Former Carlton star Bryce Gibbs has revealed his top eight prediction for the 2023 season.
He is predicting only the one change to the finalists for this season, with the Blues replacing Collingwood.
Gibbs sees Richmond as the team who could bolt into the top four.
“My top four, I’m going to give you Brisbane, Melbourne, Richmond and Geelong,” he told SEN’s Saturday’s in SA.
“Brisbane obviously recruited perfectly over the off-season, they’ve been there before, they’ve got match-winners all over the ground. Will Ashcroft comes in and is going to be a very good player. I just think they’re primed.
“Melbourne had a big pre-season, we know they’re going to come out and make a statement and I think they’re going to play off in the Grand Final.
“Richmond obviously added to the midfield, they’ve got a healthy Dustin Martin, they look very dangerous and they play that kamikaze and quick off turnover footy that is hard to stop.
“Then Geelong, they just keep finding a way, the inclusions they’ve added, do they have a better list than last year? They potentially could.”
As for the rest of the eight, Gibbs has the Blues, Swans, Dogs and Dockers filling out finals.
“To round out the top eight, I’ve got Carlton who I think will be big improvers,” he said.
“Sydney just play the right way. They’re always hard to play against. The Bulldogs, a bit like Richmond, they play that kamikaze surge footy and are a bit taller ahead of the ball, I reckon it might work, it gives them a different look than most teams.
“I’ve got Freo as well with their inclusions and they’re extremely tough to beat in Perth. If they win their home games, they’ve just got to pinch a few interstate.”