Everyone wants to win the flag but the reality is that at least half the competition is almost no chance every season. That doesn't mean there's nothing to hope for though.
Every club's situation is different, for some it's more wins, for others it's finals and for a select few, only the premiership will do.
With the AFL's unpredictability being one of its major draws, there's always the chance of a miracle season or a sudden upswing in form. Likewise, there's just as much chance of a nightmare campaign in terms of both form and injury.
As we look across the competition, the passing marks for the year will all be different. Simply saying premiership or bust is not reflective of where the majority of clubs are placed.
With that in mind, here are our pass marks for each AFL team for 2023.
Richmond
The Tigers enter 2023 full of confidence, but they'll also be praying that the type of injuries and setbacks that typified 2022 are not repeated. Particularly when it comes to their star players.
They can ill-afford to lose Dustin Martin, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Dylan Grimes or Shai Bolton for lengthy periods. With a clean bill of health, the list is more than capable of challenging for another flag, particularly with the big-name recruits they have brought in.
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper are two very handy inclusions, allowing the likes of Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton to rest forward and wreak havoc, while also taking the pressure off Dion Prestia and Trent Cotchin.
If Richmond can finish top 6 and go deep into finals, this season can be considered a pass, however that is unlikely to satisfy this driven group of players, who no doubt view a mythical fourth flag as a must.
Pass Mark: 14-17 wins and top four/home finals.
