2004 - Season in Preview

[CyberKev]

ADELAIDE CROWS

What they have going for them...

The Crows have height and clear talent, with a dangerous (if inconsistent) forward compliment and a ruck division that is arguably the best going around. The midfield is not as strong as it once was, but with players of the calibre of McLeod, Riccuito & Goodwin revolving through the middle, it still commands plenty of respect. The home ground advantage in Adelaide doesn't appear to carry the same sting as those enjoyed in Perth & Brisbane, but results across recent years still suggest that it is not a fun trip to take, especially if you're a Victorian based outfit. When the Crows have their near to best side on the paddock and they click into gear they are good enough to best any side going around. For mine, Brett Burton is the most interesting Crow player and while he doesn't occupy opposition thinking in the way that McLeod or Carey do, he can markedly unsettle opposing backs with with his old school, high marking antics. I'd probably put forward McLeod as my Brownlow tip, which would be a big improvement on what was (by his lofty standards) a relatively flat 2003. As per last year, this side is capable of going all the way.

What is working against them...

The Carey experiment waxed and waned throughout 2003 and in the end club management would have been (privately, at least) conceding that the gamble hadn't really paid off. Carey still warrants very close attention, but it is fair to say that he is no longer the monolith he was in his halcyon days. He is still strong and as smart as they come, but his body is now frequently out of kilter with his spirit and I suspect he'll spend more time off the paddock than on it. I also have question marks about the Crow midfield. I know there are class players there, but I feel that the loss of Bickley (to a minor extent) and Kane Johnson (to a major extent) have eroded what was once the club's primary strength to an unthought of degree. The club underestimated the impact that Johnson's departure would have on the team. Kane couples extreme talent, with a sound workrate and while Riccuito and McLeod are gun players, I still feel both are more prone to going missing than Johnson is. This is my other major concern with the Crows, who all too often burst out of the blocks, only to ease their feet off the pedal when they look to be in control of the contest. It may be unfair, but the side has looked painfully lazy at times over the past two seasons and, in the process, appears to have lost its grasp on the basic requirements for smashing vulnerable opponents. As such, there is a general feeling among rival clubs that the Crows can be got at if you're willing to maintain workrate and patience... Keep within five goals of the Crows and you'll always be in with a show of grinding them down as the game wears on. This line of thinking was central to Nigel Smart's late season whine about Victorian clubs playing safe & steady football against them.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 1st and 12th during the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

4th

 

[CyberKev]

BRISBANE LIONS

What they have going for them...

Where does one start? Easily the strongest playing list in the competition, which goes without saying when you're coming off three flags on the trot. The Lions are beautifully balanced, combining the classiest midfield rotation I've ever seen (3 Brownlow medallists among their number) with tall, strong marking forwards and quality, experienced backs who are as adept at squeezing the life out of hapless opposing forwards, as they are at setting-up damaging raids for their own attack. The Lions have fantastic skills, which give them the capacity to break the hearts of game opposition in the space of 10 minutes. That being said, it would be unfair to highlight this at the expense of the courage and physical strength of the Lions' key players, which shone out at the business end of 2003. On a few occasions last year the side looked gone for all money, but the class, character & commitment of the players got them across the line with more than a little to spare at the end of the day. If all this isn't enough for you, there's still the not inconsiderable matter of the horrendous homeground advantage that is 'The Gabbatoir'!!! Throw in the coaching dynamism of Leigh Matthews and you have a totally irresistable force that will need to be inflicted with a disaster of apocalyptic proportions not to waltz into this year's finals series.

What is working against them...

Father time, but his best efforts would seem insufficient to (in and of themselves) deny Brisbane another trophy for the cabinet. Still, Alistair Lynch can be expected to drop off further this year, although one suspects that he could reduce output by 20% and still do enough damage enough of the time. Of greater concern to the Lions juggernaut is the fragile physical state of Michael Voss, arguably the game's numero uno player and captain. He was struggling badly at times last season and reports are that he could be set for quite a bit of pasture time in 2004. The side has more than enough top breed cattle to cope with his absence during the H & A games, but his presence come finals time could well be the difference between the ultimate success and shattering failure. He is that inspiring, because he is that good! Outside of this, the chinks in the armor are few and far between. That being said, other sides will put forward an argument that they're susceptible to a bit of leg speed and can be caught out in defence if you have the speed and stamina to run them hard and long during a game. There is some truth in this, but it is worth remembering that opposition sides were saying the exact same things last season

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 1st and 6th during the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

2nd (at end of H & A) then Premiers

 

[CyberKev]

CARLTON BLUES

What do they have going for them...

Hmmm... This one doesn't tend to write itself as it did for the Lions, but the club's supporters can feel more positive than they have across 2002-03. The club has drawn criticism for drafting a "who's who of unwanted hacks" during the silly season, but I feel they did better than could have been hoped for, given the enforced restrictions on their recruiting. Nick Stevens was a great pick-up from Port and should give the side plenty of go forward drive in 2004. Daniel Harford was a much maligned player at Hawthorn, but despite his failings, I thought he copped a raw deal from supporters who mistakenly perceived of him as a soft, retiring footballer. Harford can and does absorb the hard knocks and can be very creative, although his kicking is all too often errant and lets down what is otherwise a quite neatly packaged individual game. The club will certainly be hoping that Laurence Angwin can put his 'extra-curricular' pastimes on hold for the season, as the young player has the ability to forge a sound rucking partnership with the very capable Barnaby French. The obvious class of Koutifides has been sorely missed at Optus Oval in recent years, but the signs were definitely there in 2003 that the former gun could get back to near his best this season. Other than that, I think any further improvements will come from a probable lift in workrate and the overall increase in confidence (warranted or otherwise) that comes from a large compliment of new faces.

What is working against them...

In essence, a lack of overall depth and an accompanying dearth of genuine class. Koutifides, Whitnall, Stevens & Fevola would get a gig anywhere, but the standard falls away markedly once you get past this leading quartet. I really think that with the Pagan philosophy and the blue-collar nature of most of their new recruits, the side will work harder, but workrate is difficult to sustain when you're short on the necessary talent to ease the burden. Still, Pagan has little choice but to pursue a staunch accountability ethic, which will lessen the likelihood of repeat huge blowouts and will also instil good habits in his players for when the skill dearth at the club eventually begins to abate. This is fine, admirable, and to be expected, but the downside is that the club will once again lose many more games than it wins in 2004. The club was lucky to miss a second successive wooden spoon last season when I felt they were the weakest side going around. They'll be better (structurally) this season, but it won't be enough to lift the club up the ladder, nor will it return smiles to the faces of the success-driven Carlton fan base.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere in the bottom four.

Predicted Finish

15th

 

[meltiger]

BRISBANE LIONS

Predicted Finish

2nd (at end of H & A) then Premiers

Only positive I can see from that is the Maggots would no longer be the only club to have won four in a row

 

[CyberKev]

Only positive I can see from that is the Maggots would no longer be the only club to have won four in a row

Oh c'mon Craig...

You mean that always hearing recalcitrant Magpie tragics imploring the world that the footballing sun rises & sets over Victoria Park on account of the club winning four on the trot pre-Great Depression, doesn't warm the cockles of your blood pumping muscle (I'm talking about the one in your chest here, Old Son, for the sake of clarification)??!! :twisted:

Yessum... Every day is 1930 GF day for the Magpie Army...

CyberKev

 

[CyberKev]

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

What do they have going for them...

The Magpies have been most impressive over the past two seasons, defying the pundits to go all the way to the cauldron, only to run into a rampaging brisbane side on both occasions. This team would be arguably the hardest working in the competition and much of its success during this time has been built firmly upon a devotion to work ethic. The Magpie midfield is rock solid, if unbrilliant, with much of its forward drive still stemming from the ageing (but still classy) legs of inspirational skipper Nathan Buckley. The team's defence has held-up surprisingly well in the past and should perform soundly enough in 2004, given that it looks relatively unchanged to previous models. Collingwood can be very dangerous at times in attack, with Tarrant & Rocca providing excellent marking targets and the very talented Didak adding extra spark as a damaging goal sneak option. The Magpies demand respect in this area, but would be keen to see greater consistency in their attacking play, particularly with Rocca & Didak. The club is going from strength to strength off the paddock and have excellent foundations in place for an extended run of on-field success. The players will be eager to atone for last season's GF debacle and supporters of the black & whites would rightly feel that they can compete with anyone, anywhere.

What is working against them...

There are a few things of note here... The psychological scars of back-to-back GF losses would run deep, particularly given how the second one was so much worse than the first, despite suggestions that the side was better placed for this second tilt. Interestingly enough, VFL/AFL history tells us that three clubs have rebounded from successive GF losses to record premiership wins in the next season (Collingwood 1927, Essendon 1949 & Hawthorn 1986). Counteracting this, three clubs have gone the other way and suffered the indignity of a third straight defeat (Richmond 1929, Sth Melb 1936 & Collingwood 1939, 1981). This tells us that the job can be done, although one suspects that Collingwood would be most likely to join the 3-time losers. Essentially, the Magpies lack sufficient quality across the board to see them making the significant move forward. The club has had easily the best injury run of all clubs over 2002-03 and the odds must be against them enjoying such a luxury again. They can ill-afford any setbacks as it will be difficult enough to hold back the gathering hordes below them, much less bridging the gap that separates them from the all-conquering Lions. In structural terms, the Magpies are also disturbingly weak in the ruck and have a worrying dependancy on defensive football against good sides (the mentally fragile Power, notwithstanding) in big games. The bottom line is that the club desperately needs another 2-3 quality footballers to allow it to be able to win games without having to play itself into the ground in the process.

Potential Finishing Range

Anwhere between 1st and 10th during the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

5th

 

[CyberKev]

ESSENDON BOMBERS

What do they have going for them...

As is per usual out Windy Hill way, boundless levels of optimism and enthusiasm. There is nobody better in the AFL at talking up his club than Kevin Sheedy and if the old fox is to believed, another flag is on the offing for the proud Victorian team. The Bombers have turned over a significant quantity of players since their memorable 2000 triumph and have, in overall terms, a young list to play with for the 2004 competition. The presence of a large core of young players will always bring considerable excitement to the supporter base and should guarantee that Essendon preserves its healthy membership base for another year or several. In among the old faces are a core group of rock solid dependables, including: Hird, Lloyd, Lucas, Wellman, Fletcher & the two Johnsons. Presumably the Bombers will look to get as much ball to Lloyd as possible and will hope that a few second string players pop-up to support the match winning goal kicker in attack. Essendon in 2004 is hard to get an accurate read on and could do just about anything, depending largely on the capacity for key players to stay fit and the ability of some unheralded youngsters to take the next step. Should be an interesting ride for the black & red fans regardless of what happens...

What is working against them...

The same thing that has the potential to work for them, the presence of a large group of unheralded youngsters. Kevin Sheedy has talked these players up bigtime, but - on the whole - they are yet to perform and impress outside of the Windy Hill coterie. Compounding the fragility of the Essendon situation is the harsh reality that the club is still overly dependant on Lloyd & Hird. The former player is not quite the irresistable force he once was and the latter is showing clear signs of being overwhelmed by constant physical wear and tear. There are also problems looming for the Bombers down back, with Jacobs now departed, Fletcher regularly off the paddock and Wellman getting past his best. The Bomber defence also likes to play loose and is worrying susceptible to any side with the barest semblance of a soundly functioning attack. These worries aside, there are also question marks over the depth of the Bomber ruck & midfield divisions. Allan is a risk, but one worth taking as he can play well when fit, but he will need to play plenty of games to get the side into the eight. Outside of Allan there's nothing of note to write home about, with Hille perfectly serviceable as a strong marking forward, but regularly outclassed at centre bounces. Mercuri & Misiti are also struggling and if Jason Johnson, Hird & the promising Bullen don't play out of their skins it could be a long year for the red & blacks.

Potential Finishing Range

Anwhere between 5th and 14th for the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

11th

 

[CyberKev]

FREMANTLE DOCKERS

What do they have going for them...

Youthful talent on tap and, most tellingly, the sort of youthful talent that has a few years of experience under its belt. The likes of Pavlich, McPharlin, Haselby, Schammer, Polak, Headland, Medhurst, Longmuir & Sandilands ensure that the club is second only to St Kilda in the envy department. The side has recruited well to ensure a good mix of tall marking power with small running drive and will be more than a handful for any side when on song. The side is also well coached by Chris Connolly (despite the derision his name inspires in some quarters) and will derive considerable confidence from qualifying for their first finals campaign last season. Much is made of the healthy home ground advantage enjoyed by the Perth sides, and I suspect that Freo may prove close to inpenetrable on home soil this season. The team has talent to burn and is wonderfully balanced, and should only go from strength to strength from here.

What is working against them...

A lack of reliability and consistency among their forwards is a major problem that Freo will need to address. The Dockers should have punished Essendon in that ill-fated final last season, but lacked the forward presence to exploit the clear limitations of the loose Bomber defence. The side clearly lacks confidence in its marking targets upfront, as on several occasions last season the team chose to steadfastly ignore tall marking options up the centre in order to flirt with short ball usage around the flanks. This approach not only denied the Dockers usage of their most potent weapon, but also exposed the developing side's flaws with skill and ball usage under pressure. Several sides use the ball much better than Freo, but I would still contend that much of the side's problem is mental in nature, as their delivery regularly steps up several notches within the comforting confines of the Subiaco ground. As a final point, the Dockers would not like to see young Ruckman Sandilands missing in action for a prolonged period, although - in fairness - they are not the only side to lack ruck depth.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 3rd and 12th for the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

7th

 

[CyberKev]

GEELONG CATS

What do they have going for them

Geelong would sit third behind St Kilda & Fremantle in the young talent stakes, and the club has done well to sign-up its promising young core for the years ahead. The club doesn't appear to have a reliance on key individual players, which ensures that it doesn't suffer dramatically from injury list woes and isn't resticted as markedly from having a few players covered during matches. The Cat defence would be among the top three or four in the competition and is well equipped to match-up any attack, with the possible exception only of Brisbane. This defence is complemented by a soundly performing and developing young midfield that lacks the standout class of several other sides, but maintains a health workrate and has good leg speed. The club has endured a few nasty years off-field, but it is good to see that it appears to have its debt levels under control and is showing signs of returning to full stability inside of five years. Confidence is on the up and up again at Catville and I suspect that the kittens in the cradle are on the brink of (dare I say it) taking the puss fanatics on the ride of their life...

What is working against them...

Its all very well to not have a dependancy on key players for much of the season, but in big games against top sides, the lack of clear matchwinners can be more of a curse than a blessing. The only Cat that could be put into the superstar class is Stephen King (Matthew Scarlett may get there soon), but he has been beset with injury problems and is already expected to miss a large segment of 2004. His absence will expose the Cats badly in the ruck, with former Hawk David Loats likely to fill the gap during this time. Loats is sound in the ruck, but lacks King's presence in general play and has had more than his own fair share of injury concerns in the past. Doubts must also exist as to the Cat's capacity to score enough goals at their end to fully exploit the regularly strong performances put in by their own backs. Geelong is on the right track, but in the short term gives the impression of being a poor man's Collingwood, and this detracts from their attractiveness for the moment.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 7th & 16th

Predicted Finish

10th

 

[Cupid Stunt]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, HURRY UP & GET TO WESTERN & PORT ALREADY! :lol:

 

[Mr Angry]

This is a great read, for a an AFL putz like me. Not a huge fan, but I will go to a game or 2 @ the gabba with my bro-in-law who is pretty keen on the game. This will make me look semi-intelligent when talking to him about it. Thanks CyberKev.

 

[CyberKev]

HAWTHORN HAWKS

What do they having going for them...

During the second half of last season, Hawthorn's form was as good as anything going around and the side was the unluckiest to miss the finals since the inception of the final 8 system. The side is well balanced across the park, with talent and marking power down the spine and a ruckman who is arguably the best in the competition. While the Hawk's have struggled badly over 2002-03 due to ongoing injury concerns to key players, this has given them the opportunity to blood a core group of young players who have, by and large, responded well to the pressures of top level football. Players like Hodge, Mitchell, Osborne & Ries should go from strenght to strength, particularly if the key Hawks around them can stand-up for most of the year. Messers Hay, Smith & Croad should provide the capable Hawk defence with plenty of run out of the backline that will - in turn - take pressure of the young midfield and increase the potency of the forward line. In closing, the Hawks should also benefit from a draw that appears more favourable than most (although they wouldn't want to rely on this!)

What is working against them...

The Hawthorn forward structure has been badly underperforming for several years now and needs to increase output markedly for the side to improve on last season's subpar showing. Returns of less than 40 for your top goalkicker over successive years is pathetic and has placed inordinate extra pressure on a midfield trying to blood young footballers. Compounding this problem is the extra issue of Hawthorn being forced to play several players out of their best position for the sake of team balance and structure. Nathan Thompson is much better suited to the Ruck or CHF than he is to the FF position, but with Everitt commanding the ruck and no obvious alternatives for the FF post he continues to play there with indifferent return. Shane Crawford is fab out of the centre, but he would nonetheless give the side extra potency were he to play regularly as a floating forward. Similarly, Jon Hay is fine at FB, but I'm certain he would be a better footballer at CHB or even CHF given his clear preference to run and exploit open spaces. Aside from this, the Hawks have developed something of a "victim" mentality in recent times and all too readily take the "low road" when key decisions/happenings go against them in important matches.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 1st & 10th during the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

6th

 

[CyberKev]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, HURRY UP & GET TO WESTERN & PORT ALREADY! :lol:

:lol:

All in good time, Cupid, as we still have a couple of weeks before the season gets underway in earnest.

I'd like to oblige you earlier, but I'm nothing if not a pedant to process and I can't break from the careful structure of alphabetical order... I can't, I won't, it's beyond my inherent capabilities to even countenance the mere possibility 8)

At any rate, are you really in a rush to hear what I have to say about the Hounds?

CyberKev

 

[CyberKev]

This is a great read, for a an AFL putz like me. Not a huge fan, but I will go to a game or 2 @ the gabba with my bro-in-law who is pretty keen on the game. This will make me look semi-intelligent when talking to him about it. Thanks CyberKev.

Cheers, Mr Angry...

Even though I don't follow the Lions I envy you the chance to get along to the Gabba to watch one of the greatest sides in VFL/AFL history strut its stuff.

I like living in Canberra generally, but I have missed the ability to roll along to the MCG every second week to take in a game...

I'm flattered that you'd consider using me a s a guide for AFL-related discussion, but you should be warned that there'd be more than a couple of AFL devotees who would be queing up to bag me out for my views. Approximately 99% of them would have an overt fondness for the red & black colour scheme, but its hard to write these sort of things without getting people offside. 8)

Kind Regards,

CyberKev

 

[Mr Angry]

:lol:
No doubting the atmoshpere, the Gabba is a great ground to watch the boys do their thing.
I'll take your preview, all previews have their critics. Better to have what could maybe considered a bias clue than no clue at all. That is my theory.

 

[meltiger]

Only positive I can see from that is the Maggots would no longer be the only club to have won four in a row

Oh c'mon Craig...

You mean that always hearing recalcitrant Magpie tragics imploring the world that the footballing sun rises & sets over Victoria Park on account of the club winning four on the trot pre-Great Depression, doesn't warm the cockles of your blood pumping muscle (I'm talking about the one in your chest here, Old Son, for the sake of clarification)??!! :twisted:

Yessum... Every day is 1930 GF day for the Magpie Army...

CyberKev

LMAO!!

Where's your Richmond season preview? Can't start the season without the usual Cyberkev slagging of my mighty Tigers

 

[CyberKev]

LMAO!!

Where's your Richmond season preview? Can't start the season without the usual Cyberkev slagging of my mighty Tigers

What makes you think I'll bag 'em off :?:

After all, finishing positions 1 & 3 haven't been accounted for yet :lol:

CyberKev

 

[CyberKev]

LMAO!!

Where's your Richmond season preview? Can't start the season without the usual Cyberkev slagging of my mighty Tigers

What makes you think I'll s**g 'em off :?:

After all, finishing positions 1 & 3 haven't been accounted for yet :lol:

CyberKev

What the flock??!!

Since when has bag been considered a word worthy of censorship???!!! :?

And how does slagging get through when bag doesn't? :-s

Strange days indeed, most peculiar mumma, whoa...

CyberKev

 

[CyberKev]

KANGAROOS

What do they have going for them...

I guess you only have to look at the aforementioned banner to get the full sense of how the club perceives of itself, and their efforts across the 1990s have ensured that much of the footballing public view them in a like fashion. Old heads like Anthony Stevens & Glen Archer serve as physical remnants of the much vaunted "shinboner spirit" and both will be relied upon heavily again in 2004 to lead the side from the front. On the surface, the Kangaroos have fared well in their efforts to reshape their playing squad from tiring "Dad's Army" to an outfit that better blends experienced hard heads with burgeoning youngsters. Daniel Wells stands out as a star of the future and the club will be hoping that he can take the next step in 2004, as his pace and skill will cause more than a few headaches for opposing sides when he gets the steadiness and experience to complement his talent. Tall young CHF Drew Petrie will also be looking to follow-up an unexpectedly fabulous 2003 and while he is certainly not in the Carey class of key forward, he does appear to be a good fit for the more multi-faceted Kangaroo attacking approach of the present day. The other young Roos look more steady than spectacular at this point, but there is an overall stability to the side that ensures it must be respected.

What is working against them...

Spirit is a fine and dandy quality to possess, but it is also one of those airy characteristics that can be played-up more than a tad. At the end of the day, the Kangaroos have lost a solid core of quality performers in recent years (Carey, Martyn, Pickett, McCartney, Schwass) and while they certainly haven't bottomed-out on the paddock, they've clearly fallen well off the premiership pace. In many ways the current Kangaroos side reminds me of the ailing Hawks in their gradual post-greatness meltdown over the mid-90s. They're still fighting hard and recording some good results, but its hard to not get the impression that they're the little dutch boy with his finger in the dyke. Presumably this season will give us a better sense of whether they'll be able to firmly reinforce this crack, or whether the dam walls are going to burst open on them. Regardless of what happens, we can be sure that -- for all its playbook diversity in comparison with the more revered 90s model -- this Kangaroos side would still kill for a Carey in the paddock for any big games that may happen along.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 7th & 16th during the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

14th

 

[CyberKev]

MELBOURNE DEMONS

What do they have going for them...

Melbourne would be the hardest side to get a fix on when it comes to this category. A few years ago they were highly regarded due largely to the consistently strong performances of their midfield and while they have lost key members of this contingent recently, I still feel that this is their strongest selling point. I only saw Melbourne in action on a couple of occasions in 2003, and the one thing that struck me about the team was its tendency to unleash dangerous bursts from its midfield. Outside of this, the recruitment of ex-Tiger Ben Holland will add much needed height and experience to the backline, where a rejuvenated Clint Bizzell has already been infusing his own brand of counter-attacking spice. Up forward, the side can still count among its number one of the most potent forces in the game - David Neitz. Neitz gets routinely rubbished by opposing fans, but as far as I'm concerned, if you play on Neitz and successfully subdue him during a game then you know you've put in a game and a half because he is all class. If nothing else, the Demons tend to almost invariably look good early in the season, and if they can get off to a flyer, the competition is even enough for them to perform well.

What is working against them...

Neitz is a class act, but there's little doubt that Melbourne over focus their forward delivery toward the big man. Cameron Bruce & Brad Green both appear worthy alternative options, but neither fire on a consistent basis and one wonders whether they could be unwilling victims of the sides overt fixation with Neitz. Its also true that Melbourne has been as yet unable to replace the damaging Jeff Farmer with a viable small, crumbing target up front. While I still think the Demon centreline can be dangerous, there's little doubt it is suffering for want of past players Shane Woewodin & Stephen Powell. The latter is particularly missed for his uncanny ability to damage side with hard and fast running, and surprisingly underrated delivery. While I have commented on the stabilising state of the Demon backline, I am still concerned about the team's capacity to cope with opposition's that possess two or more capable key forwards. On-field defiencies aside, I'm also wary of the pressures being exerted due to surging off-field debt, constant uncertainty over the presidency, and ever present rumblings about the coaching staff. This sort of carry-on can galvanise a side in an "us versus them" fashion, but Melbourne has always been a little on the fragile side and would be, for mine, more likely to crumble than reify in the face of a protracted environment of hostility.

Potential Finishing Range

Anywhere between 7th & 16th for the H & A season.

Predicted Finish

12th