After 25 gruelling rounds, we now know the eight groups that may battle it out to be topped 2025 Premiers. Throughout September, they may face off in a finals collection till there are simply two remaining, who will then go on to conflict on the most important matchday of all of them on the 129th AFL/VFL showpiece occasion for the Premiership Cup/Flag.
It has been a improbable season, to date, with the common home-and-away marketing campaign producing so many nice matches and moments; full of pleasure, thrilling motion, excessive drama, and shut finishes for which everybody concerned deserves a lot credit score.
For the primary time in over 20 years, 5 states within the nation – Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia – might be represented.
How the finals work
The highest 4 groups within the eight obtain the “double probability” after they play within the week-one qualifying finals. The winners obtain a bye to the third week, whereas the losers will stay within the competitors and can play a semi-final the next week.
The underside 4 of the eight play knock-out video games – solely the winners survive and advance within the match. House benefit goes to the group with the upper ladder place within the first two weeks by means of to the Preliminary Closing 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 victors of these matches head to the Grand Closing, which might be performed on Saturday, 27 September (2.30 pm) on the MCG.
- Week 1 – Qualifying(QF)/Elimination (EF) finals (4/5/6 September)
- QF – Thursday 4 September: Adelaide v Collingwood @ Oval (7:10 pm)
- QF – Friday 5 September: Geelong v Brisbane @ MCG (7:40 pm)
- EF – Saturday 6 September: GWS v Hawthorn @ Engie Stadium (3.15 pm)
- EF – Saturday 6 September: Fremantle v Gold Coast @ Optus (5:35 pm)
- Week 2 – Semi-finals (12/13 September)
- Week 3 – Preliminary finals (19/20 September)
- Week 4 – Grand remaining (27 September)
Contenders
Adelaide (Ladder Place: 1st)
Nickname: ‘Crows’
Colors: Navy Blue, Crimson & Gold
Coach: Matthew Nicks
Captain(s): Jordan Dawson (pictured beneath)
It has been an excellent season for Adelaide, which triumphed of their final 9 matches to assert a primary McClelland Trophy (minor premiership) since 2017, the final time it performed on the pointy finish, having completed a disappointing fifteenth the earlier yr.
Their spectacular 18-5 document, which represents the most effective successful ratio ever in membership historical past, has given them an ideal alternative at a tilt at a attainable third Premiership.
Dealt a big blow with the lack of star midfielder Izak Rankine, who will miss the collection, having been banned for 4 matches for making a homophobic slur.
Nevertheless, actually have the squad and greater than sufficient expertise to go all the way in which – two house finals at their fortress Oval floor may even be an enormous benefit.
Geelong (Ladder Place: 2nd)
Nickname: ‘Cats’
Colors: Navy Blue & White
Coach: Chris Scott
Captain(s): Patrick Dangerfield
One more stellar marketing campaign by Geelong, beautifully led by the AFL’s most skilled coach, Chris Scott (pictured above), who has certified in 13 out of 15 throughout his reign.
Nearly went somewhat underneath the radar, en path to securing the second spot on the ladder, however not the bookmakers which have put in them because the outright favourites to win it.
Completed as the best scorers within the common home-and-away season and have an actual weapon in Jeremy Cameron, who received a second Coleman Medal of his profession.
Have an ideal mixture of expertise and youth of their squad. Shaun Mannagh picked up the AFL Coaches Affiliation’s Greatest Younger Participant Award, and having been at this stage so many instances earlier than, he is aware of precisely what it would take to go all the way in which.
Brisbane (Ladder Place: third)
Nickname: ‘Lions’
Colors: Maroon, Blue & Gold
Coach: Chris Fagan
Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale
The present reigning Premiers are coming into their seventh straight finals collection and have the chance to go back-to-back, one thing they did within the early 2000s.
Given the variety of accidents through the marketing campaign and toughness of the draw, coach Chris Fagan lately hailed it as “most likely our greatest.” They are going to be getting a great addition with 2 x Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale (pictured above) set to return to the group.
With the departure of Joe Daniher to retirement, the query was which participant would fill his boots. Step ahead, Logan Morris, the youngest Lion to ever play in a grannie, who has had a cracking season and isn’t fazed by the large stage in any respect.
Their away kind has been fairly distinctive in 2025, with just one defeat exterior of Queensland, which is an actual asset, they usually received’t worry taking part in anybody at any venue.
Collingwood (Ladder Place: 4th)
Nickname: ‘Magpies’
Colors: Black & White
Coach: Craig McRae
Captain: Darcy Moore
Come into September as probably the most off form facet, however their excellent mid-season kind, after they led the ladder for some time, proved sufficient to clinch that final prime 4 spot.
Nevertheless, Magpies coach Craig McRae (pictured above) was fast to level out that a part of the season is now over, and it’s like beginning a totally new one taking part in in September.
Boast probably the most skilled squad, which can show invaluable at this enterprise finish of the yr, with a lot of them a part of the flag-winning line-up again in 2023.
Nick Daicos, who has simply received the AFL Gamers Affiliation MVP and been chosen within the All-Australian facet for the third time, is a real match-winner.
Better Western Sydney (Ladder Place: fifth)
Nickname: ‘Giants’
Colors: Orange, Charcoal & White
Coach: Adam Kingsley
Captain(s): Toby Greene
But to win the grandest prize of all of them, regardless of being concerned in seven out of the final 9 campaigns that included a dropping grand finalist, however right here for an additional crack.
The Orange Tsunami had been victorious in 9 of their final ten matches, coming storming house to clinch fifth spot and, with it, a house elimination remaining at Engie Stadium.
4 gamers made the All-Australian squad (Sam Taylor, Tom Inexperienced, Finn Callaghan and Lachie Ash), the most effective illustration ever in membership historical past, while key ahead Jesse Hogan seems to be to be coming again on the good time from a foot damage.
Have taken some large scalps over the course of the common season in opposition to Geelong (twice), Gold Coast (twice), Brisbane and Collingwood, so they’re greater than succesful.
Fremantle (Ladder Place: sixth)
Nickname: ‘Dockers’
Colors: Purple & White
Coach: Justin Longmuir
Captain(s): Alex Pearce (pictured beneath)
Confirmed nerves of metal and all their class to qualify, particularly following the frustration of lacking out in 2024, with that final spherical win over the Bulldogs.
Given the standard of their squad, Justin Longmuir and his gamers have been underneath strain to carry out, firmly within the highlight, which they’ve dealt with very effectively.
I’ve solely been a part of the September motion as soon as since 2015, so I don’t have the expertise of a number of the different golf equipment, which can carry a brand new problem.
Nevertheless, seen by some as a little bit of a darkish horse, having stood up in some large moments, and if a membership exterior the highest 4 goes to do, then more than likely to be them.
Gold Coast (Ladder Place: seventh)
Nickname: ‘Suns’
Colors: Crimson & Gold
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain(s): Noah Anderson
A improbable achievement by the Gold Coast, which has lastly achieved it and might be within the combine come the sharp finish for the primary time in membership historical past, since their formation in 2009.
There have been loads of emotional scenes after their record-breaking margin win over Essendon on Wednesday night, which simply confirmed what it meant to everybody.
The arrival of three-time Premiership coach Damien Hardwick has actually paid dividends with the Suns now taking part in a totally totally different model of footy.
One other vital issue has been their potential to win on the street, an actual Achilles’ heel in earlier campaigns, which they might want to do to have any probability.
Hawthorn (Ladder Place: eighth)
Nickname: ‘Hawks’
Colors: Brown & Gold
Coach: Sam Mitchell
Captain: James Sicily
The ‘Hollywood Hawks’ make up the eight, having loved a stable season by which they racked up their largest variety of victories underneath present coach Sam Mitchell (pictured above).
Recognized for his or her daring, attacking fashion of play, known as “Hok Ball”, they’re an inspiring outfit to observe and will actually trigger loads of chaos.
Key ahead Jack Gunston has been in unbelievable kind to date, booting a profession season excessive 62 objectives, which everybody on the membership hopes he carries into September.
Face a frightening interstate journey as much as face the Giants, at a venue the place they’ve solely ever triumphed as soon as again in 2019, however will undoubtedly relish the problem.
Betting Odds
Geelong $3.75, Brisbane $4.50, Adelaide $5, Collingwood $7.50, Hawthorn $18, Fremantle $21, Better Western Sydney $21, Gold Coast $41 (Supply: Sportsbet)
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