The AFL’s opening round shenanigans and a Tropical Cyclone have combined to really drain the excitement out of the new season start. It’s beginning…but only two games are happening? Thumbs down.
So it falls on us to manufacture our own ‘eve-of-season-hype’. What better place to find it than in our own thoughts.
As always, the pre-season coaches’ survey reveals many interesting things.
- Despite what appears to be a wide open field, only two teams have been backed to win the flag.
- One team is notably favoured though.
- Coaches diverge notably on the fate of last year’s Grand Finalists. Many coaches think the Devils will repeat their 2024 experience (as in, exactly), but the same doesn’t apply to the Sparkles.
- Seven different teams get nominations to miss the finals – though I’m pretty sure one of those votes is a mistake.
- Someone foresees the Defenestrators finals streak coming to an end…
- Someone thinks the Defenestrators will be the runner-up.
- There’s no doubt about who will win the spoon.
- All coaches agree on who has the best defensive line.
- Coaches are split almost down the middle on two teams for best midfield.
- 5 different players have gotten DangerGawn Medal votes.
- There are clear front runners for leading defender, leading midfielder, and leading ruck.
- There’s a bit more variance in the forward line though.
- Six different teams have gotten votes for best positioned in 4 years time.
There seems to be a reasonably clear premiership favourite. Only one other team has been backed for ultimate glory. And then there is another, different, team that 5 different coaches have picked to make the grand final and lose.
It seems, despite a reasonably warm favourite, the survey suggests a reasonably open competition in 2025. It’s also worth remembering last season nobody envisioned the Soldiers missing finals, nor MSHB to make them. A lot can change in short order once the action begins.
On with the votes! Starting with the player-based questions…
Which team do you think has the best group of Defenders?
9 votes
Which team do you think has the best group of Midfielders?
4 votes
4 votes
1 votes
Which team do you think has the best group of Forwards?
5 votes
2 votes
2 votes
Player Awards
Which player will win the 2025 DangerGawn Medal?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Xerri | | 3 |
| Nick Daicos | | 2 |
| Harry Sheezel | | 2 |
| Max Gawn |  | 1 |
| Andrew Brayshaw |  | 1 |
Who will be the highest averaging defender?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Sheezel | | 7 |
| Lachie Whitfield | | 2 |
Who will be the highest averaging midfielder?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Daicos | | 7 |
| Andrew Brayshaw | | 2 |
Who will be the highest averaging forward?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Horne-Francis | | 3 |
| Jack Macrae | | 2 |
| Bailey Smith | | 2 |
| Caleb Daniel | | 1 |
| Izak Rankine | | 1 |
Who will be the highest averaging ruck?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Xerri | | 8 |
| Max Gawn | | 1 |
Who will be the most improved player?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Hugo Garcia |  | 2 |
| Pat Lipinski | | 1 |
| Isaac Cumming | | 1 |
| Harley Reid |  | 1 |
| Ryley Sanders | | 1 |
| Sam De Koning | | 1 |
| Conor Stone | | 1 |
| Trent Rivers | | 1 |
Who will be the rookie of the year?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Jagga Smith | | 4 |
| Levi Ashcroft | | 2 |
| Harvey Langford | | 2 |
| Finn O’Sullivan | | 1 |
All-Australian Team
Predict the 6 All-Australian Defenders
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Sheezel | | 9 |
| Lachie Whitfield | | 8 |
| Sam Flanders | | 7 |
| Dayne Zorko | | 5 |
| Nic Martin | | 5 |
| Luke Ryan | | 4 |
| Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera | | 4 |
| Max Holmes |  | 4 |
| Jack Sinclair | | 3 |
| Dan Houston | | 2 |
| Bailey Dale | | 2 |
| Daniel Rioli | | 1 |
Predict the 8 All-Australian Midfielders
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Daicos | | 9 |
| Jordan Dawson | | 8 |
| Marcus Bontempelli | | 7 |
| Zach Merrett | | 6 |
| Errol Gulden | | 6 |
| Zak Butters | | 6 |
| Andrew Brayshaw | | 6 |
| Caleb Serong | | 4 |
| Isaac Heeney | | 4 |
| Noah Anderson | | 3 |
| Josh Dunkley | | 3 |
| Jack Steele | | 2 |
| Tom Green | | 2 |
| Adam Treloar | | 1 |
| Lachie Neale | | 1 |
| Connor Rozee | | 1 |
| Matt Rowell | | 1 |
| Will Ashcroft | | 1 |
| Clayton Oliver | | 1 |
Predict the All-Australian Ruck (and Utility…)
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Xerri | | 9 |
| Rowan Marshall | | 6 |
| Max Gawn | | 2 |
| Tim English | | 1 |
Predict the 6 All-Australian Forwards
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Horne-Francis | | 9 |
| Dylan Moore | | 8 |
| Bailey Smith | | 7 |
| Jack Macrae | | 5 |
| Brent Daniels | | 5 |
| Gryan Miers | | 5 |
| Izak Rankine | | 4 |
| Caleb Daniel | | 3 |
| Luke Jackson | | 2 |
| Jeremy Cameron | | 1 |
| Mason Wood | | 1 |
| Alex Neal-Bullen | | 1 |
| Sam Darcy | | 1 |
| Elijah Hollands | | 1 |
| Luke Parker | | 1 |
Draft
Who “won” the draft?
5 votes
3 votes
1 vote
Which player selected in round 10 onwards was the biggest steal?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Davidson (pick 96) | | 2 |
| Wayne Milera (pick 130) | | 2 |
| Jake Bowey (pick 101) | | 1 |
| Harvey Gallagher (pick 126) | | 1 |
| Will Hayward (pick 147) | | 1 |
| Mitch Knevitt (pick 150) | | 1 |
| Brady Hough (pick 161) | | 1 |
If the start-up draft was held today, who would go number one overall?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Daicos | | 6 |
| Harry Sheezel | | 3 |
The Player and List Envy Questions
If you had to switch lists with one club, who would you choose?
3 votes
3 votes
2 votes
1 vote
If you could add any player from another club to your list, who would you choose?
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Sheezel | | 4 |
| Nick Daicos | | 3 |
| Izak Rankine | | 1 |
| Tristan Xerri | | 1 |
Which club is best positioned to win a flag in four years time?
2 votes
2 votes
2 votes
1 vote
1 vote
1 vote
And now the main event…season 2025
Which team will “win” the wooden spoon?
9 votes
Which four teams will miss the finals?
9 votes
9 votes
8 votes
7 votes
1 vote
1 vote
1 vote
Which team will have the highest single round score?
4 votes
4 votes
1 vote
Who will be the minor premier?
4 votes
3 votes
2 votes
Who will be the runner-up?
5 votes
2 votes
1 vote
1 vote
Who will win the 2025 Premiership?
6 votes
3 votes
Predict the standings at the end of the Home & Away fixture
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th