AFL Season 2025 Preview

It is one of the most difficult AFL seasons to predict in recent times with question marks over every club. Fear not, Ollie's Takes is here to save the day (yet again) with bold takes on season 2025.

In this edition of Ollie's Takes, we dive into predictions for the premiers, Brownlow medallist, wooden spoon, rising star, Norm Smith medallist, biggest letdown, and smokeys.

Could West Coast go all the way this year?

I am writing this on day 1 of the AFL season, which should have been day 2, however the Queensland cyclone had other ideas with all matches in Brisbane postponed.

OT employees will be heading to the SCG tonight for the "Opening Game of the Opening Round ". Don't get me started on my thoughts on Opening Round. I think its village and no good. What on earth is round 0? And why are only 8 (now 4) teams playing? …sigh. Anyway enough winging, onto the takes.

Take # 1: Caleb Serong to win the 2025 Brownlow Medal

OT expects Caleb to add another small medal to his collection in 2025

This take is seright. Serong had a breakout year in 2024, polling 28 brownlow votes. A tally which would win the count in other years. Although I actually don’t think Serong is Freo's answer in terms of taking them to the promised land, I reckon he will poll well again this year.

There are three reasons why he wins the charlie. Firstly, he is mr consistent. Little Caleb rarely gets below 30 possessions and when he does, he is usually more influential on the scoreboard. He's always in the top 5 players on the ground at any given time.

Secondly, no one's going to take significant votes off him. Yes yes yes, woah woah woah, freo fans calm down. Relax. You might be saying "Hayden Young is the best player to grace this earth" or "Does Andrew Brayshaw play tennis?" Let me assure you, Young and Brayshaw are a non-issue for Serong's brownlow hopes. They're inconsistent, injury prone and not loved by the umpires like little Caleb.

Finally, Freo will win more games this year. I will touch on Freo's aspirations later in the piece but with Freo being more successful in 2025, that means one thing: More votes to Caleb.

Take # 2: Richmond will go Back to Back (wooden spoons)

The Tiges will have to shake off fierce competition from the Eagles and North Melbourne to retain bottom spot this year.  Richmond made their strategy very clear in last years draft: opting for as much young talent as possible. Whilst these players have good potential, I think they're really going to struggle this year.

There are pundits predicting them to not win a game. I reckon that's a bit far and would certainly be an impressive feat to do so. I suspect they will get a few wins but not enough to lift them off the bottom.

Take # 3: Pies will return to the top 8

Can the Pies recapture their 2023 form?

I am a little bit uncertain how to predict the Pies season to be honest, but I am convinced enough to say that they will do better than last year. Which, given they finished 9th, I am predicting them to make the 9. Gee whiz, talk about bold takes.

In all seriousness, I think the recruits of Membrey and Houston will be additive to an already strong list and maybe, just maybe they can find a bit of that 2023 form.

Take # 4: Freo will underdeliver in 2025 (shock horror)

The hype around Freo in preseason never fails to make me laugh. Here's a few quotes from my friends who are Freo fans:

"Greatest team ever"

"its different this year"

"if its not now, I might start following the Western Force"

"Bolton is the deadliest player Freos ever had"

*all of the above quotes were made by a single individual who will remain anonymous

I must say, poor freo fans. The club is good enough to give them optimism, yet consistently overpromise and underdeliver.

Nonetheless, with the recruit of Shai Bolton and another solid year into their young players like Young, Traecy and Jackson, I think Freo will be good with the potential to make the top 4. One thing is for certain though, they will not win the premiership.

Take # 5: GWS will make the grand final

Ollie’s Takes predicted the Giants to win last year’s flag, and everything was on track until they blew a 40-point lead in the semi-final. GWS lost a few players during the trade period—Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming, and James Peatling—but with their ridiculous squad depth, they’ll still be tough to beat.

Jesse Hogan’s broken hand is one of the more amusing pre-season stories, though it should only be a minor setback on their road to the Grand Final.

But who do the experts at Ollie’s Takes think will stop them on the big stage?

Take # 6: Port Adelaide to win the Flag in 2025

Jason Horne Francis will need to be firing for the Port to be a threat in 2025

Quite literally no one is picking the Power to win the flag in 2025. Ladies and Gentlemen, Ollie's Takes is doing it different. It is quite an intriguing season for the Power with Ken Hinkley set to finish up at the end of the season with Josh Carr taking over in 2026.

I am predicting a fairytale ending to the Ken Hinkley story with Connor Rozee humming and Jason Horne-Francis ready to tear the league apart. Yes, Butters is out for the first ~6 weeks of the season, but does that matter in September? No.

Losing Dan Houston will be a loss for the side, however Port have enough talent to cover this run off half back with the boys: Bergman and Farrell.

I'm long on the Power this year, and you should be too.

Take # 7: Horne-Francis Norm Smith

After being rushed out of North Melbourne, JHF has found his own in Port Adelaide colours, and proved a few times last year that when the game is on the line, the Hornet comes to play.

The kids a star and he's almost guaranteed to win the norm smith in 2025.

Take # 8: Gold Coast Smokey… Maybe

New logo. New players. New Jumper. New Suns.

The Suns are making the 8 this year—mark my words. Who misses out? That’s not important.

Gold Coast could have played finals in 2024 if they had mastered the art of winning away. Although they’ve never finished higher than 12th on the ladder, their list is packed with potential to achieve great things.

With the addition of John Noble and Daniel Rioli to an already strong squad under Dimma Hardwick, the Suns might just be one of the teams to beat in 2025.

Take # 9: Sid Draper Rising Star

Forget Levi Ashcroft, forget Isaac Kako, Sid Draper is him.

Dr Dray is a ready made midfielder will be given plenty of opportunity in Adelaide colours this year. Look out for his strong running ability with the ability to also win the inside pill.

Take # 10: Harry Sheezel to be a first-time All Australian

I've seen enough, Sheezel All Aus this season. No brainer.

Take # 11: Brisbane to fall

OT is predicting a premiership hangover for the star-studded Lions

One of the most interesting things in recent times, is the inability for clubs to back up their premiership with a decent following year. We have seen this time and time again:

2023 Premiers Collingwood, next season: 9th

2022 Premiers Geelong, next season: 12th

2021 Premiers Melbourne, next season: Straight sets

2020 Premiers Richmond, next season 12th

I'm telling you the facts don’t lie. It is very difficult to back up a premiership season and there's a reason the term "Premiership Hangover" exists. Having said that, despite Brisbane having lost Joe Daniher, their list oozes talent and I suspect they will do ok…. But they will not  make the grand final in 2025.

Thanks for reading this edition of Ollie's Takes. March is looking like a big month for the platform so keep your eyes.

OT