Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions are strong favourites to again clash in the grand final, Geelong will continue to slide, St Kilda face a major battle, while Western Bulldogs great Marcus Bontempelli is the undisputed favourite to claim the Brownlow Medal, according to a survey completed by the 18 AFL club captains.
Nine captains picked the Lions to make it to the final Saturday of September, six plumped for the Magpies, who are seeking back-to-back premierships, while Greater Western Sydney – having lost a preliminary final to the Magpies by a point last year – had three supporters.
The Magpies enjoyed the ultimate success last season, but the Brisbane Lions have greater support when it comes to picking a grand finalist among the 18 AFL club captains.Credit: AFL Photos
Collingwood, the Lions, Carlton, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and Sydney were the clear top six when the captains were asked to nominate which teams – aside from their own – could make the top eight. However, Adelaide (10) also received encouraging support, despite not playing finals since losing the 2017 grand final.
While Gold Coast under new coach Damien Hardwick are expected to improve, only four captains nominated them to make the finals, suggesting a list full of talent still has work to do if the club is to finally enjoy a breakthrough September campaign.
The Bulldogs (six) had some support, but the Cats were a surprise non-selection, with only two captains expecting the 2022 premiers to return to September. The Cats missed the finals last season. Coach Chris Scott is confident his men can make the leap, but has said the Cats will not be afraid to change direction if it’s felt the time to refresh is required.
The Saints were beaten in an elimination final by the Giants last season and, despite a strong pre-season campaign, and impressive emerging youngsters, led by star Max King, were tipped by only three captains to make the top eight.
Hawthorn, West Coast and North Melbourne had no support to make the finals.
Bontempelli, having fallen two votes short last year, and polled more than 20 votes in four different counts, is the overwhelming favourite to claim the sport’s highest individual honour. The superstar Bulldog was the choice of 10 captains, with Collingwood ball-magnet Nick Daicos the only other player to have at least two votes.
Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish and injured Carlton star Sam Walsh each had one vote.
Carlton forward Charlie Curnow is tipped to make it a hat-trick of Coleman medals, the Blues needing the star goal-kicker to have a major impact if they are to again go deep into September.
Marcus Bontempelli fell just short of a maiden Brownlow Medal last season, but is tipped by his fellow captains to claim the top honour this year.Credit: Getty Images
The Rising Star award winner is expected to be a close call. West Coast’s No.1 pick Harley Reid (six votes), second-year Kangaroos’ midfielder George Wardlaw (five), Bulldogs’ midfielder/half-back Ryley Sanders (three) and Wardlaw’s teammate Colby McKercher (two) all had support.
The Lions are the top pick to take out this year’s McClelland Trophy for the best combined results across the AFL and AFLW regular seasons.
Coldplay, country star Luke Combs and Aussie rockers Tame Impala were selected as the ideal pre-game entertainment for the league’s grand final.
Captains’ call
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year’s top eight?
17 – Collingwood
16 – Brisbane
15 – Carlton, GWS GIANTS
14 – Melbourne, Sydney Swans
10 – Adelaide Crows
7 – Port Adelaide
6 – Western Bulldogs
4 – Gold Coast SUNS
3 – St Kilda
2 – Geelong Cats
1 – Essendon, Fremantle, Richmond
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
(No captains picked eventual premier Collingwood in 2023).
9 – Brisbane Lions
6 – Collingwood
3 – GWS GIANTS
Which player from another club do you think will win the 2024 Brownlow Medal?
(Three captains correctly nominated Lachie Neale in 2023).
10 – Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs
2 – Nick Daicos, Collingwood
1 – Charlie Curnow, Carlton; Jordan Dawson, Adelaide Crows; Tom Green, GWS GIANTS; Errol Gulden, Sydney Swans; Darcy Parish, Essendon; Sam Walsh, Carlton;
Which player do you think will win the 2024 Coleman Medal?
(One captain nominated eventual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow in 2023).
7 – Charlie Curnow, Carlton
3 – Jeremy Cameron, Geelong Cats; Nick Larkey, North Melbourne
1 – Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats; Max King, St Kilda; Tom Lynch, Richmond; Harry McKay, Carlton; Jacob Van Rooyen, Melbourne
Which player do you think will win the 2024 AFL Rising Star?
(One captain nominated eventual Ron Evans Medallist Harry Sheezel in 2023).
6 – Harley Reid, West Coast
5 – George Wardlaw, North Melbourne
3 – Ryley Sanders, Western Bulldogs
2 – Colby McKercher, North Melbourne
1 – Blake Howes, Melbourne; Jed Walter, Gold Coast
Which club will win the McClelland Trophy?
8 – Brisbane Lions
4 – Melbourne
1 – Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
Who would you love to see perform as the pre-game entertainment this September?
3 – Coldplay
2 – Luke Combs, Tame Impala,
1 – AC/DC, Adele, Fred Again, Luca Brasi, Kylie Minogue, Mumford and Sons, Oasis, Rihanna, Robbie Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift
