Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell has rated Carlton, Melbourne and Essendon's chances of making the finals in 2021.
The Blues could be a big improver this season after landing speedsters Zac Williams and Adam Saad during last year’s trade period.
Charlie Curnow’s persistent knee problems continue to be a cause for concern, but Rendell has backed David Teague’s side to play finals for the first time since 2013.
“Carlton has to make it. They are right in their wheelhouse,” Rendell told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“I was banking on Curnow to be up and about. It looks like he’s going to be a late starter.
“He’s a worry because the kid’s a superstar. I’m assuming that he’s up and playing most of the year, then I think Carlton are the one who are going to really shake it up next year.”
Simon Goodwin is a coach under pressure heading into 2021 after Melbourne made it consecutive years without finals football.
With the addition of key forward Ben Brown, Rendell expects the Demons to improve this season.
“Melbourne is very capable of making it. They’ve improved their list as well,” Rendell said.
“I expect them to be a lot better.”
As for Essendon, Rendell can’t see where their goals will come from.
“I’m probably not going to think that Essendon are going to make it (finals),” he said.
“God there’s a lot of pressure on people like James Stewart in their forward line, they just haven’t replaced their talls.
“They can’t afford to be slow (with their ball movement) because they don’t have the cattle up in their forward line, but they will have a lot of good midfielders and their defence is going to be reasonably solid.
“I think they’ll miss but the other two can definitely get in.”
Essendon finished 13th last year with Ben Rutten succeeding John Worsfold as senior coach for 2021.