Former AFL forward and Geelong ruck coach Josh Jenkins has taken a look at what shapes as the biggest storylines for the 2023 AFL season.
After a busy off-season featuring a hectic trade period and a number of off-field signings across the competition, Jenkins has named five storylines that will no doubt be among the talking points next year.
See his list below
5. Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele playing together
“Now my view is one of them has to be around the ball at all times, you can’t have that much capital, cash and talent 80 metres away from the ball,” Jenkins began on SEN Breakfast.
“So one of Rankine and Rachele must be at every stoppage, you don't have to play as a midfielder, you can play as a high half forward that gets up around the ball, but you’ve got to get these guys involved.
“I'm keen to see it because Adelaide is gritty, they try very, very hard and they have a crack but they lack a bit of polish, but those two guys have absolute polish.”
4. Essendon’s game style and the buy-in on defence
“Essendon’s game style and game plan and the buy-in on the defensive side of things, because that was the knock last year and probably for the last five years.”
“What has Brad Scott been able to implement in just one summer? Be keen to see what that looks like with some of their midfielders who we know can accumulate the ball but not necessarily natural defenders.”
3. Brisbane fortunes
“Brisbane’s composure and calmness in chaos and chaotic situations.”
“We’ve seen them lose big games (by) kicking inaccurately or they’ve given away silly free kicks or they’ve blasted away inside 50 when they’ve had better options.
“So I’m keen to see what (Jack) Gunston and (Josh) Dunkley, who are calm and composed guys, can bring.
“They should be very close to premiership favourites… they look outstanding on paper.”
2. Jason Horne-Francis at Port Adelaide
“His form and behaviour and application in Adelaide, if he thinks it was closely monitored as a Kangaroo, it’ll be closely monitored in Adelaide.”
“Everything he does, every place he goes, it’ll be known and everything he does will be spoken about. It’ll be interesting to see how he goes.
“If he likes to do things in a different manner but he plays good footy then that’s fine, good footy covers up everything else.”
1. Big boys at the Dees
“(Brodie) Grundy and (Max) Gawn… there are a lot of queries on the fact they’re both number one rucks, I think they’re going to use them as front half/back half rucks. That’s how they’re going to play, not necessarily with one of them resting in the forward line.”
“Gawn is outstanding behind the ball helping their defence and I think he can play that role a fair bit, and I think Grundy might be able to be the long bailout target.
“Not necessarily mark many – if any – balls that get kicked his way, but to create a big spill and allow guys like McDonald and Brown – who don’t necessarily want to do that and aren’t suited to do that – to play that role.
“I think that’s a big watch for them because if it works it becomes one of the best weapons in the game, if it doesn’t work, it’s a big headache.”