Ladder Prediction 2024

My 2023 ladder wasn't great to say the least.

Some general thoughts about it:

• I was somewhat correct in saying that Carlton would be good
• My Gold Coast prediction was very wrong
• My Grand Final prediction was at the very least a cracking semi final in the end
• Collingwood, Port Adelaide, GWS and Brisbane were much better than I thought they would be
• Geelong finally fell off

Here's my ladder for the 2024 premiership season.

1. Carlton
2. Brisbane
3. Collingwood
4. Adelaide
5. Sydney
6. Melbourne
7. GWS
8. Gold Coast
9. Essendon
10. Fremantle
11. Richmond
12. St Kilda
13. Hawthorn
14. Western Bulldogs
15. Geelong
16. North Melbourne
17. Port Adelaide
18. West Coast

My logic for it is as follows:

• I'm bullish on Adelaide, I think they'll be the big surprise
• I think Collingwood and Brisbane will still be very hard to beat
• Carlton should only improve and be more consistent
• Melbourne could be bad but I still have them 6th based on list talent, there's some concerns about their team culture and leadership
• Sydney and GWS have great lists, they will be solid
• I still have some faith in the Gold Coast, I'm hoping at long last they play in their first final this year
• Essendon are really hard to judge, I think their midfield still isn't that good
• Hawthorn could be a lot better than 13th, feel like they're a possible surprise team
• Western Bulldogs and Geelong will bottom out, feel bad for the dogs but I think it's time for a rebuild and move on from Bevo
• North Melbourne and West Coast will still be bad
• Port Adelaide will sack Ken Hinkley after ~8 rounds, they have a good list but have a feeling they won't be that strong this year

Grand Final: Carlton vs Collingwood

Premier: Collingwood

We're going back to back!