The wait is almost over with a brand new footy season on the horizon – it will kick-off with reigning Premiers Brisbane taking on Geelong, in the curtain raiser as part of ‘Opening Round’, next Thursday evening (6 March, 6.50 pm), at a sold-out Gabba.
Reigning Premiers
Last year’s champions will head into the campaign as the bookmakers’ favourites. Although they lost experienced forward Joe Daniher (retired), there was a lot of excitement around the arrival of Levi Ashcroft, No.5 draft pick under the father-son rule, who joined his older brother, Will. They certainly have the squad to go back-to-back.
However, it will be more difficult than ever, given the number of other teams that want to be in contention and lift the cup at the end of September.
Main Contenders
Losing Grand Finalists Sydney saw John Longmire step down, following 13 years at the helm, to be replaced by his assistant, Dean Cox. It will be his first senior role. Can he pick his players up from that disappointment, or will they suffer a hangover?
Last year, Hawthorn, nicknamed “Hollywood Hawks” and playing their “hokball” style, took the game by storm in the second half of 2024. With the additions of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, they have been installed as one of the main challengers.
The odds on Collingwood, winners in 2023, have been shortening with the signing of key defender Dan Houston (pictured above) and the shrewd acquisition of Tim Membury to an already decent and very experienced squad that knows just what it takes to get it done.
Under the tutelage of the current longest-serving AFL coach, Chris Scott (pictured below), Geelong have always been in the mix come the pointy end. There is nothing to suggest that won’t be the case again, despite losing both Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy.
Greater Western Sydney seemed all but set to reach a Grannie last time out before spectacularly crashing and giving up a huge lead to the Lions in a Preliminary. This will have really hurt their players over the summer, and they will be keen to use that as motivation to get them ready for another serious crack.
Port Adelaide has one of the best win-loss records over the last five years during the home-and-away, but then really struggles at the business end. Gaffer Ken Hinkley has already announced that this will be his last campaign, so it will be one last opportunity at trying to win a flag, something that has escaped the 58-year-old so far.
Coaches Under Pressure
A few coaches will be heading into the new season under the pump – none more so than Justin Longmuir (pictured below). Making finals will be a bare minimum for the Fremantle Dockers that sensationally collapsed late on to miss out altogether – the arrival of key 2×AFL premiership player Shai Bolton will be a real boost for them.
Matthew Nicks will also be feeling the pressure following a disastrous 2024 that saw Adelaide finish a lowly 15th. Already, many are speculating that if he doesn’t lead them to a top-eight standing, then it could well spell the end for him at the Oval.
Can Gold Coast make their first finals in club history? Three-time Premiership winner Damien Hardwick (pictured below) was ultimately brought in on a big contract to lead the Suns to the grand prize. Given the talent in their line-up, further enhanced by the arrivals of John Noble, Elliott Himmelberg and Daniel Rioli, there is a lot of expectation.
The Western Bulldogs have a talented list but have been dealt a hammer blow by losing some key personnel to injury before a ball is even bounced – on a brighter note, keep an eye out for forward Sam Darcy, who has been tipped to have a big 2025.
Carlton, Essendon, and Melbourne will all be vying to secure one of those all-important eight spots, qualifying for September action, and they go in with high hopes. St.Kilda are unlikely to be challenging as they are in the midst of a club rebuild.
Wooden spoon
At the bottom of the ladder, Richmond is expected to pick up a second consecutive wooden spoon. West Coast, which has a new coach in Andrew McQualter, and a North Melbourne outfit that has added some experience to its squad in Jack Darling, Luke Parker, and Caleb Daniel, will both be looking to improve on last year.
Rules Change for 2025
- Non-controlling umpires will be allowed to call advantage at centre-bounces, and officials will bounce the ball instead of throwing it up after a 6-6-6 warning.
Format of the Season
Following its success last year, the campaign will begin with an ‘Opening Round, ‘ four matches taking place in Queensland and New South Wales to officially kick off the action in 2025.
The ‘Gather Round’, which has proved to be a huge success, will retake place in mid-April, with all 18 clubs playing in South Australia.
The season, referred to as the “home-and-away,” will span 25 weeks. Each side will play 23 matches and have two “bye” rounds: one at the beginning and the other around the halfway point.
The team who finishes at the top of the ladder is awarded the McClelland Trophy (Minor premiership). The top eight teams then play off in a four-round finals series.
How the finals work
The top four teams in the eight receive the “double chance” when they play in week-one qualifying finals. The winners receive a bye to the third week, while the losers will remain in the finals and will play a semi-final the following week.
The bottom four of the eight play knockout games—only the winners survive and advance in the tournament. Home advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks, and the Preliminary Final is held in the third week.
In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals from the first week. The winners of those matches head to the Grand Final, which will be played on Saturday, September 27, at the MCG.
- Week 1 – Qualifying/Elimination finals (4/5/6 September)
- Week 2 – Semi-finals (12/13 September)
- Week 3 – Preliminary finals (19/20 September)
- Week 4 – Grand final (27 September)
The Teams
Adelaide
Nickname: ‘Crows’
Colours: Navy Blue, Red & Gold
Coach: Matthew Nicks
Captain: Jordan Dawson
Brisbane
Nickname: ‘Lions’
Colours: Maroon, Blue, & Gold
Coach: Chris Fagan
Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale
Carlton
Nickname: ‘Blues’
Colours: Navy Blue
Coach: Michael Voss
Captain(s): Patrick Cripps
Collingwood
Nickname: ‘Magpies’
Colours: Black & White
Coach: Craig McRae
Captain(s): Darcy Moore
Essendon
Nickname: ‘Bombers’
Colours: Red & Black
Coach: Brad Scott
Captain: Zach Merrett
Fremantle
Nickname: ‘Dockers’
Colours: Purple & White
Coach: Justin Longmuir
Captain: Alex Pearce
Geelong
Nickname: ‘Cats’
Colours: White & Navy Blue
Coach: Chris Scott
Captain: Patrick Dangerfield
Gold Coast
Nickname: ‘Suns’
Colours: Red, Gold & Blue
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain(s): Touk Miller & Jarrod Witts
Greater Western Sydney (GWS)
Nickname: ‘Giants’
Colours: Orange, Charcoal, & White
Coach: Adam Kingsley
Captain: Toby Greene
Hawthorn
Nickname: ‘Hawks’
Colours: Brown & Gold
Coach: Sam Mitchell
Captain: James Sicily
Melbourne
Nickname: ‘Demons’
Colours: Red & Blue
Coach: Simon Goodwin
Captain: Max Gawn
North Melbourne
Nickname: ‘Kangaroos’
Colours: Royal Blue & White
Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captain: Luke McDonald & Jy Simpkin
Port Adelaide
Nickname: ‘Power’
Colours: Black, White, Teal & Silver
Coach: Ken Hinkley
Captain: Connor Rozee
Richmond
Nickname: ‘Tigers’
Colours: Yellow & Black
Coach: Adem Yze
Captain: Toby Nankervis
St.Kilda
Nickname: ‘Saints’
Colours: Red, White & Black
Coach: Ross Lyon
Captain(s): Jack Steele
Sydney
Nickname: ‘Swans’
Colours: Red & White
Coach: Dean Cox
Captain(s): Callum Mills
West Coast
Nickname: ‘Eagles’
Colours: Royal Blue & Gold
Coach: Andrew McQualter
Captain(s): Oscar Allen & Liam Duggan
Western Bulldogs
Nickname: ‘Doggies’
Colours: Red, White & Blue
Coach: Luke Beveridge
Captain(s): Marcus Bontempelli
Odds to win the Grand Final
- Brisbane $7.50
- Hawthorn $8.50
- Collingwood $9.50
- Geelong $10
- Greater Western Sydney $10
- Carlton $11
- Sydney $11
- Fremantle $12
- Western Bulldogs $15
- Port Adelaide $18
- Melbourne $21
- Adelaide $26
- Gold Coast $41
- Essendon $51
- St.Kilda $67
- North Melbourne $151
- West Coast $151
- Richmond $251
Latest News
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