SEN Breakfast's Garry Lyon and Tim Watson have made their ladder predictions for the 2018 AFL season, and have today shared their bottom six.
Tune in tomorrow for their middle six, before their predictions for the top six and their tip for the 2018 premiership on Wednesday.
18th
Garry: North Melbourne
Tim: North Melbourne
“They’re going to go through some painful times. They’re regenerating, they’re rebuilding. They’re down on some real superstar A-grade-type talent, particularly in their midfield.”
17th
Garry: Gold Coast Suns
Tim: Gold Coast Suns
“I liked what I saw in the JLT. We can’t read too much into that but I think Dewy (coach Stuart Dew) has got them playing in a slightly different way and it will take time. They don’t play a home game for 11 weeks. To a young side that’s trying to find their way, that’s going to be disruptive in itself.”
16th
Garry: Fremantle
“16th last year was six wins and I reckon they are going to be around that. Nat Fyfe is the big x-factor. Fyfe up and firing could elevate them but I just worry about their ability to score, because of the way that they play and the way that Ross sets up…I think they’re going to struggle again but they are the one that worry me. They could embarrass me, Freo, and could win 10 or 11 if Fyfe gets going and Aaron Sandilands plays.”
Tim: Carlton
“Sometimes I think we overlook the obvious. Bryce Gibbs and Sam Docherty were two of their best players last year and neither of them will be at Carlton this year. They’ve lost two of their most talented players and they won’t replace them with the kids they have brought in and the development of the other players.
“I like their kids, but I just don’t think they have got enough games under their belt. I don’t think they have developed enough yet. They’ll be extremely competitive. I think they’re still on the rise but I don’t think they’re going to get there quickly.”
15th
Garry: Brisbane Lions
Tim: Brisbane Lions
14th
Garry: St Kilda
“Their best chance was when Nick Riewoldt was playing and Joey (Leigh Montagna) was running around…I think their best opportunity was in the last year or the year before and they didn’t get the job done. I don’t think they’re going to be better this year so I think they’re going to drop.”
Tim: Fremantle
13th
Garry: Carlton
“13th last year was Collingwood and they won nine games. If Carlton won nine games, that would be up from six. For me, that’s continuing in the right direction.”
Tim: Hawthorn
“They’re really hoping Jaeger O’Meara becomes a top line midfielder. He’s showing signs of that but I don’t know whether he has been able to redevelop the power in his body and that is one of the unanswered questions. It’s not back yet, but it isn’t to say that it won’t come back at some point. In my mind they haven’t really been able to replace the run of Bradley Hill. Cyril Rioli I’m not sure about him and where he is going to be placed either.
“You look at all those superstars they’ve lost, you just don’t replace them quickly. Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and now Grant Birchall is a real worry as well with his injury with his knee.”
Garry’s Ladder so far:
13: Carlton
14: St Kilda
15: Brisbane Lions
16: Fremantle
17: Gold Coast Suns
18: North Melbourne
Tim’s Ladder so far:
13: Hawthorn
14: Fremantle
15: Brisbane Lions
16: Carlton
17: Gold Coast Suns
18: North Melbourne
Listen to Garry and Tim explain their choices below: