The Australian Football League 2011 season is just around the corner. This is going to be the 115th edition of this prestigious tournament. This year it’s going to be played with 17 teams since the induction of the Gold Coast Suns Football Club into the fixtures.afl 2011 The suns team looks well balanced for a first timer. They have in their ranks Gary Albert, a legend of the game. They have also picked up Karmicheal Hunt from rugby league. But almost 33 percent of the team is from Queensland.

The season kicks off with the clash of the Victorian giants. Richmond takes on Carlton on the 24th. This season will also witness the bye for the first time since 1994. Although opinion is divided on the re-inclusion of the bye, it will definitely add spice to the tournament. With each team facing two byes this year, placement of these byes could be crucial.

The substitute rule has also been reintroduced for the first time this year after 1977 & just like the bye opinion on this, too, is divided. But it will be interesting to see how each club uses this substitute rule.

But the big talking point this year is whether any non-Victorian club could be the champion this year. In 2010 top 6 out of 8 were Victorian clubs.

Our top eight picks for this year:

1. Collingwood
2. Geelong
3. Freemantle
4. Hawthorn
5. St kilda
6. Carlton
7. Melbourne
8. Sydney