOURNE
2016: 8th (EF); 2017: 15th (-7)
The over-achieveing Kangas had one to forget in 2017. The playing list isn’t great and may not be back for awhile.
RATING: C-
PORT ADELAIDE
2016: 10th; 2017: 5th (+5)
A good year for SA with both teams in the eight for first time since 2007. What price Showdown 44 in the GF?
RATING: A+
RICHMOND
2016: 13th; 2017: 3rd (+10)
One of the biggest improvers of the year and a strong chance to go all the way, No1 backline in the competition.
RATING: A+
Star man: Dustin Martin.
ST KILDA
2016: 9th; 2017: 11th (-2)
Hopeful of playing finals footy for the first time since 2011 but faded badly. Recriminations go on at Moorabbin.
RATING: B
SYDNEY SWANS
2016: 1st (RU); 2017: 6th (-5)
Felt they should have won last year and sulked for the first six games of 2017. Will back themselves to do a Dogs.
RATING: B+
WEST COAST EAGLES
2016: 6th (EF); 2017: 8th (-2)
A morale boosting win over the Crows in the last round saw them sneak into the finals, but still flag outsiders.
RATING: B-
WESTERN BULLDOGS
2016: 7th (P); 2017: 10th (-3)
Surprise premiers last year the Doggies will be disappointed they did not do a better job defending the title.
RATING: C
Marcus Bontempelli.