1. Geelong
Case for: Their ruthlessness last year proved the Cats' supposed mental fragility was a thing of the past. Retain a deep midfield, more than competent attack and have easily the best key defence in the competition. And they've got young talent such as Tom Hawkins and Brent Prismall in reserve.
Case against: Have traded off some depth and experience. Will finish (range): 1-4.
2. Hawthorn
Case for: The Hawks' time has come: the young players they had drafted and traded for should now hit their prime. Plenty of depth and hardness in the midfield, and Mark Williams returns to assist Lance "Buddy" Franklin and Jarryd Roughead in an energetic attack.
Case against: Dependent on Trent Croad in key defence. Coach Alastair Clarkson faces a tough examination.
Range: 1-6.
3. Port Adelaide
Case for: Should benefit from the shattering experience of last year's grand final, with several youngsters ready to step up. Retain brilliant centre-square clearance unit and imposing ruck division. Young forward Justin Westhoff is a potential star.
Case against: Rely heavily on their big five - Shaun and Peter Burgoyne, Chad and Kane Cornes and Brendan Lade. Skipper Warren Tredrea is not yet back to his best.
Range: 1-8.
4. St Kilda
Case for: Hiring of former Swans fitness adviser Dave Misson is a bonus for a club with a poor history of injuries. Should be better acquainted with approach of coach Ross Lyon in his second season. Steven King could help solve perennial ruck problems.
Case against: Still big gap between handful of top-line stars and the rest. Fitness of defensive keys Max Hudghton and Matt McGuire is suspect. Tend to buckle when expectations are greatest.
Range: 1-8.
5. Sydney
Case for: Have clearly benefited from extra three-week break after several gruelling campaigns. Possible return to fitness of Barry Hall, Tadhg Kennelly and Lewis Roberts-Thomson is important. Injection of several youngsters could re-energise a line-up that looked stale at times last year. Adam Goodes will start the season in imposing form.
Case against: No guarantee Hall can make a big impact on the scoreboard - vital given teams such as Geelong are racking up big numbers. Injury to Nick Malceski deprives Swans of carry and class.
Range: 1-9.
6. Brisbane
Case for: Jonathan Brown is the most imposing forward in the game and will get some support this year from Daniel Bradshaw and Mitchell Clark. Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger leads a talented bunch of youngsters who are ready to make an impact. Travis Johnstone should add some run.
Case against: Rely heavily on Daniel Merrett in key defence and need the youngsters to click at the same time. If Brown's dodgy knee buckles, they're out of contention.
Range: 4-12.
7. West Coast
Case for: Competitive last season despite losing Ben Cousins and a crippling injury to Chris Judd. A solid defence led by Darren Glass, the dominance of ruckman Dean Cox and brilliant ball-winner Daniel Kerr, as well as Fortress Subiaco, ensure they will win more than their share.
Case against: The opposition will focus on new first-line midfielders such as Matthew Priddis and Matt Rosa this year. Kerr will be under tremendous pressure to perform week in, week out.
Range: 3-10.
8. Collingwood
Case for: The Pies seem to be moving towards contention with their long list of talented youngsters. Travis Cloke will head a damaging array of forwards if Anthony Rocca can find consistency and Sean Rusling and Ben Reid seize their chances. Recruit Cameron Wood could provide the support ruckman Josh Fraser has lacked.
Case against: The retirement of ultra-composed defender James Clement and injury to stalwart Simon Prestigiacomo leaves them exposed at the back. Gun youngsters Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas can expect extra attention.
Range: 4-10.
9. North Melbourne
Case for: Just maybe the Roos were bona fide finalists last year, not just overachievers. Much was made of Dean Laidley's more attacking game plan but the improvement of the likes of Drew Petrie, Hamish McIntosh and Josh Gibson has boosted the Roos' strength and depth. Regain tall forward Nathan Thompson.
Case against: Pressure of playing for their future in Melbourne could be unsettling. Thompson's return could mean goals - or unbalance a successful attack.
Range: 5-12.
10. Adelaide
Case for: Looked typically fit, hardened and disciplined during pre-season. Likely to at least trial a more attacking game plan than the dour approach of the past two seasons. Young forward Kurt Tippett could help solve problems in attack.
Case against: Have traded away some depth and experience, and retirement of skipper Mark Ricciuto is a major blow. Still lean heavily on veterans, particularly Andrew McLeod.
Range: 5-11.
11. Fremantle
Case for: Match-winner Matthew Pavlich leads a potentially damaging attack - particularly if Chris Tarrant, Des Headland and Jeff Farmer can fire. Giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands can provide silver service to his on-ballers and there is plenty of run and carry from the Dockers defence.
Case against: Season-ending injury to Paul Hasleby depletes midfield stocks. Still flat-track bullies at home but unproven on the road.
Range: 6-12.
12. Western Bulldogs
Case for: Have addressed specific needs by recruiting former Crows Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson in attack and the ruck respectively. A full season from injury-prone Robert Murphy and the return of key ball-winner Daniel Cross and young gun Ryan Griffen would be huge boosts.
Case against: Lack of quality talls leaves them with glaring structural weaknesses. Depth questionable despite recruiting experienced players.
Range: 7-14.
13. Essendon
Case for: Looked lively and energetic during the pre-season and new coach Matthew Knights has promised an open, attacking game plan. If the midfield can improve supply, Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas remain potentially potent targets in attack, while youngster Patrick Ryder will provide veteran defenders Dustin Fletcher and Mal Michael with support.
Case against: The fast-running game plan that worked well in February will be tested during the season proper. Midfield still lacks skilful ball-winners.
Range: 10-15.
14. Richmond
Case for: Expect the Tigers to start strongly with coach Terry Wallace under pressure to get results in the fourth year of his contract. If Nathan Brown has finally regained fitness after a broken leg, he will add immeasurable class to the attack. A handful of good young players, led by Nathan Foley, add depth.
Case against: An extremely fragile list is still heavily reliant on ruckman Troy Simmonds and veterans such as Matthew Richardson and Joel Bowden.
Range: 12-16.
15. Carlton
Case for: Chris Judd is, when up and running, still the best player in the game. A midfield boasting Judd, Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens, Andrew Carrazzo, Heath Scotland and Kade Simpson has Blues fans salivating - but no more than forward Brendan Fevola, who should enjoy quality service.
Case against: Wafer-thin defence reliant on the success of Jarred Waite's move from attack. With No.1 draft pick Matthew Kruezer on work experience, they have no front-line ruckman.
Range: 11-16.
16. Melbourne
Case for: New coach Dean Bailey is attempting to instil some system and discipline into a team that had lost its way. Key forwards David Neitz and Russell Robertson can still cause problems and Brad Green, Cameron Bruce and Aaron Davey can only improve.
Case against: Ageing and flat last season, the Demons have insufficient young talent pushing through to make a significant difference. A nomadic pre-season blighted by discipline problems has not helped.
Range: 12-16.
