Adelaide Crows

If

the past two weeks have been bleak ...

then

the next four strangely loom as vibrantly bright. Suns, Bombers (at Adelaide Oval), Blues, Saints. No excuse not to make finals.

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Brisbane Lions

If

the Dogs and Tigers were able to win flags in 2016 and 2017 ...

then

the Lions' case to do so in 2019, upon entry to round 17, actually has a whole lot more compelling reasons.

Carlton

If

it's harsh for David Teague to hear he's not in the running for the permanent role ...

then

that's understandable. But as good a job as he's done in four matches, he's not going to be the coach in 2020. 

Collingwood

If

you believe in a dream ...

then

keep believing in it, no matter the rejections and odds. John Noble did. On the Friday stage, he becomes an AFL level footballer.

Essendon

If

Heppell is again unavailable with a foot injury ...

then

I can't see how the Bombers can beat North in the Saturday twilight fixture.

Fremantle

If

Ross The Boss wants to achieve something this year ...

then

the starting point is beating the Hawks in Tassie on Saturday. 

Geelong Cats

If

someone had played only eight matches before the start of 2019, and another 10 among injury this year for a career tally of 18 ...

then

normally that player wouldn't attract much attention. But I've seen enough of Esava Ratugolea to know he has ability that may be make or break on a 2019 premiership tilt for the Cats. And he's back this week. 

Gold Coast Suns

If

you listen to Tony Cochrane for 10 minutes ...

then

his elite salesman abilities leave you convinced the Suns need the pre-pick one selection in the NAB AFL National Draft. But reflection upon the damage done to the competition on past compromised drafts says it MUST NOT HAPPEN

GWS Giants

If

it's round 17 and free agent Coniglio is yet to commit for 2020 ...

then

it's getting really late.   

Hawthorn

If

Wingard is truly fit ...

then

the Hawks will win a second consecutive match and keep alive their weird hope of a finals berth.   

Melbourne

If

Gawn and Lever are among the ins ...

then

this Sunday's match against the Bulldogs is very winnable. 

North Melbourne

If

some clubs become suffocated by installing committees to make decisions ... 

then

not this one. Here, it's whatever Glenn Archer and Ben Buckley decree. Interesting, risky times as they seek to get the North band back together for reasons best known to them.   

Port Adelaide

If

it's not quite Knights versus Van der Haar in its anticipation ...

then

it is still very appealing. Dixon v Andrews. A match-shaping match-up.    

Richmond

If

the ladder position (6th) looks good given all the injuries, and with Caddy and Riewoldt to return for this game against the Giants ...

then

that's all positive but I've still got a lot of doubt. 

St Kilda

If

the rain comes as forecast ... 

then

it might keep the deficit at the Cattery to below 10 goals.  

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Sydney Swans

If

Longmire ever presented openly about his views on umpires ...

then

Exhibit A would be the 2016 Grand Final. And Exhibit B might be last Saturday's loss to Essendon.    

West Coast Eagles

If

I've said it many times before ...

then

may as well say it again. If Nic Nat stays fit, then the Eagles go back-to-back.  

Western Bulldogs

If

Bevo loves one thing as a coach ... 

then

it is being able to convince his team it is the underdog. Great success when that is the case. But, as it stands, Dogs will be favourites in their next three matches, which makes them danger games. 

If

there's a certain outcome for next year ...

then

it will be that coaches regain use of runners, albeit in a very limited way, on top of their already allowed after-goal allowances.