PREDICTED LADDER FINISH

1. HAWTHORN
2. SYDNEY SWANS
3. FREMANTLE
4. ESSENDON
5. NORTH MELBOURNE
6. PORT ADELAIDE
7. ADELAIDE
8. RICHMOND
9. GEELONG
10. GOLD COAST
11. WEST COAST EAGLES
12. GWS GIANTS
13. WESTERN BULLDOGS
14. COLLINGWOOD
15. MELBOURNE
16. BRISBANE LIONS
17. CARLTON
18. ST.KILDA

I think the Hawks have one more run left in them at the top, the acquisition of Frawley will shore up the key defensive area, O'Rourke some more midfield drive and player's like Anderson, Woodward, Hartung who have been around the club for a while will get more opportunities. The key is still the versatility of the team but especially the forward line.

Most people and me included do expect Port Adelaide to be the main challenge to the Hawks the only thing I can think of is that I'm not sure that they can improve enough to overcome the Hawks, certainly paddy Ryder joining is a real coup.

Swans have enough upside to push the top 2 the Kangaroos after picking up Higgins and Waite can push the top teams as long as the mids improve and Swallow, Harvey and Wells can get back to their best.

Some predict the demise of the Cats but I'm different if Clark can kick 40+ for the year, Motlop regain full pace and Johnson, Bartel, Mackie, Kelly, Enright and Selwood remain fit they can again reach for the top but I see them just falling short.

Spots 6-10 are the one's I have most trouble predicting as these team's have very little between them. Essendon, Richmond and the Dockers were finalist's last year and from what I've read most people see Essendon as the team to drop out of the 8 with Gold Coast or Adelaide replacing them.

But I consider Essendon to be on the way up, with improving youngsters Carlisle, Daniher, Heppell, Zaharakis, and the trade in of Cooney  the Bombers should have enough ammo to take on the big guns.

Richmond will get enough improvement from Ellis, Vlastuin and the like whereas the Suns can keep their best team fit they will be fine.  

Fremantle is the unknown to me I have them finishing 9th but if the veteran's PAvlich, Sandilands, Mcpharlin and Johnson can keep their form and Fyfe, Barlow go to another level then anything can happen with Lyon as coach, but I think the window has closed, almost.

Adelaide and West Coast both have the talent to play final's but both are similar in that they seem to lose matches they shouldn't maybe Phillip Walsh can turn that ship around for the Crow's.

I don't see any other way but down for the Pies and Blues, just don't have the cattle, Saints are in the midst of a major rebuild ande Demon's after 2 season's of trading are now finally putting together a midfield that can crawl them back up thew ladder.