AFL CLUB Captains believe Hawthorn will make a third consecutive Grand Final in 2014.
In Adelaide for the AFL’s Season Launch and annual captain’s day, the 18 club captains voted on the teams they believe will play off for the 2014 flag with the Hawks the favourite amongst the group.
Hawthorn received 10 votes, while Sydney (five) and Fremantle (three) were the only other clubs the captains believe could play off in the decider.
Every club captain believes the Hawks will at least play finals in 2014, receiving 17 votes, with the Swans and Dockers the only other clubs to receive a vote from each captain.
Geelong (16), Collingwood (12) and West Coast (11) were among the other clubs to receive the most votes.
2013 Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead was also tipped by four club captains to win back-to-back medals after his outstanding effort in 2013.
Collingwood’s Travis Cloke and West Coast’s Josh Kennedy, however, received five votes to be the favourites amongst the captains to finish as the league’s leading goal kicker.
Gun midfielder Sam Mitchell received a vote as the player most likely to win the Brownlow Medal.
The captains were asked five key questions on the season ahead – see questions and results below.
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight? (In 2013, the captains correctly nominated Hawthorn, the Geelong Cats, Fremantle, the Sydney Swans and Collingwood, but missed Richmond, Port Adelaide and Carlton.)
Fremantle (17), Hawthorn (17), Sydney Swans (17), Geelong (16), Collingwood (12), West Coast (11), North Melbourne (9), Richmond (9), Essendon (7), Port Adelaide (7), Adelaide Crows (2), Carlton (2).
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final? (Seven Captains picked eventual premier Hawthorn in 2013, while one captain also nominated Fremantle to make the Grand Final.)
Hawthorn (10), Sydney Swans (5), Fremantle (3)
Who do you think will win the 2014 Brownlow Medal? (Three captains correctly nominated Gary Ablett in 2013).
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood, 4 votes), Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns, 3), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows, 3), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle, 2), Dustin Martin (Richmond, 1), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn, 1), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 1), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats, 1), Dane Swan (Collingwood, 1), Jobe Watson (Essendon, 1).
Who do you think will win the 2014 Coleman Medal? (No one correctly nominated Jarryd Roughead in 2013).
Travis Cloke (Collingwood, 5 votes), Josh Kennedy (West Coast, 5), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 4), Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans, 3), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond, 1).
Who do you think will win the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star? (Nine captains correctly nominated Jaeger O’Meara in 2013)
Jack Martin (Gold Coast Suns, 7 votes), James Aish (Brisbane Lions, 2), Jack Billings (St Kilda, 2), Joe Daniher (Essendon, 2), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs, 1), Harry Cunningham (Sydney Swans, 1), Brodie Grundy (Collingwood, 1), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants, 1), Luke McDonald (North Melbourne, 1).
