By Damian Barrett

 IF
 
THEN
 
Adelaide
 
the Crows were worried about losing Kurt Tippett...… they can cease being worried. Tom Lynch goes very, very nicely.
 
Brisbane Lions
 
the Lions can pick up five wins out of matches against the Dees, Power, Saints, Tigers, Giants, Dogs and Cats …… they’ll finish the season well ahead of where most of us thought they would.
Carlton
 
the Blues are going to make “radical” changes, as forecast, to their list …… it's going to be really difficult if they commit to retaining players with trade currency.
Collingwood
 
Travis Cloke doesn’t improve his goal kicking ...… it may just come back to cost the Pies in a big final. Think Hawks 2012 and Cats 2008.
Essendon
 
Essendon keeps putting out press releases saying no one should be commenting about the ASADA investigation …… it should stop putting out press releases commenting about the ASADA investigation.
 
Fremantle
 
Chris Mayne was on the open market …… there would be 17 clubs devising a way to recruit him.
Geelong
 
Tom Hawkins ever manages to shake off the physical problems which are hindering him this season …… this football team will be near-complete. Again.
 
Gold Coast
 
Tom Nicholls can maintain his progress and Zac Smith can return from his ACL just as he left off…… we might, one day, be spruiking these two as the best ruck combo in the game.
GWS

 
the Giants had their time over again...
 
... would they have used their incredibly lofty array of draft concessions to attract more experienced, big-name players? Probably not. Would the AFL have made them do just that? Yep.
Hawthorn
 
there is any part of Buddy Franklin's life which is straightforward and simple …… well, there's not. How long will he actually miss this time? And is it really a knee?
Melbourne
 
19 inside 50s for a match shows anything …… it may be why Paul Roos ain't interested.
North MelbourneNorth Melbourne doesn't consider taking the captaincy off Andrew Swallow and giving it to Jack Ziebell...… it should.
 
Port Adelaide
 
the Power want to play finals …… destiny is in their own hands. Next three: St Kilda, Brisbane, Adelaide.
Richmond
 
the Tigers want to guarantee keeping Jack Riewoldt on their list …
 
… they are going to have to increase their offer. Dockers coming hard.
St Kilda
 
the Saints didn't abandon Moorabbin as their home base ...… would everyone associated with them right now be as obviously demoralised? Nup.
Sydney Swans
 
there's ever been a more underrated captain than Jarrad McVeigh …… well, there probably hasn't.
 
West Coast
 
John Worsfold really wanted to coach beyond 2013 …… you'd think he'd know by now. Which means he doesn't.
Western Bulldogsthe Dogs can get some silk in their midfield …... the future won't loom as bleak as it does right now.
 

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