With that in mind, we've compiled a report card into why your AFL side missed the finals in 2016. Sometimes it's performance, sometimes it's luck, but it doesn't change the fact that spending September on the sideline is anything but enjoyable.
Club: Port Adelaide
Finish: 9th
What went wrong: After only being a kick away from a Grand Final in 2014, Port Adelaide's season crashed and burned disappointingly this season. It appeared Port's opposition had a plan for their quick ball movement. Two losses to open the season against Fremantle and Sydney put the Power under pressure.
The knife twister: Losses to Brisbane, Carlton and Geelong were crucial as the Power only missed out on the finals by one win. They recovered to win six of their last seven games but it was too late. Ken Hinkley's job will be in the gun if they have a similar season.
The outlook: In theory, Port Adelaide are approaching their premiership window. Charlie Dixon is odds on to join the Power forward line and their young, hungry midfield featuring Travis Boak. Robbie Gray and Ollie Wines is only going to get better.
Prediction: The Power cannot miss the finals in 2016. They have the potential to be top four and could possibly squeeze out Sydney. A finish of 4th-8th is more likely with Port Adelaide gaining some more valuable finals experience before an assault on the 2017 flag.
Club: Geelong
Finish: 10th
What went wrong: It’s been a slow decline for the Cats after such dominance throughout the latter part of last decade and the early part of this one. An ageing list hasn’t helped them, and while they were challenging for a finals spot right up until the last round, not many would have tipped them to go too far into September had they made it. It’s not that anything went particularly wrong, but time waits for no one, not even the mighty Geelong Cats.
The knife twister: Once again, it was the age of the Geelong list that really stung them throughout the year. Their prime-movers needed a lot more oil to get going this year, and while they still had the skill and class, they were never able to put pace on the ball as they had done in previous years.
The outlook: With a number of stars out the door including Johnson, Kelly and Stokes, many thought that a brilliant era at the Cats had officially come to an end. But with the emergence of a number of brilliant young players throughout 2015, it looks to be more of a changing of the guard.
Prediction: The Cats will be back in the finals mix in 2016, and although they won’t go all the way, they’ll certainly send a scare through a number of sides. Expect them to finish around 5th-8th.
Club: GWS Giants
Finish: 11th
What went wrong: The Giants looked set for a maiden finals campaign until the injuries to Shane Mumford, Phil Davis and Joel Patfull derailed their charge. GWS could only win two of their last five games when their season was on the line.
The knife twister: After a loss to Collingwood and a spate of injuries, the Giants went down to fellow finals contenders North Melbourne and Richmond in consecutive weeks. A tough run home featuring Sydney, Port Adelaide and Fremantle was not kind to Leon Cameron's side.
The outlook: While they look certain to lose Adam Treloar and maybe Cameron McCarthy, the young Giants are building a list around several gun youngsters including Jeremy Cameron and Dylan Shiel. You can't really see their list going backwards in 2016.
Prediction: An injury free season should be see the Giants comfortably make the eight in 2016. Expect their young guns to get even better after another pre season.
Club: Collingwood
Finish: 12th
What went wrong: The pIes were in it this season. At least that’s what everyone thought around the middle of the year. However, a string of honourable losses from Round 13-18 (including a shocking loss to Melbourne), meant that Collingwood’s season slipped through their grasp as they tried to piece wins together at the end of the year to see them into the eight - with no luck.
The knife twister: A shocking string off “honourable” losses from rounds 13-18 - including four losses under three goals - left the Magpies under pressure to finish the year strongly if they were to make the top eight. However, they were unable to get the job done against Sydney in round 20, and were blown out of the water by Richmond in round 21 to see their finals hopes dashed.
The outlook: Much like the Cats, there was plenty of young talent on display at the Pies in 2015. Names such as Langdon, Crisp, Moore, De Goey, Maynard and Oxley will get plenty of use in the coming years, and Collingwood fans can rest easy knowing that they’ll play a big part at the pointy end of the season for many years to come.
Prediction: It may take a while, but the aforementioned names will see this club makes its way up the ladder further and further in years to come. However, there could be immediate success, and fans can expect the Pies to finish around the 6th-9th mark.
Club: Melbourne
Finish: 13th
What went wrong: It was a bit of deja vu for the Demons in 2015 - while they showed bits and pieces of promise at times during the season, ultimately they were a long way off the pace, and didn’t evoke too many fears into their opposition. It seems as though the club is in limbo, and while they’re certainly more competitive than a couple of seasons ago, Paul Roos doesn’t exactly have the Dees banging down the finals door.
The knife twister: It seemed as though it would be a slow run to the bottom half of the ladder for the Demons in 2015, and that’s exactly what it was. No knives, no crash and burn, just a slow and painful death for the Melbourne club and its supporters for another year.
The outlook: If there’s one thing the Demons can hang their hat on is the fact that they do seem to have a good bit of young talent coming through. Jesse Hogan was outstanding in 2015, claiming the rising star award - the first time a key forward has claimed the prize since Nick Riewoldt in 2002. Add to this Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, Christian Salem, Jimmy Toumpas, Dom Tyson and Christian Petracca among others, and the outlook actually makes for good reading for Dees fans.
Prediction: It’s tough to see them pushing for finals in 2016, however another 20-odd games for their list will only serve to build experience and develop a winning attitude for a club that has struggled for a number of season. Expect a 12-15 finish for the Demons.