2025 - Predictions for our most important season in a long time

[shintemaster]

Agree with everything here except the wins total.

10+ is absolutely attainable.

I'll take it!

 

[DuckYeah]

 

[Disco Dew]

I don’t normally do these but it’s time for DDs Delectably Delicious Divinations (does this work here? Whatever gotta get that alliteration rolling)

Wins: all of them. But seriously, 6-8 maybe. Hopefully more? Hopefully not less? We gotta start winning dammit!

B&F: sheeze/kerch double

Does LDU stay: guaranteed

All Aust: Sheeze, LDU, Xerri

Does FOS place in Rising Star: for sure

Top 3 Leading goal kickers: Larks, curtis, zurhaar

Does Chom play Fwd/Bck: bit of both.

Is Durz locked best 22 come seasons end: not quite but he’ll be close

Who has the better year out of Sheez, Warlord, Kerch: overall, sheezel. For personal improvement, Georgey boy.

Short summary of season: defent improvement overall. More wins, less big losses. Probably still amongst the bottom 6 on the ladder.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Wins: 9

B&F: Xerri

AA: LDU (pine) Sheez (HF)

FOS RS: top 10.

T3 Goalkickers: Larkey (52), Curtis (38), CZ (37) (we have more players kicking 10 goals or more than we have in two decades however)

Chom: mostly back, top 5 comp intercept marks

Duursma: not locked into 23. He is shock exit to Dons.

Kerch, Sheeze, George? all play different roles. George builds on his previous two years, averages just over 20 disposals per game, Sheeze is AA kicking lots of goals HF/mid but Kerch becomes the weapon that frees up LDU, averaging 24 possessions off the wing/mid role.

Summary: a rebounding year where we go on a few winning streaks (4 wins in the mid-later portion of the season), but still peppered with losses and frustration. We still blow a few promising positions, dominating halves of footy at times. North loses three games by 60+ (percentage of just under 85) and these games set the team back due to a lapse into old habits. The 2025 finishes with the group hopeful of finals in 2026, the footy world having witnessed the culmination at times of the type of dominance to be seen just over the horizon for North.

 

[ferball]

Based on last season 10 wins would still leave us in 15th.

 

[Krakouer Bonar]

Im a sport if nothing else, so I'll give this a go. Remember people, we are currently only as good as our last two matches which we lost by an average of 114 points!!

WINS: 5

B&F: Harry Sheezel

DOES LDU STAY: Yes

ALL AUST: Sheezel, Xerri

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: No

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: Larkey, Darling, Duursma

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Both

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: He is now

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Sheezel

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON: Improved competitiveness, in games for longer periods and have a few more chances to snaffle a win. Darling will allow Larkey to boot 70+ goals, Wardlaw will get a stack of Brownlow votes, and we will see glimpses of the future in the likes of W Dawson, Hardeman, Urquhart. Parker will be the recruit of the season. Most importantly, the base will be set to rocket up the charts in 2026.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

WINS: 5

B&F: Harry Sheezel

DOES LDU STAY: No

ALL AUST: Harry Sheezel

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: No

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: Larkey, Curtis, Zurhaar

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Back the whole season

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: Yes.

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Sheezel, he is by far our best player and one of the best young players in the comp

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON. Think we will be a lot closer in a lot of games, not many blow outs and we will beat one good team but can't see many more wins. Wins to come against Richmond x 2, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide in the last round

 

[HongKongRoo]

WINS: 18, 2nd

Captain: Sheeze

B&F: Sheeze

DOES LDU STAY: Yes

ALL AUST: Sheezel, Xerri, LDU

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: Yes, 1st.

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: Larkey, Curtis, Zurharr

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Back

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: Yes, and takes Mark of the Year

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Sheeze. Wins the Brownlow.

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON: We drop 3 of our first four games before the gameplan clicks and we go undefeated for the rest of the season. We make it to the grand final but are undone by an injury in the second quarter. Rolled by the Bulldogs but the beginning of the dynasty has begun.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Wins: 9

B&F: Sheezel & LDU (tie)

Does LDU stay: Yes, signs before round 4.

All Aust (squad): Sheezel, LDU, Xerri, Curtis (FWD Smokey), Logue (CHB Smokey)

Does FOS place in Rising Star: Yes. 3rd. Top 3 will be 1. Levi Ashcroft, 2. Nate Caddy, 3. Finn O'Sullivan. Draper, Bo Allen and Jagga Smith to round out the top 5.

Top 3 Leading goal kickers: Larkey (54), Curtis (41), Sheezel (28). Darling and Zurhaar close behind.

Does Chom play Fwd/Bck: Back

Is Durz locked best 22 come seasons end: No. Makes huge inroads, but his tank will limit his ability to play high level consistent AFL footy.

Who has the better year out of Sheez, Warlord, Kerch: Sheezel, continues to go from strength to strength, plays more forward and has a huge impact kicking close to 2 goals per game while still having a huge impact with his accumulation.

End of Season Article

The Joey's light shines bright as North build towards finals in 2026.

While much of the focus on north's offseason was around the potential impact of mature talent in Parker, Darling and Daniel, it was the north's young stars who took center stage throughout the season with the likes of Wardlaw, McKercher, Sheezel, O'Sullivan having a significant impact. Sheezel continued to build on his stellar first two years, while McKercher and Wardlaw took their games to new heights as full-time midfielders. McKercher made his new wing role his own, highlighted by his game breaking link up play, while Wardlaw and his manic pressure took the midfield burden off LDU. The increased midfield running power and defensive intensity helped the backline immensely, while it also resulted in better forward line efficiency. Curtis was the biggest beneficiary of the improved forward line entries, kicking 41 goals and solidifying his prospects as a game breaking superstar. The backline looked far more settled with Comben and Logue leading the way with their aerial presence and accountability, while North have seemingly unearthed some half back gems in the form of Riley Hardeman and Josh Goater who returned from a serious achilles injury. Seasoned veterans Jy Simpkin and Cam Zurhaar found their groove across half forward, while the leadership and balance provided by new recruits Parker and Daniel were immeasurable.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

WINS: 18, 2nd

Captain: Sheeze

B&F: Sheeze

DOES LDU STAY: Yes

ALL AUST: Sheezel, Xerri, LDU

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: Yes, 1st.

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: Larkey, Curtis, Zurharr

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Back

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: Yes, and takes Mark of the Year

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Sheeze. Wins the Brownlow.

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON: We drop 3 of our first four games before the gameplan clicks and we go undefeated for the rest of the season. We make it to the grand final but are undone by an injury in the second quarter. Rolled by the Bulldogs but the beginning of the dynasty has begun.

We win 18 games and I’ll wear a mankini to the Best and Fairest.

 

[zoomba23]

WINS: 5

B&F: Harry Sheezel

DOES LDU STAY: No

ALL AUST: Harry Sheezel

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: No

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: Larkey, Curtis, Zurhaar

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Back the whole season

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: Yes.

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Sheezel, he is by far our best player and one of the best young players in the comp

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON. Think we will be a lot closer in a lot of games, not many blow outs and we will beat one good team but can't see many more wins. Wins to come against Richmond x 2, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide in the last round

If this, or something worse than it, comes true, I'll cry.

This pre-season hasn't replenished my capacity for suffering the way the past few have. No flags for the next twenty years, I could deal with. But this level of shitness, for any longer, and I'll tune out of footy the same way I do the NBA when the Celtics aren't winning 79/82 games. Feel like shit, just want to be able to go games of footy expecting the team to match their opponents

 

[spurs]

Wins: 6-7

B&F: Sheezel

AA: LDU, X and Sheezel

FOS RS: top 10.

T3 Goalkickers: Larkey, Curtis , CZ

Chom: CHB all year

Duursma: Will play from round 5 in senior team for the rest of the year.

Kerch, Sheeze, George? Kerch and Sheezel play 80-20 mid/hff rotation

Summary: More competitive in losses. I don't want to see 80+ point losses anymore and in most games for the year. This year IMO 6-8+ wins is acceptable but 2026 I want 10-12+ wins. The suprise packet for me will be WillPhill. I for whatever reason see him become the mid we hoped for with a huge pre season. I nearly wrote him off this year, but something makes me think he's ready now.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

If this, or something worse than it, comes true, I'll cry.

This pre-season hasn't replenished my capacity for suffering the way the past few have. No flags for the next twenty years, I could deal with. But this level of shitness, for any longer, and I'll tune out of footy the same way I do the NBA when the Celtics aren't winning 79/82 games. Feel like shit, just want to be able to go games of footy expecting the team to match their opponents

I agree but when you look at the fixture it’s hard to even find 5 wins. I hope I’m wrong but 5 wins would be the most we’ve had this decade in a season

 

[zoomba23]

I agree but when you look at the fixture it’s hard to even find 5 wins. I hope I’m wrong but 5 wins would be the most we’ve had this decade in a season

Just as a theoretical experiment (because I also think there's a fair chance we underperform), how long do you think this will go on for? Because we could do this in perpetuity, with the misery that exists within the fanbase. 'Yeah I think win total X is beyond the lads this year, maybe next year.'

At some point they need to front up and make a leap. Why not this year? Youth? Pooh. GWS' core brigade all turned 22 in the first year in which they won as many as they lost. PC, Archer and Goater turn 22 this year. And of the promising blokes younger than them, the only one who didn't make an immediate impact was Duursma.

Totally unwinnable games imo: Rds 3, 7, 9, 16, 19, 22, and one each of the Carlton/Dogs games. That's eight that we'll cross off immediately. Leaves fifteen other fixtures that should be fair game

 

[Ball Dont Lie]

2025 AFL SEASON

WINS: 12

B&F: Caleb Daniel

DOES LDU STAY: Yes

ALL AUST: Xerri

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: No

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: LARKEY, BULL, CURTIS

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Forward

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: No

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Harry will win the Brownlow.

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON: " Start slow but finish fast. Win a final thanks to the umpires against the pies at the G.

 

[Makeshift Park]

WINS: 10

B&F: Sheeze

DOES LDU STAY: Yes

ALL AUST: Xerri, Sheeze, maybe LDU

FOS IN RISING STAR: around 3rd

TOP 3 GOAL KICKERS: Larks, Sheeze, Curtis

CHOM FWD/BACK: Forward, 90% of the time

DURZ LOCKED BEST 22: possible but not confident it’s a lock

BEST YEAR OUT OF SHEEZE, WARLORD, KERCH: unless injury strikes, Sheezel will end the year as one of the top ten players in the AFL, so him.

SUMMARY OF SEASON: I’m going to spend a month or so around April just casually roasting everyone who criticised the Daniels recruitment.
Overall performance is less reliant on first year players than in previous couple.
Lmac in and out of the best 23 by halfway thru the year.
One of RHJ or Konstanty solidifies a small forward role, just not sure which.
X keeps grabbing the ball straight outta the centre bounces, even tho he’s surrounded by stoppage jets, and that’s okay.
This is the year we become competitive in most games, but finals will wait until 2026.

 

[krakouers]

We win 18 games and I’ll wear a mankini to the Best and Fairest.

This is the only year I’m hoping for not getting 18 wins

 

[hilly]

Wins: 6

B&F: Sheezel

Does LDU stay: Yes

All Aust: Sheezel

Does FOS place in Rising Star: 3rd

Top 3 Leading goal kickers: Larkey, Curtis, Zuhaar

Does Chom play Fwd/Bck: back

Is Durz locked best 22 come seasons end: Yes

Who has the better year out of Sheez, Warlord, Kerch: Sheez

Short summary of season: less catostrophic losses both in terms of margin and comical collapses.

 

[shintemaster]

Just as a theoretical experiment (because I also think there's a fair chance we underperform), how long do you think this will go on for? Because we could do this in perpetuity, with the misery that exists within the fanbase. 'Yeah I think win total X is beyond the lads this year, maybe next year.'

At some point they need to front up and make a leap. Why not this year? Youth? Pooh. GWS' core brigade all turned 22 in the first year in which they won as many as they lost. PC, Archer and Goater turn 22 this year. And of the promising blokes younger than them, the only one who didn't make an immediate impact was Duursma.

Totally unwinnable games imo: Rds 3, 7, 9, 16, 19, 22, and one each of the Carlton/Dogs games. That's eight that we'll cross off immediately. Leaves fifteen other fixtures that should be fair game

I'm with you. I went through and see 6 games that we should straight up be expecting to win given where we and opposition are at. That's without any real shocks and I think there are some vulnerable teams. Dogs look more proppy than for a while and often start / finish very differently over a season. Think the Collingwood game last year showed that with some teams we will matchup well and might take wins. I wouldn't be shocked to have 5 by the half way point if we manage to jag one or two in a row.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Just as a theoretical experiment (because I also think there's a fair chance we underperform), how long do you think this will go on for? Because we could do this in perpetuity, with the misery that exists within the fanbase. 'Yeah I think win total X is beyond the lads this year, maybe next year.'

At some point they need to front up and make a leap. Why not this year? Youth? Pooh. GWS' core brigade all turned 22 in the first year in which they won as many as they lost. PC, Archer and Goater turn 22 this year. And of the promising blokes younger than them, the only one who didn't make an immediate impact was Duursma.

Totally unwinnable games imo: Rds 3, 7, 9, 16, 19, 22, and one each of the Carlton/Dogs games. That's eight that we'll cross off immediately. Leaves fifteen other fixtures that should be fair game

We are still the youngest team in the league, this has at least 3 seasons more before it finally turns. Keeping in mind 5 wins is more than what we have had any year this decade

We have no chance against Carlton and the Bulldogs, both far too good,

Round 3 - Might be a chance against Melbourne but we aren't beating them twice
Round 7 - We aren't beating Carlton
Round 9 - 50/50 against Essendon if we have no injuries
Round 16 - Again, we aren't beating Carlton
Round 19 - See round 3, we might beat them once
Round 22 - St Kilda 50/50 who knows

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

We are still the youngest team in the league, this has at least 3 seasons more before it finally turns. Keeping in mind 5 wins is more than what we have had any year this decade

We have no chance against Carlton and the Bulldogs, both far too good,

Round 3 - Might be a chance against Melbourne but we aren't beating them twice
Round 7 - We aren't beating Carlton
Round 9 - 50/50 against Essendon if we have no injuries
Round 16 - Again, we aren't beating Carlton
Round 19 - See round 3, we might beat them once
Round 22 - St Kilda 50/50 who knows

Posted the below in another thread:

Corr, Logue, Daniel, Comben
Parker, LDU, Simpkin, Powell
Larkey, Darling, Zurhaar
Xerri

All entrenched Best 22 players who will be entering at least their fifth year, a fair portion of them 8+.

Sheezel, Wardlaw, McKercher, Archer, Curtis

The younger blokes who won’t have to shoulder as much of the load.

The excuses need to stop.

 

[winalotroos]

2025 AFL SEASON

WINS: 7-8

B&F: LDU

DOES LDU STAY: Hell Yes !

ALL AUST: Xerri, Sheez.

DOES FOS PLACE IN RISING STAR: Good chance.

TOP 3 LEADING GOAL KICKERS: Larkey, Darling, Curtis.

DOES CHOM PLAY FWD/BACK: Back

IS DURZ LOCKED BEST 22 COME SEASONS END: in the second half of the season Yes

WHO HAS THE BETTER YEAR OUT OF SHEEZ, WARLORD, KERCH: Kerch

SHORT SUMMARY OF SEASON: we must be more competitive, the kids should show a lot more in 2025.

 

[kool kangas]

Wins: 6-8

B&F: Harry Sheezel

Does LDU stay: Yes

All Aust: Xerri, Sheezel

Does FOS place in Rising Star: No finishes 4th

Top 3 Leading goal kickers: Larkey, Zuurhar and Darling

Does Chom play Fwd/Bck: Alternates between both FWD and Back

Is Durz locked best 22 come seasons end: No, but will improve during the season and play some senior games.

Who has the better year out of Sheez, Warlord, Kerch: Harry Sheezel

Short summary of season: Will beat the Doggies early by between 20-26 points. The younger players will show some of the senior players how to play and commit to the game. Some seniors will be playing in the vfl by seasons end.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Posted the below in another thread:

Corr, Logue, Daniel, Comben
Parker, LDU, Simpkin, Powell
Larkey, Darling, Zurhaar
Xerri

All entrenched Best 22 players who will be entering at least their fifth year, a fair portion of them 8+.

Sheezel, Wardlaw, McKercher, Archer, Curtis

The younger blokes who won’t have to shoulder as much of the load.

The excuses need to stop.

We are still progressing, I think 5 wins is realistic, its an increase of last year (almost double) and we will be a lot closer in a lot of games as they learn how to win

2025 - 5 wins
2026 - 7 wins
2027 - 10 wins
2028 - Finals

You would hope by 2030 we are contending

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

We are still progressing, I think 5 wins is realistic, its an increase of last year (almost double) and we will be a lot closer in a lot of games as they learn how to win

2025 - 5 wins
2026 - 7 wins
2027 - 10 wins
2028 - Finals

You would hope by 2030 we are contending

That would be a 12 year gap between finals. Unacceptable.

And we wouldn’t be contending until LDU is 30.

There’s no excuse for not hitting 12+ wins from 2026 onwards.