What went right? What went wrong? What do they need?
These are some of the questions often asked of the 10 teams that miss out on playing finals.
Now the dust has settled on the home and away season, there can be clearer assessment of what happened with those clubs.
Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell has taken a closer look at the 2022 campaign and evaluated three specific aspects - What went right. What went wrong. What they need.
Essendon is next up after a disappointing season which saw the club change presidency and sack Ben Rutten as coach.
The Bombers played finals in 2021, but fell away in 2022 to win just seven games.
See his assessment of the Bombers below:
What went right
“Zero, absolutely zero.”
What went wrong
“Their pre-season was poor, you could tell how unfit they were just watching them on television.
“Losing Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti at the start of the year hurt them because he’s been magnificent for him.
“Nik Cox on the wing. Really good first year last year, but barely played at all.
“Losing their coach.
“We don’t know what their game plan was. They looked like the were playing Richmond style of footy last year, but that brand capitulated this year.
“Their leadership was poor, their competitiveness was poor, nothing went right for them.”
What they need
“They need a key back. Jayden Laverde tried to play on 200-centimetre blokes which is doing him no favours.
“They need a massive flogging in the pre-season, which they’ll get.
“And another key forward to support Peter Wright plus a gun small forward if they can find one. They didn’t really replace Tippa this year and it hurt them.”
Overall
The Bombers finished 15th on the ladder with a 7-15 record and a percentage of 83.2.
The Dons had no representatives in the 2022 All-Australian squad but Zach Merrett was their most prolific midfielder.
Peter Wright kicked 53 goals, the most of any Bomber, in what was his best season at AFL level.