Luring coach Alastair Clarkson, a four-time AFL premiership winner, to North Melbourne will not be enough to get last year’s Wooden Spoons into the final, according to the other 17 captains.
The annual skipper poll served as a quick reminder to the new Kangaroos manager of the task ahead, as none of the skippers chose North Melbourne to finish in the top eight.
But Clarkson’s men weren’t the only ones given a kick, with Essendon, who also has a new coach in Brad Scott, Hawthorn, the West Coast Eagles and GWS, under new mentor Adam Kingsley, all failed in Get voted on as a potential finalist.
Instead, Brisbane, reigning Premiers Geelong and Melbourne were rated as the best chances of not only reaching the final, but the grand final as well.
Eight of the 18 captains declared that the Cats would return to the decider.
Many believe Geelong, led by new boss Patrick Dangerfield, will be a real presidential contender in 2023.
The same can’t be said for the Kangaroos, even though they now have four-time manager Alastair Clarkson in charge.
But interestingly, at least one patron felt the Cats wouldn’t even make it to the finals, getting 16 votes.
In all, 13 different clubs were considered as potential opportunities to contest the final, while five different clubs were chosen to reach the grand final, painting the picture of a limited run for the premiership.
When it came to individual honours, Melbourne player Clayton Oliver was the most popular choice as the 2023 Brownlow Medal winner, with five out of 18 votes.
Brisbane star Lachie Neale and Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw were the next best with three.
Gun Geelong striker Jeremy Cameron and Richmond’s Tom Lynch were the most popular selections to win the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s best kicker, garnering 12 out of 18 nominations.
The 2022 Coleman winner, Carlton’s Charlie Curnow, got just one vote to go consecutive.
The first pick in the draft, Will Ashcroft, picked by the Brisbane Lions as a father-son pick, was an overwhelming selection to take this year’s Rising Star award.
Melbourne Demons player Clayton Oliver was the most popular choice as a Brownlow Medal winner
If the Lions have a dominant season, Lachie Neale is expected to be front and center.
THE CAPTAIN’S SELECTIONS
What other seven clubs do you think can be in the top eight this year?
17 – Brisbane Lions
16 – Geelong Cats, Richmond
15 – Sydney Swans, Melbourne
12-Fremantle
11 – Swing
9 – Charles
6 – Western Bulldogs
5 – Port Adelaide
2 – GOLD COAST SUNS
1 – St Kilda, Adelaide Crows
What other club is more likely to reach the grand final?
8 – Geelong Cats
4 – Melbourne, Brisbane Lions
1 – Richmond, Sydney Swans
Cats star Jeremy Cameron has been heavily tipped to end up nabbing the Coleman Medal this season.
Which player from another club do you think will win the 2023 Brownlow Medal?
5 – Clayton Oliver, Melbourne
3 – Andrew Brayshaw, Fremantle; Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions
2 – Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs; Touk Miller, Gold Coast Suns
1-Patrick Cripps, Carlton; Christian Petracca, Melbourne; Callum Mills, Sydney Swans
Which player from another club do you think will win the 2023 Coleman Medal?
6 – Jeremy Cameron, Geelong Cats, Tom Lynch, Richmond
1 – Nat Fyfe, Fremantle; Harry McKay, Carlton; Jack Gunston, Brisbane Lions; Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats; Charlie Curnow, Carlton; Aaron Naughton, Western Bulldogs
Which player from another club do you think will win the 2023 AFL Rising Star?
8 – Will Ashcroft, Brisbane Lions
2 – Sam Darcy, Western Bulldogs
1 – Aaron Cadman, GWS Giants; Jai Culley, West Coast Eagles; Finn Callaghan, GWS Giants; Cameron Mackenzie, Hawthorn; Reuben Ginbey, West Coast Eagles; Harry Sheezel, from North Melbourne; Judd McVee, Melbourne; Mattaes Phillipou, St Kilda