2025 Ladder Predictions

[Borussia Teeth]

We didn’t have any choice really. No early draft picks. It wasn’t a deliberate policy - we were hopeful our 2020-23 draftees would have come on better.

Also Considering:
1) Self inflicted clearing up salary cap mess around that time too (Ned Guy!!!).
2) Haven’t drafted well with most of our early picks for a fair while now.
3) Seem to trade (and perhaps overpay) than rely on developing draft picks.

 

[Borussia Teeth]

With Craig McCrae, there's been a 'big change' in directorship. All out on experienced and older players is something I've never seen before, hence why many see a cliff coming with 2025 being make or break year for the club. Even at Geelong over the past 15 years or so with our normal group of experienced and older players, will still had a few potential excellent youngsters going through the system, with the Cats current group of youngsters 'top notch'.

2025 has got to be the year the Magpies make a big push for flag with their exceptionally experienced and talented group of older players, otherwise it's going to be very tough from that point onwards with very few top young players coming through. But it's definitely something I'll be watching with interest to see how things pan-out, given Fly's comment regards the 2024 drafts 'I don't want picks, I want players'. Maybe topping up each year with experienced and talented players from other clubs and not relying on speculative draft picks could be a successful strategy and might indeed work to some point, but I've gotta say Fly is one very brave man..... however only time will be the true adjudicator.

Fair summary. Don’t think it’s the coach alone, club must be aligned with this approach.
Note my post above for possible reasons why.

 

[NeutralFan]

Did you read my post at all?

No one will know the reasoning someone misses the finals until it happens. This is all just guess work. If I make a ladder, it'll have next to no logic honestly. Unfortunately I'm not an oracle

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

A fit Pies equals FlagPies.

Thereabouts you would expect, but no one is guaranteed a flag.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Thereabouts you would expect, but no one is guaranteed a flag.

The competition has never been so even and we'll be bound to see upsets in virtually every round in 2025 with those teams that have a reasonable run with injuries and can keep their game together and stay healthy come season end, they'll be the ones that are the major threats to winning the flag...... but bloody hell there's a lot of ifs and buts there for every team.

 

[Orange crush]

Pies will be near the mark in 2025.

The 50-50 mark?

 

[Mr Meow]

The competition has never been so even and we'll be bound to see upsets in virtually every round in 2025 with those teams that have a reasonable run with injuries and can keep their game together and stay healthy come season end, they'll be the ones that are the major threats to winning the flag...... but bloody hell there's a lot of ifs and buts there for every team.

Spot on. There's probably 10 to 12 teams that are a chance of a flag in 2025. A few won't end up making finals.

Richmond, West Coast, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Essendon and Gold Coast I don't see it happening for next year but the last 3 are a chance for top 8. Adelaide and Melbourne would be big smokeys but the former is high on potential and the latter has a lot of proven premiership quality.

 

[kozi]

Bris
GWS
Swans
Hawks
Dogs
Freo
Port
Suns

Cats
Blues
Pies
Ess
Dees
Crows
Saints
North
Eagles
Tiges

 

[craffles]

Based on what we know about Brisbane’s injury list and the addition of another Ashcroft they are miles ahead of the pack. I’ve grouped the rest into where I feel the range they fit with the actual numbers pretty much arbitrary.

I see Freo as the massive improvers and expect North and Gold Coast to continue to improve but reality is none of us have any idea outside of Richmond being putrid and Brisbane being good.

1. Brisbane
————————
2. Freo
3. Sydney
4. Carlton
5. GWS
————————
6. Port
7. Collingwood
8. Gold Coast
9. Western Bulldogs
10. Geelong
11. Hawthorn
12. Essendon
13. Melbourne
————————
14. North
15. St Kilda
16. Adelaide
————————
17. West Coast
————————
18. Richmond

 

[Gavin Excell]

Once Freo get a new coach and stop playing reactive and tentative football, they will be a genuine challenger

 

[Warwick]

Brisbane’s draw is absolutely brutal. With a real short preseason and large rehab group at the moment they won’t finish top.

 

[Piggy Smalls]

Once Freo get a new coach and stop playing reactive and tentative football, they will be a genuine challenger

The general consensus is that your coach would be a very good fit.

I'm gonna back JL in though. Bringing Rawlings in as an assistant is significant too.

 

[Jirik13]

To predict 2025 ladder is a brutal and basically pointless exercise. All scenarios possible except Tigers finishing at the bottom.

As usual, 3-4 teams will be affected by injuries. 3 changes in top 8.

So this is my prediction just for fun. Take it easy. No offence to your team. Good luck next season.

1. Brisbane. Great list but a short break after playing finals for 6 years, a lot of players in rehab, less motivation after achieving ultimate goal, no Daniher could have impact. I believe Hipwood had surgery on his OP so KPFs could be issue. A lot of players coming back from ACLs, it usually takes a year to end up in top form. Still I put them #1.

2. Carlton. Time to deliver or shut up. It's up to you Vossy or start packing. Can they have a decent run with injuries? Will small forwards prove themselves? Can Cripps continue to carry the team? Will Walsh stay healthy and be his best version? The same for Cerra. TDK full season at his best would be decisive.

3. Freo. Great and upcoming young list, extra home game. Bolton will fit in. Time to deliver or coach is gone.

4. Geelong. I have to say they annoy me by not going through rebuilding but all credit to them. Extra home game, great advantage playing at GMHBA. Can Conway stay healthy and start delivering as a ruck?

5. GWS. Those 2 finals losses were terrible but their best 22 is still great. Not sold on their depth.

6. Port. Playing for Hinkley, haha. Last year for you, I am tired of your no sugar drinks. Not convinced about their defence but middle looks good. They acquired some nice small forwards. I believe Lukosius as a full time forward will score 55+ goals.

7. Crows. They did complement their list nicely in trade period. Healthy Rankine heading for AA and true star status. Draper is my favourite draftee. He looks unbelievable.

8. Suns. This is just for my sanity and hope as a Suns fan. I am far from convinced that Dimma can play finals in his 2nd year. I do enjoy watching young players. Lombard got some nice mongrel in him. I should replace Suns with Hawks.

9. Sydney. Mental scars due to 2 terrible losses in GF. Warner not re-signing will impact them, new coach adjustments.

10. Hawks. Their fans are up and about but I think there will be some re-adjustment. Teams will be ready for them, tougher fixture. No Lewis early, Dear unfortunately stress fracture.

11. WB. Beveridge can't help himself and will be still making puzzling moves. Time to move on.

12. Saints. Cuddly RTB and his middle team still middling in the middle. Some nice young players. My daughter's partner who is Saints supporter is getting on my nerves with his optimism (after reading pre-season reports, haha).

13. Melbourne. Surely after off season from hell they can't put it together. Can they? Move on coach.

14. Collingwood. All chips in. Some old players will fall of the cliff. Teams know how they play, no more dozen close wins in a row.

15. North. Time for genius Clarko to show some progress. Maybe jump to 12-13?

16. Essendon. Can Scott take them to finals? Not for me. Living with Dodoro legacy.

17. Eagles. Still long way to go for me.

18. Tigers. Trade period and draft was fun with excited Tigers fans. Now the pain comes. I suspect some terrible losses coming.

 

[Mr Meow]

To predict 2025 ladder is a brutal and basically pointless exercise. All scenarios possible except Tigers finishing at the bottom.

As usual, 3-4 teams will be affected by injuries. 3 changes in top 8.

So this is my prediction just for fun. Take it easy. No offence to your team. Good luck next season.

1. Brisbane. Great list but a short break after playing finals for 6 years, a lot of players in rehab, less motivation after achieving ultimate goal, no Daniher could have impact. I believe Hipwood had surgery on his OP so KPFs could be issue. A lot of players coming back from ACLs, it usually takes a year to end up in top form. Still I put them #1.

2. Carlton. Time to deliver or shut up. It's up to you Vossy or start packing. Can they have a decent run with injuries? Will small forwards prove themselves? Can Cripps continue to carry the team? Will Walsh stay healthy and be his best version? The same for Cerra. TDK full season at his best would be decisive.

3. Freo. Great and upcoming young list, extra home game. Bolton will fit in. Time to deliver or coach is gone.

4. Geelong. I have to say they annoy me by not going through rebuilding but all credit to them. Extra home game, great advantage playing at GMHBA. Can Conway stay healthy and start delivering as a ruck?

5. GWS. Those 2 finals losses were terrible but their best 22 is still great. Not sold on their depth.

6. Port. Playing for Hinkley, haha. Last year for you, I am tired of your no sugar drinks. Not convinced about their defence but middle looks good. They acquired some nice small forwards. I believe Lukosius as a full time forward will score 55+ goals.

7. Crows. They did complement their list nicely in trade period. Healthy Rankine heading for AA and true star status. Draper is my favourite draftee. He looks unbelievable.

8. Suns. This is just for my sanity and hope as a Suns fan. I am far from convinced that Dimma can play finals in his 2nd year. I do enjoy watching young players. Lombard got some nice mongrel in him. I should replace Suns with Hawks.

9. Sydney. Mental scars due to 2 terrible losses in GF. Warner not re-signing will impact them, new coach adjustments.

10. Hawks. Their fans are up and about but I think there will be some re-adjustment. Teams will be ready for them, tougher fixture. No Lewis early, Dear unfortunately stress fracture.

11. WB. Beveridge can't help himself and will be still making puzzling moves. Time to move on.

12. Saints. Cuddly RTB and his middle team still middling in the middle. Some nice young players. My daughter's partner who is Saints supporter is getting on my nerves with his optimism (after reading pre-season reports, haha).

13. Melbourne. Surely after off season from hell they can't put it together. Can they? Move on coach.

14. Collingwood. All chips in. Some old players will fall of the cliff. Teams know how they play, no more dozen close wins in a row.

15. North. Time for genius Clarko to show some progress. Maybe jump to 12-13?

16. Essendon. Can Scott take them to finals? Not for me.

17. Eagles. Still long way to go for me.

18. Tigers. Trade period and draft was fun with excited Tigers fans. Now the pain comes. I suspect some terrible losses coming.

The Cats have been only won 6 games at GMHBA both of the previous seasons, thus top 4 probably depends on winning 9 or 10 away from there like they did in 2024.

 

[JustaBattler]

Daniher is the big question mark for Brisbane. Not choking in the big games is GWS' challenge. Not much seperating the rest. Norths should be the big improver with a couple of old dogs supprting them in Parker and Darling -their midfield is stacked and led well by their ruckman. Hawthorn burst out of the box last year - no reason they wont be even tougher with a stiffened defensive mix - good to see them up and about.

 

[The Feeder Club]

Based on what we know about Brisbane’s injury list and the addition of another Ashcroft they are miles ahead of the pack. I’ve grouped the rest into where I feel the range they fit with the actual numbers pretty much arbitrary.

I see Freo as the massive improvers and expect North and Gold Coast to continue to improve but reality is none of us have any idea outside of Richmond being putrid and Brisbane being good.

1. Brisbane
————————
2. Freo
3. Sydney
4. Carlton
5. GWS
————————
6. Port
7. Collingwood
8. Gold Coast
9. Western Bulldogs
10. Geelong
11. Hawthorn
12. Essendon
13. Melbourne
————————
14. North
15. St Kilda
16. Adelaide
————————
17. West Coast
————————
18. Richmond

I agree, and like your approach, which I will modify slightly

Brisbane
.................
Carlton
Geelong
Collingwood
.................
Bulldogs
GWS
Gold Coast
.................
Port
Fremantle
Adelaide
Hawks
Sydney
St Kilda
.................
Melbourne
Essendon
North
Eagles
.................
Richmond

 

[THE_GUN]

17. Richmond
18. North Melbourne

We are ok with 3-4 years of pain