Finish: Fifth (semi-final loss)

Coach: Neil Craig

Captain: Simon Goodwin

Best and Fairest: Bernie Vince

Leading goalkicker: Jason Porplyzia (57 goals)

Most Brownlow votes: Bernie Vince (13 votes)

All Australians: Simon Goodwin

What’s changed: The Crows have undergone significant change in the past decade since bowing out to Collingwood in back-to-back finals series in 2008-09. Craig stepped down midway through 2011, Brenton Sanderson lasted three seasons before he was sacked, then there was the tragic death of senior coach Phil Walsh in 2015. Don Pyke has done an admirable job since taking over in 2016, taking the Crows to the 2017 Grand Final, before missing the finals last year. Off the field, chief executive Steven Trigg left the Crows in 2014 after 17 years at the club, but will be remembered for his role in the Kurt Tippett draft tampering saga in 2012. Co-captains Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane, David Mackay, Andy Otten and Richard Douglas remain on the list, while high-flyer Brett Burton is now the Crows' head of football. Football Park is a thing of the past with Adelaide Oval becoming one of the premier grounds in the competition. - Lee Gaskin

Finish: 6th (semi-final loss)

Coach: Michael Voss

Captain: Jonathan Brown

Best and Fairest: Jonathan Brown

Leading goalkicker: Jonathan Brown (85)

Most Brownlow votes: Simon Black and Jonathan Brown (19)

All Australians: Jonathan Brown

What’s changed: It was all sunshine and roses for the Lions following a successful 2009 but things quickly turned sour. Brisbane traded for Brendan Fevola the following off-season in pursuit of a premiership but the wayward full-forward lasted just 12 months before being sacked. The Lions spiralled quickly and have not made the finals since. Club greats Michael Voss and Justin Leppitsch have come and gone as coaches, while an unstable boardroom, young players wanting to leave and continued debt characterised much of the decade. Although still waiting on the final funding for a new training and administration base, Brisbane has seemingly turned its fortunes around following the appointments of Chris Fagan (coach) and David Noble (football manager) at the end of 2016. Sponsors are signing on, quality players are wanting to join and the list is widely regarding as one of the most exciting in the competition. Brisbane fans now have their first rays of optimism in 10 years.

FUTURE PICKS Who you should barrack against in 2019

Finish: 7th (elimination final loss)

Coach: Brett Ratten

Captain: Chris Judd

Best and Fairest: Chris Judd

Leading goalkicker: Brendan Fevola (89)

Most Brownlow votes: Chris Judd (22)

All Australians: Chris Judd (vice-captain), Brendan Fevola

What's changed: This season marked Carlton's return to finals after a seven-year hiatus. But it would finish in heartbreak after the Blues tossed away a 24-point lead at three-quarter time to lose to the Lions in the elimination final. Worse would come. Fan favourite and star forward Brendan Fevola departed the Blues following an 89-goal season due to a series of off-field indiscretions, the latest happening very publicly at the Brownlow Medal. His trade to Brisbane hampered the optimism that an exciting young list and a series of top draft picks had brought to the club under Brett Ratten's guidance. Carlton would make the finals for the next three years, but never took the next step under Ratten. He departed after an injury-hit 2012 campaign that brutally exposed the list's soft underbelly – a problem that has plagued a series of Carlton coaches since. Mick Malthouse's arrival in 2013 brought about a period of unrest, before yet another rebuild was kickstarted under the careful watch of Brendon Bolton and Stephen Silvagni in 2016. - Riley Beveridge

Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola were the Blues' marquee names as they returned to the finals in '09. Picture: AFL Photos





Finish: 4th (preliminary final loss)

Coach: Mick Malthouse

Captain: Nick Maxwell

Best and Fairest: Dane Swan

Leading goalkicker: Jack Anthony (50)

Most Brownlow votes: Scott Pendlebury (13)

All Australians: Leon Davis, Nick Maxwell, Dane Swan

What's changed: In July 2009 the Magpies charted their course for the next decade by brokering a coaching succession plan in which prodigal son Nathan Buckley would serve as an assistant coach for two years under veteran mentor Mick Malthouse before assuming the head role at the end of 2011. In the meantime Malthouse took the Pies to the 2010 flag and runners-up the next year and some players wanted him to remain at the helm, further adding to Buckley's challenge. With injuries and personnel changes taking their toll, the Pies finished fourth and eighth in Buckley's first two seasons before enduring a four-year finals drought, resulting in a comprehensive, all-club review in 2017 that sparked a sensational rise to last year's Grand Final. Just five players remain from 2009 – Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Ben Reid, Tyson Goldsack and the returned Dayne Beams. Administratively, there has been great stability, with Eddie McGuire now the AFL's longest-serving current president and former CEO Gary Pert serving for 10 years until mid-2017. 2009 skipper Nick Maxwell is now the club's revered leadership and culture manager.

Finish: 8th (elimination final loss)

Coach: Matthew Knights

Captain: Matthew Lloyd

Best and Fairest: Jobe Watson

Leading goalkicker: Matthew Lloyd (35 goals)

Most Brownlow votes: Jobe Watson (10 votes)

All Australians: Nil

What's changed: Everything and nothing has changed at Essendon since 2009. Of course, in that 10-year period the Bombers entered and finally escaped the biggest scandal to hit the game – their supplements saga that saw 34 of their past and present players banned for anti-doping violations. That saw a raft of changes at the club, including coach James Hird and assistant (then stand-in) coach Mark Thompson departing, while CEO Ian Robson and chairman David Evans also left. It was the darkest era of the club's history. The change in that period was immense, including a shift from the club's Windy Hill headquarters to a new state-of-the-art Tullamarine base. But on the other hand, so little has changed. The Bombers were five years without a finals win in 2009 after their disastrous 96-point belting at the hands of Adelaide in that season's elimination final (the one in which they didn't select a ruckman). In 2019, the club is now staggeringly 15 years without a finals win, the longest drought of any in the competition. - Callum Twomey

The Bombers' 2009 season ended in a horror loss to the Crows. Picture: AFL Photos

Finish: 14th

Coach: Mark Harvey

Captain: Matthew Pavlich

Best and Fairest: Aaron Sandilands

Leading goalkicker: Matthew Pavlich (28)

Most Brownlow votes: Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands (10)

All Australians: Aaron Sandilands

What's changed: The injury-hit Dockers won just six games in Mark Harvey's second full season as coach in 2009, although two victories against West Coast gave fans something to cheer about. Freo's club record lowest-ever score (1.7) in a 117-point defeat against Adelaide in round 15 (which was Freo's equal-biggest loss until the round 22 shambles at Geelong last season) was an obvious lowlight. However, the seeds were being sown for the club's most successful era between 2012-15. Giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands arrived as a dominant force, and 11 players made their debuts, including Stephen Hill, Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne. Harvey infamously didn't get to enjoy the fruits of his labour after being sacked at the end of 2011 and replaced by Ross Lyon, who took the club to the verge of an elusive flag in the 2013 Grand Final. Nobody saw the Dockers' latest rebuild coming, but the club is financially strong, has moved into a long-term headquarters at Cockburn and set a membership record after the move to Optus Stadium. - Travis King

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Finish: Premiers

Coach: Mark Thompson

Captain: Tom Harley

Best and Fairest: Gary Ablett, Corey Enright

Leading goalkicker: Cameron Mooney (46)

Most Brownlow votes: Gary Ablett – Winner (30)

All Australians: Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman, Corey Enright, Matthew Scarlett, Joel Selwood, Mark Thompson (coach)

What's changed: Premiership captain Tom Harley is a CEO (Sydney), teammate Jimmy Bartel is a football director (GWS), while defensive pillars Matthew Scarlett and Corey Enright remain as assistant coaches. Four other members of the triumphant side will plan to be playing when the Cats hold their 10-year reunion against St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium in round 17 – Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins and Gary Ablett, with Travis Varcoe now a Pie. Incredibly, the entire 22 from the premiership side were involved in football in 2018, from media, to local coaching, playing, development roles and off-field positions at AFL club land. Chief executive Brian Cook will enter his 21st season in charge, former president Frank Costa remains the club's biggest fan, while coach Mark Thompson has been through his own struggles away from the game. In 2009, Skilled Stadium underwent stage two of its redevelopment to build the premiership stand, the Cats averaging 20,352 fans, compared to 28,518 in home games last year. - Mitch Cleary

Young Cats Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins with the 2009 premiership cup. Picture: AFL Photos

Finish: 5th (TAC Cup semi-final loss)

Coach: Guy McKenna

Captain: Marc Lock

What's changed: Upon finishing its TAC Cup season, 'GC17' (as it was then known) began preparations for the 2010 VFL season by naming the 12 17-year-olds it had access to as part of its initial list build (only Tom Nicholls remains). Signing Geelong champion Gary Ablett late in 2010 was a coup for the fledgling Suns who also contracted the likes of Nathan Bock, Campbell Brown, Jarrod Harbrow, Michael Rischitelli and rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt. As expected with such a young list, the first three seasons were difficult but in 2014 Gold Coast looked bound for finals until Ablett dislocated his shoulder in round 15. In one of the great 'sliding doors' moments in recent AFL history, Ablett's absence sparked a horrible end to the year and eventual sacking of coach Guy McKenna. Things have not improved since, with Rodney Eade coming and going and high-end talent like Tom Lynch, Steven May, Jaeger O'Meara and Ablett all walking away. The Suns do have a new training and administration facility at Carrara but face a long road to the top under Stuart Dew. - Michael Whiting

WHO'S LEFT YOUR CLUB? All the latest retirements and delistings

What's changed: Plenty. Back in 2009 the Giants weren't even born, and Alan McConnell, the club's current AFLW coach and AFL assistant coach, was officially the club's first employee when he was named high performance manager. Team GWS was given its identity and coach Kevin Sheedy was unveiled before the year was finished. 2010 was a big year with the team competing in the TAC Cup, and Team GWS was granted the AFL's 18th licence and named the Greater Western Sydney Giants, before key off-field signings Graeme Allan and Stephen Silvagni also joined the club. Current co-captain Phil Davis became the Giants' first official uncontracted player to commit to the club in August 2011, while Jon Patton was the club's first selection at the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. The club struggled for wins in the early years. Leon Cameron took over from Sheedy in 2014 and took the Giants to their first finals campaign two years later, but they lost consecutive preliminary finals and lost a week earlier last season. It's been a big decade. - Adam Curley

Finish: Ninth

Coach: Alastair Clarkson

Captain: Sam Mitchell

Best and Fairest: Sam Mitchell

Leading goalkicker: Lance Franklin (67)

Most Brownlow votes: Sam Mitchell* and Brad Sewell (13)

All Australians: Nil

* Ineligible

What's changed: The 2009 season isn't remembered fondly, with the Hawks following their flag triumph the year before with a slide out of the finals. The premiership hangover started with two losses and was sealed with five defeats in the last six rounds. Hawthorn launched a seven-year finals run in 2010 and made a preliminary final, lost a Grand Final, then won a flag three-peat in a five-season period. Lance Franklin left for Sydney after the 2013 premiership; Sam Mitchell (West Coast) and Jordan Lewis (Melbourne) were traded in 2016; and Luke Hodge retired then backflipped to join Brisbane ahead of last season. The Hawks hired Tracey Gaudry in 2017 as the AFL's first permanent female chief executive before they parted ways five months later, while Jeff Kennett returned as president in October that year. He soon unveiled an audacious vision for Hawthorn to win seven more flags by 2050. The Hawks are in the process of moving from Waverley Park to Dingley, and they missed out on September action in 2017, then made it back last year, coinciding with Tom Mitchell's Brownlow Medal victory. - Marc McGowan

The Hawks failed to make the finals just a year after their 2008 flag triumph. Picture: AFL Photos

Finish: 16th (last)

Coach: Dean Bailey

Captain: James McDonald

Best and Fairest: Aaron Davey

Leading goalkicker: Russell Robertson (29)

All Australians: None

What's changed: In 2009, Melbourne claimed the wooden spoon for the second straight season amid continuous on and off-field turmoil. President Jim Stynes was diagnosed with cancer, No.1 draft pick Jack Watts infamously debuted on Queen's Birthday despite not being physically ready and Dean Bailey was questioned about coaching moves made in a round 19 game against Richmond, which saw Melbourne accused (but found not guilty of) tanking. Ten years on, Melbourne looms as a genuine premiership contender, having bolted to a preliminary final berth in its long-awaited return to the finals in 2018. Getting to that point was not easy, with two coaches sacked and the club finding itself in millions of dollars of debt amid poor drafting and mediocre off-field management. Stabilising the off-field section of the club has been no mean feat, while an on-field rebuild from the ground up – which has included astute drafting and tough list management calls – finally looks set to produce dividends. - Ben Guthrie

Finish: 13th

Coach: Dean Laidley and Darren Crocker (caretaker)

Captain: Brent Harvey

Best and Fairest: Andrew Swallow

Leading goalkicker: Drew Petrie (27)

Most Brownlow votes: Brent Harvey (9)

All Australians: Nil

What's changed: Plenty in 2009 and lots more since. North Melbourne was still using dilapidated Arden Street training facilities that year until a $15 million upgrade was completed. Fast-forward to now and another $10m redevelopment will enable the Roos to host AFLW and VFL matches there. On the field, Dean Laidley resigned after North's round 12 loss to Adelaide, the Kangaroos' eighth of the season. Brad Scott was hired in the off-season – despite North Melbourne offering the job to Nathan Buckley – and remains in the post. Scott's team played finals just once in his first four years before back-to-back preliminary finals in 2014 and 2015. The Kangas won their first nine games of 2016, but barely hung on for a September spot, which triggered change. Brent Harvey, Andrew Swallow and Drew Petrie all departed in a two-year cull in 2016 and 2017 that included Daniel Wells, Michael Firrito, Nick Dal Santo, Lindsay Thomas, Lachie Hansen and Sam Gibson. North looks ready to contend for finals again, having recruited Aaron Hall, Jasper Pittard, Jared Polec and Dom Tyson in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period. - Marc McGowan

2009 marked Dean Laidley's final season in charge at North. Picture: AFL Photos





Finish: 10th

Coach: Mark Williams

Captain: Domenic Cassisi

Best and Fairest: Warren Tredrea

Leading goalkicker: Warren Tredrea (51 goals)

Most Brownlow votes: Warren Tredrea and David Rodan (seven votes)

All Australians: Nil

What's changed: The Power were on their knees financially a decade ago with a debt of $5.1 million. It was also a difficult season on the field, finishing 10th. Worse was to come, the Power finishing second-last in 2011 with three wins. Senior coach Matthew Primus – who took over from premiership-winning coach Williams at the end of 2010 – was sacked two years later. Ken Hinkley was appointed at the start of 2013 and installed Travis Boak to be his captain. Another important change was the addition of television identity David Koch as chairman. The Power surged back up the ladder, reaching the semi-finals in 2013 before losing to Hawthorn by three points in a prelim the year after. The club has also expanded its horizons to help solidify its financial position, establishing a partnership with China and playing a premiership game in Shanghai since 2017. Like the Crows, the Power have benefitted from moving their home games to Adelaide Oval, with crowds increasing significantly since a decade ago when they were at Football Park. - Lee Gaskin

CLUB LISTS COMPARED Oldest? Youngest? Most experienced?

Finish: 15th

Coach: Terry Wallace (rounds 1-11), Jade Rawlings (rounds 12-22)

Captain: Chris Newman

Best and Fairest: Brett Deledio

Leading goalkicker: Mitch Morton (41 goals)

Most Brownlow votes: Matthew Richardson (6 votes)

All Australians: Nil

What's changed: In short, everything. The 2009 season was arguably Richmond's lowest ebb in at least 20 years. After winning just two games in the first 11 rounds, coach Terry Wallace resigned. Jade Rawlings oversaw only three more wins, including Jordan McMahon's goal after the siren against Melbourne which ensured Richmond finished above the Dees, snaring future Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin with pick No.3 in the NAB AFL Draft. 2009 was Chris Newman's first year as captain, while club legend Matthew Richardson retired after persistent hamstring injuries. Brendon Gale and Damien Hardwick came on board as CEO and coach in 2010, and the ambitious five-year plan to be clear of debt with 75,000 members and make finals three times was launched. A redevelopment of Punt Road Oval was completed in 2011. Along with significant investment in the recruiting and football departments, the playing list was overhauled (during the expansion era) and Richmond slowly crept up the ladder, making (and losing) three consecutive elimination finals from 2013 to 2015. An aberration on-field in 2016 set the scene for 2017's triumphant flag and 2018 minor premiership. - Sarah Black

2009 saw the Tigers pick up future superstar in Dustin Martin. Picture: AFL Photos

Finish: Second (Grand Final loss)

Coach: Ross Lyon

Captain: Nick Riewoldt

Best and Fairest: Nick Riewoldt

Leading goalkicker: Nick Riewoldt (78)

Most Brownlow votes: Lenny Hayes (20)

All Australians: Nick Dal Santo, Brendon Goddard, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt

What's changed: Moving the training base from Moorabbin to Seaford was an absolute failure, after a dispute with the Kingston City Council. That was eventually reversed and St Kilda returned to their spiritual home in March 2018, with the facility having received much-needed upgrades. That wasn't the only change to rock the Saints. Former coach Ross Lyon shocked the football world by walking out on the club at the end of 2011 and departing to Fremantle. He was replaced by Scott Watters, who was at the helm for just two seasons. This past decade has seen St Kilda slide down the ladder, from contesting Grand Finals in 2009 and 2010 to not having made finals since 2011. There would be regrets about the five-year plan announced in 2014, which predicted a second flag by 2020. Off-field, the Saints experimented with playing games in New Zealand, and while that's on the backburner, they will host Port Adelaide in China later this year. - Dinny Navaratnam

Finish: 12th

Coach: Paul Roos

Captain: Craig Bolton, Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk

Best and Fairest: Ryan O'Keefe

Leading goalkicker: Adam Goodes (38)

Most Brownlow votes: Adam Goodes (17)

All Australians: Craig Bolton, Adam Goodes

What's changed: 2009 was a significant season for the Swans for the wrong reasons because it's the last time they failed to make the finals. Paul Roos left the club at the end of 2010, replaced by long-time assistant John Longmire, and it's been a successful period for the club since with Longmire's win percentage of 66.8 per cent from 196 matches second to only Geelong's Chris Scott (68.9). The Swans triumphed in a sensational premiership win over Hawthorn in 2012 but were beaten in subsequent trips to the Grand Final by the Hawks (2014) and the Western Bulldogs (2016), and that record isn't one that sits well with the fiercely proud club. Superstar forward Lance Franklin's recruitment at the end of 2013 stunned the footy world and the West Australian has delivered two Coleman Medals and a host of highlights in that time. - Adam Curley

Sydney farewelled greats Jared Crouch, Michael O'Loughlin and Leo Barry at the end of 2009. Picture: AFL Photos





Finish: 11th

Coach: John Worsfold

Captain: Darren Glass

Best and Fairest: Darren Glass

Leading goalkicker: Mark LeCras (58)

Most Brownlow votes: Mark LeCras (nine)

All Australians: Nil

What's changed: If a week is a long time in footy, then a decade is an eternity – just ask West Coast. Back in 2009, the Eagles were trying to turn the club around in the wake of the drug crisis which culminated in Ben Cousins' sacking two years earlier. It was the bleakest period in an overwhelmingly successful history. In 2008, the Eagles won only four games and just avoided finishing last. They doubled their victories in '09 but claimed the club's only wooden spoon in 2010. If there was a silver lining it was that period helped set West Coast up for last season's premiership, with Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Jack Darling and Brad Sheppard among the A-graders drafted with high picks. Now, the Eagles rarely hit the headlines for the wrong reasons and pride themselves on being a family club, which has been one of coach Adam Simpson's mantras since taking over from John Worsfold at the end of 2013. Off the field, West Coast has gone from strength to strength as a financial powerhouse of the AFL, and will move into a new headquarters at Lathlain Park in the next few months. - Travis King

Finish: 3rd (preliminary final loss)

Coach: Rodney Eade

Captain: Brad Johnson

Best and Fairest: Matthew Boyd

Leading goalkicker: Jason Akermanis (43)

Most Brownlow votes: Matthew Boyd (14)

All Australians: Brian Lake, Matthew Boyd

What's changed: The second of three successive preliminary final berths brought excitement, tinged with a touch of frustration for Western Bulldogs fans. This time, it was St Kilda who edged Rodney Eade's side out of Grand Final calculations, winning a low-scoring slog by seven points in the penultimate week of the season. Barry Hall arrived via the trade period shortly after, as the Dogs sought to finally put a legitimate key forward inside 50. He kicked 80 goals in his maiden season with the club the following year, but still couldn't take them to the big dance. Eade's departure in 2011 brought Brendan McCartney and a fracturing few years to Whitten Oval. In a matter of months towards the end of 2014, McCartney quit, while captain Ryan Griffen and Brownlow Medal winner Adam Cooney both stunned the club by requesting trades. Ultimately, the upheaval brought about history. Luke Beveridge arrived and within two seasons, the club had finally broken a 62-year premiership drought. - Riley Beveridge

The Bulldogs failed to capitalise on another preliminary final. Picture: AFL Photos