Is your club close to a premiership? Did they underperform this season? Will they be in the fight for the top eight in 2020?

Respected list builder and ex-Hawthorn recruiter Gary Buckenara has put every club’s list under the microscope following the conclusion of the 2019 season and analysed it from top to bottom.

What does your team need to go to the next level? How did it fare during the trade period? When can you club realistically either play finals or challenge for a premiership? Buckenara is frank in his assessments.

Plus, how many A-graders does your team have? He rates every player on your club’s list into A, B and C-grade categories.

Read Buckenara’s analysis of your club’s list by clicking on the team name below.

ADELAIDE

Buckenara column excerpt: “What stands out is the depth — this list is capable of much more than its 10-12 win-loss season this year, even without the players that have been traded. This should be a team that makes finals and challenges for a top-four position.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ADELAIDE LIST ANALYSIS

BRISBANE LIONS

“Brisbane is building towards another period of sustained success and a repeat of the glory days of 2001-2003 could soon be a reality.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL BRISBANE LIST ANALYSIS

CARLTON

“The list is in great shape. Carlton already has nine A and B-grade players, including co-captains Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty, while I see a further eight players who have the talent to develop into A or B-graders.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL CARLTON LIST ANALYSIS

COLLINGWOOD

“We know Collingwood’s midfield is excellent — Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams and Dayne Beams are stars, but the same question is being asked: Who are they kicking it to?

“Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Stephenson and Will Hoskin-Elliott are all very dangerous mid-sized forwards but the missing piece in the Magpies’ premiership puzzle is a key forward. That’s why I was very surprised they didn’t show interest in Josh Jenkins.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL COLLINGWOOD LIST ANALYSIS

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media_camera Where does Jordan De Goey fit in Collingwood’s premiership puzzle?

ESSENDON

“Essendon does not have a genuine A-grade star and its premiership hopes for the near future are fading fast.

“I know Bombers fans will hate me for saying that, but is there really a player at Essendon as good as Dustin Martin, Patrick Dangerfield or Marcus Bontempelli? The answer is no.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ESSENDON LIST ANALYSIS

FREMANTLE

“Don’t be fooled by the departure of Ross Lyon — Fremantle isn’t in as much trouble as you’d expect from a club that has sacked its coach. There is potential to bounce back quickly next year.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL FREMANTLE LIST ANALYSIS

GEELONG

“We know the Cats have superstars — Dangerfield, Selwood, Ablett, Hawkins are all names we’ve loved watching over the years. But what some might not realise is that list manager Stephen Wells has been planning for the future and developing the next wave of stars for some time.

“Geelong has eight players aged 21 or under who I believe can develop into A or B-grade players in the future, which is a huge number for a club that has been contending for premierships, regularly playing finals and has been very active during almost every trade and free agency period.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL GEELONG LIST ANALYSIS

GOLD COAST

“Gold Coast is a basket case and I firmly remain of the opinion that the AFL should shut the club down and give Tasmania a license. It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen in the near future after the league granted the Suns more draft concessions and further compromised the drafts for a club that continues to be a drain on the competition. When is it going to stop?

“It was good to see the Suns make a stand with Jack Martin, refusing to trade him to the Blues for a deal they deemed unsatisfactory. It will make players think twice about leaving the club in the future.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL GOLD COAST LIST ANALYSIS

GWS GIANTS

“The addition of Sam Jacobs as No.1 ruck is the missing piece of the puzzle.

“Jacobs has been so durable throughout his career, he’s a smart player and a very good tap ruckman, so we could see a different GWS midfield set-up next year where clearance will play a much bigger role as Jacobs gives the likes of Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward — who will return from a knee reconstruction — and Jacob Hopper first use.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL GWS LIST ANALYSIS

HAWTHORN

“There is still enough talent on the list to play finals next year but I don’t think the Hawks will be a premiership contender. Clarkson is obviously a very astute coach and has been for many years, so nothing would surprise me when it comes to Hawthorn and what game style he can devise and implement over the pre-season, but I believe the Hawks will be a 5-8 team in 2020.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL HAWTHORN LIST ANALYSIS

media_camera Hawthorn secured Jonathon Patton for almost nothing in the trade period.

MELBOURNE

“From premiership contenders and a preliminary final to bottom two? We haven’t seen a fall from grace quite like it.

“The list has been overrated. When I have a deep look at what Simon Goodwin has available to him, I see 11 A or B-grade players, far too many C-graders and only one player under 21 who has the potential to become an A or B-grader.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL MELBOURNE LIST ANALYSIS

NORTH MELBOURNE

“The current lack of star power remains a major concern.

“Ball use by hand and foot remains one of North Melbourne’s biggest issues all over the ground and recruiting classy distributors in the draft has to be the priority. I wouldn’t be looking at bringing in any players who will develop into just good, honest role players — they need potential stars, guys you can build you team around.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL NORTH MELBOURNE LIST ANALYSIS

PORT ADELAIDE

“I’m not saying that this Port Adelaide playing group is too self-interested, because I don’t know that — only the players themselves will know this deep down.

“There needs to be some robust and honest discussions within Port Adelaide over the summer, centred around one key question: ‘Does team and club success mean enough to us as a playing group?’.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PORT ADELAIDE LIST ANALYSIS

RICHMOND

“Richmond is a powerhouse both on and off the field, and the Tigers are the team to beat in 2020 and for the foreseeable future given the strength and depth of talent on their list. While there are never any guarantees in footy and it only takes a slight drop in preparation or mindset to come back to the field, this team has the weapons to win multiple premierships over the next 3-5 years.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RICHMOND LIST ANALYSIS

media_camera The arrival of Zak Jones immediately improves St Kilda’s list. Picture: Michael Klein

ST KILDA

“I have rated 26 Saints players in the C-grade category, most of whom are aged 22-28, which is just far too many, and that is why I have major concerns.

“Next year, the pressure will be on new coach Brett Ratten to get the best out of the likes of Luke Dunstan, Jack Steele, Jack Lonie, Jimmy Webster, Jack Sinclair, Daniel McKenzie and Ben Long. Are they going to take the next step and elevate themselves into the B-grade range with the potential to get to A-grade level, or are they just going to keep producing the same football they have for the past 2-3 seasons?

“That’s the big question.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ST KILDA LIST ANALYSIS

SYDNEY

“The Swans were one of the losers of the trade period by failing to pull off a coup by trading for Joe Daniher. They did the hard work to get Daniher to request a trade to the club, but failed to satisfy Essendon. But we haven’t heard the end of this.

“Expect the Swans to get to work on locking Daniher in as a restricted free agent recruit in a similar way to how they landed Lance Franklin basically 12 months before the deal actually went through.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SYDNEY LIST ANALYSIS

WEST COAST

“The addition of Tim Kelly means this club is so well set up for a tilt at the premiership over the next 2-3 years at a minimum that I can see them creating a dynasty.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL WEST COAST LIST ANALYSIS

WESTERN BULLDOGS

“The Bulldogs are building something special and we could see another piece of silverware heading to Whitten Oval as soon as next year.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL WESTERN BULLDOGS LIST ANALYSIS