Pumped up ... the Hawks have talent to burn across the park. Source: David Caird / News Limited
We take a look at why your AFL team will be worth watching on FOX FOOTY in 2013
Adelaide Crows: After finishing second and falling just one straight kick shy of the grand final, Adelaide received the bitter news that Kurt Tippett would be wearing red and white in 2013. The towering combination of Tippett and Taylor Walker booted almost a third of Adelaide's goals last season and the Crows will be determined to prove they have found new avenues to goal. Whether they can or not, it will be utterly intriguing watching them figure it out. If Brenton Sanderson could mastermind such an emphatic debut season as coach, imagine what he can now do with more than 12 months under his belt.
Brisbane Lions: The Lions finished last season with three consecutive wins and started to play an attractive brand of footy. With young stars like Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden and Dayne Zorko starting to take the reins from the older, more experienced hands, the Lions will be an exciting team to watch as they continue to find their identity. Brisbane caused two of the biggest upsets last year (West Coast, Adelaide) and this plucky unit is always willing to play spoiler as they continue to evolve into a contender themselves. The kind of side you love to watch when they find the 'on' button, but hate to see your team play.
Carlton Blues: As much as we try, we just can't get used to seeing Mick Malthouse in navy blue. But as weird as it looks, we'll have to get used to it quickly with one of the game's greatest coaches taking charge of a list that is yet to reach its potential. Can Mick turn a group of talented underachievers into premiership contenders? After a 5-1 start to 2012, the back end of the season was an unmitigated disaster, but there's no doubting the potential of this group. Watching Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett work their magic in the forward half is worth tuning in for alone.
Collingwood Magipes: It's extremely difficult presenting reasons to watch the Magpies when anyone who doesn't bleed black and white loathes the club with every fibre of their being. But isn't that in itself a reason to watch? Schadenfreude isn't the prettiest trait, but there are no holds barred when it comes to sports. But in all seriousness, the Pies are blessed with some of the best players in our game who are a joy to watch on their day (even if you simultaneously curse them under your breath). Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas and when he's on, Travis Cloke. It will also be intriguing to see whether Quinten Lynch can make an immediate impact in his first season as a Magpie. Look out if the tall timber can generate some early chemistry.
Essendon Bombers: Following the most tumultuous off-season in club history, the Bombers will take to the field with a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove. The besieged club has been battered from pillar to post and will be determined to let their actions do the talking. The Dons started 8-1 last season (the loss was ANZAC Day's one-pointer) but lost their last seven to fade into oblivion. Add Brendon Goddard to the mix and whether you love them or hate them, Essendon could be one of the most entertaining teams of 2013.
Fremantle Dockers: While there's no doubting the young talent on Fremantle’s list, there's also a sobering reality that if the Dockers are to capture an elusive flag, they need to do it before stalwarts Matthew Pavlich (31), Aaron Sandilands (30) and Luke McPharlin (31) call it a day. Ross Lyon took this group to the brink of a preliminary final in his first year as coach and who is to say they won’t go one (or two) steps further in 2013? A devastating team on their day, the Dockers are always value for money and a joy to watch when combining the skill of veterans with the excitement of the next generation.
Geelong Cats: It's been a long time (almost a decade in fact) since the Cats have not been legitimate contenders and while Geelong are not among the 2013 flag favourites, don't expect the golden era of Kardinia Park to be ending any time soon. Unlike a host of other clubs, the Cats appear to be undergoing a transitional period without completely gutting their list. Administration has countered retirements and departures with experienced replacements, ready to keep the Cats among the AFL's best and guide the next era of the club. This will be a different Geelong to the one we have been accustomed to over the past decade, but it's going to be intriguing to see how Chris Scott and his list approach the season.
Gold Coast Suns: After four years as a club and two competing in the AFL, Gold Coast are at the point where they should start to see tangible evidence of development. Led by the established and experienced likes of Gary Ablett, Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli, the club will look to the young brigade to shoulder an increased workload in 2013 and beyond. While last year's three-win season was a disappointment in the eyes of many, fans should be excited to see their kids continue to grow into bona fide AFL players as they become more familiar with their systems and the rigors of the game at this level.
Greater Western Sydney Giants: The beauty of expansion franchises is the lack of external expectation in the formative years of the club. This year will not be much different from 2012 as far as GWS are concerned with player development the key focus. While the established likes of Callan Ward, Tom Scully and Chad Cornes were instrumental, it was the emergence of players such as Jonathan Giles, Jeremy Cameron, Stephen Coniglio and Toby Green that provided the most optimism. With a year already under their belts, fans will see this group (and others) take even greater leaps in their pursuit of competing with the AFL's best. Not only will physical attributes soar, but football IQ and leadership traits should become evident.
Hawthorn Hawks: Players will be quick to tell you how the pain of a grand final loss burns throughout the off-season; particularly when they were short favourites to get the job done. The Hawks have seen very little change to an established and potent list and welcome Brian Lake to the club who could be the bargain buy of the summer. This will be one ferociously motivated team and few would bet against them once again being the league's highest-scoring team. But can they finish the job this time? Expect last year's highest-scoring team to show no mercy as they seek to atone for a missed opportunity.
Melbourne Demons: Despite another disappointing season that yielded just three wins, the Dees should be mildly optimistic heading into 2013. Jack Grimes finally put an injury-free year together while the club has introduced a raft of experienced players including Chris Dawes, Shannon Byrnes and David Rodan. Mitch Clark managed to top the club's goal-kicking despite playing just 11 games last season and the lumbering giant will be fit and raring to go. Fans of the red and blue should also be excited to see young Jack Viney follow in his father's famous footsteps and immediately establish himself in the Demons' best 22. With a full year now behind Mark Neeld and a favourable draw that sees the Demons plays GWS and the Suns twice, fans can look forward to a much-improved season.
North Melbourne Kangaroos: You get the feeling the Kangaroos are teetering on the precipice of regular finals footy. Instead of being in that basket of teams AFL pundits have finishing anywhere from 6th to 12th, North appear set to make the leap into a consistent finals side. Winning 10 of their final 12 home and away games last season, it was the club's next generation that impressed most with Andrew Swallow, Scott Thompson, Shaun Atley and Ryan Bastinac particular highlights. With all due respect to the Roos, they are a club without genuine competition superstars, but make up for it with a workmanlike tenacity that few sides can match on their day.
Port Adelaide Power: Anything that could go wrong, did go wrong for the embattled club last year. After accounting for the Saints in round one, things looked optimistic at Alberton but a devastating run of injuries, subsequent lapse in performance and sacking of the coach consigned 2012 to the 'forgettable' folder. The best reason to keep an eye on Port Adelaide this year is to see how the club rebound from their lowest ebb. With Ken Hinkley and a fresh coaching panel at his side, the Power has an opportunity to put 2012 behind them, welcome back their injured leaders and introduce a host of youngsters to the AFL.
Richmond Tigers: After enduring a re-building phase, the Tigers appear finally poised to take the next step. At the start of 2010, CEO Brendon Gale announced the club's intent to play three finals series in the next five years and while that's no longer possible, 2013 should be the year Richmond knock on the door hard enough to finally bust it from its hinges and claim a top-eight berth. The list is young, hungry and whether they storm to a stunning victory (Hawthorn) or fall to a soul-destroying defeat (Gold Coast), this group never fails to deliver the drama. Trent Cotchin has taken the leap into the AFL's truly elite and when paired with Dustin Martin, the duo alone is worth the price of admission.
St Kilda Saints: The Saints are undergoing a period of change that was sparked by Ross Lyon's move west after taking the Saints to the cusp of an elusive flag. Scott Watters did an admirable job in year one, but he doesn't appear to have a premiership-calibre list at his disposal. Fans should cherish every moment they can to see the likes of Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes and Stephen Milne as these stalwarts begin the season on the wrong side of 30 and you have to wonder how many years are left. But that being said, the Saints have presented opportunities to a raft of youngsters in the past 18 months who will be expected to pick up where the veterans eventually leave off.
Sydney Swans: Defending a title is one of the hardest things in sport, because a premiership usually comes with a big red target the following season. The champion team are always the most prized scalp and you can bet the other 17 sides will be pursuing the prized Sydney scalp. That being said, it won't be an easy task. With no retirements and the addition of some handy names, the Swans will prove a force to be reckoned with in 2013 and while it's not always the prettiest brand of football, you can't help but fiercely respect it.
West Coast Eagles: Along with the Hawks and Swans, West Coast has one of the most 'ready-made' lists in the AFL. Dropping four of their last five home-and-away games in 2012 cost the Eagles a double chance and arguably a legitimate crack at the flag. This lapse will drive the team in 2013 and they are rightly positioned among the premiership favourites. Without a glaring fault in their first-choice 22, the best ruck combination in the league and a defence that leaked the fourth-least amount of points last season, what is there not to like about watching the Eagles take flight with renewed vigour?
Western Bulldogs: It's been a tough couple of years for Bulldogs fans after reaching consecutive preliminary finals in 2009-10. The club recognised they're in a re-building phase and gone after youth to replenish the list. Few are expecting the Dogs to be legitimate contenders, but 2013 will be an opportunity for the likes of Luke Dahlhaus, Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore, Tory Dickson and Jake Stringer to prove they can return Western Bulldogs to the top eight in the not-so-distant future.
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