Janice R. Andrews
First of all,
In the dynamic realm of Australian Rules Football, teams striving for triumph are subject to constant evaluations and benchmarks. Renowned AFL commentator and SEN broadcaster Dwayne Russell recently revealed his predictions for the 2024 season, emphasizing that three clubs need to make the Grand Final and four more need to finish in the top four to be considered successful. Let’s examine why these teams have so much riding on the outcome of the next AFL season by delving into Russell’s observations.
The Imperative Grand Final Appearance:
Russell’s emphasis on Grand Final appearances as a yardstick for achievement illustrates the high expectations that certain clubs will have for themselves in the 2024 campaign. The seasoned host claims that Collingwood and Brisbane, the Grand Finalists from the previous year, are under the limelight and must repeat their performance to pass. However, Melbourne—a club that lost in straight sets in the 2023 finals series—is an unexpected addition to this elite roster.
Melbourne’s road to atonement, according to Dwayne Russell, starts with earning a position in the 2024 Grand Final. Russell states on SEN Afternoons that “I think the Demons’ pass mark is to get to the Grand Final.” Melbourne has to win the Grand Final in order for their 2024 season to be considered a success, since their previous setbacks have increased the pressure on the squad.
The expectation is obvious for Brisbane, who lost in the 2023 Grand Final, and Collingwood, the current premiers: another chance to win the premiership. “For Brisbane, their pass mark is probably a premiership, which is hard, so let’s say the Grand Final (is a pass),” says Russell, acknowledging the challenge faced by the team. These anticipations set the stage for an intense and keenly observed AFL season.
The Top Four Quest:
Russell lists four teams that, in addition to the Grand Final requirements, must place in the top four in order to be awarded a pass grade in 2024. Russell notes that there are higher expectations on GWS and Carlton, the Preliminary Finalists from the previous year, and they are in this group. Russell, though, tempers his expectations a little bit in light of Carlton’s fifth-place showing from the previous season, stating that a top-four finish would be a more reasonable benchmark for the Blues.
Sydney and Port Adelaide round up the group of teams predicted to finish in the top four in 2024. Both clubs made major off-season roster additions and competed in the previous season’s championships. Sydney has a lot of promise, and Russell says they have a good chance of making the Grand Final. Sydney’s optimism makes them a team to keep a close eye on as the season progresses.
Conclusion:
Dwayne Russell’s pass marks for certain clubs have raised the excitement level as the AFL community anxiously anticipates the 2024 season. The experienced host’s top-four criteria and Grand Final emphasize the fierce competition and huge stakes that will determine the storyline of the next season. It remains to be seen if these teams can live up to the hype or take on the obstacles head-on, which will make the 2024 AFL season one of the most exciting in recent memory.
