The third and final instalment of The Line-Up Lay Down is here, as we gauge the best 22 for the final six sides before the the season commences.
Please keep in mind there will be some superstars missing from the initial line-ups due to injury, so don't be alarmed if you don't see some big names.
Check out the team line-ups and compare them side by side - is your team set for a successful season, or are there other teams which have the edge over your own?
Tell us what you think!
PORT ADELAIDE
By Zac Standish
Following the heartbreak of a last-gasp elimination final loss to West Coast, Port Adelaide went through a rebuild of sorts with an aggressive trade period signalling their intentions of immediate flag contention.
Despite the departures of Jackson Trengove and Jarman Impey, the club have brought in a wealth of experienced players to accommodate for their losses.
Going through such a drastic list change, chemistry looks to be the biggest issue this season for Port as Ken Hinkley looks to implement so many new pieces into his previously settled side.
The Power's biggest strength lies in their midfield, with a number of quality players able to play on ball throughout the game and interchange with elite forwards seamlessly.
Previously led by the likes of Travis Boak and Robbie Gray, young star Ollie Wines is primed to become the next gem of the Port Adelaide midfield - add new recruits Tom Rockliff, Dom Barry and Jack Trengove to the mix (should the latter remain injury-free ) and there's no shortage of midfield might for the Power.
Port’s forward line will be an interesting prospect this season as they look to see continual growth from Charlie Dixon after he showed glimpses of dominance last season.
Sporting some of the best small forwards in the league, the main issue with the Power’s forward line is the second tall position, which now rests on the shoulders of Jack Watts.
The additions of Stephen Motlop and Lindsey Thomas however will do no harm to their offence.
While Jasper Pittard looks set to miss the opening game, ex-Sun Trent McKenzie will easily fill the void left in defence.
SEASON SUPERSTAR: Ollie Wines
KEEP AN EYE ON: Riley Bonner
YOUNG GUN: Sam Powell-Pepper
NOTABLE ABSENTEES: Jasper Pittard
RICHMOND
By Athos Sirianos
The reigning premiers in Richmond will certainly come out firing when they clash against the Blues in Thursday night's season opener.
After dishing out two thumpings in the JLT Community Series, the Tigers look poised for yet another massive year with just as much success.
With Tiger fans' hopes higher than ever following their premiership year, expect Dustin Martin to be their source of inspiration and the man to guide the Tigers to yet another finals campaign.
The 2017 Brownlow medallist, Norm Smith medallist and premiership player will have to pull off an even bigger season to top of last year's monumental accolades, but Tiger fans will expect nothing less.
The Richmond side for 2018 boast solid structures in both their backline, midfield and forward line, and will prove to be a formidable force all over the ground.
Alex Rance will once again lead Richmond's general in defence, and will be accompanied brilliantly by the steadfast David Astbury.
The forward line of Jack Riewoldt, Jacob Townsend and Jason Castagna will be a challenge for opposition defenders, with the three key forwards full of confidence following their stellar 2017.
The acquisition of former Sydney ruckman Toby Nankervis last year saved Richmond on many occasions, and proved how important his massive presence is to the side and to midfielders Trent Cotchin and Shaun Grigg who often reap the rewards of his hard work.
While Bachar Houli, Dion Prestia and Daniel Rioli all set to miss round one through injury, and Nathan Broad absent due to a club-imposed suspension, all four should slot back into the regular line-up within the coming weeks.
SEASON SUPERSTAR: Dustin Martin
KEEP AN EYE ON: Jacob Townsend
YOUNG GUN: Jack Higgins
NOTABLE ABSENTEES: Bachar Houli, Daniel Rioli, Nathan Broad, Dion Prestia
ST KILDA
By Chris Nice
Despite the retirements of champions Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna, St Kilda appear to have one of the more deep and versatile lists in the competition, even with a close to non-existent trade period last season.
Yet it will again be a matter of cohesion and consistency for the Saints, with the side having sat on the fringe of the top-eight for some years now.
Getting match time into top-ten draft picks Nick Coffield and Hunter Clark will be integral to the development of the young Saints side, with both players showing plenty of promise in the two JLT Community Series matches.
While St Kilda boast a strong six-man squad in all areas of the ground, it is their midfield which is full to the brim, making form slumps more costly than ever.
With proficient players like Luke Dunstan, Maverick Weller and Black Acres all vying for midfield positions among the regular mainstays, Alan Richardson will have no shortage of stars to choose from to form an elite force come round one.
The return of David Armitage from injury will greatly enhance the Saints' centre, with the 29-year-old slotting neatly back into the fold alongside teammates Jack Steven and Sebastian Ross.
St Kilda's forward triumvirate of Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce and Paddy McCartin will come to fill Riewoldt's massive shoes in time, but it will be a matter of experimentation for the fledgling albeit talented offence to see which combination of the three works best.
Expect Jack Billings to have another stellar season, after he played all 22 home and away matches last season averaging 23 touches and a goal.
Nathan Freeman is the only injury concern for St Kilda, with the yet-to-debut recruit set to miss the opening four rounds following hamstring surgery.
SEASON SUPERSTAR: Jack Billings
KEEP AN EYE ON: Paddy McCartin
YOUNG GUN: Nick Coffield
NOTABLE ABSENTEES: Tom Hickey, Nathan Freeman, Josh Battle, Logan Austin
SYDNEY
By Zac Standish
2017 was a year of missed opportunity for the Sydney Swans, as despite playing some breathtaking football late, a 0-6 start was simply too much of a hurdle to overcome.
Sydney's ageing list may spell trouble come season's end, but already the cracks in their squad have appeared larger before the season has even begun.
The Swans have found themselves without a ruckman on the eve of round one, with Sam Naismith suffering a season-ending knee injury, and their stocks further depleted following the sudden retirement of Kurt Tippett (who may be coaxed into putting the boots back on).
Callum Sinclair has since been catapulted into the number-one ruck position, with support most likely coming from key forward, Sam Reid.
Sydney have always prided themselves on their midfield, and 2018 looks to be no different with Josh P. Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery headlining an extremely talented group of players.
The biggest wildcard for the Swans this season comes through Isaac Heeney, who is expected to spend more time through the midfield rather than up forward.
Despite their excellent top-end talent, the Swans' bottom six is of some concern, with a number of raw unproven players expected to fill crucial roles for John Longmire throughout the year.
SEASON SUPERSTAR: Lance Franklin
KEEP AN EYE ON: Isaac Heeney
YOUNG GUN: Will Hayward
NOTABLE ABSENTEES: Sam Naismith
WEST COAST
By Zac Standish
The 2018 season will be one of intrigue for West Coast as they embark on their first season without Brownlow medallist, Matt Priddis, and superstars Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie.
Adam Simpson will look to blood a lot of youth as the season develops, with the likes of Daniel Venables and Fraser McInnes expected to fill important roles for the Eagles.
The biggest unknown for West Coast is without a doubt the form of ruckman Nic Naitanui, who will be hoping to return from a nasty ACL injury he sustained at the back-end of 2016.
The 27-year-old holds the key to West Coast's success, as they look to back up 2017 with another solid finals campaign.
Another crucial part of the West Coast lies in their defence, as they look to recreate their 2015 success through " the web” coming into the new season.
With the best intercept player in the competition, Jeremy McGovern, the Eagles' underrated defence may be brought into the light through Tom Barrass, who stands as a real breakout contender for the new season.
West Coast’s forward line will be a very interesting prospect this year, with draftee Liam Ryan and dynamo Willie Rioli set to be unleashed.
From the glimpses we have seen in the JLT Community Series, the duo look to be very special talents which have the potential to form one of the competition's best small forward combos.
Josh J. Kennedy will miss the opening two rounds following ankle surgery, but expect an immediate impact when he returns to face Geelong.
SEASON SUPERSTAR: Josh J. Kennedy
KEEP AN EYE ON: Tom Barrass
YOUNG GUN: Liam Ryan
NOTABLE ABSENTEES: Josh J. Kennedy, Nic Naitanui, Brendon Ah Chee, Nathan Vardy, Eric Mackenzie
WESTERN BULLDOGS
By Chris Nice
After failing to make the top-eight last season following their premiership year, the Western Bulldogs will have finished licking their wounds by now to begin to 2018 rejuvenated.
With Bulldog heroes and icons Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd retiring last season, the door has been opened for fresh new faces to rise to the challenge.
The Bulldog youth of Aaron Naughton, Bailey Williams and Jack Macrae were impressive throughout the JLT Community Series, proving there is a lot of bite in the young pups even before the season has commenced.
Luke Beveridge will be hoping for his prized players in Jason Johanissen, Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore to bounce back following their disappointing seasons.
Newcomer to the kennel Jackson Trengove is set to take number one ruck position following a suspected hip injury to Jordan Roughead in the second game of the JLT Community Series.
Josh Schache will have a lot of attention his way following his high-profile exit from Brisbane, yet after a minimal impact in the JLT looks unlikely to line up for round one.
While the Bulldogs' offence will be minus Jake Stringer, look for youngster Patrick Lipinski to potentially come into the side to play as a midfield-forward role.
Skipper Easton Wood will find himself in a new role up forward this season for the time being, giving Fremantle recruit Hayden Crozier a lot of ground to cover down back, especially with Dale Morris out indefinitely after partially tearing his ACL.
SEASON SUPERSTAR: Marcus Bontempelli
KEEP AN EYE ON: Mitch Wallis
YOUNG GUN: Aaron Naughton
NOTABLE ABSENTEES: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Bailey Dale, Marcus Adams
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