(Ryan Withers is a BPL Citizen Journalist)

With Christmas just days away, this is a perfect time to put in some last minute wishes to the old fella' with the white beard - especially if you're a football fan.

For many clubs and their supporters, finals are the aim for 2012, for some in particular, anything less than a premiership will be a year wasted.

Both Hawthorn and Collingwood will be hunting  redemption, while others, like Carlton, will be seeking a feeling the club has not experienced since 1995.

However, for every winner there will be a loser, and much like 2011 the wooden spoon may be a done deal. Newcomers, GWS Giants, are firm favourites for the unflattering position of 18th next year - and rightly so, but  there may still be some competition yet. Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast battled it out this year for the glory of 16th spot, and if nothing much changes over the summer, both could well and truly find themselves in the company of Giants.

If Santa receives an unusual amount of mail from Australia in the coming days, there are several probable correspondents. In a year that will boast five new head coaches, most to precarious posts, the need for a strong start to the season has never been greater.

But along with the Brenton Sandersons and Mark Neelds of the world, there will be others pleading for another chance, rather  than the dreaded tap on the shoulder that so many have felt.

Both Damien Hardwick and Brad Scott will be hoping for big improvements this year from their respective sides, with both closing in on new deals come the end of 2012. Richmond and North Melbourne are two teams that have promising lists but now, after several years of rebuilding, it may be time for something more substantial - and their coaches will be pleading for it.

But if the man in the red suit finds another letter in his mail sack from Melbourne, it may be emblazoned with a red and blue football in the corner and the letters AFL in the centre. League boss Andrew Demetriou will be wishing for a season without a single blemish, sky rocketing TV ratings, even bigger crowds, not one single off field indiscretion, and, of course, GWS Giants reaching the finals in their first year.

Well, perhaps those last two are a bit of a stretch but, overall, he should get what he wants.

So to all you footy fanatics reading this, make sure you get your wishes in fast, and like the rest of us - sit back and hope for the  best in 2012.