List changes, the introduction of new rules, draft talent & coaching changes will all provide a new dynamic in 2019, the status quo will likely change for each club.
What Could Change For Your Team?
ADELAIDE
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 12
Scoring: After a year in which Adelaide averaged 88.2pts per game (Rank 8) expect an increase in scoring in 2019, the Crows averaged 109.8pts in the 2017 H&A season (Rank 1).
BRISBANE
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 15
Limiting opposition scoring: Brisbane conceded 93.1pts in the 2018 H&A season conceding 100pts or more in 10 games, expect a strong defensive focus in 2019.
AFL Fantasy: 2019 Top 5 Key Forward Value Plays
CARLTON
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 18
Scoring 100pts in a game: Carlton have not scored 100pts in a game since Round 11 in 2016 (55 games), the Blues should be able to break that streak in 2019.
COLLINGWOOD
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 3
Health: Despite making the Grand Final last year Collingwood had to deal with another poor injury list, the Magpies will likely focus on player peak fitness for Finals this season.
AFL Fantasy: 2019 Top 5 Value Plays
ESSENDON
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 11
Scoring: Essendon averaged 87.8pts last season (Rank 9) including averaging 103.6pts from their final 5 games (Rank 3), with Joe Daniher back expect the Bombers to hit the scoreboard frequently in 2019.
FREMANTLE
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 14
Competitiveness: Despite the early season injuries and the lack of midfield depth structurally Fremantle are in a good space, they will likely be far more competitive this season.
By The Numbers: Hit Out Kings
GEELONG
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 8
Forward Pressure: Luke Dalhaus & Gary Rohan have been recruited as a forward balance to go along with key forward Tom Hawkins, exiting the Geelong forward line will be much more difficult for opposition teams in 2019.
GOLD COAST
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 17
Contested games style: Gold Coast are in a development season with a new young core group of players, expect the Suns to focus on a highly contested game plan.
Bet Lab: 2019 Final 8
GWS GIANTS
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 7
Ruck: Shane Mumford is back albeit with a delayed start to his season, Dawson Simpson averaged 29.8 Hit Outs in 2018 (GWS Rank 1) whilst Mumford averaged 38.2 Hit Outs in 2017.
HAWTHORN
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 4
Midfield: The loss of Tom Mitchell will impact the Hawks midfield in 2019, Mitchell averaged 35.8 Disposals last season. Hawthorn averaged 378.8 Disposals in the 2018 H&A season (Rank 9).
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MELBOURNE
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 5
Anticipation: Melbourne fans haven’t tasted ultimate success since 1964, they are arguably in the best position for many decades to break that drought in 2019.
NTH MELBOURNE
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 9
Forward structure: The retirement of Jarrad Waite has put a fair amount on the shoulders of Ben Brown in 2019, an emerging 2nd tall is required & there are multiple options.
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PORT ADELAIDE
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 11
Ruck: Scott Lycett has joined Port Adelaide to create a dual Ruck set-up with Paddy Ryder in 2019, Ryder averaged 30.6 Hit Outs in 2018.
AFL Fantasy: 2019 Top 5 Potential Busts
RICHMOND
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 1
Defensive structure: Richmond will be forced to changed their defensive set-up at centre bounces due to the new 6-6-6 rules, no longer will the Tigers be able to start with 8 Defenders at each centre bounce.
ST KILDA
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 16
Game style: St Kilda were a slow moving ball team last season averaging 51.7 Inside 50s, a new assistant coaching crew will likely change things up in 2019.
Bookmark Now! 2019 AFL Injury Reports
SYDNEY
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 6
SCG Record: Sydney finished with a staggering 5-7 record at their home ground last season and still finished 6th on the H&A season Ladder, expect an improvement in 2019.
WEST COAST
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 2
Optus Stadium Record: West Coast were 11-2 at home last season against travelling teams (Win Pct: 84.6%), that record could improve in 2019.
Fantasy Impact: 2019 Rule Changes
WESTERN BULLDOGS
2018 H&A Ladder Finish: 13
Disposals: The Bulldogs averaged 387.5 Disposals in the 2018 H&A season (Rank 4) including an average of 401.4 Disposals in their last 5 games, a season average of 400.0+ Disposals is not out of the question in 2019.
