With the 2021 AFL season not too far away, our experts tackle some of the big questions.
Which team will be 2021's biggest riser?
Niall Seewang: Sydney. I can see them rising a fair few rungs up the ladder after last year's 16th-place finish. They were wildly inconsistent in 2020 but pushed Geelong to within a goal in the final round and also beat Melbourne and GWS in the run home. The Swans have exciting players across every line and boast several match-winners. Lance Franklin, of course, is the wildcard - if he gets fit, Sydney could even push for a finals berth.
Jake Michaels: For much of last year, the Swans felt like a far better side than one which would ultimately finish in the bottom three. You could make a serious case that there's more talent on Sydney's list than any other side which failed to play finals in 2020. I also think the Suns are poised for a genuine crack at September action in 2021. They may not rise as much as Sydney, but this could be the first time in the club's history they are still relevant in the last month of the home and away season.
Matt Walsh: The more I look at last year's ladder, and this year's squads heading into the 2021 season, I can't see too many teams making massive runs up the standings. I can see the Blues or Dockers making a go at the top eight, which would mean rises of three and four spots, respectively, while the Suns may also make a similar jump from their 14th-place finish last year.
Jesse Robinson: I can see a healthy Dockers outfit making a few waves this year. Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra came on strongly last year and Caleb Serong became a strong second fiddle to Nat Fyfe. If they can avoid the plethora of injuries they've suffered previously, the Dockers could challenge for a finals spot.
Which team will be 2021's biggest slider?
NS: Purely by looking at the squad changes from last year, GWS are locks to drop away. The losses of Jeremy Cameron, Aidan Corr, Zac Langdon, Zac Williams and Jye Caldwell will hurt even the most talent-laden squad, with Leon Cameron now possibly facing a mini-rebuild. The Giants plummeted from runners up in 2019 to 10th in 2020 and I can see that trend continuing this year.
JM: Once again, I agree with Niall! The Giants were already going backwards and with the loss of personnel, highlighted above, it's only going to speed up their drop down the ladder. Call me crazy, but I could definitely see GWS finishing in the bottom four this year, which would likely result in further star players requesting trades at season's end. Amazingly, of the two recent expansion clubs, it's the Suns who look to be in a far better position right now.
MW: I think 2020 proved to be a perfect storm for Port Adelaide. Charlie Dixon had a career-best year, Ollie Wines and Travis Boak were huge in the midfield and Ken Hinkley was under pressure to perform. He did. I can see the Power finishing fifth this year - a drop of four spots below the Tigers, Cats, Lions and one of the Eagles or Bulldogs. The Pies are also on freefall watch after their horrendous offseason.
JR: It can only go one of two ways for the under-siege Magpies this year, either they use a tumultuous previous 12 months to catapult themselves back up the ladder, or the wave of off-field drama and the salary cap purge of the summer comes back to haunt them. I can see it being the latter and the Pies fall out of finals contention.
Is Bruce McAvaney the greatest AFL commentator of all time?
NS: If you'd asked me this question a few years ago, I would have wholeheartedly agreed (certainly in my lifetime). However, McAvaney regularly missed the mark during his twilight years in the commentary booth, his rhetorical questions grating many viewers (including myself). We all love Bruce, but he possibly went on one or two seasons too many.
JM: Gee, you reckon he'd have to be close, wouldn't you!? Bruce is an icon of Aussie Rules commentary and along with Dennis Cometti formed one of the greatest play-by-play commentary teams we've ever seen (or heard!). Few in the industry are as knowledgable and kind as Bruce, who will be sorely missed in 2021 and beyond.
MW: It's so tough to compare commentary from different eras. Many believe Bruce, with all due respect, went a year or two too far, potentially affecting how they're viewed by some in the public. I really liked Bruce, but Cometti at his peak, Huddo now, and Sandy Roberts in the 90s were all excellent. It's also a massive shame Clinton Grybas was taken from us too soon - he may well have proven to one day be the GOAT.
JR: This is almost more subjective than who is the best player of all-time! We have no stats, no "competitors" in a head to head sense, this is very much an each to their own call. Let's just say Bruce provided some great moments from the commentary box and he'll largely be remembered fondly.
Should Essendon-Hawthorn have been played at the MCG?
NS: I actually think it should have. If the AFL (and fans) learnt anything in 2020, it was the need to be flexible and adaptable, with fixturing a primary case in point. Most fans in Victoria have waited almost an entire year to see their teams live, so it seems really tough to lock out thousands of Essendon and Hawthorn supporters considering the Dees vs. Dockers clash could've been moved down the road. Plus, the Demons have a better recent record at Marvel Stadium than the MCG!
JM: It probably should be played at the 'G but once the fixture was set in stone, there's really not much which can be done. It was always going to be an audacious request by the Bombers and I'm not surprised Gill and the AFL quickly dismissed it. I don't think they were overly keen to work through more ticket refunds!
MW: Nope, Essendon plays most of their home games at Marvel Stadium. Given the Dees' home ground is the MCG, and they're playing on the same day, it's laughable to expect them to move.
JR: You can't fault the clubs for trying, but it does seem a mammoth task to have the 'G "COVID safe cleaned" and ensure that all patrons have left the stadium in time to prepare for the next match. Let's start off the season grateful to have people in the stands and go from there.