Hawthorn is the AFL captains’ pick to win this year’s premiership.
The Hawks emerged as the team to beat in the league’s annual survey.
While one skipper thought Hawthorn would actually miss the finals, an overwhelming majority decided they were the club most likely to reach the grand final.
Carlton, Collingwood, West Coast and Geelong were voted the closest challengers, although in an indication of the open nature of this year’s competition, 13 different clubs received at least one vote to make the finals.
Hawthorn’s star forward Lance Franklin was an overwhelming favourite to again win the Coleman Medal as leading goalkicker, as he did last season.
Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury was rated the favourite to take out the Brownlow Medal.
Greater Western Sydney No.2 draft selection Stephen Coniglio was picked by most skippers to win the Ron Evans medal as the NAB AFL Rising Star.
The full voting was:
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year’s top eight? (In 2011, the captains correctly nominated Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Carlton, the Sydney Swans and St Kilda to play finals, but missed West Coast and Essendon)
Collingwood (17), Carlton (17), Geelong (17), West Coast (17), Hawthorn (16), Fremantle (12), Sydney Swans (nine), Adelaide (eight), St Kilda (six), Western Bulldogs (two), Essendon (two), North Melbourne (two), Richmond (one), Brisbane (nil), Gold Coast (nil), GWS (nil), Port Adelaide (nil), Melbourne (nil).
Which other club is most likely to reach the grand final? (captains overwhelming endorsed grand finalist Collingwood in 2011).
Hawthorn (11), West Coast (four), Geelong (two), Collingwood (one).
Who do you think will win the 2012 Brownlow Medal? (Three captains correctly nominated Dane Swan in 2011).
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood (eight), Lance Franklin, Hawthorn (four), Gary Ablett, Gold Coast (two), Nat Fyfe, Fremantle (one), Daniel Kerr, West Coast (one), Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn (one), Joel Selwood, Geelong (one).
Who do you think will win the 2012 Coleman Medal? (10 captains correctly nominated Franklin in 2011).
Lance Franklin, Hawthorn (14), Jack Riewoldt, Richmond (two), Mitch Clark, Melbourne (one), Travis Cloke, Collingwood (one).
Who do you think will win the 2012 NAB AFL Rising Star? (One captain correctly nominated Dyson Heppell in 2011)
Stephen Coniglio, GWS (seven), Josh Caddy, Gold Coast (three), Brandon Ellis, Richmond (one), Billy Longer, Brisbane (one), Kane Lucas, Carlton (one), Tom Mitchell, Sydney (one), Jared Polec, Brisbane (one), Billie Smedts, Geelong (one), Clay Smith, Western Bulldogs (one), Chad Wingard, Port Adelaide (one).
