As the 2015 AFL season drifts slowly in the rear view mirror - and the silly season of trade week and the draft begins - it's time to look back at the inaugural WAtoday.com.au Crystal Ball.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Did every single one of us tip Gold Coast to make the eight? Afraid so...
Did two of us predict the Western Bulldogs to cop the spoon? Yep...
Did we bag the be-jeepers out of Glendinning medallist Josh Hill and North's finals hero Jarrad Waite? You betcha...
Did anyone of us manage to identify Josh Kennedy as the Coleman medallist? Of course not...
Did a single one of our long-term bets come off? What do you reckon?
Click HERE to gaze back into our original crystal ball.
Meanwhile, here is a frank, thoroughly unsentimental viewpoint of how we rated our own performance.
The panel:
David Prestipino (WAtoday wine writer, footy tragic); Simon White (WAtoday chief puppet hater); Brendan Foster (WAtoday resident grumpy old man); Steve Allen (Radio 6PR producer, the Interchange Podcast); Ben Cameron (Radio 6PR Sports Today producer).
Cyril's hamstring never went twang. Photo: Scott Barbour
Presto:
Hit: Obviously about the only thing I got right - that James Hird would be the first coach sacked.
Miss: I still think Will Langford is going places, but injury halted his journey in 2015 (he couldn't even play in the grand final after starring in last year's).
Most embarrassing: Clearly Cyril Rioli being hamstrung in 2015... the Hawks successfully managed his hamstrings this pre-season through building up strength in his leg muscles, and no one was happier than me to see him win the Norm Smith.
One that got away: Nat Fyfe for the Brownlow. He was my obvious pick but I truly thought suspension would cruel his chances (and it almost, almost, almost did)
Early crow for next year: I think Hawthorn will be premiers again in 2016.
Nic Nat was actually pretty handy. Photo: Eddie Jim
Whitey:
Hit: Carlton for the spoon, Malthouse as first coach sacked, Fyfe for the Brownlow and Dustin Fletcher cooked.
Miss: Tom Hawkins for the Coleman. Struggled to get within 30 goals of Kennedy. Also North not making the eight.
Most embarrassing: toss-up between Nic Naitanui being the least valuable player in the comp (at least, until he couldn't get near it in the grand final) and Brisbane playing finals.
One that got away: Looking back, Kennedy was always going to be a big-time Coleman contender if the Eagles had a half-decent year.
Early crow for next year: Fyfe goes back-to-back in the Brownlow.
Josh Hill...Glendinning medallist? Photo: Getty Images
Fossie:
Hit: The closest I came to a correct prediction in my crystal ball earlier in the year, was West Coast would have a "good year". I was the only expert who had the Eagles in the eight.
Miss: I made some pretty bold and outlandish statements prior to the AFL season, and none were more ridiculous then picking Port to be minor premiers. Port didn't even finish in the top 8.
Most embarrassing: I relentlessly derided Josh Hill before the season for his lack of tackling and, well, lack of everything. Not only did he finish with 40 goals, he also won the Ross Glendinning Medal. Whoops!
One that got away: I was going to pick Eagles sharp shooter Kennedy for the Coleman, but I chickened out because in the second half of previous seasons he tuckered out.
Early crow for next year: Ross Lyon sacked after Freo lose their first nine games!
Luke Beveridge worked miracles with the Dogs. Photo: Quinn Rooney
Steve-O:
Hit: I was one hit away from a Taylor Swift album. Hawks for premiers, Fyfe for Brownlow, Malthouse to be sacked, Judd done and Tom Boyd to struggle.
Miss: Gold Coast to finish in the eight? Injuries cursed them but they rarely looked impressive during Rocket Eade's first year. They're a good chance to rectify that in 2016 if Ablett, Swallow, O'Meara and Prestia stay fit.
Most embarrassing: I'm embarrassed that I picked the Bulldogs for the spoon. But they are the story of the year for me and I'm glad they embarrassed me. Luke Beveridge turned them from basket case into one of the most watchable and attacking teams in the AFL.
One that got away: I had Carlton for the spoon before Tom Liberatore did his knee. I had no idea Luke Beveridge was a magician.
Early crow for next year: Hawks... again. Selwood and Dangerfield tie for second as Brownlow heads west again.
See ya later Mick. Photo: Pat Scala
Benny-boy:
Hit: Mick Malthouse to be the first coach sacked. I copped some flak in the reader comments for this too.
Miss: Conor Blakely as going places. I still feel he will be a very good player for Fremantle, but he was never going to break into that midfield this year. Give him a couple years and he'll be a gun.
Most embarrassing: Western Bulldogs for the wooden spoon. How wrong I was (although I feel like this was reasonable at the time given they had lost their coach, captain and CEO in the summer).
One that got away: However much you put on my multi-bet of a Sydney flag, Western Bulldogs spoon, Gary Ablett Brownlow, Conor Blakely Rising Star (paying $2,625.625). I'm a mug punter, so if you followed me it's your own fault! PS not one of the legs came in.
Early crow for next year: Port Adelaide will bounce back and finish in the top-four.
