The AFL’s 18 captains have had their say on how they think this season will unfold, answering seven pertinent questions about the upcoming 2024 campaign.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of the league’s skippers predicted reigning premier Collingwood would qualify for the finals, while the runner-up Brisbane Lions were next in line in the minds of the AFL’s foremost leaders.
However, more captains tipped the Lions (nine votes) to be a part of this year’s decider than the Magpies (six), envisioning a vengeance-powered campaign for the maroon, blue and gold over a back-to-back black and white victor. GWS (three) was the only other club to receive votes.
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The emerging Giants and Carlton were also among this year’s tipped finals contenders, landing just after the Pies and Lions for the best chance of playing in September.
Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli (ten votes) was the captains’ favourite to take home the 2024 Brownlow Medal, edging out Collingwood star Nick Daicos (two votes).
Meanwhile, a league-high seven voters believed Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow is destined to win his third Coleman Medal after winning twice in the past three years. Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron and North Melbourne’s Nick Larkey were next favourite to boot the most majors in ‘24.
In no surprise, West Coast Pick 1 Harley Reid (six votes) was considered most likely to be named this year’s Rising Star, but he only narrowly beat out burgeoning Roo George Wardlaw (five). First-year starlets Ryley Sanders (three) and Colby McKercher (two) were also among the favourites.
Brisbane (eight votes) was voted the likeliest to win this year’s McClelland Trophy, while 14 different musical artists were named when the captains were asked who they’d ‘love to see’ perform as the pre-game entertainment at the 2024 Grand Final.
AFL CAPTAINS’ SURVEY: FULL PREDICTIONS FOR 2024 SEASON
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year’s top eight? (18 times seven selections).
17 – Collingwood
16 – Brisbane
15 – Carlton, GWS GIANTS
14 – Melbourne, Sydney Swans
10 – Adelaide Crows
7 – Port Adelaide
6 – Western Bulldogs
4 – Gold Coast SUNS
3 – St Kilda
2 – Geelong Cats
1 – Essendon, Fremantle, Richmond
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final? (No captains picked eventual premier Collingwood in 2023).
9 – Brisbane Lions
6 – Collingwood
3 – GWS GIANTS
Which player from another club do you think will win the 2024 Brownlow Medal? (Three captains correctly nominated Lachie Neale in 2023).
10 – Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs
2 – Nick Daicos, Collingwood
1 – Charlie Curnow, Carlton; Jordan Dawson, Adelaide Crows; Tom Green, GWS GIANTS; Errol Gulden, Sydney Swans; Darcy Parish, Essendon; Sam Walsh, Carlton;
Which player do you think will win the 2024 Coleman Medal? (One captain nominated eventual Coleman Medalist Charlie Curnow in 2023).
7 – Charlie Curnow, Carlton
3 – Jeremy Cameron, Geelong Cats; Nick Larkey, North Melbourne
1 – Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats; Max King, St Kilda; Tom Lynch, Richmond; Harry McKay, Carlton; Jacob Van Rooyen, Melbourne
Which player do you think will win the 2024 AFL Rising Star? (One captain nominated eventual Ron Evans Medalist Harry Sheezel in 2023).
6 – Harley Reid, West Coast Eagles
5 – George Wardlaw, North Melbourne
3 – Ryley Sanders, Western Bulldogs
2 – Colby McKercher, North Melbourne
1 – Blake Howes, Melbourne; Jed Walter, Gold Coast SUNS
Which club will win the McClelland Trophy?
8 – Brisbane Lions
4 – Melbourne
1 – Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
Who would you love to see perform as the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment this September?
3 – Coldplay
2 – Luke Combs, Tame Impala
1 – AC/DC, Adele, Fred Again, Luca Brasi, Kylie Minogue, Mumford and Sons, Oasis, Rhianna, Robbie Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift
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