With the 2022 AFL home-and-away season nearing, conversations surrounding potential premiers have begun amongst supporter groups.
A number of teams are within striking distance of success, leaving a group of teams scrapping it out to avoid the infamous wooden spoon.
2021 saw North Melbourne finish at the bottom of the table as they journeyed through a year of development and list turnover.
Collingwood also had a disappointing season with their highly publicised 2020 off-season trade period proved to have costly effects.
Whilst North Melbourne finished the season with just four wins and Collingwood managed only six, both sides could still avoid the undesired honour.
We take a look at the leading contenders to prop up the table by season's end.
4. North Melbourne
It's hard to rule out the reigning wooden spooners to remain in the league's bottom slot.
With North Melbourne clearly going through a period of rebuild and development, it was no surprise that they finished 2021 in last place winning just four matches for the season.
As David Noble enters his second season as senior coach at the Kangas, he will look to build on the positives that came out of last season.
The Roos' forward make-up of Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar was a highlight for North fans and a clear window into their future.
Throughout the trade period, North secured tall forward Callum Coleman-Jones from Richmond, who will work with Larkey and Zurhaar to give their attack some more depth.
The most exciting prospect of 2022 is North's number one pick, Jason Horne-Francis. The 18-year-old can play through the midfield or up forward, and he is sure to provide a highlight in 2022.
Whilst the Roos will look to climb the ladder this year, the question will be, how far can they climb?
