AFL

Rohan Connolly

Rohan Connolly, a senior football writer for The Age and radio broadcaster with sports radio station 1116 SEN, has been covering the game since 1983. A multi-AFL Media Association award-winner known for his passion and love of the game, he analyses the AFL for the newspaper and contributes a blog and weekly video, "Footy Fix", for The Age's football website, Real Footy.

The Western Bulldogs will have a tough time defending their premiership in 2017.

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.