You could make a case for every side in the league improving but conversely you could do the opposite too. I think its about looking at the probabilities.
North will probably improve given the improvement to their list and their change in fortunes with their draw.
Richmond should be expected also for similar reasons with areas of deficiency addressed from 2013, immediate depth increased and a favourable draw.
Of the other teams you mentioned -
Essendon will stumble into the top 8. They will again start strong with a newish coach and plenty of 'us against the world' motivation but I'm not convinced the whole controversy won't still haunt them this year and effect their march.
West Coast & Adelaide will make the eight this year with an injury free run.
Sydney will make the top 4. They will have a very potent forwardline and will use Buddy up the ground to create space for Tippet. Hope we can pip them though on the bigger grounds we play them in 2014.
Carlton will not improve. I can't see where any improvement will come from but can see where they will drop away with some of their better players continuing to age.
Geelong are my enigma team. I think (hope) they will drop out of the eight but they have been up for so long (similar to the Pies) that it is always difficult to write them off. Surely they will slip this year as their aging stars drop off...???
Port will drop out in my option. They are a very young team (2nd after GC in av age) and played above themselves with the inclusion of a new coach.
Collingwood will drop out of the eight too. They have lost experience and talent which they have attempted to predominately cover with inexperienced talent. I respect the Pies ability to get the best out of their players but I don't think Buckley has the same motivation capabilities as his Malthouse did. Stop Cloke and Pentlebury and you will stop the Pies in 2014.
Gold Coast are improving rapidly and will be competitive against even the better teams this year. I don't believe they will make the eight though.
Western Bulldogs and St Kilda will both be joining Melbourne and GWS in the battle for the spoon imo
So counting Fremantle and Hawks as assured top 8 finishers, I think North and the Tigers are both the teams who have the most probability to improve and move up into the 8 followed by Adelaide and West Coast who will move inside from outside the eight in 2013.
