![The Western Bulldogs will have a tough time defending their premiership in 2017.](/web/20161211040237im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/t/0/2/0/image.related.landscape.460x307.gt79zh.png/1481367234258.jpg)
AFL 2017: The case for the top eight
Have we ever headed into an AFL season with as many as 17 clubs legitimate finals contenders? The top seven fancies seem clear enough. We examine the arguments for 10 other clubs who could also make it to September.