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The footy's back!

Setting up the tipping comp this year has forced me into a few predictions:

In another bold, and probably stupid move, I'm tipping Geelong to end years of heartbreak with a win over West Coast in the Grand Final.

Not so bold is my prediction that Matthew Lloyd will be a runaway winner of the Coleman medal.

Again, a safe bet that Chris Judd will win the Brownlow. More boldly, I predict that post-celebration he will announce his intention to sign for Essendon.

In a stab in the dark, I'm going with Alwyn Davey will be awarded the Rising Star award. I'm sick of top picks getting it, so here's hoping Bryce Gibbs does his knee by round three.

The surprise packet this year? The Catters. Both Abletts will run amock, and I reckon that they'll kick a few more goals this year with a more direct game plan.

Sydney must be due a few injuries, if they get even three of four to leading players, I don't think they have any depth to cover them. There's no way they'd cope with an injury crisis like Adelaide will be facing this year. Swans to just sneak into the Eight.

The real duds this year (I'm hoping), will be Collingwood and Hawthorn. Collingwood are a bit ordinary looking on paper. Any team that depends so much on Josh Fraser and Anthony Rocca are always going to struggle. Hawthorn have plenty of talent on their list, but I reckon three years of god-awful backwards chipping gameplan and team leaders like Richie "Fucken" Vandenberg will see them struggling for wins.

The Bulldogs were flattered by their finish last year. Their style may well get found out this year, and I reckon that Akker will do more harm than good. Also, if Brian Harris is your only dependable tall backman, you're in trouble.

Hopefully the Bombers will sneak into the eight. Mal Michael will strengthen the backline and free up Fletcher as an attacking half back option. We suffered last year with the change in kick in rule, where Fletcher's long, accurate kicking led to quite a few goals. With the necessity of him being tied to the goal square lessened, I think his kicking will again lead to plenty of attack. Lloyd back will also make a difference. If he can kick 80+ goals, Lucas 40+, and then Hird, Johns and Davey contributing, we have a potent attack. The problem will again be in midfield. Hopefully one of Jetta, Houli, Lonergan or Hislop will step up. Anyway, with so many Tasmanians on the list this year, we have to do well. Here's hoping Lee, Laycock, Lonergan and Hislop all get plenty of games (particularly Lee, because he's from the Burnie Dockers and we need a solid big man down back, and who better than a Burnie boy?).

West Coast
St. Kilda
Geelong
Fremantle
Melbourne
Adelaide
Sydney
Essendon

Port Adelaide
Footscray
Richmond
North Melbourne
Brisbane
Carlton
Hawthorn
Collingwood
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