The AFL 2025 season is set to kick off with a flurry of excitement and anticipation as Geelong Cats, Carlton Blues, and Essendon Bombers prepare for their opening matches. Key player movements and fitness updates have dominated the headlines, promising a thrilling start to the season.
Bruhn’s Return Sparks Optimism for the Cats
Geelong Cats coach Chris Scott has expressed strong support for Tanner Bruhn’s return to the field after what he described as an “injustice” last year. Bruhn, who joined the Cats from the Giants post-2022 season, has been utilized at half-back during the pre-season, a shift from his usual midfield role.
“We were confident going into the ’25 season that he was going to be an important midfield player for us, and we still think that’s the case, but he was always going to be a flexible player as well,” Scott remarked. Bruhn, with 66 senior games under his belt, is poised to be a pivotal addition in the Cats’ quest for the premiership.
Scott also confirmed the readiness of key forward Jeremy Cameron and midfielder Bailey Smith for their upcoming clash against the Suns, although Gryan Miers’ participation remains uncertain due to a thumb injury. Meanwhile, ruckman Rhys Stanley has been ruled out, paving the way for Toby Conway and Mitch Edwards to potentially offer a new dynamic to the team’s ruck setup.
Blues to Unleash New Talent in Season Opener
Carlton Blues are set to debut star draftees Jagga Smith and Harry Dean against Sydney, marking a significant moment for coach Michael Voss as he navigates the team through a season of high expectations. Smith, who missed the 2025 season due to a knee injury, and Dean, the No.3 pick in last year’s draft, will be crucial additions at the SCG.
“He [Dean] has really impressed so far in the exposure that we have had from him, and he’s going to draw a very long partnership with Weiters [Jacob Weitering] down there [in defence], I’m sure, over a long period of time,” Voss stated. The Blues, who struggled with field-kicking last year, have shown promising improvements in practice matches, but Voss remains cautious about their performance under “real heat.”
With more than 10 new faces potentially taking the field, including former Swans Ollie Florent and Will Hayward, the Blues are aiming to shake off last year’s disappointing start and build towards a successful campaign.
Bombers Revamp Fitness Regime After Injury Woes
Essendon Bombers are entering the new season with a renewed focus on fitness, following a challenging 2025 season plagued by injuries. The club has overhauled its fitness department, appointing Dr. Mathew Inness as head of high-performance and David Regan as strength and conditioning coach.
Young forward Nate Caddy has already noticed significant improvements, stating, “Personally, my fitness and strengths have gone to another level. It’s really personalised training… the gym program is more tailored to the person instead of the team.”
As the Bombers prepare to face Hawthorn, they will be without Nic Martin and Jordan Ridley due to injuries. However, Andrew McGrath will lead the team, taking over the captaincy from Zach Merrett, who remains a key leader on the field.
The Bombers’ strategic partnership with global financial platform Airwallex, announced at a Fitzroy café, signals their ambitions both on and off the field as they aim to build a competitive team capable of overcoming last year’s setbacks.
As the AFL 2025 season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how these teams adapt to their new dynamics and whether they can capitalize on their off-season preparations to achieve success.
