2025 Ladder Predictions

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Xtreme said:
Relegated back to their VFA origins - they want their VFA flags to be counted to the AFL tally, they can go back there!!!

** It was early AM I'm bound to forget something :p
Click to expand...
forgot the Saints too
 
TheUnicorn said:
Let's get this offseason started! With some waaaaaaayyyy too early ladder predictions!



1. Western Bulldogs
2. Brisbane
3. Sydney
4. Fremantle
5. Port Adelaide
6. GWS
7. Hawthorn
8. St Kilda
------------------
9. Gold Coast
10. Geelong
11. Essendon
12. Carlton
13. North Melbourne
14. Melbourne
15. Collingwood
16. Adelaide
17. West Coast
18. Richmond
Click to expand...
Nice colours 😁
 
Bloody tough one , looking forward to seeing how wrong I am
Trade period could change things a lot but as it stands

GWS
BRISBANE
SYDNEY
GEELONG
FREO
BULLDOGS
HAWTHORN
PORT

CARLTON
GC
SAINTS
PIES
ADELAIDE
ESSENDON
MELBOURNE
NORTH
WC
RICHMOND

Sydney most likely to fall out of the 8
 
Last edited:

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1. Carlton
2. Geelong
3. Hawthorn
4. GWS
5. Fremantle
6. Sydney
7. Western Bulldogs
8. Adelaide

9. Brisbane
10. Port Adelaide
11. Essendon
12. Collingwood
13. Gold Coast
14. St Kilda
15. North Melbourne
16. Melbourne
17. West Coast
18. Richmond
 
1. Crows
2. Geelong
3. Brisbane
4. Hawthorn
5. Sydney
6. Freo
7. Port
8. Gws
9. Pies
10. Blues
11. Dogs
12. Dons
13. Dees
14. North
15. Wce
16. Saints
17. Richmond

Typed all this out and forgot GCS. **** knows with them, mid table somewhere

Brownlow = Dawson
Coleman = Thillthorpe
Rising Star = Draper

Crows v Geelong GF. Geelong by 80
 
1. GWS
2. Geelong
3. Brisbane
4. Syndey
5. Collingwood
6. Bulldogs
7. Fremantle
8. Carlton

9. Gold Coast
10. Hawthorn
11. Port Adelaide
12. St Kilda
13. Adelaide
14. North Melbourne
15. Melbourne
16. West Coast
17. Essendon
18. Richmond
 
Rod Stroker said:
I don't get why so many have Freo so high? To me their list doesn't scream top 4. Where will their improvement come from to climb from 10th?
Click to expand...
Played like a top 6 side for most of the year before injuries to their spine wiped them out for the last month, dropping them to 10th place. It's still their fault they didn't play finals but can't underestimate the impact of facing top teams in the last few weeks without Pearce, Treacy and Darcy.

As a result of drafting heavily and well from 2016-19, they've got a large chunk of the list in the sweet spot of flirting with or surpassing 100 games, which is where a lot of players find true consistency in their performance.

Shai Bolton should be a terrific top up and will be expected to get close to his 2022 AA form when he last played finals. Considering how irrelevant Walters was for much of the year, it's an enormous upgrade in their forward line. I don't expect them to land Pickett but he has signalled his interest and the trade period can be very long.

Their form next year would hinge quite heavily on whether or not Darcy and Pearce can play close to full seasons. If they do, the Dockers should be expecting top four at a minimum.
 

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Will do my top 15 at a later date.

For now
16. West Coast
17. North Melbourne
18. Richmond

In all seriousness, it’s remarkably difficult to see that changing. The Eagles are only a McGovern/Allen/Waterman injury from being severely exposed, and while they will improve their midfield & flanks this year, losing Barrass & Darling won’t help. Flynn doesn’t seem likely to help much, and Williams is the worst regular first ruck in the comp.
North suck and I can’t see Parker & Darling changing that in the short term. I can’t quite put my finger on it as North should be building like Brisbane did (competitive but just not getting over the hump) but seem to be going backwards. Good chance at the spoon if Sheezel or LDU goes down.
Richmond suck and while they MIGHT get some injury relief in 2025, that’s hardly going to replace Baker/Rioli/Bolton/Dusty/Graham/Pickett/maybe McIntosh/handful of games from Grimes. They are gonna get worse before they get better…Lefau is a serious talent but won’t be back until mid season after his 2nd ACL rupture, while Gibcus could be gently returned with his injury run, and Clarke is in the same boat. Prestia & Lynch don’t get younger. It’s entirely likely they have a similar run injury wise.

As for the rest, right now my ladder is
1. GWS
2. Fremantle
3. Brisbane
4. Collingwood
5. Hawthorn
6. Sydney
7. Gold Coast
8. St Kilda

9. Carlton
10. Port Adelaide
11. Geelong
12. Western Bulldogs
13. Melbourne
14. Adelaide
15. Essendon

Things never stay the same so tried to pick changes that either reflect end of season form, potential injury stakes & depth, and coaching ability (I.e. Hardwick & Lyon teams jump Voss, while Nicks can’t elevate Adelaide). Sydney the slight fall as they recover. Geelong or Collingwood I suspect miss finals - you can’t predict Geelong missing finals without their fans sooking about a random internet prediction, but I don’t know maybe the year they seemingly boost their list & improve their age profile they fall because they’ve got it all backwards down there defying the odds?
 
Rod Stroker said:
I don't get why so many have Freo so high? To me their list doesn't scream top 4. Where will their improvement come from to climb from 10th?
Click to expand...

3rd with a month to go before running into a tough run home (Marvel, then 3x finalists) without multiple key players. Jury out on the durability on one of those (Darcy) but if he gets fit for a season the Dockers W-L record with him is seriously impressive. Treacy broke out this year and monstered defences and missed that last month. Pearce is the last man standing type that gives the rest of the Freo defence a bit of freedom.

Add to that they did find some midfield cohesiveness by bringing in Hayden Young, who adds something different, and they’re about to bring in a forward/mid with serious talent & wheels who can replace any of the ones they currently have, all of whom are in the bottom 6 in their side for talent. Frederick is inconsistent, Banfield is seriously limited, Switta the best of the lot but he’s still not on Boltons level.

And phase out Fyfe or O’Meara with a big pre season from either O’Driscoll or Erasmus is another step up. It’s ALL about improving their bottom end right now and it looks like Banfield for Shai Bolton, and a breakout season from either NOD/Erasmus which is huge.

Plus they get 2 WC games (went 1-1 in 2024 but you’d tip 2-0 on current sides) & if they get Bolton wouldn’t be surprised if the AFL schedule them Richmond twice too. Finishing in the middle 6 gives them a better shot at a decent draw (doesn’t help come finals but helps to get you there).
 
HTPunter said:
3rd with a month to go before running into a tough run home (Marvel, then 3x finalists) without multiple key players. Jury out on the durability on one of those (Darcy) but if he gets fit for a season the Dockers W-L record with him is seriously impressive. Treacy broke out this year and monstered defences and missed that last month. Pearce is the last man standing type that gives the rest of the Freo defence a bit of freedom.

Add to that they did find some midfield cohesiveness by bringing in Hayden Young, who adds something different, and they’re about to bring in a forward/mid with serious talent & wheels who can replace any of the ones they currently have, all of whom are in the bottom 6 in their side for talent. Frederick is inconsistent, Banfield is seriously limited, Switta the best of the lot but he’s still not on Boltons level.

And phase out Fyfe or O’Meara with a big pre season from either O’Driscoll or Erasmus is another step up. It’s ALL about improving their bottom end right now and it looks like Banfield for Shai Bolton, and a breakout season from either NOD/Erasmus which is huge.

Plus they get 2 WC games (went 1-1 in 2024 but you’d tip 2-0 on current sides) & if they get Bolton wouldn’t be surprised if the AFL schedule them Richmond twice too. Finishing in the middle 6 gives them a better shot at a decent draw (doesn’t help come finals but helps to get you there).
Click to expand...
A Free Dockers membership to our punter mate here from the Roos
I reckon a lot of Dockers supporters don’t even know our list that well

On North I’m not sure the addition of Darling and Parker was a good idea but time will tell .
There were signs that it was clicking this year
First half against Freo when they were up by 30 odd points
Should have beat Collingwood
There was another one ?

But they just can’t close out cones
I think I had them around 12-14 this year, don’t see them bottom 3
 
Going on the basis that:

statistically at least 1 of the top 4 will drop out of the 8 entirely the next season
  • 2024 it was both Pies and Dees are both made it in 2023 and Pies winning it all they slid to 9th and 14th
  • 2023 it was Geelong after they made it in 2022 and won the whole thing they slid to 12th
  • 2022 it was Port after they made it in 2021 and slid to 11th
And so on this continues…

Statistically at least one team will rise from outside the 8 and jump into the top 4 as they do every single year.
  • 2024 it was Geelong who jumped from 12th to 3rd
  • 2023 it was Port who jumped from 11th to 3rd
  • 2022 it was Pies who jumped from 17th to 4th
And so on this continues….

Taking all this into account plus tougher schedules for certain sides, list changes soo far or rumoured list changes here’s a way too early prediction.

1. HAWTHORN - I know growth and improvement isn’t supposed to be linear and regression to the mean is supposed to be a thing but gosh darn it they are back aren’t they? Can see them being the new Big Melbourne based club to dominate the competition. Their pickups or potential ones ant this point exactly what they need, their talent is still progressing, they will only get even stronger and they will get the push back into prime time Hawks we all loved to hate. There is no loveable HokBall anymore, this side will start to become the dangerous juggernaut we all hate to play. (+6 spots. 7th in 2024)

2. GWS - People already writing off GWS for 2025 will be in for a shock. Kingsley will get his lads playing that insane pressure game and have them rolling all year. Can see them being a real danger and absolutely a threat for the flag.
The guys they lost to FA while decent are not the type of players that were major contributors to the squad. They go again as they hold top 4. (+2 spots. 4th in 2024)

3. LIONS - No reason they can’t be here with their amazing list although no Daniher means losing 58 goals from a Key position tall who can also play Ruck. They have no one who can replace what Joe brought and it might cost them going deep in the off-season. Maybe a pickup of someone like Mitch Lewis or Tim Membrey to hold them over? Also helps getting Levi Ashcroft and Marshall in the door after winning the Premiership. May start slow with a smaller offseason but can see them getting rolling and looking real good by mid year. Don’t think they go back to back but definitely will be in the contenders group come Finals time. Please don’t get mad at me Lions fans for not thinking you’ll go back to back, last two reigning Premiers fell right out of the 8, I’m giving you leeway here even with the tough schedule lol (+2 spots. 5th in 2024)

4. PIES - My statistical pick from outside the 8 and boy do they jump back into form. Injury free, easier schedule, solid offseason pickups and general improvement from the list sees them fly back to the top 4…just great for everyone else lol (+5 spots. 9th in 2024)

5. BULLDOGS - Lose a few players this offseason but none that hold too much consequence over the Doggies list long term. Can see Darcy making a huge leap and becoming a dominant player in 2025. Doggies maintain a spot in the 8. (+1 spot. 6th in 2024)

6. FREO - Bolton acquisition will provide a huge boost up forward. Having general improvement from the squad and finding their ability to finish games sees my second team jump into the top 8 from the outsiders. Figuring out how to travel and win will be the biggest thing. Let them down too many times in 2024. Can see them lifting to greater heights in 2025. (+4 spots. 10th in 2024)

7. PORT - Just when people start writing off the Power after another Prelim exit and thinking they are done they prove that they are here to stay in the 8. Ken gets the belief out of his players even when it seems form starts to slide. Maintain their standard through the year although can’t maintain their spot in the top 4 with a small slide. Still hold on for Finals in Kenny’s last year. (-5 spots. 2nd in 2024)

8. CROWS - Can see this being a year the Crows get a big bounce back in a big way. Some great additions and will give most teams a good push in many games. Piss easy bottom 4 finisher schedule will get them a great run on and momentum going forward. 3rd and final team to jump up into the 8 from the outsiders (+7 spots. 15th in 2024)

9. CARLTON - Retain similar form from 2024 where they look amazing for a month then god awful for similar. With not much change in the squad just can’t see them pushing any further than where they are at. Slight drop out of the 8 for a season. (-1 spot. 8th in 2024)

10. CATS - Yes getting Bailey Smith and Jack Martin are nice pickups, but losing Hawkins and 2E as two great club leaders and a much tougher schedule mean the Cats experience another big drop down the ladder. The AFL community desperate to see a Cats fall off gets another chance to stick the boots in. Cats the first of 2 top 4 sides to fall out of the 8. (-7 spots. 3rd in 2024)

11. SWANS - I just don’t see how losing two Grand Finals in such a short period of time doesn’t cause issues. That’s gotta do something to you mentally. Tougher schedule from finishing top 4 and questions over the playing group and coaching staff sees a big slip, talent holds them from dropping right off but will still be a big year with lots of media circus around Warner leaving, players wanting out and if Horse should stay on as coach past 2025. My pick for the team that falls out of the 8 from top 4. I’m really sorry Swans fans, it has to be at least one of the top 4, I have two along with Cats (-10 spots. 1st in 2024)

12. SAINTS - Saints get going at times during the year but no major push or drop. Young blokes still finding their spots and working with Ross the Boss to find their niche. (No change from 2024)

13. ESSENDON - What’s to say with the Dons, this group just spells mediocre. Might get some nice wins during the year but all for nothing. More pain and anguish for the supporters (-2 spots. 11th in 2024)

14. WEST COAST - Finally a push up the board for the Eagles. Some decent pickups and with a new coach put together a much better year. Guys starting to figure out their roles and playing them well. (+2 spots. 16th in 2024)

15. GOLD COAST - Much the same from Sunny boys. Look unbeatable at Home, dreadful away. Except this year it’s less successful and Dimma is left looking for answers. (-2 spot. 13th in 2024)

16. MELBOURNE - An absolute shambles off the field, star players checked out and wanting out. A board not even on the same page. A coach that has clearly lost the playing group. Poor Gawny, a club in desperate need of a rebuild (-2 spots. 14th in 2024)

17. NORTH - I say this with regards to their position. North will win more games in 2025 and look far more impressive than they have for a long time. Great pickups this offseason, improvement from young stars. North on the up in the next few years (No change in spot from 2024)

18. RICHMOND - Not much to say here. Tanking so lots of pain for the foreseeable future. (No change in spot from 2024)
 
1. Geelong
2. Brisbane
3. Sydney
4. GWS
5. Fremantle
6. Carlton
7. Western Bulldogs
8. Port Adelaide
9. St Kilda
10. Collingwood
11. Gold Coast
12. Essendon
13. Hawthorn
14. Adelaide
15. Melbourne
16. North Melbourne
17. West Coast
18. Richmond
 
FootyLad0 said:
Going on the basis that:

statistically at least 1 of the top 4 will drop out of the 8 entirely the next season
  • 2024 it was both Pies and Dees are both made it in 2023 and Pies winning it all they slid to 9th and 14th
  • 2023 it was Geelong after they made it in 2022 and won the whole thing they slid to 12th
  • 2022 it was Port after they made it in 2021 and slid to 11th
And so on this continues…

Statistically at least one team will rise from outside the 8 and jump into the top 4 as they do every single year.
  • 2024 it was Geelong who jumped from 12th to 3rd
  • 2023 it was Port who jumped from 11th to 3rd
  • 2022 it was Pies who jumped from 17th to 4th
And so on this continues….

Taking all this into account plus tougher schedules for certain sides, list changes soo far or rumoured list changes here’s a way too early prediction.

1. HAWTHORN - I know growth and improvement isn’t supposed to be linear and regression to the mean is supposed to be a thing but gosh darn it they are back aren’t they? Can see them being the new Big Melbourne based club to dominate the competition. Their pickups or potential ones ant this point exactly what they need, their talent is still progressing, they will only get even stronger and they will get the push back into prime time Hawks we all loved to hate. There is no loveable HokBall anymore, this side will start to become the dangerous juggernaut we all hate to play. (+6 spots. 7th in 2024)

2. GWS - People already writing off GWS for 2025 will be in for a shock. Kingsley will get his lads playing that insane pressure game and have them rolling all year. Can see them being a real danger and absolutely a threat for the flag.
The guys they lost to FA while decent are not the type of players that were major contributors to the squad. They go again as they hold top 4. (+2 spots. 4th in 2024)

3. LIONS - No reason they can’t be here with their amazing list although no Daniher means losing 58 goals from a Key position tall who can also play Ruck. They have no one who can replace what Joe brought and it might cost them going deep in the off-season. Maybe a pickup of someone like Mitch Lewis or Tim Membrey to hold them over? Also helps getting Levi Ashcroft and Marshall in the door after winning the Premiership. May start slow with a smaller offseason but can see them getting rolling and looking real good by mid year. Don’t think they go back to back but definitely will be in the contenders group come Finals time. Please don’t get mad at me Lions fans for not thinking you’ll go back to back, last two reigning Premiers fell right out of the 8, I’m giving you leeway here even with the tough schedule lol (+2 spots. 5th in 2024)

4. PIES - My statistical pick from outside the 8 and boy do they jump back into form. Injury free, easier schedule, solid offseason pickups and general improvement from the list sees them fly back to the top 4…just great for everyone else lol (+5 spots. 9th in 2024)

5. BULLDOGS - Lose a few players this offseason but none that hold too much consequence over the Doggies list long term. Can see Darcy making a huge leap and becoming a dominant player in 2025. Doggies maintain a spot in the 8. (+1 spot. 6th in 2024)

6. FREO - Bolton acquisition will provide a huge boost up forward. Having general improvement from the squad and finding their ability to finish games sees my second team jump into the top 8 from the outsiders. Figuring out how to travel and win will be the biggest thing. Let them down too many times in 2024. Can see them lifting to greater heights in 2025. (+4 spots. 10th in 2024)

7. PORT - Just when people start writing off the Power after another Prelim exit and thinking they are done they prove that they are here to stay in the 8. Ken gets the belief out of his players even when it seems form starts to slide. Maintain their standard through the year although can’t maintain their spot in the top 4 with a small slide. Still hold on for Finals in Kenny’s last year. (-5 spots. 2nd in 2024)

8. CROWS - Can see this being a year the Crows get a big bounce back in a big way. Some great additions and will give most teams a good push in many games. Piss easy bottom 4 finisher schedule will get them a great run on and momentum going forward. 3rd and final team to jump up into the 8 from the outsiders (+7 spots. 15th in 2024)

9. CARLTON - Retain similar form from 2024 where they look amazing for a month then god awful for similar. With not much change in the squad just can’t see them pushing any further than where they are at. Slight drop out of the 8 for a season. (-1 spot. 8th in 2024)

10. CATS - Yes getting Bailey Smith and Jack Martin are nice pickups, but losing Hawkins and 2E as two great club leaders and a much tougher schedule mean the Cats experience another big drop down the ladder. The AFL community desperate to see a Cats fall off gets another chance to stick the boots in. Cats the first of 2 top 4 sides to fall out of the 8. (-7 spots. 3rd in 2024)

11. SWANS - I just don’t see how losing two Grand Finals in such a short period of time doesn’t cause issues. That’s gotta do something to you mentally. Tougher schedule from finishing top 4 and questions over the playing group and coaching staff sees a big slip, talent holds them from dropping right off but will still be a big year with lots of media circus around Warner leaving, players wanting out and if Horse should stay on as coach past 2025. My pick for the team that falls out of the 8 from top 4. I’m really sorry Swans fans, it has to be at least one of the top 4, I have two along with Cats (-10 spots. 1st in 2024)

12. SAINTS - Saints get going at times during the year but no major push or drop. Young blokes still finding their spots and working with Ross the Boss to find their niche. (No change from 2024)

13. ESSENDON - What’s to say with the Dons, this group just spells mediocre. Might get some nice wins during the year but all for nothing. More pain and anguish for the supporters (-2 spots. 11th in 2024)

14. WEST COAST - Finally a push up the board for the Eagles. Some decent pickups and with a new coach put together a much better year. Guys starting to figure out their roles and playing them well. (+2 spots. 16th in 2024)

15. GOLD COAST - Much the same from Sunny boys. Look unbeatable at Home, dreadful away. Except this year it’s less successful and Dimma is left looking for answers. (-2 spot. 13th in 2024)

16. MELBOURNE - An absolute shambles off the field, star players checked out and wanting out. A board not even on the same page. A coach that has clearly lost the playing group. Poor Gawny, a club in desperate need of a rebuild (-2 spots. 14th in 2024)

17. NORTH - I say this with regards to their position. North will win more games in 2025 and look far more impressive than they have for a long time. Great pickups this offseason, improvement from young stars. North on the up in the next few years (No change in spot from 2024)

18. RICHMOND - Not much to say here. Tanking so lots of pain for the foreseeable future. (No change in spot from 2024)
Click to expand...
Richmond had a huge injury list,no tanking involved.
Now,alot of dynasty players have left which leaves a very young list next year.
 
danster168 said:
1. Hawks
2. Brisbane
3. GWS
4. Sydney
5. Geelong
6. Carl
7. Port
8. Dogs

9. Frem
10. Adel
11. Ess
12. St Kilda
13. Gold Coast
14. Coll
15. North Melbourne
16. WCE
17. Melb
18. Richmond
Click to expand...


Hook a Hawks/Giants Grand Final to my veins.

We only play thrillers against one another and the melts about the jumper clash would be hilarious.
 
1. Brisbane - hard to argue with their list. Could be a dynasty although have to deal with losing Joe.
2. Cats - because they're hard to beat and should add a Smith
3. Hawks - hate myself but can't argue with their belief and add some finals experience now
4. Bulldogs - have a great list so should be up there again
5. Sydney - scars of GF - have them dropping but still contending
6. Pies - pending injuries should be up there again with their list. Defence is an issue.
7. Fremantle - I think many people will have them higher but hard to trust them after this year. Still a solid team and could finish higher.
8. St Killda - toss up with GC but showed enough in back half of the year for me to back them.
9. Gold Coast - toss up with Saints, still a year away I think
10. GWS - Sensing a drop off after a couple of good years near the top.
11. Blues - Voss doesn't have the coaching chops to make this list work.
12. Adelaide - Maybe haven't watched enough of them but too inconsistent.
13. Port Adelaide - Will have a tough draw and reckon their luck with injuries runs out. Goodbye Kenny.
14. Essendon - Same old
15. Melbourne - can't see them performing given the state of the club
16. West Coast - still too many issues with the list but could finish higher
17. North Melbourne - sorry norf fans but until you produce consistent good footy then it's hard to see you finishing higher
18. Richmond - surely b2b spoons coming up
 
1. Hawthorn
2. Fremantle
3. Collingwood (Premiere)
4. Sydney
5. Carlton
6. Essendon
7. Geelong (Runner Up)
8. Brisbane

9. GWS
10. Adelaide
11. Gold Coast
12. Saint Kilda
13. Port Adelaide
14. Western Bulldogs
15. North Melbourne
16. West Coast
17. Melbourne
18. Richmond
 
Zaxaphonie said:
1. Hawthorn
2. Fremantle
3. Collingwood (Premiere)
4. Sydney
5. Carlton
6. Essendon
7. Geelong (Runner Up)
8. Brisbane

9. GWS
10. Adelaide
11. Gold Coast
12. Saint Kilda
13. Port Adelaide
14. Western Bulldogs
15. North Melbourne
16. West Coast
17. Melbourne
18. Richmond
Click to expand...
First person in 5 pages to put Essendon in their top 8 :tearsofjoy:
 

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