Zero Hanger’s team makes some big predictions for 2017
Published by
Stephen Marson
We're less than a week out from the first bounce of the 2017 AFL season, and excitement is certainly in the air, especially in the Zero Hanger office.
We couldn't control ourselves any longer, so we've decided to go ahead and make some predictions ahead of what is shaping up to be one of the tightest seasons in recent memory.
Everyone was asked for their top eight, and each member of the team had to pick their premiers, their Brownlow and Coleman Medallists, Rising star award winner, wooden spoon recipient, and also envisage what the papers will and won't say in 2017.
So here they are, Zero Hanger's predictions for the 2017 season!
Steve
GWS
Sydney
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
Adelaide
Geelong
St Kilda
West Coast
Premiers: GWS
Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (GC)
Rising star: Tim Taranto (GWS)
Wooden spoon: Brisbane Lions
Headline you will see: The dynasty continues as the Hawks march into the grand final
Headline you won't see: Dustin Martin opens up to media about impending contract negotiations
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Tom Lynch of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round 19 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 31, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Johaan
GWS
Hawthorn
Bulldogs
Sydney
Geelong
Adelaide
West Coast
St. Kilda
Premiers: GWS
Brownlow Medal: Sam Mitchell (WCE)
Coleman Medal: Tom Lynch (GC)
Rising star: Jy Simpkin (NM)
Wooden Spoon: Carlton
Headline you will see: Eddie pulls the pin on Buckley
Headline you won't see: Essendon drug saga finally comes to a close
GERALDTON, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Sam MItchell of the Eagles handballs against Cam McCarthy of the Dockers during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Wonthella Oval on February 25, 2017 in Geraldton, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Matt
GWS
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Geelong
Hawthorn
Melbourne
St Kilda
Premiers: West Coast
Brownlow Medal: Sam Mitchell (WCE)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (MEL)
Rising star: Ben Ainsworth (GC)
Wooden spoon: Carlton
Headline you will see: (Big name player)...involved in drug scandal
Headline you won't see: North Melbourne bottom out hard
Jesse Hogan of the Demons kicks the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 18 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons at Domain Stadium on July 23, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Ben
Sydney
GWS
Geelong
Adelaide
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Melbourne
Premiers: Sydney
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
Coleman Medal: Eddie Betts (ADEL)
Rising star: Sam Powell-Pepper (PA)
Wooden Spoon: Carlton
Headline you will see: Gold Coast Suns finally come of age
Headline you won't see: Dusty commits future to Richmond
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Sam Powell-Pepper of the Power kicks at goal during the JLT Community Series match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Hawthorn Hawks at Hickinbotham, Oval on March 12, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
Myles
GWS
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Geelong
Adelaide
Hawthorn
Melbourne
Premiers: GWS
Brownlow Medal: Josh P. Kennedy (SYD)
Coleman Medal: Lance Franklin (SYD)
Rising Star: Andrew Mcgrath (ESS)
Wooden Spoon: Brisbane
Headline you will see: Damian Hardwick sacked as Richmond coach
Headline you won't see: Eddie McGuire goes a full 12 months without embarrassing himself
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - OCTOBER 01: Lance Franklin of the Swans looks dejected during the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Joel
GWS
Swans
Bulldogs
Geelong
Adelaide
West Coast
Hawthorn
Melbourne
Premiers: Sydney Swans
Bronwlow Medalist: Luke Parker (SYD)
Coleman Medalist: Jarryd Roughead (HAW)
Rising Star: Tim Taranto (GWS)
Wooden Spoon: Brisbane Lions
Headline you will see: Swans and Bulldogs meet in Grand Final rematch
Headline you won't see: Jobe Watson’s extraordinary 2017 rewarded with 2012 Brownlow
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Jarryd Roughead of the Hawks celebrates winning the AFL 2nd Qualifying Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 5, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)