2025 Ladder Predictions

[Blackhawk42]

Don't the Cats have any decent players, coaches or tactics? You put them 6th but it feels like you wanted to send them to 17th.

(Just joking around before this works as actual rage bait on others)

I know Shaun Mannagh. Super proud of what that guy has achieved.

I haven't rated the Geelong youth for a long time now, but after winning a premiership with an old list, then falling to 12th, I really felt like there was zero chance they could get near finals in 2024. To be 25 points up in a prelim when my expectations were so low means I'm rating the make-up of the side incorrectly.

Dempsey and Humpries are the two younger players I really like.
Bruhn as well, but I'm unsure what his ceiling is.
De Koning has gone backwards a little, but could he end up being a athletic, modern ruck perhaps?

 

[Seattle Mariners]

14/ Melbourne - RISE - still have the talent if they can sort out their off field issues. 5-8th is not out of the question.

Interesting.
You've got Melbourne rising from 14th to...well...14th.

 

[Mr Meow]

I know Shaun Mannagh. Super proud of what that guy has achieved.

I haven't rated the Geelong youth for a long time now, but after winning a premiership with an old list, then falling to 12th, I really felt like there was zero chance they could get near finals in 2024. To be 25 points up in a prelim when my expectations were so low means I'm rating the make-up of the side incorrectly.

Dempsey and Humpries are the two younger players I really like.
Bruhn as well, but I'm unsure what his ceiling is.
De Koning has gone backwards a little, but could he end up being a athletic, modern ruck perhaps?

Mannagh was brilliant once he settled into the seniors. His numbers were actually elite and he ripped apart the QF. Shame that he misfired during the prelim but that can happen - it was actually a lot of our player's first ever knockout final: Neale, Mannagh, Humphries, Dempsey, O.Henry, Bruhn, Bowes etc. Besides Henry and to a degree Humphries, they had a tough night but most had good seasons.

Holmes is obviously our best young player but if you get the best of Henry he's going to end up better than a lot of outsiders think. Dempsey has so much talent but didn't play a lot of footy growing up, so we're just starting to see it at senior level now. But as an attacking wingman with so few games, he was exceptional.

We need some of our young talls like Neale, SDK and Conway to advance. SDK maybe as a utility, but he must first find his mojo. And we need Bruhn to take a step up, especially in consistency and simply getting time on ground similar to experienced mids. It's time to stop babying him with 60% game time etc.

Our kids aren't a huge issue, it's just that the top end of senior players can't carry them anymore. Cameron is a jet when he pulls his finger out. Dangerfield and Stewart still elite in bursts - Tom could still have an AA squad year I think. The rest are retired or just bit part players on the fringe of the team now.

I think we'll be thereabouts but progression isn't always linear and it can't just be assumed everyone 25 or under has a better season in 2025. The 26 and above group should give us something similar.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Mannagh was brilliant once he settled into the seniors. His numbers were actually elite and he ripped apart the QF. Shame that he misfired during the prelim but that can happen - it was actually a lot of our player's first ever knockout final: Neale, Mannagh, Humphries, Dempsey, O.Henry, Bruhn, Bowes etc. Besides Henry and to a degree Humphries, they had a tough night but most had good seasons.

Holmes is obviously our best young player but if you get the best of Henry he's going to end up better than a lot of outsiders think. Dempsey has so much talent but didn't play a lot of footy growing up, so we're just starting to see it at senior level now. But as an attacking wingman with so few games, he was exceptional.

We need some of our young talls like Neale, SDK and Conway to advance. SDK maybe as a utility, but he must first find his mojo. And we need Bruhn to take a step up, especially in consistency and simply getting time on ground similar to experienced mids. It's time to stop babying him with 60% game time etc.

Our kids aren't a huge issue, it's just that the top end of senior players can't carry them anymore. Cameron is a jet when he pulls his finger out. Dangerfield and Stewart still elite in bursts - Tom could still have an AA squad year I think. The rest are retired or just bit part players on the fringe of the team now.

I think we'll be thereabouts but progression isn't always linear and it can't just be assumed everyone 25 or under has a better season in 2025. The 26 and above group should give us something similar.

I meant to include Holmes as well, of course. The pick of the bunch for sure.

 

[Mr Meow]

I meant to include Holmes as well, of course. The pick of the bunch for sure.

Showing very good signs first as a wingman and then as a half back/utility. But we're at the stage where we probably need him to develop as a full time midfielder - which he was in those finals he was excelling in, to be fair.

Big seasons from Holmes and Smith in midfield would likely see us top 4. Otherwise we are expecting way too much from a very old Dangerfield.

 

[Mav3rick]

1. Fremantle - I love everything about where Freo are headed at the moment, incredible midfield, great youth, finally enough firepower. I think they'll spike towards the top of the ladder either this year or next year, I'm just tipping this year because why not.
2. Western Bulldogs
Thought they figured out a lot towards the back end of last year with Rory Lobb down back. Midfield and forward line are still really potent and Sam Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Ryley Sanders are all potential stars, plus a pretty soft draw = strong top four chance. They've given good reason not to believe in them but I just do.
3. Brisbane
They'll really miss Daniher and I could see a slide after finally securing the flag, but they're still adding some great talent back and are near unbeatable at the Gabba. Might just be able to play free with the monkey off their back.
4. Hawthorn
Clearly have an awesome culture, great young talent and solid depth. I'd be tempted to go against the grain and say teams might start to figure them out, but I also love their additions so hard to see them not being around the mark regardless.
5. Collingwood
Could see a last dance type of season for Collingwood, just a lot of talent and experience if they're not injury-riddled. But the lack of proven quality youth is concerning and they'll have to start seeing something come through if they're going to really contend.
6. Port Adelaide
Too talented to really slide that hard imo despite the worrying signs at times. Not much more to say, they have holes but they're always around the mark.
7. Sydney
Grand final hangover in 2023 could be repeated, maybe a new coach will help a bit in that regard but hard to predict. Again too many guns to miss finals.
8. Carlton
Nothing would really surprise me, but a horror run with injuries last year and still made finals in the end. Talent everywhere, a lot of people seem to be off them not sure exactly why though.
9. Geelong
They've been a slightly above average team by percentage the last two years so I imagine not much will change. They keep proving the doubters wrong and are doing a good job of rebuilding on the fly, but eventually something's gotta give and someone has to miss out.
10. Gold Coast
Good additions, second year under Hardwick should see some improvement. But still really young in general, and I've predicted finals and been burned the last two years so they're gonna have to prove it.
11. Melbourne
Easy fixture could see them jump again, but it's hard to believe there aren't some lingering issues and tension at the club. Maybe their youth can reinvigorate them? Only they know if there's still enough belief in this group to bounce back.
12. St Kilda
More youth, plodding midfield but better depth, steady contributions from their guns keeps them afloat. Same general story and they usually end up around here, but really anything from finals to bottom four wouldn't surprise me and same goes for all the teams around them.
13. GWS
Might seem like a big slide after leading against Brisbane, but they were very lucky to be top four last year and I think they may have just missed their shot with this group. Lost a lot of steady contributors which exposes untested youth, plus a tough fixture and aging stars. All the ingredients are there for a slide.
14. Adelaide
Who knows really? Really disappointing last year, I like their additions but not sure it's enough to propel them up the ladder yet, maybe a year or two away still. Seems too low but so do most teams.
15. Essendon
Quietly lost a fair bit of experience and are now one of the youngest teams in the league. Just not sure what this team's identity is? They're not terrible but hard to put them above many.
16. North Melbourne
The least shit of this bottom three and the only one who I could see climbing out of the basement. But still very young, probably still can't stop anyone from scoring and need to prove it.
17. West Coast
Just an awful team. At least they have a shining light in Harley Reid, but likely rough going again.
18. Richmond
Had a bit of an excuse with injuries last year, but now most of their experienced talent has been replaced by teenagers. This could get ugly.

 

[Jirik13]

1. Fremantle - I love everything about where Freo are headed at the moment, incredible midfield, great youth, finally enough firepower. I think they'll spike towards the top of the ladder either this year or next year, I'm just tipping this year because why not.
2. Western Bulldogs
Thought they figured out a lot towards the back end of last year with Rory Lobb down back. Midfield and forward line are still really potent and Sam Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Ryley Sanders are all potential stars, plus a pretty soft draw = strong top four chance. They've given good reason not to believe in them but I just do.
3. Brisbane
They'll really miss Daniher and I could see a slide after finally securing the flag, but they're still adding some great talent back and are near unbeatable at the Gabba. Might just be able to play free with the monkey off their back.
4. Hawthorn
Clearly have an awesome culture, great young talent and solid depth. I'd be tempted to go against the grain and say teams might start to figure them out, but I also love their additions so hard to see them not being around the mark regardless.
5. Collingwood
Could see a last dance type of season for Collingwood, just a lot of talent and experience if they're not injury-riddled. But the lack of proven quality youth is concerning and they'll have to start seeing something come through if they're going to really contend.
6. Port Adelaide
Too talented to really slide that hard imo despite the worrying signs at times. Not much more to say, they have holes but they're always around the mark.
7. Sydney
Grand final hangover in 2023 could be repeated, maybe a new coach will help a bit in that regard but hard to predict. Again too many guns to miss finals.
8. Carlton
Nothing would really surprise me, but a horror run with injuries last year and still made finals in the end. Talent everywhere, a lot of people seem to be off them not sure exactly why though.
9. Geelong
They've been a slightly above average team by percentage the last two years so I imagine not much will change. They keep proving the doubters wrong and are doing a good job of rebuilding on the fly, but eventually something's gotta give and someone has to miss out.
10. Gold Coast
Good additions, second year under Hardwick should see some improvement. But still really young in general, and I've predicted finals and been burned the last two years so they're gonna have to prove it.
11. Melbourne
Easy fixture could see them jump again, but it's hard to believe there aren't some lingering issues and tension at the club. Maybe their youth can reinvigorate them? Only they know if there's still enough belief in this group to bounce back.
12. St Kilda
More youth, plodding midfield but better depth, steady contributions from their guns keeps them afloat. Same general story and they usually end up around here, but really anything from finals to bottom four wouldn't surprise me and same goes for all the teams around them.
13. GWS
Might seem like a big slide after leading against Brisbane, but they were very lucky to be top four last year and I think they may have just missed their shot with this group. Lost a lot of steady contributors which exposes untested youth, plus a tough fixture and aging stars. All the ingredients are there for a slide.
14. Adelaide
Who knows really? Really disappointing last year, I like their additions but not sure it's enough to propel them up the ladder yet, maybe a year or two away still. Seems too low but so do most teams.
15. Essendon
Quietly lost a fair bit of experience and are now one of the youngest teams in the league. Just not sure what this team's identity is? They're not terrible but hard to put them above many.
16. North Melbourne
The least shit of this bottom three and the only one who I could see climbing out of the basement. But still very young, probably still can't stop anyone from scoring and need to prove it.
17. West Coast
Just an awful team. At least they have a shining light in Harley Reid, but likely rough going again.
18. Richmond
Had a bit of an excuse with injuries last year, but now most of their experienced talent has been replaced by teenagers. This could get ugly.

I enjoyed your reasoning, quite reasonable logic. One team that popped up for me I disagree with is GWS. IMO, team don't end up top 4 after 23 games by being 'very lucky'. They did have 3 close wins, but in 2 of them they were well ahead early in 4th.

They did lost some decent players which affects their depth but best 23 is loaded and very formidable, excellent defence, great forward line, electric small forwards. Ward is really the only old player. Several 30-31 players is not old these days. Sure some mental scars could be there. They should had never lost that Lions game.

Crows is another team I think will do better or it's good bye for Nick.

 

[adammania9]

And unfortunately for the Pies, they truly have the worst youth there is in the comp outside of N.Daicos there's zilch.

Haven’t checked your own backyard? Collingwood has nothing besides Nick Daicos, but Carlton has nothing and no Nick Daicos.