Epic AFL season awaits as Melbourne attempts to hold off chasing pack

At the beginning of each season, the 18 AFL teams start out the same way.

Twenty-three players walk onto the field, with no wins and no losses to their name.

For the time between the final siren of the previous season and the first of the upcoming one, each team sits on the same level as each other. To some degree, each side has some hopes of a flag.

The off-season lasts longer than the actual season, giving fans time to hope and dream of everything breaking the right way, culminating in a trip to the top of the premiership podium.

Twelve months ago, few outside of the Demons' camp predicted Melbourne exiting the season on top, let alone dominating the finals as they did.

The Demons missed the finals in 2020, a season that was disrupted by injuries and bad luck. Their 2021 campaign saw everything turn around.

While runs like Melbourne's give hope to all rival sides, the dreams of the off-season often fade fast.

With the 2022 season set to get underway in the same manner that the 2021 edition ended, so many questions are on the tips of tongues of footy fans across the nation.

It's fitting that the grand final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs kicks off the season because both sides are set to be at the pointy end of the ladder again.

The ABC has attempted to predict how the ladder might look at the end of the season, factoring in how well each side played and what role luck and injuries had last year, how they recruited in the off-season and the «luck of the draw».

As expected, last year's premiers are set to be the team to catch this year, but they will face a harder draw than most and the pack is close behind. Little is expected to separate the top six at this early stage, setting the stage for an epic season.

Rec