AFL previews 2014 | Sport | The Guardian

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Sportblog AFL preview No 16: Sydney Swans

If star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett don’t upset the core team ethic, the Swans could be unstoppable

Published: 10:58 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No 15: St Kilda

This year promises unremitting hardship after a chaotic off-season in which the coach was sacked and Ben McEvoy traded away

Published: 6:35 PM

AFL preview No 14: Richmond

Long-suffering Tigers fans can push their holiday plans beyond September but much will still depend on controversial forward Jack Riewoldt

Published: 11:16 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No 13: Port Adelaide

Published: 7:06 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No12: North Melbourne

Published: 12:19 AM

Sportblog AFL preview No11: Melbourne

How many times have Dees’ fans begun the season thinking things can only get better? With Paul Roos, it may finally be true

Published: 7:38 PM

Sportblog AFL preview No10: Hawthorn

Hawthorn’s ability to cope without superstar Lance Franklin will be pivotal in their bid for back-to-back premierships

Published: 10:28 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No9: GWS Giants

Regardless of how they perform this year, this young club has so many good draft picks that it’s bound to come good

Published: 7:00 PM

Sportblog AFL preview No 8: Gold Coast Suns

The Suns still have to mature into a genuinely competitive team, which is not to say they haven’t made progress

Published: 8:44 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No7: Geelong Cats

The Cats are the victims of their own success, and a crop of injuries will further test their ability to renew while staying at the top

Published: 4:17 PM

Sportblog AFL preview No6: Fremantle Dockers

The Dockers’ impressive roster is intact, but their stars are ageing and this may be their only realistic shot at a premiership

Published: 9:48 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No5: Essendon

The Bombers will have to overcome the uncertainty of the peptides saga and concerns over their firepower to improve on last term

Published: 6:25 PM

Sportblog AFL preview No 4: Collingwood

The midfield still looks strong but weaknesses in defence and up forward will limit what Nathan Buckley’s side can achieve

Published: 10:56 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No3: Carlton

The clock is ticking if the core of this Blues squad is going to have a realistic shot at a Premiership. It’s now or never

Published: 6:07 PM

Sportblog AFL preview No2: Brisbane Lions

The Lions have got used to lowly loitering, and there seems little reason to suppose Justin Leppitsch can change that this year

Published: 11:00 PM
Sportblog AFL preview No1: Adelaide Crows

With Taylor Walker back, exciting forward recruits and a solid midfield, Brenton Sanderson may be two-thirds of the way there

Published: 6:45 PM