As the dust settles on the 2025 AFL season, it’s time to revisit our bold predictions made last December. These forecasts were crafted with an eye for boldness, and while some hit the mark, others missed by a mile. Before we unveil our projections for 2026, let’s take a closer look at how our predictions fared.
Brisbane’s Resilience and Sydney’s Struggles
Our first prediction was that Brisbane would not suffer a Grand Final hangover. This proved true as the back-to-back premiers avoided the fate of previous champions who failed to make the top eight. Brisbane’s continued success suggests they might be on the cusp of establishing the next AFL dynasty.
Conversely, Sydney’s season under new coach Dean Cox was marred by injuries, causing the Swans to plummet from minor premiers to missing the finals entirely. Despite a strong finish, it was too little, too late for Sydney.
Top Eight Shake-Ups and Collingwood’s Surge
We anticipated that three teams would drop out of the top eight, and indeed, Western Bulldogs, Sydney, Carlton, and Port Adelaide made way for Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, and Gold Coast. Notably, both Adelaide and Collingwood jumped from outside the eight to the top four, with the Magpies emerging as premiership frontrunners for much of the season.
Fremantle came close to joining the top four, finishing just outside in sixth place. The Dockers were part of a tightly contested finals race, showcasing the competitive nature of the 2025 season.
Melbourne’s Downfall and GWS’s Miss
Our prediction that Melbourne would return to finals was off the mark. The Demons endured a tumultuous season, ultimately leading to the sacking of Simon Goodwin as they finished 14th. Despite a roster with top-end talent, Melbourne’s downward trajectory continued.
Meanwhile, GWS also missed out on finals despite winning one more game than in 2024. The Giants were inconsistent throughout the season, reflecting the competitive environment of the league.
Port Adelaide’s Decline and Geelong’s Silence
Port Adelaide’s season unraveled as injuries took their toll, leading to a 13th place finish. Despite being in the finals hunt for much of the season, Ken Hinkley’s farewell year did not go as planned.
Geelong, on the other hand, failed to live up to expectations, and their performance was so underwhelming it left us with little to comment on.
Adelaide’s Finals Fizzle and Hawthorn’s Slide
Adelaide, despite claiming the minor premiership, exited the finals in straight sets. Their climb from outside the top eight to minor premiers was remarkable, but they struggled when it mattered most.
Hawthorn, predicted to win the minor premiership, finished eighth. Despite improvements, they never truly contended for the top spot, highlighting the challenges of maintaining consistency at the highest level.
Essendon’s Mediocrity and Luke Beveridge’s Renewal
Essendon’s season was plagued by injuries, resulting in a disappointing 15th place finish. The club’s struggles were compounded by off-field issues, including captain Zach Merrett’s attempted departure.
In contrast, Luke Beveridge secured a contract extension after guiding the Western Bulldogs through a challenging season. Although they fell short of the top four, the Bulldogs showed resilience and potential for future success.
Nick Daicos’s Near Miss and Rising Stars
Nick Daicos narrowly missed out on the Brownlow Medal, finishing as runner-up to Matt Rowell. Daicos’s consistent performance keeps him in contention for future accolades.
Fremantle’s Murphy Reid claimed the Rising Star award, with Brisbane’s Levi Ashcroft and Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin also impressing in their debut seasons. Unfortunately, Carlton’s Jagga Smith was sidelined by injury, delaying his impact.
Adelaide’s Expectations and Gold Coast’s Breakthrough
Adelaide exceeded expectations by securing the minor premiership, though their finals performance left room for improvement. The Crows now face the challenge of managing heightened expectations moving forward.
Gold Coast finally broke through, reaching the finals and securing their first-ever finals win. With key acquisitions and continued development, the Suns are poised for a strong 2026 campaign.
Richmond’s Rebuild and North Melbourne’s Struggles
Richmond defied expectations by avoiding the wooden spoon, finishing 17th. Under new leadership, the Tigers showed signs of progress in their rebuilding efforts.
North Melbourne and West Coast remained in the bottom four, with the Kangaroos showing slight improvement. Both clubs face ongoing challenges as they strive to climb the ladder.
Max King’s Absence and Carlton’s Collapse
Max King’s season was derailed by injury, preventing him from showcasing his potential. His return in 2026 could be pivotal for St Kilda’s fortunes.
Carlton’s season was a disappointment, finishing 11th and raising questions about coach Michael Voss’s future. The Blues’ decline from premiership contenders to also-rans underscores the volatility of the AFL landscape.
As we reflect on these predictions, it’s clear that the AFL remains as unpredictable as ever. The 2025 season provided plenty of surprises, setting the stage for another thrilling year in 2026.
