There was controversy and success in equal measure, both on and off the field in what was an enthralling 2013 AFL season.
Patrick Dangerfield tries to burst away from All-Australian Will Minson. Source: News Limited
NEWS Limited football experts go deep inside each AFL club to predict how each team's best line-up could look next year.
ADELAIDE
IN:
Eddie Betts (Carlton), small forward
James Podsiadly (Geelong), forward
Matt Crouch (North Ballarat), midfielder
Riley Knight (Woodville-West Torrens), utility
James Podsiadly is now a Crow. Source: News Limited
OUT:
Bernie Vince (Melbourne)
Graham Johncock (retired)
Aidan Riley (delisted, picked up by Melbourne)
Ian Callinan (delisted, Crows reserves captain)
Nick Joyce (delisted)
Richard Tambling (delisted)
CARLTON'S BEST 22
TEAM OF 2013: HEADLINE GRABBERS
AFL QUIZ: 50 FOOTY QUESTIONS
COACHES
BRENTON SANDERSON
Dean Bailey (strategy and innovations)
Mark Bickley (forwards)
Scott Camporeale (midfield)
Darren Milburn (backline)
BEST 22
B: Luke Brown, 21, 24 games, Ben Rutten, 30, 215 games, Rory Laird, 19, 18 games
HB: Brodie Smith, 21, 54 games, Daniel Talia, 22, 54 games, Brent Reilly, 30, 193 games
C: David Mackay, 25, 105 games, Patrick Dangerfield, 23, 109 games, Brad Crouch, 19, 14 games
HF: Richard Douglas, 26, 136 games, Taylor Walker, 23, 69 games, Tom Lynch, 23, 23 games
F: Eddie Betts, 27, 184 games, James Podsiadly, 32, 83 games, Matthew Wright, 23, 58 games
Foll: Sam Jacobs, 25, 82 games, Scott Thompson, 30, 245 games, Rory Sloane, 23, 78 games
Int: Nathan van Berlo, 27, 182 games, Josh Jenkins, 24, 28 games, Jason Porplyzia, 28, 126 games, Mitch Grigg, 20, 5 games
HOW THEY'LL PLAY
Brenton Sanderson was an important part of premierships at Geelong as an assistant coach.
He still believes the Geelong way is the way to play: a platform of a steady and accountable defence allowing for flair and run when the ball is in his players' hands.
The Crows will look leaner this season after a summer spent on more running and slightly less emphasis on building muscle in the gym. Much of that has to do with the cap on interchange rotations - the Crows used the bench more than most - and the way Sanderson and his staff see the game developing.
Brad Crouch should become an elite player. Source: News Limited
READY TO FLY
Brad Crouch impressed last year from his first moment in a Crows jumper, and there is an expectation he will develop into an elite player.
He's an old-fashioned footballer's footballer - one with an innate sense of where the ball is likely to go next, which player is likely to do what.
He has pace, strength and skills that suggest he could be part of one of the best midfields in the competition.
