Six months ago we watched a West Coast outfit get smashed from pillar to post by back-to-back-to-back premiers Hawthorn. But that humiliating grand final loss will have made the Eagles even more of a threat in 2016 and no matter how much I study form lines, I struggle to see any team that can challenge the two grand finalists of 2015.
I love the form of the West Coast forwards. Josh Kennedy is an absolute star and a Coleman Medallist to boot. His support cast in Jack Darling, Josh Hill and swingman Jeremy McGovern will ensure the Eagles are hitting the scoreboard with the same frequency as last year. Add in the fact that Domain Stadium is one of the toughest places to play football - West Coast have won 11 of their last 12 at home - and you have all the makings of another fantastic Eagles season.
What else can you say about the mighty Hawks?
They have been the dominant force in recent years and will go down as one of the greatest teams of all time. However, 2016 will be another huge test for them as they have a few holes to fill with the departure of Matt Suckling, retirements of David Hale and Brian Lake and injuries to Jarryd Roughead and Liam Shiels. But with their veterans continuing to defy the length of an AFL playing career, expect the Hawks to be a main challenger, yet again.
I think Geelong have to be clinical for four quarters if they're to trouble the Hawks this week. Patrick Dangerfield bolsters their side enormously and his inclusion will free up captain Joel Selwood, who was a mile off his devastating best at the end of 2015 due to niggling injuries. We've learned to expect the unexpected when these two meet, and the greatest modern-day rivalry will no doubt deliver again.
The side I'm most intrigued to watch this year is the Western Bulldogs. They were my favourite team to watch in 2015. Can they back it up and repeat their efforts after a fairy-tale run into the finals. They are so exciting to watch off half-back with the likes of Bob Murphy, Easton Wood and Jason Johannisen; many are expecting big things from them this year.
On the other end of the spectrum, there's a handful of teams who have worked well on building their squad in the off-season. Last year's wooden spooners Carlton have brought in a very talented key defender in Jacob Weitering who will get his opportunity versus Richmond, and although the Blues didn't score heavily in the NAB challenge, new coach Brendan Bolton had them playing a better brand of footy.
The Saints are also in a rebuilding phase but there were glimpses in 2015 that suggested they might not be missing out on finals action for too much longer.
And then we have Melbourne and the Giants, who square off in round one. Both sides have done a great job in building their lists through the National Draft; in fact Melbourne coach Paul Roos said during the week that "this could be a grand final in five or six years' time".
I believe there are 12 teams realistically vying for finals so it's crucial that those teams in the middle of the pack kick-start their seasons with wins. That's why the North Melbourne vs Adelaide and Sydney Swans vs Collingwood matches will be absolutely critical for the respective clubs. This is going to be one of the most competitive seasons in history and nobody can afford early slip-ups.
Whatever you do, whoever you support, and one thing is certain; it's going to be a fascinating opening round.
Thursday, March 24
Richmond ($1.25) v Carlton ($4.00), at the MCG.
Richmond: B - David Astbury, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes; HB - Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli, Brandon Ellis; C - Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis, Kamdyn McIntosh; HF - Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards; F - Jack Riewoldt, Sam Lloyd, Ty Vickery; FOL - Shaun Hampson, Jacob Townsend, Trent Cotchin; I/C - Steven Morris, Connor Menadue, Ben Griffiths, Daniel Rioli
Carlton: B - Jacob Weitering, Michael Jamison, Zach Tuohy; HB - Bryce Gibbs, Sam Rowe, Andrejs Everitt; C - Sam Docherty, Ed Curnow, Kade Simpson; HF - Jed Lamb, Levi Casboult, Patrick Cripps; F - Andrew Walker, Matthew Kreuzer, Sam Kerridge; FOL - Andrew Phillips, Matthew Wright, Marc Murphy; I/C - Dylan Buckley, Blaine Boekhorst, Nick Graham, Simon White
UBET verdict: Richmond have injuries, Brett Deledio is in doubt, and the Tigers have a history of losing when they shouldn't. The $1.22 on offer seems short, but has been really popular through multis, but while Carlton can only go one way after 2015, there is some support for them to spring a big upset.
Enter your ESPNfootytips AFL selections
Saturday, March 26
Melbourne ($2.25) v GWS ($1.65), at the MCG.
Melbourne: TBA
GWS: TBA
UBET verdict: Melbourne have been well backed ($2.35-$2.25) since Jeremy Cameron was suspended and ruled out of the GWS side, but the problem with these 2 sides is their best is probably ahead of them. Understandably a quiet game and a win to either would no surprise.
Gold Coast ($1.15) v Essendon ($5.50), at Metricon Stadium.
Gold Coast: TBA
Essendon: TBA
UBET verdict: Gold Coast raging hot $1.15 favourites, not so much on what they have done but on who will be missing for Essendon. We know the background behind that ,and while there are some who think the Bombers will be competitive ($5.50), most of the line money has been for the Suns to win by 35 points or more.
North Melbourne ($1.55) v Adelaide ($2.47), at Etihad Stadium.
North Melbourne: TBA
Adelaide: TBA
UBET verdict: Adelaide looked good in the pre-season but ti is dangerous to read too much into that. North Melbourne are the $1.57 favourites because it is at Etihad, if the game was in Adelaide the prices would be reversed. The Kangaroos have been solid in flag betting so would be expecting to get a win here, and they do carry most of the early money.
Enter your ESPNfootytips AFL selections
Sydney ($1.65) v Collingwood ($2.25), at the SCG.
Sydney: TBA
Collingwood: TBA
UBET verdict: The good news for Swans fans is this game is at the SCG, and that gives them a big advantage. By all reports Buddy Franklin has been training the house down, and even though Collingwood did impress in the NAB Challenge, the Swans are the $1.65 favourites.
Sunday, March 27
Western Bulldogs ($1.91) v Fremantle ($1.91), at Etihad Stadium.
Western Bulldogs: TBA
Fremantle: TBA
UBET verdict: The Bulldogs have been a big 'go' in the betting, equal favs now after opening at $2.15. Their best form is clearly at Etihad where this game will be played, and there is always a doubt over the form of Fremantle whenever they leave Perth. Both sides can make a statement with a win here, but the money says it will be the Bulldogs.
Enter your ESPNfootytips AFL selections
Port Adelaide ($1.18) v St Kilda ($5.00), at Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide: TBA
St Kilda: TBA
UBET verdict: The betting suggests this is a mere formality with Port at $1.15 or conceding 29.5 points at the line ($1.90), but that was the case last year and they failed miserably! To offset that there is a big doubt about the fitness of Nick Riewoldt, if the Saints star was out, then that would make it mighty hard for them to win.
West Coast ($1.02) v Brisbane ($14.00), at Domain Stadium.
West Coast: TBA
Brisbane: TBA
UBET verdict: Brisbane at their very best would struggle against the Eagles in Perth, and with the Lions travelling across missing several players, the west Coast should justify the quote of $1.02. Normally early in the season there is money for sides to be competitive with a big start, but most expect the Eagles to win by more than the line of 58 points.
Monday, March 28
Geelong ($2.25) v Hawthorn ($1.65), at the MCG.
Geelong: TBA
Hawthorn: TBA
UBET verdict: Maybe a preview of the 2016 Grand Final? Who knows, but already a monstrous betting game and it isn't until Monday. Opinions firmly divided here, but a slight leaning to Geelong even though they are the $2.35 outsider.
Enter your ESPNfootytips AFL selections