Let’s look at who will not make the finals in this years Premiership season. 

16^th – Melbourne  Another year at the bottom of the heap for the hapless Demons.  Diamond Joe Gutnick may kick some cash in but the cattle they have will not produce too much milk.  Should stick with the kids with a view to about 2013 (if they last that long). 

15^th – Port Adelaide  They are becoming a very dysfunctional lot down at Alberton.  The coach announces the captain as the bloke he did not want as captain.  They are the first non Victorian team to seek financial help from the AFL and they are turning on each other.  I do not think they will click as a team while Mr. Smug remains in charge. 

14^th – North Melbourne  You are struggling when you need to welcome back and indeed with open arms the bloke who ripped the heart out of his team some few years back.  Will be a long year for the Shinboners and in these hard economic times could 2009 spell the beginning of the end for North Melbourne as a club in their own right. 

13^th – Essendon  Another “rebuilding” year for the Bombers.  Some good young kids but players 19 through 22 may not be up to it.  Any major injuries will make it doubly hard for Essendon.  The list has that same same look about it. 

12^th – Sydney  A rapid fall from the top for the Swans which means less supporters and in return less corporate following.  Maybe Paul Roos last year with the club the same being said for Barry Hall as well.  And Commandant Andrew still wants another team in Sydney by 2012.  Fool! 

11^th – Fremantle  Another case of the patients running the asylum.  No coach can seem to instill any culture of team at Freo no matter who is coach or who they recruit.  As per the norm the Dockers will win games they shouldn’t and lose games they should win.  Who would barrack for this mob? 

10^th – West Coast  2009 will be a better year for the Eagles but they still have a long way to go.  I see them player the youngsters to give them more experience and this is the way to go.  They have too many senior players who have not taken that next step but will be 200 game players. 

9^th – Adelaide Only because Richmond and Carlton are a wee bit better in this writers opinion.  Positions 6^th to 9^th will be a toss up.