2013 AFL Captains believe Hawthorn will play off for the AFL premiership against West Coast in season 2013.
All 2013 club captains (aside from West and Fremantle due to playing commitments) gathered at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday morning for the annual Captains Day, where they named the Hawks and Eagles as the sides most likely to play off for the 2013 flag.
Seven club captains nominated Hawthorn to make the Grand Final, topping the list on equal nominations with the Eagles.
Of the 18 clubs too, the Hawks were nominated by 16 clubs to at least make the finals in 2013, behind defending champions Sydney only, on 17 votes.
Star forward Lance Franklin is the favourite amongst captains to win the Coleman Medal for the most goals in a season. He received 8 votes from club captains, four more than next best Taylor Walker from the Crows and five votes more than 2012 medallist, Jack Riewoldt.
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? (18 times seven selections. In 2012, the captains correctly nominated Sydney, Hawthorn, the Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Fremantle, West Coast and the Geelong Cats to play finals, but missed North Melbourne)
Sydney Swans (17), Collingwood (16), Hawthorn (16), West Coast (16), Fremantle (15), Geelong (15), Adelaide Crows (14), Carlton (11), Essendon (2), North Melbourne (2), Richmond (2).
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final? (Captains overwhelmingly endorsed Grand Finalist Hawthorn in 2012, but no captain picked eventual premier the Sydney Swans).
Hawthorn (7), West Coast (7), Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong, Sydney Swans.
Who do you think will win the 2013 Brownlow Medal? (No captain correctly nominated Jobe Watson in 2012).
Trent Cotchin (6), Gary Ablett (3), Patrick Dangerfield (3), Josh Kennedy (2), Sam Mitchell, Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood, Dane Swan.
Who do you think will win the 2013 Coleman Medal? (Two Captains correctly nominated Jack Riewoldt in 2012).
Lance Franklin (8), Taylor Walker (4), Jack Riewoldt (3), Tom Hawkins (2), Drew Petrie.
Who do you think will win the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star? (No captain correctly nominated Daniel Talia in 2012)
Jaeger O’Meara (9), Lachie Whitfield (2), Ollie Wines (2), Brandon Hill, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jono O’Rourke, Jake Stringer, Jack Viney.
