A LOOK AT THE 10 TEAMS WHO MISSED THE AFL FINALS
MELBOURNE: 9th (9-8)
Their nine wins this year in a shortened season was at least a vast improvement on the five from 2019, but they are still a huge disappointment and one of the most unreliable teams. They need to load up on more outside speed to add on from the acquisition of Ed Langdon last year. Would love a proven key forward in the form of Jeremy Cameron, and will push hard to try to lure the star Giant.
GWS: 10th (8-9)
Last year’s grand finalists never really got going. Their most embarrassing display was the round 12 loss to lowly Sydney when they scored just 3.7 (25) in a 41-point defeat. Zac Williams and Aidan Corr will leave via free agency, and the club needs to ensure Jeremy Cameron doesn’t follow suit. The Giants still boast enough talent to be a premiership threat, but they are in desperate need of a dominant ruckman.
Carlton: 11th (7-10)
A nice step forward for the Blues this year, but they still rely too heavily on Patrick Cripps. Carlton were surprisingly the sixth oldest team this season, but the retirements of Matthew Kreuzer and Kade Simpson helps bring down their age profile. Richmond premiership midfielder Jack Graham is reportedly high on Carlton’s shopping list to help give Cripps more support. A lot rests on the development of players like Tom De Koning, Paddy Dow, Brodie Kemp, Lochie O’Brien, Sam Philp, and Liam Stocker for the Blues to push for finals next year.
Fremantle: 12th (7-10)
The Dockers recovered from a 0-4 start to become one of the bright stories for the season. Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox stood tall in defence after Griffin Logue, Alex Pearce, and Joel Hamling all succumbed to serious injuries. Young midfielders Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra took a huge step forward, while clearance machine Caleb Serong is a strong chance to win the Rising Star award. If Jesse Hogan can stay fit, healthy, and in-form, then Fremantle loom as a major finals threat next year.
Essendon: 13th (6-10-1)
The Bombers were 5-2 at one stage and looking good for the finals, but the wheels fell off dramatically from that point. The retirement of 24-year-old defender Conor McKenna hurts, while the future of Joe Daniher remains up in the air. Essendon seem to have too many weaknesses all over the field to truly challenge next year, and they might need to embark on a rebuild. They haven’t won a final since 2004, and they look a long way from it. Ben Rutten will take over as coach from John Worsfold.
Gold Coast: 14th (5-11-1)
Faded badly after a bright start but the Suns will take plenty of positives from 2020. The rapid emergence of first-year midfielder Matt Rowell stunned the league. His season was done after just five games due to injury, but he looms as a future Brownlow medallist. Throw in Izak Rankine, Ben King, Noah Anderson, and Jack Lukosius, and the Suns have an exciting batch of youngsters that could help push them towards the finals next year.
Hawthorn: 15th (5-12)
Age has well and truly caught up with the Hawks. There were positive signs last year when Hawthorn won six of the last eight games of the season, but 2020 was a brutal reality check that the club needs to invest more in its youth. Jon Patton’s long list of injuries means he’s no certainty to live up to his potential, while the retirements of Ben Stratton and Paul Puopolo could signal a shift in thinking. Alastair Clarkson is a proven coach, but this shapes as his biggest challenge and time isn’t on his side after two straight years outside of the finals.
Sydney: 16th (5-12)
With Lance Franklin failing to play a due to injury, the Swans were always going to struggle. But 2020 wasn’t a complete waste, with Sydney uncovering a host of talented youngsters that can bring future success to the club. Made a big play for Joe Daniher last year, and may try again despite the forward’s worrying injury history. The Swans also need some more ruck back-up for Callum Sinclair while Sam Naismith recovers from a second knee reconstruction.
North Melbourne: 17th (3-14)
Started the season brightly with two straight wins but put up the white flag from that point on. Rookie coach Rhyce Shaw dared to dream of finals this year, but the club now concedes a rebuild is needed and recently bid farewell to 11 players. Kangaroos forward Ben Brown looks set to leave the club after a nightmare season, while big-money recruit Jared Polec could also follow despite having three more years left on his contract.
Adelaide: 18th (3-14)
It’s pretty hard to take any positives out of the year when you lose the first 13 games of the season. Adelaide are clearly near the start of what looks to be a long and painful rebuild. The ghosts of the infamous pre-season camp of 2018 are still hovering, and there will be no easy path back towards the finals. A three-game winning streak at the tail-end of the season at least gave the Crows something to smile about, but the club needs to put a huge emphasis on youth over the coming years in order to build the foundations for future success. They have the opportunity to load up big time at the draft, especially if Brad Crouch leaves via free agency. Need to draft some good midfielders, but they also have their eye on West Adelaide forward-ruck Riley Thilthorpe, who could be the No.1 pick.