AFL previews 2014
Australian Football League club-by-club season previews
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If star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett don’t upset the core team ethic, the Swans could be unstoppable
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This year promises unremitting hardship after a chaotic off-season in which the coach was sacked and Ben McEvoy traded away
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Long-suffering Tigers fans can push their holiday plans beyond September but much will still depend on controversial forward Jack Riewoldt
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How many times have Dees’ fans begun the season thinking things can only get better? With Paul Roos, it may finally be true
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Hawthorn’s ability to cope without superstar Lance Franklin will be pivotal in their bid for back-to-back premierships
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Regardless of how they perform this year, this young club has so many good draft picks that it’s bound to come good
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The Suns still have to mature into a genuinely competitive team, which is not to say they haven’t made progress
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The Cats are the victims of their own success, and a crop of injuries will further test their ability to renew while staying at the top
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The Dockers’ impressive roster is intact, but their stars are ageing and this may be their only realistic shot at a premiership
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The Bombers will have to overcome the uncertainty of the peptides saga and concerns over their firepower to improve on last term
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The midfield still looks strong but weaknesses in defence and up forward will limit what Nathan Buckley’s side can achieve
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The clock is ticking if the core of this Blues squad is going to have a realistic shot at a Premiership. It’s now or never
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The Lions have got used to lowly loitering, and there seems little reason to suppose Justin Leppitsch can change that this year
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With Taylor Walker back, exciting forward recruits and a solid midfield, Brenton Sanderson may be two-thirds of the way there
Sportblog AFL previews No 18: Western Bulldogs