Prediction Who will be better in 2025? Carlton or Hawthorn

[threesixpio]

I think outscoring the eventual premiers 2 to 1 in the second half might cancel that out.

Foot off pedal. Keep gas in tank

 

[Irish BlueBagger]

I still give the nod to Carlton here. Hawthorn have been blessed with a lot of pretty recent enough success.

They could go and win another three peat and we'd still hate the Bombers and Pies more!

The Hawks surpassed a lot of peoples expectations this year, but there will be a bit more pressure on them next year i think.

There's no doubt they have a good promising young team coming together though.

 

[NetworkNerd]

The only real thread should be who will be better Carlton or Geelong

They should be clear favourites for the top 2. Carlton with everyone healthy and Geelong + B.Smith

 

[Crankyhawk]

Can we all first agree on what “better” means? I will state what I think is obvious- furthest progression in finals, if both knocked out in same round, higher end of H&A season ladder position is next criteria (though am open to view of head to head record in 2025 as being next).

 

[Vindicater]

I went with Carlton but was a flip of a coin really.

The Hawks fascinate me next year.

I see them either continuing to grow and mature and being a top four/premiership contender.

Or

Having a big slide as they become the hunted, get ahead of themselves alittle (young team thinking it will just happen sort of thing)

I don't see them in the 5-8 range though for some reason. It is 1-4 or 10-14 for me.

 

[CCurnow3votes]

I'm gonna say Hawthorn, because I reckon Carlton almost going scoreless in a half of a final is gonna hurt them more than we think.

But you think it’s going to hurt them right?

More than you think it’s going to hurt them.

More than you think, you think, it’s going to hurt them.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Blues have the worst 'bottom 6' best 23 of any of the contending sides.

That gets worse now with Kennedy and Owies gone.

They desperately need the big 6 at the top to stay fit, or else I see a repeat of 2024 as a best csde scenario.

But if a few new players come along for the ride and boost that bottom end then I'd say top 4 should be in their vision.

Hawthorn should be aiming, at a minimum, to equal this seasons finish of a semi final appearance.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Blues have the worst 'bottom 6' best 23 of any of the contending sides.

That gets worse now with Kennedy and Owies gone.

They desperately need the big 6 at the top to stay fit, or else I see a repeat of 2024 as a best csde scenario.

But if a few new players come along for the ride and boost that bottom end then I'd say top 4 should be in their vision.

Hawthorn should be aiming, at a minimum, to equal this seasons finish of a semi final appearance.

Who are our bottom 6?

 

[zumahawk]

Blues 6-8th Hawks similar.

 

[Since 2001]

On paper, Carlton have more superstars and players known by name

Hawks players are solid, just over handful of great players. But have such a unique connection and play hard for eachother. I think both teams will be top 6, Carlton 3 and Hawks 5

 

[lordbob]

Who are our bottom 6?

I think you not knowing who your bottom 6 are is the problem. If anyone knew who they were, they'd be better players.

 

[Cyclops]

Carlton seems to have lost depth, Hawthorn addressed serious weakness so maybe its closer than I think, but my feeling is Carlton finish 7 or 8, whereas Hawthorn just miss finals.

Last year was a "down" year, plenty of strong clubs wobbled (none more than us) and Brisbane battled out of a disastrous start to pinch it: they were the best quality side but a year where Sydney are the it club isn't a strong year.

Lots of mobs looking to rebound, and lots of sleepers rising, Hawthorn might get caught in the stampede. Pies Crows Dees Suns all trying to crowd in, and this year's other 7 aren't going quietly.

 

[Fadge]

I think you not knowing who your bottom 6 are is the problem. If anyone knew who they were, they'd be better players.

Yep.

I was amazed when I had a close look at their list recently.

They have a top 12, then it drops away quickly and the next 11 could come from any of 20 odd players, very few of which would get a game with a genuine premiership contender.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Who are our bottom 6?

Cottrell, Cincotta, Fogarty, Fantasia, Durdin, Cowan (admittedly still has plenty of score for improvement), Young, Kennedy and Owies would be the collective group over the past 2 years who have played more than would be ideal for a premiership contender.

 

[carlton_99]

Can we all first agree on what “better” means? I will state what I think is obvious- furthest progression in finals, if both knocked out in same round, higher end of H&A season ladder position is next criteria (though am open to view of head to head record in 2025 as being next).

Wow it is so refreshing to see someone evaluating a season based on all of the results and not just one or two games. I agree with your criteria - if both teams make finals whoever progresses furthest is "better". If they both make finals and get knocked out in the same week ladder position makes more sense as a decider imo

 

[Worm4]

I'm gonna say Hawthorn, because I reckon Carlton almost going scoreless in a half of a final is gonna hurt them more than we think.

Yeah, nah. Our full forward was sitting in the sheds.
They'll be ok

 

[Worm4]

Is this thread going to be hijacked by Collingwood nuffies who have Carlton living rent free in their heads ?

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Cottrell, Cincotta, Fogarty, Fantasia, Durdin, Cowan (admittedly still has plenty of score for improvement), Young, Kennedy and Owies would be the collective group over the past 2 years who have played more than would be ideal for a premiership contender.

And thus we've moved on some of them to try and bring through some more 'talented' youth like Moir, Lord, Cowan etc into the team/more

Are you suggesting that if posters contribute hundreds of posts in a thread that's not about their team (or a player in their team), it's be ause that team (or player) 'lives rent free in their heads'?

Because this is a list of the top contributors to the Daicos GOAT thread...
View attachment 2148620

Yeah but that thread is a piss take. Nobody actually thinks Nicky is any chance of being the GOAT lmao... May as well be on the Bay

 

[Worm4]

Are you suggesting that if posters contribute hundreds of posts in a thread that's not about their team (or a player in their team), it's be ause that team (or player) 'lives rent free in their heads'?

Because this is a list of the top contributors to the Daicos GOAT thread...
View attachment 2148620

This thread is about Carlton and Hawthorn. Serious posters. Not clowns like you

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Lots of mobs looking to rebound, and lots of sleepers rising, Hawthorn might get caught in the stampede. Pies Crows Dees Suns all trying to crowd in, and this year's other 7 aren't going quietly.

In 2024 Hawthorn were the stampede, and with Battle and Barrass added to the side and the flow on effect that that will have, on top of so many of the 22 yet to play 100 games there’s plenty of reasons for them to lift even further.

 

[Sirlemsip]

Hawthorn's depth in 2025 is going to be scary.

Outside of CHF/FF we have multiple players jostling for every position.
Even the key forward posts will have pressure on them next year with Sicily and Battle both likely to rotate through to support Chol and Dear (until Lewis regains fitness).

Down back we obviously have Barrass and Battle coming in, but also Blanck back from his knee and McCabe with another pre-season.

The midfield mix in round 1 will be very interesting. Day and Newcombe (and Meek) are definite starters, but beyond that who can say out of Worpel, Nash, Mackenzie, Ward, Maginness and even MacDonald who will have time in there.

Finally, what do we do with Weddle? HBF? Wing? HFF? Ruck Rover?
Kid could play anywhere and be anything.

Carlton's team on the other hand has way too much reliance on too few players.
Significant time out of the side for any of Cripps, Weitering, Curnow, TDK or McKay will put them in a dangerous position.
Walsh, Cerra and the Hollands brothers are all great young players but a step below the above (Walsh should be up there, but 2024 was not his best year).
The team seems unbalanced and relies too much on the stars, and a lot of the other very good role players are getting on a bit now - Saad, Docherty, McGovern, Newman and Williams all on the wrong side of 30.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

The midfield mix in round 1 will be very interesting. Day and Newcombe (and Meek) are definite starters, but beyond that who can say out of Worpel, Nash, Mackenzie, Ward, Maginness and even MacDonald who will have time in there.

That’s a bit disrespectful to Worpel and Nash. Both are locked in to the starting midfield, particularly Worpel.

 

[Sirlemsip]

That’s a bit disrespectful to Worpel and Nash. Both are locked in to the starting midfield, particularly Worpel.

Oh, I definitely agree that Worpel and Nash will have first crack. But a lot can happen over a pre-season.

Certainly, there is no doubt that Worpel and Nash would be starters in the Carlton midfield in 2025 as well.

 

[bradfisher14]

Both sides should be in the mix for top 6 finishes. I'll back in Carlton to finish higher next year. Hoping we can finally finish top 4.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Hawthorn is far more even across the list. I've said for the last few years Carlton probably have the best top 5-6 of any side, but it quickly falls away after that. Take one player out and it's far more difficult for them to adjust.
They dont really appear to have addressed it in the trade period either.

By contrast, the hawks probably have the 10th best top 5-6 in the comp, but it's far more even across the list
The biggest issue was teams working out how to clamp down on Sicily, and to a lesser extent weddle. Hawks have gone out and got two key defenders which in turn makes it easier for us to adjust