The 2025 AFL season is set to kick off in less than 77 days and with several of the markets already up, I’m throwing out some of my early predictions.
1. BRISBANE LIONS TO MAKE THE 2025 GRAND FINAL
After their 2023 season ended in heartbreak with a four point loss to the Pies, the Lions were determined not the let history repeat last season and not only did they get the result they were after, they did it in style with a dominant display over warm favourites, Sydney.
I’m expecting the reigning premiers to come out roaring in the opening round and make their presence felt. They’ve got a stack of young talent, many of which stepped up when it counted most, exceling under pressure and I think they’re a top chance of making it all the way through to the end again this year.
They’re currently $3.20 to make the 2025 Grand Final and I’m happy to take it!
2. COLLINGWOOD TO MAKE THE TOP 4
The expectations were high for the Pies this season but injury after injury saw them competing for much of the year with less than half of their 2023 premiership players. They were ordinary when they returned but they started to find their rhythm and despite the massive impact of injured players and an increasing number of debutants, they made a late surge but the damage was already done as they failed to make the finals.
I expect them to return bigger and better this year, especially with the additions of new recruits, Houston, Perryman and Membrey, so for me, $3.00 to make the top four looks great value.
3. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY TO MAKE THE TOP 4
GWS let themselves down when it counted most this year, just as they looked set to make it all the way, they squandered hefty leads in both the semi and qualifying finals, leaving their fans shattered.
Since Adam Kingsley took over as coach towards the end of 2022 their game has improved remarkably but it’s now just a matter of them dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s, so to speak.
They’ve certainly got the ability and if they can put it all together, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the new year.
At $2.25 to make the top four, I’m keen to jump onboard.
4. NICK DAICOS TO WIN THE 2025 BROWNLOW MEDAL
Patty Cripps was the runaway winner of the Brownlow medal this year. With a total of 45 points, the Carlton captain smashed the record for the most points accumulated in a season. He finished 7 clear of Nick Daicos, who in any other season, would have won the coveted award and as he too surpassed the previous record of 36.
Whist Cripps was the clear winner, many thought Daicos should have polled higher and seemed to be overlooked for brother Josh on a couple of occasions, where the game stats showed that Nick had clearly made the bigger impact.
At only 21 years of age, the Collingwood young gun is well and truly on the way up and with I think next year we’ll see even more from him. An incredibly versatile player, he averaged just over 30 disposals this season and really took charge when several senior players were sidelined.
He’s the current favourite at $5.50 and that looks more than fair.