Prediction How many games will the AFC win in 2025?

[Southerntakeover]

That makes no sense.
In 2023 we beat Brisbane in a year they made gf.

Even under nicks, were capable of beating good teams at home .

Sydney will be a 6-12 team next year.

Taking a lot from the 1 in that 1-6 record against Brisbane aren't you?

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Taking a lot from the 1 in that 1-6 record against Brisbane aren't you?

No not really. In fact it would be pretty naive to think losses from 2021 have much relevance in 2025.

Do you expect no improvement at all?

Also, I mentioned home games not record (which is 1-1-5).
But even our two losses at the Gabba were bey 6 and 18 points. Fairly competitive for a team outside the 8 taking on a gf team.

 

[SugarShane]

IN
Isaac Cumming (free agent, Greater Western Sydney), Sid Draper (No.4 draft pick), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade, Melbourne), James Peatling (trade, Greater Western Sydney), Tyler Welsh (No.59 draft pick, father-son)

OUT
Lachlan Gollant (delisted), Will Hamill (delisted), Elliott Himmelberg (free agent, Gold Coast), Ned McHenry (delisted), Patrick Parnell (delisted), Rory Sloane (retired)

The ins, most of whom will be playing significant AFL minutes, are so much better than the outs. Add to that even Nicks should have worked out a better game plan than the 1st 6 weeks of last year, and surely our weakest link Murphy has to be squeezed out so that we play last quarters with 18 men not 17.

We have to have a better year than last season - don't we?

Can directly compare most of them.

Gollant/Himmelberg -> Welsh.
In future this should be an upgrade but unlikely to see much of Welsh this year imo. Nil all draw.

Hamill -> Cumming.
Hamill played some nice footy this year but Cumming should be an upgrade purely on size and strength without losing much speed. Advantage Cumming.

McHenry -> ANB
Extreme upgrade. Like trading in a 26" CRT TV for a 65" OLED. Not only on field but leadership wise. Game, set, match, championship ANB.

Parnell -> Peatling.
Decent upgrade. Peatling should be able to play in windy conditions without being knocked over. Adv Peatling.

Sloane -> Draper.
Sloane was cooked in 23, and didn't make the field in 24. By default this is a big upgrade to our engine room. Adv Draper.

Add in potential full years for TT and Nick Murray.

Like you, it's hard to see where we'd go backwards. Though the Crows always find a way to surprise you. Tex's likely downfall is probably one spot, though Fog already passed him for goals last year. Had some unlucky injuries like Worrell and Rankine (along with Ranks' suspension). If the injury gods bless us, who knows. It's just so hard to be optimistic though after recent history, we know what happens to the team under expectation.