'Tis the season for Christmas footy content, and what better to do than look over each AFL team's Christmas wish list for 2023.
If Santa were to visit each club and deliver one present, what would fit the need of each side ahead of the new year.
Here we look at the one thing that would be atop each AFL team's Christmas wishlist this festive season.
Adelaideย
A strong season from their young crows
Adelaide are firmly in rebuilding mode heading into the 2023 season, but progress can be seen over the horizon with their developing young talent.
The off-season acquisition of Izak Rankine has left Adelaide fans with plenty to be excited about, while Jordan Dawson's first season as a Crow also provided a healthy insight into the future of the club.
The Crows have conceded their rebuild still isn't near completion, but a strong season from their exciting young crop of talent is worth plenty to fans of the club.
Brisbaneย
Grand Final berth
After years and years of falling at the final few hurdles, the Lions now look to have the tools to surpass any September stumbles and reach the ultimate glory.
A few fresh faces, both new and old, will be pivotal in their premiership pursuit, potentially ending their now 20-year drought.
Carltonย
An invite to September
While reaching the top eight is easier said than done, Blues fans would do just about anything to see their team compete in the post-season.
A one-way ticket to the finals would lift plenty of pressure off Michael Voss' shoulders, but instead, his Carlton army is set to face a gruelling season to show their worth after years of hardship.
Collingwoodย
Another year of inexplicable good luck
The Pies time and time again managed to get over the line in close games, winning nine games by 10 points or less in 2022.
Collingwood were never able to be written off when down in the final term, because they managed to find a way to claim the four points by the slimmest of margins - ending the home and away season in fourth spot, but with a percentage of just 104.3%.
The Pies proved they have the guts and composure to match it with the best in finals, earning a preliminary final spot - which they lost to Sydney by a single point. Collingwood may be hoping for a little more luck to push them one step further in 2023.
Essendonย
New wings
The Bombers are one of the four clubs that enter the new year with a new coach, hoping to show signs of change following the appointment of Brad Scott.
They've injected more youth into their squad as they plot a return to the top eight, with strong signs of what's to come needing to emerge early into the season.
After almost two decades without a finals win, Bombers fans are craving signals that show they're on the right track.
Fremantleย
A sharp spear
The Dockers have lacked the attacking acumen that their top rivals possess, with their forward third being their obvious downfall in what was a stellar 2022 season for Justin Longmuir's men.
While they've lost their leading goalkicker from this year in Rory Lobb, Fremantle have quickly plugged the gap with the additions of Luke Jackson and Josh Corbett.
Their backline is arguably the most efficient in the league and their midfield is jam-packed full of stars, but Fremantle remain a threatening forward line away from really contending.
Geelongย
Elixir of lifeย
The Cats defied their critics to claim the premiership with the oldest side in the league's history, and will again enter the new year with the most experienced squad.
They've been expected to fall from the premiership race in nearly every season for the last several years, but the Cats continue to remain toward the summit of the league.
Could 2023 be the year they fall? If the signs are there, then an Elixir of life to immortalise their senior stars might be what keeps them on top.
Gold Coastย
A healthy year for ACL struck duo
The Suns finished 2022 in 12th position, winning ten games for the season. The club is still searching for their maiden finals appearance and while at times in 2022 impressed, were hurt by the loss of Ben King and Lachie Weller after respective ACL injuries.
King suffered his injury in February, with Weller also sidelined in June. Both are expected to rejoin the main training group prior to Christmas after spending time with American rehab guru Bill Knowles, with the Suns surely hoping they can get their two stars back on the field for a strong 2023 season.
GWS Giantsย
A glimpse of an upwards trajectory
Not much went right for the Giants in 2022. The club parted ways with Leon Cameron early in the year and won just six games for the season, finishing in 16th position. Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Tanner Bruhn and Bobby Hill all departed the club during the trade period, leaving the Giants with plenty of work to do to replace the quartet.
With new coach Adam Kingsley at the helm and the number one draft pick Aaron Cadman making his way north to join the club, the Giants desperately need to show any kind of Big, Big Sound in 2023 or find themselves teetering back into irrelevancy for most footy fans.
Hawthornย
A return on investment
Hawthorn finished in 13th position in 2022, winning eight games for the season with Sam Mitchell completing his first full season in the top job in the coaches box.
The club experienced both the highs and lows throughout 2022, beating eventual grand finalists Sydney, but also found themselves on the receiving end of some blowout losses. Plenty happened off the field too, with the Hawks farewelling 539 games of experience following the conclusion of the season as they continue their rebuild.
The club went to the draft, though didn't possess a particularly admirable draft hand, and added even more youth, now possessing the youngest list in the competition with an average age of 23.06.
Heading into 2023, it's hard to see the Hawks setting the world on fire, but perhaps all they need to show is that there truly is a plan in place, and they are sticking to it.
Sam Mitchell has claimed his kettle will attack 2023 with mettle. But with alternative prizes on the horizon, where does the truth lie? https://t.co/6UdQWmzKe5
— Zero Hanger (@zerohanger) October 19, 2022
Melbourneย
A coupon for a team bonding class
While it's not the sole reason the Demons slipped from the premiership race, the mid-season bust-up between Steven May and Jake Melksham certainly didn't help their cause across the back half of the season.
Needing to assure fans any internal issues have been put to rest, the Demons' collective squad of stars need to be well-gelled for them to have a chance of being back on the dais.
North Melbourneย
A culture that keeps top picks around
While the exact reason for Jason Horne-Francis' sour and short tenure at Arden Street isn't yet known, the Roos will be making sure another young star doesn't walk from the club.
A refreshed Roos system looks to have the sun shining over the Shinboners this off-season, but that can quickly fade, as seen this year.
They'll be working to have new young stars Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw quickly making themselves comfortable in the blue and white ahead of 2023.
Port Adelaideย
A happy homecoming for JHF
Port Adelaide suffered through mediocrity for most of the 2022 season, finishing with just ten wins on the board in 11th position, but the club managed to make waves in the trade period.
Former no.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis had a strong debut season in the competition, but dealt with speculation about his future at North Melbourne for most of it.
The young gun created plenty of controversy when heading for the exit at Arden Street, but now Port have the perfect opportunity to get the best out of the 19-year-old. Horne-Francis played 17 games in his debut season, averaging 16.5 disposals, 2.9 tackles and 3.5 clearances per game.
Richmondย
Dusty back at his brilliant best
The Tigers did plenty during the trade period, acquiring both Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from the Giants. They've been given back the traditional season opener against Carlton, and Jack Riewoldt is set to go around again in 2023. A
ll seems well at Punt Road, but everything could always be better.
Superstar Dustin Martin played just nine games in 2022, taking personal leave early in the season before being sidelined with a hamstring injury after Round 16 and despite plenty of media speculation that Dusty could be on the move, he will remain in yellow and black next season.
With the Tigers looking like genuine threats in 2023, Martin returning to his best will be one of the biggest weapons in Damien Hardwick's arsenal.
St Kildaย
Challenge expectations of Ross Lyon return
The Saints were seen as a laughing stock when they cut ties with Brett Ratten this off-season, but with the arrival of Ross Lyon there seems to be a newfound level of optimism at Moorabbin.
With Lyon's return and this rekindled confidence among the Saints, expectations have been raised. If they can perform under pressure and fight for a finals spot, we may quickly be forgetting about the club's cut-throat call to sack Ratten.
Sydneyย
A mirror
Reflecting on the year that's gone by could do wonders for the Swans.
While they may want to quickly move on from their embarrassing ending to the 2022 season, failing to show up in the grand final, plenty of lessons would have been learnt.
Taking time to reflect on 2022 is sure to help this young squad in the long run.
West Coastย
An uninterrupted year
It's safe to say Adam Simpson and the Eagles will be wanting to put 2022 behind them.
From COVID concerns, long-term injuries and ghastly on-field efforts, this year was arguably the worst in the club's history.
If 2023 can bear some fruit for the Perth powerhouse, then the sun will be shining a little brighter out west.
Western Bulldogsย
Success from key position players
The Dogs aren't lacking across key positions, but they'll be needing each and every one of their tall figures to be fit and firing next season should they have their sights on the flag.
They've added a pair of veterans in Rory Lobb and Liam Jones to either end of the field, while emerging pair Jamara Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy may have significant roles under Luke Beveridge early into their respective careers.
Aaron Naughton will again be a reliable asset up front, but the likes of Josh Bruce and Alex Keath will be needing to prove their worth in 2023.
