Overwhelmingly, the view of the game's on-field leaders is that Carlton will return to September action for the first time since 2001.
Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola is the stand-out pick as the star forward in the game while the club leaders believe that Chris Judd will start the year as second favourite to win the Brownlow Medal behind Geelong’s Gary Ablett.
Two AFL Captains also nominated Carlton recruits Mitch Robinson and Chris Yarran as their respective selections for the 2009 NAB Rising Star Award.
At a gathering with the AFL Commission in Melbourne today on the eve of the season launch, the captains were asked five key questions on the season ahead, with the proviso that their individual answers would be treated anonymously to ensure personal views:
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?
Carlton (15), Geelong Cats (15), Hawthorn (15), Western Bulldogs (14), Collingwood (12), Port Adelaide (10), St Kilda (nine), Adelaide (six), Brisbane Lions (four), Richmond (four), North Melbourne (three), Sydney Swans (three), Essendon (one), Fremantle (one), Melbourne (nil), West Coast Eagles (nil).
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
Geelong Cats (14), Hawthorn (two).
Who do you think will win the 2009 Brownlow Medal?
Gary Ablett, Geelong Cats (nine), Chris Judd, Carlton (three), Jimmy Bartel, Geelong Cats (one), Lance Franklin, Hawthorn (one), Brent Harvey, North Melbourne (one), Matthew Richardson, Richmond (one).
Who do you think will win the 2009 Coleman Medal?
Brendan Fevola, Carlton (10), Lance Franklin, Hawthorn (five), Jarryd Roughead, Hawthorn (one).
Who do you think will win the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star?
Daniel Rich, Brisbane Lions (five), Jack Ziebell, North Melbourne (four), Dayne Beams, Collingwood (two), Jarrad Grant, Western Bulldogs (one), Stephen Hill, Fremantle (one), Michael Hurley, Essendon (one), Mitch Robinson, Carlton (one), Chris Yarran, Carlton (one).
