The wait is nearly over with a model new footy season on the horizon – it can kick-off with reigning Premiers Brisbane taking up Geelong, within the curtain raiser as a part of ‘Opening Spherical’, subsequent Thursday night (6 March, 6.50 pm), at a sold-out Gabba.
Reigning Premiers
Final yr’s champions will head into the marketing campaign because the bookmakers’ favourites. Though they misplaced skilled ahead Joe Daniher (retired), there was loads of pleasure across the arrival of Levi Ashcroft, No.5 draft choose below the father-son rule, who joined his older brother, Will. They definitely have the squad to go back-to-back.
Nonetheless, will probably be tougher than ever, given the variety of different groups that need to be in rivalry and elevate the cup on the finish of September.
Important Contenders
Shedding Grand Finalists Sydney noticed John Longmire step down, following 13 years on the helm, to get replaced by his assistant, Dean Cox. It will likely be his first senior function. Can he choose his gamers up from that disappointment, or will they endure a hangover?
Final yr, Hawthorn, nicknamed “Hollywood Hawks” and enjoying their “hokball” model, took the sport by storm within the second half of 2024. With the additions of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, they’ve been put in as one of many major challengers.
The chances 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 first rate and really skilled squad that is aware of simply what it takes to get it achieved.
Beneath the tutelage of the present longest-serving AFL coach, Chris Scott (pictured under), Geelong have all the time been within the combine come the sharp finish. There may be nothing to recommend that gained’t be the case once more, regardless of dropping each Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy.
Higher Western Sydney appeared all however set to achieve a Grannie final day trip earlier than spectacularly crashing and giving up an enormous result in the Lions in a Preliminary. This may have actually damage their gamers over the summer season, and they are going to be eager to make use of that as motivation to get them prepared for one more severe crack.
Port Adelaide has top-of-the-line win-loss information during the last 5 years throughout the home-and-away, however then actually struggles on the enterprise finish. Gaffer Ken Hinkley has already introduced that this shall be his final marketing campaign, so will probably be one final alternative at attempting to win a flag, one thing that has escaped the 58-year-old to date.
Coaches Beneath Strain
A couple of coaches shall be heading into the brand new season below the pump – none extra so than Justin Longmuir (pictured under). Making finals shall be a naked minimal for the Fremantle Dockers that sensationally collapsed late on to overlook out altogether – the arrival of key 2×AFL premiership participant Shai Bolton shall be an actual increase for them.
Matthew Nicks may also be feeling the strain following a disastrous 2024 that noticed Adelaide end a lowly fifteenth. Already, many are speculating that if he doesn’t make them a top-eight standing, then it may nicely spell the tip for him on the Oval.
Can Gold Coast make their first finals in membership historical past? Three-time Premiership winner Damien Hardwick (pictured under) was finally introduced in on an enormous contract to steer the Suns to the grand prize. Given the expertise of their line-up, additional enhanced by the arrivals of John Noble, Elliott Himmelberg and Daniel Rioli, there’s loads of expectation.
The Western Bulldogs have a proficient checklist however have been dealt a hammer blow by dropping some key personnel to damage earlier than a ball is even bounced – on a brighter notice, hold an eye fixed out for ahead Sam Darcy, who has been tipped to have an enormous 2025.
Carlton, Essendon, and Melbourne will all be vying to safe a type of all-important eight spots, qualifying for September motion, they usually go in with excessive hopes. St.Kilda are unlikely to be difficult as they’re within the midst of a membership rebuild.
Wood spoon
On the backside of the ladder, Richmond is predicted to choose up a second consecutive wood spoon. West Coast, which has a brand new coach in Andrew McQualter, and a North Melbourne outfit that has added some expertise to its squad in Jack Darling, Luke Parker, and Caleb Daniel, will each be trying to enhance on final yr.
Guidelines Change for 2025
- Non-controlling umpires shall be allowed to name benefit at centre-bounces, and officers will bounce the ball as an alternative of throwing it up after a 6-6-6 warning.
Format of the Season
Following its success final yr, the marketing campaign will start with an ‘Opening Spherical, ‘ 4 matches going down in Queensland and New South Wales to formally kick off the motion in 2025.
The ‘Collect Spherical’, which has proved to be an enormous success, will retake place in mid-April, with all 18 golf equipment enjoying in South Australia.
The season, known as the “home-and-away,” will span 25 weeks. Both sides will play 23 matches and have two “bye” rounds: one at the start and the opposite across the midway level.
The group who finishes on the prime of the ladder is awarded the McClelland Trophy (Minor premiership). The highest eight groups then play off in a four-round finals collection.
How the finals work
The highest 4 groups within the eight obtain the “double probability” after they play in week-one qualifying finals. The winners obtain a bye to the third week, whereas the losers will stay within the finals and can play a semi-final the next week.
The underside 4 of the eight play knockout video games—solely the winners survive and advance within the event. Dwelling benefit goes to the group with the upper ladder place within the first two weeks, and the Preliminary Closing is held within the third week.
Within the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals from the primary week. The winners of these matches head to the Grand Closing, which shall be performed on Saturday, September 27, on 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 closing (27 September)
The Groups
Adelaide
Nickname: ‘Crows’
Colors: Navy Blue, Purple & Gold
Coach: Matthew Nicks
Captain: Jordan Dawson
Brisbane
Nickname: ‘Lions’
Colors: Maroon, Blue, & Gold
Coach: Chris Fagan
Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale
Carlton
Nickname: ‘Blues’
Colors: Navy Blue
Coach: Michael Voss
Captain(s): Patrick Cripps
Collingwood
Nickname: ‘Magpies’
Colors: Black & White
Coach: Craig McRae
Captain(s): Darcy Moore
Essendon
Nickname: ‘Bombers’
Colors: Purple & Black
Coach: Brad Scott
Captain: Zach Merrett
Fremantle
Nickname: ‘Dockers’
Colors: Purple & White
Coach: Justin Longmuir
Captain: Alex Pearce
Geelong
Nickname: ‘Cats’
Colors: White & Navy Blue
Coach: Chris Scott
Captain: Patrick Dangerfield
Gold Coast
Nickname: ‘Suns’
Colors: Purple, Gold & Blue
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain(s): Touk Miller & Jarrod Witts
Higher Western Sydney (GWS)
Nickname: ‘Giants’
Colors: Orange, Charcoal, & White
Coach: Adam Kingsley
Captain: Toby Greene
Hawthorn
Nickname: ‘Hawks’
Colors: Brown & Gold
Coach: Sam Mitchell
Captain: James Sicily
Melbourne
Nickname: ‘Demons’
Colors: Purple & Blue
Coach: Simon Goodwin
Captain: Max Gawn
North Melbourne
Nickname: ‘Kangaroos’
Colors: Royal Blue & White
Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captain: Luke McDonald & Jy Simpkin
Port Adelaide
Nickname: ‘Energy’
Colors: Black, White, Teal & Silver
Coach: Ken Hinkley
Captain: Connor Rozee
Richmond
Nickname: ‘Tigers’
Colors: Yellow & Black
Coach: Adem Yze
Captain: Toby Nankervis
St.Kilda
Nickname: ‘Saints’
Colors: Purple, White & Black
Coach: Ross Lyon
Captain(s): Jack Steele
Sydney
Nickname: ‘Swans’
Colors: Purple & White
Coach: Dean Cox
Captain(s): Callum Mills
West Coast
Nickname: ‘Eagles’
Colors: Royal Blue & Gold
Coach: Andrew McQualter
Captain(s): Oscar Allen & Liam Duggan
Western Bulldogs
Nickname: ‘Doggies’
Colors: Purple, White & Blue
Coach: Luke Beveridge
Captain(s): Marcus Bontempelli
Odds to win the Grand Closing
- Brisbane $7.50
- Hawthorn $8.50
- Collingwood $9.50
- Geelong $10
- Higher 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
Newest Information
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