The 2025 AFL season may still be five months away, but on paper, it projects to be just as good, if not a better season than the one just gone.

On the back of the 2024 trade period, seven clubs fit the bill as a flag contenders, while six more looms as finals contenders.

Foxfooty.com.au assesses all 18 clubs and predicts whether they’ll challenge for the top-eight race, or face a dip in fortunes.

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ADELAIDE – FINALS CONTENDER

With only human error standing between the Crows and finals last year, their following 2024 season was poor. A finish inside the bottom four suggests Matthew Nicks’ side is still way off the mark, but the recruiting of Alex Neal-Bullen, Isaac Cumming and James Peatling will bolster their structure all over the ground. Not to mention that emerging star Riley Thilthorpe will have another pre-season under his belt, who looms as a key replacement for the aging Taylor Walker long-term. If they can find the extra one per cent to turn their closes losses into close wins and combine that with their form from 2023, they will be pushing well inside the top eight. Make no mistake, Nicks and his Crows have a lot to prove — but their best football beats most.

BRISBANE – FLAG CONTENDER

Unsurprising to no one, the 2024 premiers are the benchmark of the competition. The retirement of Joe Daniher this off-season will require coach Chris Fagan to look elsewhere at centre-half forward, although the emergence of Logan Morris and development of Henry Smith is certainly promising. Former Suns tall Sam Day looks likely to be picked up by Brisbane during the delisted free agency period and will be a very useful acquisition in the short-term. They should be able to manage another premiership pursuit, especially with potential No. 1 draft pick Levi Ashcroft joining the fray to line up alongside brother Will.

CARLTON – FLAG CONTENDER

The Blues remain a premiership fancy despite their unceremonious finals exit and general fall from grace at the business end of the year. Carlton lost six of its final eight matches, largely due to its glaring defensive vulnerability — which it has done little to fix thus far this off-season outside of signing veteran ex-Giant Nick Haynes. Star stopper Jacob Weitering cemented a six-year extension, but he has little in the way of key-position support outside of swingmen Lewis Young and Brodie Kemp, with Haynes an in-betweener position-wise — and the Blues stepped away in the race for dual All-Australian Dan Houston. Instead, they will likely take their acquired Pick 3 to the national draft, with pundits linking the Blues to exciting midfielder Finn O’Sullivan — who happens to be Sam Walsh’s second cousin.

COLLINGWOOD – FLAG CONTENDER

Yep, better believe they’re well and truly back in the flag mix. And it’s not just because of the Dan Houston acquisition — mind you, it’s a big reason. To effectively replace the departed John Noble with Houston is, in simple terms, a list-management masterstroke. But the Magpies made improvements elsewhere, too. Harry Perryman joins as an understated addition that automatically bolsters a midfield that struggled with injury and form in 2024, while unsigned St Kilda forward Tim Membrey is expected to sign with Collingwood to aid the likes of Dan McStay and Brody Mihocek. The Pies made upgrades at need-areas, and just over a year removed from a premiership, this is a side in the win-now window with Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe still in tow.

ESSENDON – FINALS CONTENDER

The Bombers this year collapsed in the second half of the season for the second-straight year, losing nine of their final 12 matches to slump to 11th on the ladder. But while Essendon has managed 12 wins in each of coach Brad Scott’s first two years in charge, the overall arrow is pointing up. The Dons have undoubtedly been more competitive and have more consistently put themselves in positions to win games. The next step for this building side is closing out those games. There may be questions of some of the player personnel and recent drafting of the Bombers, but they will add a certified gem in November in electric small forward Isaac Kako. Essendon has been crying out for a crumbing difference-maker inside forward-50, and it will get its wish, adding Kako to a forward line that already boasts Kyle Langford and Nate Caddy, as well as Harry Jones and Peter Wright.

FREMANTLE – FLAG CONTENDER

After a sharp rise in output in 2022, the Dockers have since teased fans and experts of their best football for two seasons straight. And subsequently, coach Justin Longmuir is under the pump. Though still without a flag after their 30 seasons in the AFL, Fremantle will inevitably make a run for a maiden premiership in coming years – and as soon as 2025. The spine of Longmuir’s team is immaculate and filled with players either yet to enter, or currently in their prime years. With Josh Treacy on the brink of becoming a star and the duo of Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw only getting stronger, is there a ceiling on what the Dockers could achieve next year? We don’t think so.

GEELONG – FLAG CONTENDER

Coming off a resurgent campaign that saw the Cats reach preliminary final weekend, Chris Scott’s side is in position to return to the finals stage. Stalwarts Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy retired, but the Cats were able to play tremendous footy without that long-serving duo. If anything, the Catters improved, prying midfielder Bailey Smith from the Bulldogs’ grasp and adding him to an intriguing engine room mix that will again feature the likes of Patrick Dangerfield — who will soon finalise a two-year contract extension — Max Holmes, Tom Atkins and Tanner Bruhn. Shannon Neale has been proving he can be Hawkins’ long-term successor, while the backline remains in a solid spot headed by Tom Stewart and Jack Henry. Scott’s Cats have featured in eight of the past nine finals campaigns — expect that to become nine of the past 10 in 2025.

GOLD COAST SUNS – FINALS CONTENDER

It’s the same conversation every single year. But, with every season that passes where the Suns fall short, they do look that little bit closer to finally cracking the September code. When Gold Coast matches a rival draft bid for big-bodied midfielder Leo Lombard in November, it will have added five first-round Academy graduates in the past two years alone, adding to an already up-and-coming crop of talent. This player movement period, the Suns knew the assignment — add established senior talent. They acquired three-time premiership winner Daniel Rioli and ex-Collingwood rebounder John Noble via trade to balance out the assets at second-year coach Damien Hardwick’s disposal. The Suns won seven of nine games at Carrara this year, turning their home turf into a mini fortress. Provided something resembling that dominance continues for campaigns to come, along with game-plan continuity under ‘Dimma’, and the Suns will make waves up north.

GWS GIANTS – FINALS CONTENDER

Having lost some notable depth in this year’s trade period, the Giants could be tested that little bit more in 2025. We don’t expect them to slide dramatically, but when you take Isaac Cumming, Harry Perryman, James Peatling and Nick Haynes out of the equation — it will certainly have an impact. All that being said, GWS could walk to the draft with three first-round picks (15, 16 & 21) in what is a tantalising pool to pick from. If next year’s attacking load — likely shouldered by Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene and Brent Daniels — can be partly alleviated by newcomer Jake Stringer, there is no reason why this side won’t be contending for a top-four seed once again.

HAWTHORN – FINALS CONTENDER

Justifiably, there is plenty of excitement and optimism around Hawthorn following its exhilarating close to the 2024 season. Sam Mitchell’s burgeoning brigade won 11 of their final 13 matches to incomprehensibly qualify for seventh spot, and it is only going to get better. The natural development of these young Hawks is one thing, but they’re also introducing star interceptors Josh Battle and Tom Barrass to the fold. Hawthorn’s blistering rebounding attack was already a threat to opponents, but now the backline is shored up, too.

MELBOURNE – FINALS CONTENDER

Whether this playing group can gel following a tumultuous 24 months or so will play a massive part in determining how Melbourne fares in 2025. Because, purely from an on-paper perspective, there is more than enough talent to make noise — and the Demons are still just three years removed from a drought-breaking premiership. They also shape to add two top-10 talents at November’s national draft, and they have had a rich drafting history over the past decade. Another pre-season under the belts of Caleb Windsor, Kysaiah Pickett, Trent Rivers and Koltyn Tholstrup should do the Demons wonders on a youth front, blending in beautifully with the likes of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and captain Max Gawn.

NORTH MELBOURNE – BOTTOM FOUR

Entering the third season of the Alastair Clarkson era, the Kangaroos have a promising list on paper. It is now about whether Clarkson and Co. can cultivate winning change after five consecutive seasons of four or fewer victories. Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher will soon have another crucial pre-season under their belts, and the club has a strong starting point of Pick 2 at November’s draft. Expect a rise. But how sharp that rise remains unclear, so we’re tempering our 2025 expectations — particularly in a current competition where the league-wide parity is undeniable.

PORT ADELAIDE – FLAG CONTENDER

It’s been said more than once before, but next season is truly Ken Hinkley’s last chance to coach the Power to an elusive flag. While they made the penultimate week of the 2024 finals series, they were soundly beaten by Sydney – again exiting in the preliminary finals. It goes without saying that they’re finals contenders, and it’s entirely fair to say they’re also in the running for a premiership; but what will be different to years gone by? It sometimes gets forgotten as to how young Connor Rose, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis are – all 24 years of age or younger. Another pre-season under their belts will do them the world of good, while the acquisitions up forward of Jack Lukosius and Joe Richards will only bolster their attack. The loss of Dan Houston is obviously a sour spot for many Power fans, but it shouldn’t hurt their flag hopes a whole lot if their rebounding defenders and wingers step up.

RICHMOND – BOTTOM FOUR

Ravaged by injuries this year, Richmond could reasonably see a spike in performance next season with a host of names back in action. Think spearhead forward Tom Lynch, promising key defender Josh Gibcus and up-and-comers Tom Brown, Tylar Young, Mykelti Lefau and Judson Clarke, who each missed significant time in 2024. Further, the Tigers are about to introduce a slew of tantalising draftees — including the No. 1 pick — and rookie senior coach Adem Yze now has a year of experience under his belt after a baptism of fire. Still, there will be significant growing pains, and the level of competition the club will face next year likely means it will find itself in the doldrums once again.

ST KILDA – BOTTOM FOUR

The Saints made the most of their favourable fixture at the end of the 2024 season, winning five of their last six games – including a victory over Geelong in Round 23. That being said, the main question fans will be asking is ‘where was this at the start of the year?’ The club recruited ball magnet Jack Macrae during the trade period, but also lost Josh Battle and reserve ruck Tom Campbell, now leaving all eyes on who they will take in the draft with Pick 7 and 8. Having won just one final since 2010, it’s hard to see their list rising suddenly to make finals; especially given the already fierce competition between clubs to make the eight. A breakout season from Max King and a midfield with more flare could be the two things that shoot them up the ladder more than we predict.

SYDNEY – FLAG CONTENDER

Sure, the Swans were thumped for the second time in three years on the last Saturday in September – but they were the best team in the league all season, right up until that point. They have made the conscious decision to maintain the same core group for 2025 (with the exception of the departed Luke Parker), meaning they are obviously of the belief that what they have is all they need to go all the way. Having made finals the last four years, they absolutely should be there again and contesting hard for their first flag since 2012. But how well can they bounce back from a 10-goal grand final loss?

WEST COAST – BOTTOM FOUR

After three years in dire straits, the Eagles may well have the fresh face they need to turn hope into reality. Granted, it won’t come all at once, and the loss of Tom Barrass is significant – but the addition of former Tigers Liam Baker and Jack Graham also shouldn’t be undersold. While very patchy in season 2024, the royal blue and gold showed that they can be competitive with the league’s better sides. Finals you would think are at least another two full seasons away, but there should be as much hope at West Coast as there has been since the start of 2022. We don’t see them pushing outside of the bottom four, but ideally the Eagles can win one more game than they did this year and finish with 24 premiership points at the very least.

WESTERN BULLDOGS – FINALS CONTENDER

After overcoming a 3-5 start to qualify for the finals, and in a contract year for senior coach Luke Beveridge, the Bulldogs are again September fancies with their star-studded list. The Dogs have notably underdelivered in finals since their drought-breaking flag in 2016, winning just three of eight finals since that time. Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy, Tim English, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Ed Richards still headline a list teeming with talent, while Cody Weightman, Ryley Sanders, Joel Freijah and Harvey Gallagher lead an exciting next wave — despite the off-season departures of Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel. The Dogs also added ex-Carlton ball-winner Matthew Kennedy as midfield depth. They should be in the September mix once again.