Kane Cornes and Bob Murphy make 2019 season predictions

The duo have made their predictions for the new campaign.

STAFF WRITER | March 14, 2019 - 5:41pm

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes and former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy have both made their season predictions ahead of the first week of the season on SEN.

Cornes, who played 300 games for Port Adelaide, has predicted Adelaide to bounce back from missing finals in 2018 to take home the flag this season. Murphy can't go past Richmond this season, and believes Damien Hardwick's men will go on to collect their second premiership in three years.

For the highest individual honours, Cornes sees GWS star Josh Kelly taking the next step in season 2019 and collecting his maiden Brownlow Medal.

Murphy remains consistent with a yellow-and-black theme, predicting a second Brownlow for Richmond's Dustin Martin.

After playing just 11 games last home and away season, West Coast's Josh Kennedy is Murphy's prediction for the Coleman, while Cornes believes Ben Brown will take that extra step after slotting 61 goals last season.

Both former stars have liked what they've seen from Carlton this pre-season, backing the Blues to rise up the ladder following a last-placed finish in 2018.

Despite making a couple major moves this off-season, Cornes can't see Hawthorn challenging for September this year, predicting them to be the league's biggest slider. Meanwhile, Murphy thinks the Swans will collapse to miss their first finals since 2009.

Many football personalities enjoy making the bold calls prior to the season opener, Cornes predicting the Crows to win it all is something South Australian's wouldn't have seen coming.

Murphy's left-field call for season 2019 is that former teammate and premiership hero Marcus Bontempelli will transition into a full-time centre-half forward this year, topped off with a spot at the same position in the All-Australian side.