A LOOK AT WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE TEN AFL SIDES THAT DIDN’T MAKE THE TOP EIGHT IN 2015
* 9th: West Coast 11-11
HOW IT UNFOLDED: First-year coach Adam Simpson won plenty of plaudits, but the Eagles didn’t really get going until it was too late. The real season-destroyer came in round 21 when they coughed up a 34-point lead against Essendon to lose by three points.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: West Coast circa 2015 will have a significantly different look following the retirements of club greats Darren Glass and Dean Cox. Hopes are high that Scott Lycett will form a dynamic new ruck combination with Nic Naitanui.
* 10th: Adelaide 11-11
HOW IT UNFOLDED: The round-23 clash with St Kilda was supposed to be Adelaide’s big chance to snatch a finals berth but Richmond’s win over Sydney put an end to all of that. An inconsistent season left Crows fans frustrated, although they would be well pleased with Eddie Betts’ first season at the club.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: Former All-Australian defender Ben Rutten has retired, while Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and ruckman Sam Jacobs have been stars of 2014 for the Crows. Tenth or better appears within Adelaide’s skill set for 2015.
* 11th: Collingwood 11-11
HOW IT UNFOLDED: Most coaches complain about injuries, but few have been dealt as bad a hand as Nathan Buckley copped in 2014. Three losses in the last four rounds meant the Magpies slipped out of the top eight to miss the finals for the first time since 2005.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: Premiership midfielder Luke Ball has retired and valuable utility Tyson Goldsack is out of contract. Some luck is needed with injury management next season. The heat will be on the Magpies to build a competitive forward line around spearhead Travis Cloke and Jamie Elliott.
* 12th: Gold Coast 10-12
HOW IT UNFOLDED: The fourth-year club appeared finals-bound after winning seven of their first nine games. Skipper Gary Ablett’s season-ending shoulder injury in round 16 against Collingwood sparked a run of six losses in their last seven outings.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: Dion Prestia, Jaeger O’Meara and David Swallow lead a strong support cast to Ablett, which points to the strong chance of the Suns reaching the finals for the first time in 2015.
* 13th: Carlton 7-14-1
HOW IT UNFOLDED: A win-less start in the first four rounds was always going to make it tough for the Blues to piece together consecutive finals campaigns. Injuries to big names such as Matthew Kreuzer and Chris Judd were also damaging. Judd’s tremendous form in the last-round draw with Essendon and backman Matthew Watson’s four-goal game as a key forward were late positives for the Blues.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: Jarrad Waite’s out-of-contract status leaves a question mark over Carlton’s key-forward options for next season. Controversial duo Mitch Robinson and Jeff Garlett could also be looking for new homes.
* 14th: Western Bulldogs 7-15
HOW IT UNFOLDED: A last-round loss to the Giants was a dreadful way to end a season which included seven wins, one less than 2013. No.4 draft pick Marcus Bontempelli has made an impact for the Bulldogs and fellow youngsters Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore have been major ball-winners. Stewart Crameri (37) has been the leading goalkicker but needs help.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: Big men Ayce Cordy and Tom Campbell need to step up as ruck/forwards for the Bulldogs who, once again, will be desperate to unearth some key-position types in the draft.
* 15th: Brisbane 7-15
HOW IT UNFOLDED: No.7 draft pick James Aish and No.28 Lewis Taylor have been success stories for the Lions in a season that has yielded only seven wins, but offers promise of an improved performance in 2015. Tom Rockliff has been in All-Australian form for the Lions in midfield.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: The last links to the triple premiership teams of 2001-03 have ended with the retirements of goalkicking great Jonathan Brown and Ash McGrath. Ex-Demon Stefan Martin’s strong form adds depth to Brisbane’s ruck stocks alongside Matthew Leuenberger.
* 16th: Greater Western Sydney 6-16
HOW IT UNFOLDED: Wins against Melbourne (twice), Carlton, Brisbane and a massive upset against the Swans in round one have been highlights of the Giants’ season, plus a last-round win over the Western Bulldogs. A 113-point belting at the hands of Richmond was a low point.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: The third-year club have at least managed to avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon. Big forward Jonathon Patton’s knee reconstruction puts pressure on former club champion Jeremy Cameron to recapture his form of 2013 when he kicked 62 goals before having an injury-interrupted season in 2014.
* 17th: Melbourne 4-18
HOW IT UNFOLDED: Key forward Mitch Clark retired at 26 in March due to mental-health issues. Another big forward, 19-year-old Jesse Hogan, also didn’t play a game as he battled a serious back injury. The Demons finished the season with 10 consecutive losses after their one-point win over Essendon in round 13.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: The addition of Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson added much-needed depth to what was the competition’s worst midfield but there’s still plenty to do to fix the engine-room. The possible move of former No.1 draft pick Jack Watts elsewhere is a big carrot the Demons could wave at other clubs.
* 18th: St Kilda 4-18
HOW IT UNFOLDED: After three wins in the first five rounds, the Saints had only one more day in the sun. And what a memorable day it was, upsetting finals-bound Fremantle in round 18 by 58 points.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT: The Saints have said they’re willing to consider trading away the No.1 pick. Clint Jones and James Gwilt have been axed and Lenny Hayes has retired, leaving Jack Steven and Leigh Montagna to shoulder heavy loads in midfield. Rhys Stanley needs to play a consistent role up forward to ease pressure on ageing superstar Nick Riewoldt.
