2013 AFL predictions

If Andrew Carrazzo can combine father duties of his triplets with leadership, he could be the next Carlton captain. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE NAB Cup is just 43 days away and we're into the New Year. Time to shelve the countdowns and look to the future as we make 12 bold predictions about the 2013 AFL season.

We've broken them down into three categories - those likely to happen, those which could happen and a few longer shots. And yes, there's even some SuperCoach advice at the end.

Did Sam Landsberger get it right? Have your say below

FOUR LIKELY PREDICTIONS

House of Pain to return

WILL we see a visiting side sing the song at Patersons Stadium this year? Doubt it. Rewind just three years and 11 out of 21 times clubs boarded planes out of Perth with the four points in the bag. Not anymore. West Coast effectively boasts Jamie Cripps, Sharrod Wellingham, Mark LeCras, Mark Nicoski and Josh Kennedy as new recruits, while the Dockers finished 2012 full of steam with Ross Lyon's defensive mechanisms coming to the fore. Barring catastrophe, most experts say you can just about pencil the Eagles in as a top-four outfit and the Dockers aren't far behind. If that's the case we may as well cross out PS and scribble HoP on our 2013 fixtures.

Sides to cop two trips to Perth: Essendon, Richmond, North Melbourne, Adelaide

North Melbourne failed to live up to its big expectations against an undermanned West Coast at Patersons Stadium. Source: Getty Images

Match review panel to frustrate

MARK Twain got it wrong; the three certainties in life are death, taxes and inconsistency by the match review panel. One issue you can bank on surfacing this year again is the frustration fans, players and clubs will share at some decisions handed down.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos shoulder charges Aaron Joseph of the Blues during the AFL Rd 16 game between North Melbourne and Carlton at Etihad Stadium on July 13, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

Buddy Franklin's contract circus

BUDDY Franklin could become the Travis Cloke of 2013. The megastar Hawthorn forward is out of contract and certain to field a mountain of interest. There is little doubt Franklin will stay at the Hawks, but until he puts pen to paper, expect every meeting manager Liam Pickering holds to spark public interest. Pickering has already gone on record as saying Franklin won't leave Hawthorn, but the onus is now on both parties to get the deal done before it creates a circus. Hopefully for Hawthorn's sake that comes before Round 1, when it will be desperate to break the Kennett curse.

Lance Franklin kicks a goal for Hawthorn. Source: Herald Sun

Mick's baptism of fire

MICK Malthouse was quick to question Nathan Buckley's game plan after Collingwood's 1-2 start last year, and it looks like he could have some similar criticism fired his way early this year. The Blues' opening month reads Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and West Coast in Perth. Yuck. Should Carlton go down to the bullish Tiger army in Round 1 it will be a hellish start for Mick. And it took half the season last year for Fremantle to click under Ross Lyon. How quickly can the Blues adapt to Mick's style?

Mick Malthouse,Carlton coach, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FOUR PROBABLE PREDICTIONS

Carrazzo to captain Carlton

IF the bookies framed a market you'd suspect Marc Murphy would be favourite to take over from Chris Judd. But the way it's shaping, the man known as "Carrots" will lead the old, dark navy Blues this season. And while that would shock most, internally Carrazzo is held in high regard for his natural leadership despite his low profile. The Blues won't make a call until after the NAB Cup, where Carrazzo, Murphy and Kade Simpson will be given chances to excel in the role, but the mail as it stands is the 29-year-old is in pole, assuming he can couple the role with father duties to his triplets. And Mick Malthouse has never been one to simply appoint a superstar player as skipper, electing Nick Maxwell at the Pies and John Worsfold in his West Coast days.

Andrew Carrazzo at Carlton training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Rotation policy to creep into footy

CRICKET Australia copped heat for its controversial rotation policy, but is this the year it really takes off in the AFL? High performance managers and conditioning coaches are booming right now, with several poached from rival clubs at the end of last season. Couple that with the substitute rule, more irrelevant matches than ever before and the likelihood of an interchange cap in 2014 and the rotation policy is seemingly on an upward trend. A glance at the average age of rookie draftees shows clubs now have replacements on their mind – expect Ben Hudson to pull on the black and white stripes when Darren Jolly gets sore and perhaps the same for Orren Stephenson at Richmond should big Ivan Maric need a spell. Chris Scott kept his Cats fresh in shrewd fashion in 2011 on their way to another flag, while expect an array of superstars to give the trip to Skoda Stadium a miss this year with "general soreness".

The Sydney Swans bench looks on during an AFL match against Melbourne. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Advertiser

Kurt Tippett will fire from the get-go

MOVING the hysteria of the salary-cap rorting and draft-tampering scandals to one side for a moment and focus on Kurt Tippett's preliminary final. Big stage. Big crowd. Big four-goal performance. The man did everything but drag the Crows into an unlikely Grand Final and will straighten up Sydney's forward line with aplomb. Tippett cost the Swans zilch, turns 26 in May and is ready to come into his prime. Slot him next to a developing Sam Reid, Adam Goodes and let draftee Tim Membrey lead up the ground and it could be a devastating forward mix for the premiers. It won't take long for us to remember just why Adelaide tried so hard to keep him. Hard to believe names such as Mitchell Thorp, James Sellar, Daniel O'Keefe, Tom Hislop, Brad Howard and Nathan Djerrkura were plucked before Tippett in the 2006 draft.

Former Adelaide Crow Kurt Tippett in a Sydney Swans jumper for the first time after his first training session with his new club. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

Tiger Time

FINALLY, the wait is over. Richmond's long-suffering army of fans will see September action this year. The signatures of Troy Chaplin and Chris Knights, the natural progression of their throng of talented youth and the return of Ty Vickery and a fair fixture means there are no excuses this year. Richmond threw away its top-eight hopes with a trio of consecutive last-gasp defeats last year and botched several chances early to topple finals-bound sides. Maturity should eradicate such brain fades and there will be enough chances to post the 13 wins needed to play in September.

Richmond's Brett Deledio, right, celebrates a goal with Dustin Martin in the Tigers' demolition job on Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: AdelaideNow

FOUR BOLD PREDICTIONS

Saints to have their worst season since 2002

ST KILDA is the slider of 2013. The Saints won 12 games under Scott Watters last year but it's hard to see them replicating that feat, and they could have their worst season since the Malcolm Blight debacle a decade ago. Brendon Goddard is gone and the likes of Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, and co aren't getting any younger. The gulf in the Saints list is similar to the Dogs, who were exposed in 2012 for that reason. The fixture looks OK, so that should help secure a handful of wins, but it could be a while until the core group of talented teenagers the Saints are starting to assemble clicks. Tom Lee and Tom Hickey are raw but come with high hopes, and while the Saints are on the right track long term, you just get the feeling there could be a stack of pain to bear first.

A dejected looking Saints side leaves the ground after losing the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on May 9, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

James Hird's honeymoon will expire

IT'S time for James Hird to deliver. He's entering his third year with a 50-50 win-loss ratio and one embarrassing finals appearance. The Dons fell off the map last season as injuries mounted to monumental levels. But the Round 10 loss to Melbourne and the showings against Richmond, a depleted North Melbourne and Carlton late in the season were sub-standard. With Brendon Goddard onboard, a fit list and the Brownlow medallist (Jobe Watson) leading the way, the Dons must march into the top eight. If not expect Hird to feel some heat for the first time in the coaching chair. Essendon can't afford to peter out like it has in the second half of the past two seasons.

Essendon coach James Hird talks with Mark McVeigh. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Dylan Shiel the next big thing

NAT Fyfe is too obvious, Joe Daniher isn't ready and Lachie Whitfield is too young and raw. So let's go Dylan Shiel. Some at the Giants are tipping the strongly-built midfielder to win the club's first Brownlow medal. And while that won't happen this year, Shiel is a special talent and expect that to shine through quickly. He crept onto GWS's list in subtle fashion – secured as one of the 17-year-old priority selections sans the fanfare that accompanies a prized draft ranking. Shiel's TAC Cup coach, Graeme Yeats, said at the time Shiel could have gone No. 1 if he wasn't seized a year early. This is a powerful midfielder with pace and excellent skills. Some scouts say he is the next Chris Judd in the making. If he stays fit in 2013, keep an eye on him. You won't be disappointed.

Carlton vs GWS at Etihad Stadium. Dylan Shiel clears from defence Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Giants to leapfrog the Suns

THIS is a long-shot, but with a friendly draw and a slice of luck (and no second-year blues), it's a red-hot chance. It's early, but it looks the Giants have the Suns beat in their handpicked array of 17-year-olds. Names like Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel have serious potential. Shiel's been mentioned already, Treloar is one of the finest teenage playmakers in the land, while Wayne Carey reckons Cameron could wind up the best forward in the game. Compare that to Gold Coast's dozen, including Taylor Hine, Josh Toy and Alex Keath (who have all departed), and it smacks of a nice, early boost. It's a free hit for the Giants this year… they're expected to claim a second wooden spoon before Leon Cameron steps in. Pinch a win against the Suns, Dogs, Dees and Port and avoid the bottom rung and it's a big win. And if they do, Guy McKenna must be under the pump. After all, the prez wants a flag by 2015…

GWS stars Tom Scully and Adam Treloar celebrate the Giants emphatic victory over Gold Coast. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

And finally… SuperCoach steals

I CAN'T sign off without some SuperCoach chat and when the competition opens on February 1 (mark that down in your diary) sign up, log in and select Jack Viney. He's cheap ($109,500) and good enough to command a place in your starting side. Viney has been monstering pre-season training and showed in the VFL last year he's ready to mix it with men. Jaeger O'Meara is the other midfield lock, while Ben Jacobs as a defender looks a shrewd selection. I'm loving Pies rookie Sam Dwyer and Swans bargain Tim Membrey as bench options up forward, while he's been hyped before, but it does finally appear as if this is Shaun Higgins' year. The Dogs say he is flying and, not to put the mozz on him, but if his body holds up he'll be in my Round 1 side. Good luck!

Western Bulldogs vs Nth Melbourne an Etihad Stadium. Shaun Higgins fires as a handball as he is tackled by Michael Firrito Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

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Brian Cook off to school

Brian Cook is going back to school. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: Herald Sun

ONE of the AFL's top club administrators, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook, is going back to school.

Cook will do a six-week advanced management course at Harvard University in Boston early this season.

The Cats have given him their blessing to further his studies after he turned down a lucrative offer to join North Melbourne late last year.

Geelong president Colin Carter said the trip was intended partly to help refresh Cook after turning the Cats into a powerhouse.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook is involved in his seventh grand final with the Cats Picture: Glenn Ferguson/Geelong Advertiser Source: No Source

"It's a six-week course for very senior executives and the idea is that, considering he has been in the role for 14 years, it is a good time to go away and reflect on the work he has done and get away from the place," Carter said.
"I know he is looking forward to it and we think he will find it quite a refreshing experience.

"There will be 50 to 100 really top-class people from all sorts of walks of life, from business and various industries, and they will all contribute to each other."

It is expected Cook will be overseas throughout April, with senior Geelong staff members to share his role in his absence.

The Cats remain confident they can continue an extraordinary run with a seventh consecutive finals appearance.

They have missed September action only once in the past nine years and accelerated a transition by blooding 10 players at senior level last season.

It was the first time in 32 years a reigning premier played that many debutants.

Carter, who oversaw the introduction of the priority draft pick as an AFL commissioner in 1993, said the Cats wanted to buck the trend of top clubs "bottoming out".

"AFL equalisation, which I was originally a part of, was designed to force us down the ladder, and based on that we should be going gracefully down the bottom - but we don't intend to do that," he said.

Carter said the performance of the team's youngsters in making the elimination final last year was a positive sign the Cats would remain a force.

The club has also bolstered its list by welcoming former Gold Coast onballer Josh Caddy, 20, and two mature-age players, ex-North Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh and defender Jared Rivers from Melbourne.

New Geelong recruit Josh Caddy. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Herald Sun

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AFL crowds top most of the world

AFL crowds are fourth-best in the world. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: HWT Image Library

THE AFL was the fourth-best attended professional sporting league on the planet in 2012, beating out the Major League Baseball and Spain's La Liga.

An average 32,748 fans attended AFL matches, which actually represented a decline from the 36,428 the code attracted in 2011.

The decrease resulted in the AFL dropping from third in 2011 to fourth in the rankings behind the English Premier League, which attracted an average 34,602 fans per game in the 2011-12 season.

The National Football League took out top spot with an average 67,591 spectators per game, up from 67,394 a year earlier.

Germany's Bundesliga surprisingly came in second with 45,116 average fans per game in 2011-12 - the highest average ever for that league - up from 42,673 during the prior season.

The National Hockey League - which is in danger of having no season in 2012-13 due to a labor dispute - attracts the largest crowds of the indoor sports, with an attendance of 17,455 in 2011-12.

It finished just ahead of the National Basketball Association (17,274).

Two sports that have seen increases in average attendance year-on-year are Major League Baseball and the Canadian Football League.

MLB came in fifth with an average attendance of 30,895, up from 30,366 a year earlier. The CFL sits seventh with an average of 27,882, compared to 27,192 previously.

Sixth place went to Spain's La Liga, with an average attendance of 28,462, down from 29,128 the year before.

The report came from Sportingintelligence.com.

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Parkin mentors the comeback kid

David Parkin has helped mentor Anthony Morabito in his comeback.  Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

PREMIERSHIP coach David Parkin has emerged as an unlikely mentor in Anthony Morabito's remarkable comeback from two knee reconstructions.

Fremantle's forgotten No.4 draft pick has not played AFL since a sparkling debut in 2010, after twice tearing his left ACL ligament.Parkin has helped guide the 21-year-old through the emotional despair of two years on the sidelines.

The four-time Carlton and Hawthorn premiership coach praised Morabito's mental fortitude as the 191cm midfielder prepares to return to the Dockers line-up for the NAB Cup and potentially Round 1.

>> SUPERCOACH WATCH: Morabito is a $115,900 midfielder

"I tremble every time I hear his name because you don't want to find out that he has had another setback," Parkin said.

"I'm just hoping and praying he has a half-reasonable chance to prepare himself properly and continue what was an outstanding first year of league football."

In a horror run, the young Docker ruptured the ligament in the 2011 pre-season and then again during a training mishap last July.

Parkin, who has beaten prostate cancer, said Morabito had overcome some dark periods in his rehabilitation.

"I've kept in touch with him and he has had some miserable psychological downs, as you would expect of a kid of his age," Parkin said.

"To be between 18-22 years old and suffer what he did, emotionally you have to deal with that, and it gets you down, to the point where you may not recover physically, let alone emotionally.

"But he's been supported by (assistant coach) Simon Lloyd, who is probably just about the best young man I've dealt with in football, and had wonderful support from the club and his family."

With superstar captain Matthew Pavlich under a fitness cloud after back surgery, Morabito's power-packed game style is looming as a major boost to the Dockers' midfield and forward set-ups.

Priced at $115,900, the man likened to Swans game-breaker Adam Goodes is also looming as a bargain SuperCoach prospect.

The devastating ball-carrier averaged 13 possessions in 23 games in his first season and twice laid nine tackles in games against Geelong and Richmond."He has a big heart, fantastic endurance capacity, he has a strong body and to maintain the form he did through 23 games in his first season is almost unheard of," Parkin said.

"So we know the kid brings the total package."

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Skipper on hold as Glass wavers

CAPTAIN IN WAITING: Beau Waters is seen as the next West Coast skipper should Darren Glass stand aside. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast will delay making a decision on its captain for 2013 until at least next month, and could begin the NAB Cup without having appointed a skipper for the new season.

Darren Glass has led the side for the past five seasons, after taking over following the bombshell resignation of Chris Judd in 2007.

Glass, 31, enjoyed a stellar campaign to win his fourth All-Australian guernsey last year and was named captain of the All-Australian team in one of the greatest individual honours of his career.

The key defender is showing no signs of slowing down as he powers through his 14th AFL pre-season; however, has indicated he is open to handing over the captaincy to a younger player before he retires.

Fearless defender Beau Waters was installed as sole vice-captain two years ago and has been groomed to take over as skipper.

But question marks remain over Waters' durability after another injury setback last month.

The 26-year-old South Australian has recovered from a serious foot injury, suffered in the elimination final mauling of North Melbourne four months ago, but needed hip surgery before Christmas and is in a race against time to be ready for the new season.

Waters, named All-Australian after an excellent season last year, has played just 113 of a possible 164 matches for the Eagles since making his debut in 2004 because of a cursed run with injury.

West Coast football operations manager Neale Daniher said Waters' injury troubles would not count against his chances of becoming captain.

"We know he won't necessarily always play every home-and-away game, but we're confident he'll play the majority of them and play them very well," Daniher said.

"Beau is very professional in his preparation.

"He plays the game as hard as anyone in the league, and his injuries are well documented, but we were rapt with the way he played last year.

"He played a lot of games of football last year and we're  confident he'll be ready to go in Round 1."

Youngster Scott Selwood, whose leadership ability is highly regarded, is the wildcard for the captaincy.

Selwood is only 22, the same age as John Worsfold when he became captain and has been in the leadership group for the past two seasons. He took his game to a new level last year to win the club champion award.

Following the Eagles' semi-final exit to Collingwood at the MCG last September, coach John Worsfold said Glass could play a valuable leadership role, even if he was not the skipper.

"He's an outstanding leader and outstanding captain," Worsfold said.

"If he wasn't actually named captain, it wouldn't mean that his leadership would drop away.

"He would still offer fantastic leadership around our club and possibly in an even stronger role supporting a developing captain."

The Eagles have only had dual captains once in their history.

Veteran Dean Kemp and rising star Ben Cousins shared the job under Ken Judge in 2001.

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Bookies write off Crows' hopes

Kurt Tippett leaving Adelaide will cost the Crows, the bookies say. Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett walked out of West Lakes and took Adelaide's premiership hopes with him, according to bookies who have turned their backs on the Crows.

Despite going within a kick of making this year's AFL grand final, Adelaide is at best fourth in the line of betting for the 2013 flag with four online agencies.

TAB lists the Crows sixth favourite behind Geelong and even Carlton which missed the top-eight altogether this season. Adelaide's cross-town rival, the Power is considered a $101 premiership longshot and is fifth favourite to win the wooden spoon at $16 behind Gold Coast, GWS, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.

But this year's runner-up, Hawthorn, is the undisputed favourite to avenge its grand-final loss to Sydney and claim a second flag for coach Alastair Clarkson.

The underrated Swans continue to fly under the radar at $7.50 with Sportsbet.com.au to go back-to-back.

Collingwood and West Coast are the only other sides considered a remote chance of toppling the Hawks.

At the opposite end, Gold Coast is a $1.36 favourite for the wooden spoon with fellow expansion club GWS at $4.50.

The Power is fifth favourite to finish bottom at $16. However, in some good news for the Suns, their captain Gary Ablett is one of three players alongside Trent Cotchin and Jobe Watson who share Brownlow Medal favouritism.

The Crows feature prominently in other markets, with full forward Taylor Walker second favourite for the Coleman Medal behind Lance Franklin and youngster Brad Crouch third favourite for the Rising Star Award.

With the new year arriving, Sportsbet.com.au has released its forecast for everything sport in 2013.

Adelaide United might sit second on the A-League ladder but is considered third favourite to win the 2013 grand final behind equal fancies Melbourne Victory and Central Coast.

Midfielder Dario Vidosic, who was called into the Socceroos squad this month, is third favourite for the Johnny Warren Medal with Italian superstar Alessandro del Piero considered the man to beat.

The Aussies are a $3.25 long shot to regain The Ashes from England mid-year, while Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador is expected to be the man to beat in next year's Tour de France.

And with the summer of tennis beginning, men's world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is favourite to win the Australian Open in January from Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

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Pre-season unlikely for injured Kerr

SIDELINED: Daniel Kerr is set to miss the bulk of the pre-season with a knee injury. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

ELITE West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr could be thrown straight into the Round 1 Western Derby without playing an NAB Cup game.

Kerr, who had a knee arthroscopy last month, will be carefully managed by the Eagles throughout the pre-season as the club seeks to ready his battle-hardened body for a 13th season.

West Coast football operations manager Neale Daniher said Kerr, 29, would not require pre-season matches to be ready for the derby.

"He'll just slowly build up over January, February, March," Daniher said. "We don't think he needs to have a lot of games in the NAB to be ready to go.

"Given he's such a senior player, and played 24 games last year, all his preparation will be around building up for Round 1 AFL."

All-Australian pair Nic Naitanui (groin) and Beau Waters (hip) are the club's other significant injury worries, with Naitanui likely to miss the start of the home-and-away season.

Daniher could not say when Naitanui would be fit to play, but was confident Waters would be available for Round 1 after having hip surgery last month.

Naitanui, who made a cameo appearance at Friday's training session at McGillivray Oval for some handball drills, is hoping to start running on an anti-gravity treadmill later this month.

The Eagles will launch their season against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium in a twilight game on March 23.

Comeback pair Mark LeCras (knee) and Mark Nicoski (hamstring) are back training with the main group and are on target to resume during the NAB Cup.

It is unlikely they will play in the triangular pre-season opener against the Dockers and Geelong on February 16.

Second-year forward Murray Newman, who was thrashed by coach John Worsfold in a 2km time trial in November, is being forced to improve his aerobic capacity before he can join in full training with his teammates.

Newman jogged laps with Jamie Bennell and Blayne Wilson on Friday and was the last to leave the track as he completed a punishing cone-running drill.

The 19-year-old, who is also facing a serious charge over a nightclub incident, is likely to be mostly running for the rest of the month, away from the main group.

Midfielder Chris Masten maintained his title as the club's best runner with a narrow win in the 2km time trial at the WA Athletics Stadium on Thursday.

Masten was one of 16 Eagles who posted personal-best times as they resumed from a two-week Christmas break.

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Dyson to step up

Essendon defender Dyson Heppell is looking to make an impact further up the ground. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON young gun Dyson Heppell says the backline has been perfect for his development, but it is time to move up the ground.

Heppell stormed on to the AFL scene in 2011, playing every game as he went on to win the NAB Rising Star award from West Coast's Luke Shuey.

He backed up that performance with a 20-game season in 2012, averaging 21.5 possessions, mainly across half-back.

Now the next step, the 20-year-old said, was to have more of an influence further up the ground.

"I've been doing a lot of work with the midfield group," Heppell said.

"It's definitely a goal of mine to become more of a midfielder. I enjoy playing across half-back as well, but it'd be great to push into the midfield. It's been a big learning curve the last couple of years.

"Playing a bit more in the midfield last year was a bit of an eye-opener, I suppose, to how hard you have to work to be able to become a dominant player in the position."

Heppell said the club's dramatic slide in the second half of 2012 had been driving the players through summer.

But he said the arrival of Brendon Goddard from St Kilda had added extra impetus before what the club hopes will be a return to the finals this season.

"Last year most definitely still sits in the back of your mind. Obviously it's fantastic to get Brendon down to the club, but of course he's not going to do it all for us.

"The club has identified a few different things that we can change throughout the pre-season and I think it's working well so far.

"Everyone's looking forward to getting in to a few games already."

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2013 club-by-club fixture preview

A mountain of hype is already surrounding Mick Malthouse's showdown with Collingwood in Round 2. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Hawks twice or the Giants twice? Two trips to Perth or an array of Friday night blockbusters? Six-day breaks or a lengthy spell? These are the quirks that can define a club's season and the careers of coaches and players alike.

Over the next five days SuperFooty will bring you a comprehensive guide to the fixtures of all 18 clubs.

We start with Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Carlton today.

ADELAIDE:

EASY GAMES:
Seven of Adelaide's away games are against non-finalists, giving the Crows a dream chance to push for another top-four finish. And expect Brenton Sanderson's mob to fire early. They don't meet a 2012 finalist until Round 6 (Hawthorn), and play just one 2012 contender in the first eight weeks. Adelaide also has no return matches against top-four sides.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The Crows host grand finalists Hawthorn and Sydney at AAMI Stadium. Pencil those in as eight-point games, while a trip to the Gabba to face the Lions in Round 2 – a fixture the Crows threw away last season with a sloppy loss – could also prove pivotal.

TOUGH GAMES:
Two trips to Perth is never easy, especially in the back half of the season. Rounds 18 and 23 the Crows head west, ending their home-and-away campaign against West Coat. Ouch. Trips to the MCG to face Carlton and Collingwood could shape as finals barometers.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Crows will avoid a home-and-away bout with Kurt Tippett, so you can't go past the two showdowns against Port Adelaide.

SUMMARY:
Two Friday night blockbusters, including the season-opener, is a big win commercially. And it seems on the field the Crows have again hit the jackpot. Three MCG games will help come September, while the platform is there early to again

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Essendon (AAMI)
Round 2 v Brisbane Lions (G)
Round 3 v Port Adelaide (AAMI)
Round 4 v Western Bulldogs (AAMI)

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

Crows chairman Rob Chapman has vowed Adelaide will be a big player in the free agent market next year. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE LIONS

EASY GAMES:
The Lions will back themselves to take six wins from six games against the Dogs, Dees and Suns. A stretch of late-season games against the Suns, Roos, Dees, Port, Saints, Tigers, Giants and Dogs will define whether Brisbane is a legitimate finals contender. Only four six-day breaks is an added bonus and should keep Michael Voss's side fresh.

CRUNCH GAMES:
Home games against sides in the bracket one up from Brisbane will prove pivotal. The Lions host North Melbourne, Carlton and St Kilda and must start winning those encounters to take the next step.

TOUGH GAMES:
Plenty. Fremantle in Perth, Geelong in Geelong, Collingwood at the MCG and Sydney at the SCG. The Lions also travel to Tasmania to face Hawthorn and host West Coast at the Gabba. But, Brisbane did knock off the Eagles at home last year and will take confidence from that.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Nothing stands out, but Stefan Martin and Brent Moloney will enjoy heading back to the MCG to face the Dees in Round 5. The Q-Clashes should step up a gear if Gold Coast can become competitive more often than not.

SUMMARY:
A blow to the old Fitzroy fans with just four games in Melbourne and one in Geelong. Particularly when the Lions requested six games in Melbourne. But a clutch of games against lowly sides and a soft run to the line will please Voss.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Western Bulldogs (ES)
Round 2 v Adelaide (G)
Round 3 v Gold Coast (MS)
Round 4 v North Melbourne (ES)

Sunday Mail - Lions v Suns AFL at the Gabba Photo - David Kapernick Picture: David Kapernick Source: HWT Image Library

CARLTON:

EASY GAMES:
The Blues cashed in seven of their first eight games in Melbourne, although there are some tough opponents in there. Collingwood is the sole 2012 finalist the Blues face twice, while they have doubled-up against Port Adelaide. Carlton also finishes with the Power, Dogs and Suns inside the final six rounds. Here's hoping the late-season trip to Metricon Stadium goes better than last year.

Bold 2013 predictions: Saints to slide, Tigers to rise and a surprise Blues skipper

CRUNCH GAMES:
Plenty, starting with Richmond in Round 1. In fact, the opening five weeks will set the tone for Carlton's debut year under Mick Malthouse. It reads; Tigers, Pies, Cats, Eagles (away), Crows. If the Blues can scramble to a 3-2 start you'd think they'd take it. Duels with Brisbane away and the Richmond-Essendon double late in the year should also help define Carlton's year.

TOUGH GAMES:
The Eagles away in the first month is the first real litmus test for Carlton. A three-game stretch of Hawthorn, Sydney away and Collingwood will also test just how far the new Blues have come.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Round 2. Mick Malthouse v Carlton. Is there a game the football world is more eagerly anticipating than that? She'll be an absolute corker in front of a packed MCG on a Friday night. Imagine Mick walking off a winner and screaming out "we're the old, dark navy Blues" against the side he steered to five Grand Finals and a breakthrough flag? Bring it on.

SUMMARY:
A challenging month early, but as the Blues said when the fixture came out, you may as well get them out of the road early. The Blues kept their 9-8 split of games between Etihad Stadium and the MCG, but will be disappointed the first Mick v Collingwood blockbuster is an away fixture. An even mix with the majority of games against sides in the middle tier.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Richmond (MCG)
Round 2 v Collingwood (MCG)
Round 3 v Geelong (ES)
Round 4 v West Coast (PS)

Carlton Training Mick Malthouse lays down the law Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: HWT Image Library

Tomorrow: We preview Collingwood, Essendon and Fremantle

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Mick's team focus changes Blues

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON midfielder Mitch Robinson says the Blues will play a much more team-focused game under new coach Mick Malthouse.

The Blues started last year as one of the premiership favourites before crashing out of the top eight and sacking coach Brett Ratten.

Robinson said a two-week trip to Arizona late last year focused on team-bonding and learning Malthouse's system.

"There are definitely improvements we see in there," Robinson said.

"It is not so much an individual game any more, we are not going to be relying on the Chris Judds and Marc Murphys, it is going to be more a team structure, which is exciting.

"Those boys were pretty much doing all the grunt work and once the load is spread I think we will see a better result for the team.

"Last year we lost a few top players but coming into this year we've got a new coach and a new coaching staff, there is a lot of good vibe around the club.

"We wanted to finish top four last year and we'll see how we go this year."

Robinson, 22, now has 67 games under his belt and is aiming to spend more time in the midfield, but also in different roles as Malthouse seeks more flexibility.

"He (Malthouse) is definitely hard, down the line ... but he can also be understanding and he wants to get to know all the players first of all," Robinson said.

"When the games start you will be able to see the strict Mick, but everyone is getting along really well with him.

"He's probably one of the smartest coaches I've had."

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