The AFL Grand Final is still months away, but the season is already beginning to heat up. There is a great deal of buzz and excitement around many of the AFL’s teams this year, with some of last year’s leaders powering on while others fall away. Will we see the same top eight battling it out in this season’s Grand Finals? It seems unlikely — especially if the first two rounds are anything to go by.

Take a look at our predictions for the AFL 2021 Grand Final, as we explore the form teams, the stumblers, the early frontrunners and the exciting outsiders.

The early season ladder

What conclusions can we draw from the early season ladder? Well, not many. Five teams have won their first two games, giving us a clutch of early frontrunners. But these are early frontrunners who could see themselves plummeting down the ladder after a couple of losses. 

The ladder is interesting to look at, however. Port Adelaide, who topped the ladder last time out, are right back up there again with a 100% record. Richmond — the current grand final champions — have also failed to put a foot wrong so far, as have Western Bulldogs.

But where is Geelong? Where are the Brisbane Lions? Well, the Cats got off to a bad start with a defeat at last year’s bottom-ranked team, Adelaide Crows, while the Lions have been having a generally torrid time of it, losing at home to the Swans before succumbing to the Geelong Cats by a single point at the GMHBA stadium.

Other teams working hard and securing maximum returns in the opening rounds are the hotly tipped sides Melbourne and Gold Coast, neither of whom made it to the Grand Finals last time out.

Last season’s grand finals

As well as the teams already mentioned, last year’s AFL Grand Finals were rounded out by West Coast, St. Kilda and Collingwood. Of these three, only West Coast fell at the first hurdle, going down by a single point to rivals Collingwood, while St. Kilda and Collingwood themselves were knocked out by eventual finalists Richmond and Geelong.

Who won the AFL Grand Final 2020? Well, that accolade goes to Richmond, adding their second title in as many years and cementing their place as the dominant AFL side of recent seasons. Will Richmond do it again in 2021? Many people seem to think so, but there is still a long way to go in the season.

The dormant threats

So, who else is in the running? The main outsiders to watch currently appear to be Sydney Swans, who are making up for a woeful season last year with some strong early wins. The Swans managed only 20 points across the whole regular season in 2020, but have already notched up 40% of that total this year after only two games.

Similarly, the Adelaide Crows’ famous victory against Geelong in the opening round has made fans sit up and take notice, although time will tell how they bounce back from a defeat in Sydney in round two.  

Melbourne, who were unlucky to miss out on the top eight last season after a strong run in the final rounds, appears to have learned from their mistakes. The Victorians may be another shrewd outside bet, as — with two wins and no losses to their name — they appear not to be leaving it so late this year.

Grand final predictions for AFL 2021

Taking all this into account, our early season predictions for the AFL Grand Final 2021 are:

• Richmond Tigers – It would be a huge shock for Richmond to miss out on the top eight.
• Port Adelaide Power – Power will also expect to be in the Grand Final placings.
• Sydney Swans – We just can’t ignore their early season form.
• Western Bulldogs – The Bulldogs are a strong side who are looking to capitalise on a decent showing last year.
• Melbourne Demons – Melbourne left it late in 2020 and are keen not to make the same mistake this season.
• Geelong Cats – The Cats were caught out by the Crows but should be strong enough to get over this blip.
• Brisbane Lions – Brisbane perhaps underestimated Sydney and went close in Geelong. They should bounce back.
• Adelaide Crows – Last season’s bottom-ranked side are desperate to prove that they should not be written off.

Who will make the cut this season?

There’s still a long way to go, but which AFL teams do you think will make the cut this season? Who will be facing off when the time comes for the Grand Final kick-off at 2:30 p.m., 25 September?