Nine AFL captains are confident North will make the top eight in 2014.

On the eve of the season, the AFL has conducted its yearly poll with five key questions.

The 18 captains unanimously voted the reigning premiers Hawthorn (10), the Sydney Swans (five) and Fremantle (three) as certainties to finish in the top three places on the ladder and therefore the only three clubs to potentially make the grand final. But North were listed as ‘highly likely’ to play in September behind Geelong (16), Collingwood (12) and West Coast (11).

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury was the leading choice for the Brownlow Medal, with three voting in favour of Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett and three for Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield.

Jarryd Roughead received four votes to win back-to-back Coleman Medals while Josh Kennedy from West Coast and Travis Cloke from the Pies were given five votes a piece.

Only one captain predicted North father-son recruit Luke McDonald for the Rising Star Award, with Gold Coast Suns’ Jack Martin the hands down favourite.

Full voting

Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?
(18 times seven selections. In 2013, the captains correctly nominated Hawthorn, the Geelong Cats, Fremantle, the Sydney Swans and Collingwood, but missed Richmond, Port Adelaide and Carlton.)

Fremantle (17), Hawthorn (17), Sydney Swans (17), Geelong (16), Collingwood (12), West Coast (11), North Melbourne (9), Richmond (9), Essendon (7), Port Adelaide (7), Adelaide Crows (2), Carlton (2).

Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
(Seven Captains picked eventual premier Hawthorn in 2013, while one captain also nominated Fremantle to make the Grand Final.)
Hawthorn (10), Sydney Swans (5), Fremantle (3)

Who do you think will win the 2014 Brownlow Medal?
(Three captains correctly nominated Gary Ablett in 2013).
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood, 4 votes), Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns, 3), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows, 3), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle, 2), Dustin Martin (Richmond, 1), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn, 1), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 1), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats, 1), Dane Swan (Collingwood, 1), Jobe Watson (Essendon, 1).

Who do you think will win the 2014 Coleman Medal?
(No one correctly nominated Jarryd Roughead in 2013).
Travis Cloke (Collingwood, 5 votes), Josh Kennedy (West Coast, 5), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 4), Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans, 3), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond, 1).

Who do you think will win the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star?
(Nine captains correctly nominated Jaeger O’Meara in 2013)
Jack Martin (Gold Coast Suns, 7 votes), James Aish (Brisbane Lions, 2), Jack Billings (St Kilda, 2), Joe Daniher (Essendon, 2), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs, 1), Harry Cunningham (Sydney Swans, 1), Brodie Grundy (Collingwood, 1), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants, 1), Luke McDonald (North Melbourne, 1).