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It seems like only yesterday that Richmond and Carlton kicked off the 2021 AFL Premiership season in their traditional Thursday night clash at the MCG, but already we’re more than halfway through the regular season, and the genuine contenders have well and truly emerged. Let’s take a look at who we might be watching come the last Saturday in September.
1. Geelong Cats
When the Cats signed Shaun Higgins, Isaac Smith and in particular Jeremy Cameron to a side that made last year’s Grand Final, it was clear they fully intended to go one step further this season. And after a patchy start to the season, it now appears they are every chance of doing just that. Their forward line, boasting Tom Hawkins, Cameron and Gary Rohan, is the most dangerous in the league, their midfield is filled to the brim with talent while their defence is as stoic as any. They have looked brilliant the last few weeks and are looming as the team to beat.
2. Melbourne Demons
Having emerged from almost nowhere in 2021, the Demons have had to answer more questions than most teams that win 11 of their first 12 games of the season, and for the most part, they’ve done so with aplomb. Bizarrely their only two losses to date have come against the lowly Adelaide and Collingwood, and they’ve disposed of virtually all other Premiership contenders who they’ve faced. There are still some doubters, but the Demons are the real deal and are a legitimate chance of winning it all this year.
3. Richmond Tigers
It would be easy to look at the Tigers’ 7-6 record as they entered the bye and write them off, but we’ve made that mistake in the past. Winners of three of the past four Premierships, the Tigers have made a habit of starting seasons slowly before clicking into gear when it matters most, and they may well be doing the same thing this season. They’ve had more than their fair share of injuries, and if they can somehow sneak into the top four and get most of their big names back by finals time, they may well be the AFL Premiership favourites in September.
4. Brisbane Lions
The Lions have been there or thereabouts the last few years, but no longer can they claim to be the new kids on the block, happy just to be there in September. Their time is now, and their form over the past couple of months suggests they are capable of doing what they’ve just missed out on doing the last couple of years and making an AFL Grand Final. Even without Lachie Neale for an extended period they’ve looked dangerous, and now that the reigning Brownlow Medalist is back, they are an even more intimidating prospect.
Of course, these AFL predictions exclude a handful of teams who would no doubt count themselves as Premiership hopes. The Bulldogs have been brilliant all season and at their best look close to unstoppable, Port Adelaide is much the same team that fell just a kick short of an AFL Grand Final in 2020, and even the Eagles could cause some damage if they can get some of the key personnel who have missed so many games this year back in time for finals. However, the Cats, Demons, Tigers and Lions have as good a chance as anyone, and deserve to be given top billing in the list of Premiership favourites heading into the latter stages of the AFL season.
