The wait is almost over with a brand new footy season on the horizon when Sydney take on Melbourne, in the curtain raiser as part of the inaugural ‘Opening Round’, next Thursday evening (7 March, 7.30pm) at a packed to the rafters SCG.
In what looks certain to be a hotly contested battle for the flag, reigning Premiers Collingwood have been installed as the bookmakers outright favourites to go back-to-back; something that the club hasn’t achieved since the 1935/1936 era.
Boosted by the arrival of forward Lachie Schultz, in the summer, to an already impressive squad along with their ability to stand-up in those intense, nervy, clutch matches definitely gives the Magpies every chance of winning it again.
However, there are several clubs well in contention – none more so than last year’s runners-up Brisbane, who lost that thrilling final, at the MCG, by just a kick.
The big question will be how they handle that hangover of just missing out – the Lions have been involved at the point end for the last five seasons and have an amazing record at the Gabba, which is a real fortress. Can they go one better?
Carlton had their first taste of September action in over a decade, before going out in the Prelims, which led to the club offering coach Michael Voss (pictured below) a two-year contract extension. They have the cattle, which includes 2 x Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow, for another crack but how will handle the expectation from fans.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe surprise package in 2023 were Greater Western Sydney (GWS), who under the guidance of Adam Kingsley went from 16th, in 2022, to finishing 7th and earned themselves plenty of admirers along the way. If the Giants can re-produce that consistent form, particularly on the road, then they will be firmly in the mix.
It’s been a tough off-season for Melbourne that have appeared in the news spotlight, over the summer, headlined by Clayton Oliver and then the concerns around a club drug culture. They have also had to deal with the sudden medical retirement of Premiership player Angus Brayshaw. The Demons, who have gone out in straight sets in the last two years, will just be desperate to get this season underway.
Port Adelaide will once again be in the conversation, especially given three top-four finishes in the 2020s, but their form in finals is a real concern as they chase a first flag since 2004. The arrival of Esava Ratugolea and Ivan Soldo brings Premiership-winning experience that the Power hope will help take them to the ultimate prize.
Sydney had an excellent trade period bringing in the quartet of Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, James Jordon and Joel Hamling to an already pretty experienced list that will have the longest serving active AFL coach John Longmire quietly confident.
Although they failed to make the all-important eight last year, you write Geelong off at your peril. Winners in 2022, they have a great record of making finals under Chris Scott (eleven of the last thirteen), possess arguably two of the best forwards in Tom Hawkins/Jeremy Cameron as well as having a very experienced squad to do well.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Western Bulldogs will be an intriguing watch, a side that underachieved last time out, given the talent on their list that has so much potential. Luke Beveridge (pictured above) wasn’t happy with some of the recent off-field personnel changes made, particularly with the departure of assistant Rohan Smith, but will need to put that behind him as he could come under real pressure depending on how early results go this campaign.
Gold Coast are hoping that their new 3xPremiership winning coach Damien Hardwick (pictured below) can lead the club to a first September appearance in their history.
Embed from Getty ImagesJust like in 2023, though, there will be a number of teams vying for one of those eight spots with Adelaide, St.Kilda, Richmond, Essendon and Fremantle also wanting to be part of the action in the latter stages.
Rules changes for 2024
- If a player elects to leave the ground in an attempt to smother the football, any reasonably foreseeable high contact with an opponent, which is at least ‘Low Impact’ will be deemed to be ‘Careless’ at a minimum, unless the player has taken all reasonable steps to avoid that high contact and/or minimise the force of that high contact.
- The action of a player committing a run-down tackle which is considered dangerous (i.e. where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force) will now constitute a ‘Reportable Offence’.
- The sub rule will continue, but clubs can now name an extended bench of five players (an increase from four) and three emergency players. Each team’s sub has to be confirmed 60 minutes prior to the match.
- The action of a player ruled to have committed a strike when intentionally shoving or fending an opponent will now be graded as ‘Intentional’ rather than ‘Careless’.
- Straight-arm blocks will be permitted in a ruck contest, provided the player contests the ball.
- If an offence is graded as ‘Severe’ impact by the Match Review Officer (MRO) but only the minimum penalty is sought, the MRO can now prescribe a sanction so that the player is able to submit an early guilty plea without the case having to be referred directly to the Tribunal.
- Whistling from the interchange bench is prohibited.
Format of the season
For the first time in AFL history, the season will begin with an ‘Opening Round’ where four matches will take place in the states of Queensland and New South Wales to officially kick off the action in 2024.
The ‘Gather Round’, which proved to be such a huge success last year, will also feature, once again, with all 18 clubs playing in the state of South Australia.
This means that the campaign, referred to as the “home-and-away”, will now span 25 weeks with each side playing 23 matches and having two ‘bye’ rounds; one at the early part and the other around the mid-way point.
The team who finishes top of the ladder is awarded the McClelland Trophy (Minor premiership). The top eight teams then play off in a four-round finals series.
How the finals work
The top four teams in the eight receive the “double chance” when they play in week-one qualifying finals. The winners receive a bye to the third week while the losers will still remain in the finals and will play a semi-final the following week.
The bottom four of the eight play knock-out games – only the winners survive and advance in the tournament. Home advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks through to the Preliminary Final in the third week.
In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals from the first week. The winners of those matches head to the Grand Final which will be played on Saturday 28 September at the MCG.
- Week 1 – Qualifying/Elimination finals (6/7/8 September)
- Week 2 – Semi-finals (13/14 September)
- Week 3 – Preliminary finals (20/21 September)
- Week 4 – Grand final (28 September)
The Teams
Adelaide
Nickname: ‘Crows’
Colours: Navy Blue, Red & Gold
Coach: Matthew Nicks
Captain: Jordan Dawson
Brisbane
Nickname: ‘Lions’
Colours: Maroon, Blue & Gold
Coach: Chris Fagan
Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale
Carlton
Nickname: ‘Blues’
Colours: Navy Blue
Coach: Michael Voss
Captain(s): Patrick Cripps
Collingwood
Nickname: ‘Magpies’
Colours: Black & White
Coach: Craig McRae
Captain(s): Darcy Moore
Essendon
Nickname: ‘Bombers’
Colours: Red & Black
Coach: Brad Scott
Captain: Zach Merrett
Fremantle
Nickname: ‘Dockers’
Colours: Purple & White
Coach: Justin Longmuir
Captain: Alex Pearce
Geelong
Nickname: ‘Cats’
Colours: White & Navy Blue
Coach: Chris Scott
Captain: Patrick Dangerfield
Gold Coast
Nickname: ‘Suns’
Colours: Red, Gold & Blue
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain(s): Touk Miller & Jarrod Witts
Greater Western Sydney (GWS)
Nickname: ‘Giants’
Colours: Orange, Charcoal & White
Coach: Adam Kingsley
Captain: Toby Greene
Hawthorn
Nickname: ‘Hawks’
Colours: Brown & Gold
Coach: Sam Mitchell
Captain: James Sicily
Melbourne
Nickname: ‘Demons’
Colours: Red & Blue
Coach: Simon Goodwin
Captain: Max Gawn
North Melbourne
Nickname: ‘Kangaroos’
Colours: Royal Blue & White
Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captain: Luke McDonald & Jy Simpkin
Port Adelaide
Nickname: ‘Power’
Colours: Black, White, Teal & Silver
Coach: Ken Hinkley
Captain: Connor Rozee
Richmond
Nickname: ‘Tigers’
Colours: Yellow & Black
Coach: Adem Yze
Captain: Toby Nankervis
St.Kilda
Nickname: ‘Saints’
Colours: Red, White & Black
Coach: Ross Lyon
Captain(s): Jack Steele
Sydney
Nickname: ‘Swans’
Colours: Red & White
Coach: John Longmire
Captain(s): Callum Mills
West Coast
Nickname: ‘Eagles’
Colours: Royal Blue & Gold
Coach: Adam Simpson
Captain(s): Oscar Allen & Liam Duggan
Western Bulldogs
Nickname: ‘Doggies’
Colours: Red, White & Blue
Coach: Luke Beveridge
Captain(s): Marcus Bontempelli
Odds to win the Grand Final
- Collingwood $5
- Brisbane $6
- Greater Western Sydney $7
- Carlton $9
- Melbourne $9
- Sydney $10
- Port Adelaide $13
- Adelaide $15
- Geelong $18
- Western Bulldogs $26
- St.Kilda $34
- Essendon $41
- Gold Coast $41
- Fremantle $51
- Richmond $51
- Hawthorn $67
- North Melbourne $151
- West Coast $151
(Source: Sportsbet)
Latest News
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