Matthew Lloyd has already narrowed the AFL premiership race down to just three teams
With three months to play in the AFL season, Hall of Fame forward Matthew Lloyd has already narrowed the premiership race down to just three teams.
It has felt like a top heavy year to date. There is effectively nine teams fighting for the top eight unless one of Carlton, Port Adelaide or Sydney makes a sudden jump.
And at the pointy end of the ladder, Lloyd feels Collingwood, Geelong and Brisbane are the only teams he can trust to win the premiership.
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Darcy Moore of the Magpies poses with the premiership cup. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Naturally, these are the three most recent AFL premiers and three experienced sides who he feels are a class above the likes of Adelaide, Hawthorn and Gold Coast.
"I look at the ladder and where it stands right now and I have the top three (Pies, Cats, Lions) as challengers for the premiership, but I can't mount a case for anyone else," Lloyd told Nine's Footy Classified.
"(Brisbane) banged on the door for that many years (before winning the flag in 2024) and I think that's how you do win a premiership.
"Adelaide hasn't been in the finals. The Giants are a team who have banged on the door for a long time, so they're one that could potentially come from nowhere.
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Chris Fagan, Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko and Harris Andrews of the Lions celebrate on the dais with the premiership cup. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
"Hawthorn, they're too inconsistent. Their forward line is a concern. Their depth through the midfield is a bit of a worry. That's how I feel."
Of course, things are never so straightforward in any season and you only have to look at the AFL ladder after round 15 last year to see that.
Carlton and Essendon sat second and third respectively on the ladder, while Fremantle was fifth. Two of those teams missed the eight altogether and the Blues slumped to eighth.
Brisbane, the eventual premier, sat 10th, while eventual finalists Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs were even lower on the ladder.
After round 15 in 2023, Sydney, GWS and Carlton were 13th, 14th and 15th respectively on the ladder. All would play finals and the Blues would make a prelim.
