A club-by-club preview ahead of the 2025 Smithy's VFL season.
Coach: Zane Littlejohn (third season)
Fixture: Car (a), NM (h), bye, Gee (a), PM (n), Ric (h), Wer (a), GC (a), BL (h), Col (h), Fra (h), Cob (a), bye, NM (a), San (h), Ess (h), Wil (a), bye, Sou (a), Foo (h), Cas (a)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: GWS Giants, Northern Bullants, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
Last Season: 7th (12-7)
Arrivals: Box Hill Hawks: Jack Baldwin (Mitcham/Eastern Ranges); Trent Bianco (Footscray Bulldogs); Kye Declase (Werribee); Max Donohue (Leongatha/Gippsland Power); Sam Durdin (Carlton); Tom Farrer (Old Scotch); Griff Julian (West Perth); Will Kellar (Queanbeyan/GWS Giants Academy); Billy McCormack (Central District); Zac McGown (East Ringwood/Eastern Ranges); Corey Preston (Werribee); Jack Sammartino (Banyule); Blake Simondson (South Belgrave); Ethan Stanley (Fremantle). Hawthorn: Tom Barrass (West Coast Eagles); Josh Battle (St Kilda); Matt Hill (Melbourne Storm Academy rugby league); Noah Mraz (Narre Warren North/Dandenong Stingrays); Jaime Uhr-Henry (Dandenong Rangers basketball).
Departures: Box Hill Hawks: Kye Agosta (Myrtleford); Heath Bidgood; Callum Brown (Mansfield); Lachlan Bryce (Casey Demons); Toby Cossor (Myrtleford); Ben de Bolfo (Collingwood VFL); Ned Maginness (Sandringham); Andrew Mathieson (Sandringham); Remy Maclean (Collingwood VFL); Christian Moraes (Port Adelaide AFL); James Parsons (Park Orchards); Ed Phillips (retired); Jed Rule; Mitch Sruk (Rowville); Josh Tovey (Collingwood VFL). Hawthorn: Josh Bennetts (delisted – Collingwood VFL); Denver Grainger-Barras (delisted – Carlton VFL); Jack O’Sullivan (delisted – North Melbourne VFL); Ethan Phillips (delisted – Carlton VFL); Cooper Stephens (delisted – East Perth); Clay Tucker (delisted – South Belgrave); Chad Wingard (retired).
Summary: Always thereabouts, the Hawks look significantly stronger than last year despite the losses of midfielders Callum Brown and Ed Phillips, forwards Jaylon Thorpe and Josh Bennetts and key defenders Ethan Phillips, Denver Grainger-Barras and Ben de Bolfo. Hawthorn’s recruitment of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle will eventually push good players down to help Sam Durdin. Trent Bianco, Kye Declase and Ethan Stanley are stars, Corey Preston is a very good player and Benny Cavarra is back from injury. Rest assured, this team is well primed to strike and it would not surprise to seem them in the Grand Final.
Prediction: 3rd
Coach: Ben Hudson (third season)
Fixture: PM (h), bye, Ric (n), Col (h), San (a), GC (h), NM (a), bye, Box (a), Ess (h), Wil (h), GWS (h), Gee (a), bye, Sou (h), Car (a), Foo (h), GC (a), Cob (a), Cas (h), Fra (a)
Plays Twice: Gold Coast Suns
Doesn’t Play: Northern Bullants, Sydney Swans, Werribee
Interstate Trips: Victoria 8
Last Season: 4th (14-7)
Arrivals: VFL: Dan Annable (Redland-Victoria Point/Brisbane Lions Academy); Harry Arnold (Sydney Swans); Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds (Morningside); James Creighton (GWS Giants VFL); Ryan Gilder (Sherwood/Brisbane Lions Academy); Curtis McCarthy (Bordertown/Noosa); Fergus McFadyen (Wilston Grange/Brisbane Lions Academy); Charlie Offermans (Labrador); Harrison Ronchi (Maroochydore/ Brisbane Lions Academy); Taylem Wason (Warrnambool); AFL: Sam Day (Gold Coast Suns).
Departures: VFL: Rohan Bailey; Joel Budarick (Eaglehawk); Owen Collins (Southport Sharks); Zack Derksen (Perth); Kyle Dunkley (Coorparoo); Tom Gillett (South Adelaide); Elijah Glass (Sherwood); Bailey Gordon (Kingborough); Riley Greene (Northern Bullants); Liam Hude (Collingwood VFL); Nathan Jensen (Williamstown); Jake Lohmann (Werribee); Ewan Macpherson (North Melbourne VFL); Will Martyn (Port Melbourne); Darryl McDowell-White (Redland-Victoria Point); Lockie Rayner (Taylors Lakes); Bailey Reeves; Billy Richardson (Sandringham); Jamison Shea (Surfers Paradise); AFL: Joe Daniher (retired); Kalin Lane (delisted – Claremont); Jarryd Lyons (retired – Glenelg); James Madden (retired – Dublin GAA); Carter Michael (delisted – Williamstown); Jaxon Prior (Essendon); Harry Sharp (Melbourne).
Summary: After three preliminary final losses in a row, the Lions will be burning to take the next step and finally reach their first VFL Grand Final. Harry Arnold’s return from Sydney strengthens their backline, Sam Day’s arrival from the Gold Coast Suns gives them a spearhead to kick to, and the return of their AFL knee victims will only strengthen the quality of listed talent running around at Michael Voss Oval. They will be without their retired superstar Jarryd Lyons as well as Kyle Dunkley, Ewan Macpherson and talented young forward Liam Hude, but keep a close eye on Academy draftees Sam Marshall and Ty Gallop to make their presence felt and this year’s gun prospect Dan Annable to take a big step forward. The three mid-season draftees from last year will also be better for a full pre-season.
Prediction: Premiers
Coach: Luke Power (third season)
Fixture: Box (h), bye, Sou (h), NM (a), Gee (h), Cob (a), San (h), Syd (a), Wil (h), bye, Ess (a), NB (a), NM (h), PM (a), Col (a), BL (h), Cas (a), bye, Fra (a), GC (h), Foo (a)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: GWS Giants, Richmond, Werribee
Interstate Trips: NSW 1
Last Season: 19th (4-14)
Arrivals: VFL: Denver Grainger-Barras (Hawthorn); Cooper Hamilton (GWS Giants); Zac Harding (Wodonga/Murray Bushrangers); Liam Farrar (Diamond Creek/Northern Knights); Nash King (Wallan/Calder Cannons); Taj Logan (Diamond Creek/Northern Knights); Ethan Phillips (Hawthorn); Stirling Phipps-Parsons (Old Xaverians); Jack Polkinghorne (Old Scotch); Cooper Vickery (Sydney Swans); Ollie Warburton (Murray Bushrangers/Collingwood VFL). AFL: Ben Camporeale (Brighton/Glenelg); Lucas Camporeale (Brighton/Glenelg); Harry Charleson (East Point/GWV Rebels); Matt Duffy (County Longford; Ireland); Francis Evans (Port Adelaide); Nick Haynes (GWS Giants); Harry O’Farrell (Maribyrnong Park/Calder Cannons); Jagga Smith (Richmond Juniors/Oakleigh Chargers/Richmond VFL).
Departures: VFL: Noah Barnes (Heidelberg); Jed Brereton (Strathfieldsaye); Ned Cahill (Frankston YCW); Jess Gedi (Heidelberg); Hayden Gill (Werribee); Luca Goonan (Frankston YCW); Blake Kuipers; Bailey Lambert (Frankston); Jack Lefroy (Coburg); Zavier Maher (North Adelaide); Jack Maruff (Bundoora); Hugo Nosiara (Old Haileybury); Tom Phillips; Michael Rudd (Port Melbourne); Tyson Sruk (Casey Demons); Lachie Swaney (Old Melburnians); Tobie Travaglia (St Kilda); Callum Verrell; Lachie Young (Balwyn). AFL: Dom Akuei (delisted – Essendon VFL); Jack Carroll (St Kilda); David Cuningham (delisted – Footscray Bulldogs); Sam Durdin (delisted – Box Hill Hawks); Matt Kennedy (Western Bulldogs); Caleb Marchbank (delisted); Jack Martin (Geelong Cats); Alex Mirkov (delisted – Old Ivanhoe); Matt Owies (West Coast Eagles).
Summary: A horror season last year for the Blues, but all signs suggest they will quickly be back in finals contention in 2025. They landed Francis Evans, who has since been promoted to the AFL list, along with Ethan Phillips, Denver Grainger-Barras, Cooper Hamilton and Cooper Vickery straight off AFL lists which gives them the VFL depth they didn’t have last year. Meanwhile, Hudson O’Keefe and Harry Lemmey will be better again for another pre-season, as will youngster Jaxon Binns, who should be aiming to play a lot of AFL footy. New co-captain Liam McMahon will have a point to prove after narrowly missing out on the SSP call-up to dashing smalls Evans and Will White. The losses of Ned Cahill and Lachie Young are blows to both ends of the ground.
Prediction: 12th
Coach: Taylor Whitford (third season)
Fixture: NM (h), GC (h), Gee (a), GWS (h), Ric (h), bye, Foo (a), Sou (h), NB (a), Syd (a), Col (a), Ess (h), bye, GC (a), Cob (h), Wer (a), Car (h), San (h) bye, BL (a), Box (h)
Plays Twice: Gold Coast Suns
Doesn’t Play: Frankston, Port Melbourne, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Last Season: 17th (5-13)
Arrivals: Casey Demons: Riley Baldi (Moe); Riley Bonner (St Kilda); Lachlan Bryce (Box Hill Hawks); Chance Doultree (Footscray Bulldogs); Jack Ferraro (St Bedes-Mentone); Jenson Garnham (Leongatha); Jarrod Gatt (Pines); Ollie Green (Parkdale/Sandringham Dragons); Mitch Hardie (Geelong Cats); Patrick Ireland (Buln Buln); Mitch Kirkwood-Scott (Old Haileybury/Sandringham Dragons); Wardell Lual (Werribee); Max Roney (North Launceston/Tasmania Devils); Deakyn Smith (North Melbourne VFL); Tyson Sruk (Carlton VFL). Melbourne: Tom Campbell (St Kilda); Jai Culley (West Coast Eagles); Jack Henderson (Werribee); Aidan Johnson (Werribee); Harvey Langford (Mt Martha/Dandenong Stingrays/Richmond VFL); Xavier Lindsay (Inverloch-Kongwak/Gippsland Power); Ricky Mentha (Palmerston/Morwell/ Gippsland Power/Melbourne NGA); Harry Sharp (Brisbane Lions).
Departures: Casey Demons: Riak Andrew (Sydney Swans); Jack Bell (Old Haileybury); Leo Connolly (Aspley); Max Coughlin (Crib Point); Campbell Hustwaite (Rosebud); Ned Moodie (Frankston); Charlie Muley (Beaconsfield); Harvey Neocleous (Traralgon); Tom Sheridan (South Croydon); Roan Steele (West Perth); Mitch Szybkowski (GWS Giants VFL); Ziggy Toledo-Glasman (injured); Ryan Valentine (Coburg); Mitch White (Rosebud). Melbourne: Angus Brayshaw (retired); Ben Brown (retired); Kyah Farris-White (delisted – Western Australia; basketball); Lachie Hunter (retired – Spotswood); Alex Neal-Bullen (Adelaide Crows); Josh Schache (delisted – Doncaster East); Joel Smith (delisted); Adam Tomlinson (delisted – North Melbourne VFL).
Summary: Gaining Tom Campbell and Mitch Hardie gives the Demons an outstanding one-two punch in the middle, while the AFL arrivals of Werribee premiership players Aidan Johnson and Jack Henderson will strengthen their parts of the ground – even if it is somebody else dropping down to the VFL. Harry Sharp will also be a quality recruit, as will the return of 2023 best and fairest winner and new captain Deakyn Smith. But all that is balanced out by the losses of spiritual leader and superstar Mitch White alongside Roan Steele, Adam Tomlinson, Harvey Neocleous and Josh Schache. In what shapes as a remarkable competition where just about anybody could finish anywhere from seventh to 21st, Casey needs to re-establish their home ground advantage.
Prediction: 19th
Coach: Jamie Cassidy-McNamara (third season)
Fixture: Ric (n), Sou (a), Col (h), Wil (a), bye, Car (h), Fra (a), NB (h), Syd (h), GC (a), Foo (h), Box (h), PM (a), Fra (h), Cas (a), bye, Wer (h), NB (a), BL (h), PM (h)
Plays Twice: Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Essendon, Geelong Cats, GWS Giants, North Melbourne, Sandringham
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
Last Season: 18th (5-13)
Arrivals: Matt Allison (St Kilda); Jack Andrew (Heidelberg); Jack Bytel (Collingwood); Joe Furphy (Geelong Cats); Jordyn Gillard (Montmorency/Northern Knights); Nick Hodgson (North Melbourne VFL); Jack Lefroy (Carlton VFL); Sam Mason (Old Trinity); Lachie McArthur (Footscray Bulldogs); Dom Payman (Old Trinity); Jonathan Tomasiello (Collingwood VFL); Ryan Valentine (Casey Demons); Josh Walker (Collegians); Declan Willmore (Essendon VFL).
Departures: Charlie Beasley (Old Trinity); George Belcher; Charlie Bowes (Noosa); Jack Briskey (Bundoora); Sam Grant (Port Melbourne); Luke Kennedy (Western Bulldogs); Dylan Laurie (Essendon Doutta Stars); Tom McKenzie (Richmond VFL); Harry Nolan (East Ringwood); Daniel Owen (Banyule); Ben Rigoni (North Albury); Tom Rowland (Point Cook Centrals); Giacomo Thomas (Essendon Doutta Stars); Ben Thomson, Josh Watson (Red Hill).
Summary: Huge strides taken by Coburg last year and they are more than capable of repeating the dose and making similar gains. In fact, despite the lowly number predicted below, there is no reason why they can’t do what Frankston did last year and soar into the top 10 for the first time in 17 years. Jack Bytel and Matt Allison are the highest profile recruits the Lions have attracted in many years, while Ryan Valentine is a premiership player with Casey and Jack Lefroy was a regular at Carlton last year. Having the Podhajski brothers fully fit will also be a bonus, as will the return of ball magnet Hugo Bromell to help star mids Flynn Gentile, Joel Trudgeon and Donovan Toohey underneath a star ruckman in Cooper Keogh. Another year of development for the likes of Deacon Kalpakis, Max Kennedy and Ingo Dammersmith will be a benefit, while Josh D’Intinosante and Kyle Weightman will play their 50th games this year and should be ready to dominate the competition.
Prediction: 16th
Coach: Andy Otten (first season, replacing Josh Fraser)
Fixture: Syd (h), bye, Cob (a), BL (a), Ess (h), Foo (h), NB (a), GWS (h), NB (a), GWS (h), NM (h), Box (a), Cas (h), bye, San (h), Sou (a), Car (h), GC (a), Gee (a), Fra (a), Wil (a), bye, PM (a)
Plays Twice: N/A
Doesn’t Play: Richmond, Werribee
Interstate Trips: Queensland 3
Last Season: 20th (4-14)
Arrivals: VFL: Josh Bennetts (Hawthorn); Josh Browne (Williamstown); Ned Byrne (Shepparton/GWS Giants VFL); Ben De Bolfo (Box Hill Hawks); Ryan Eyre (Essendon VFL); Brady Grey (Peel Thunder); Liam Hude (Brisbane Lions VFL); Michael Kiraly (Essendon VFL); Remy Maclean (Box Hill Hawks); Max Mahoney (Mansfield/Murray Bushrangers); Riley Mason (Seymour); Tadhg McCarthy (Old Carey/Oakleigh Chargers); Josh Murphy (North Albury/Murray Bushrangers); Curtis Taylor (North Melbourne); Josh Tovey (Box Hill Hawks). AFL: Joel Cochran (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs/Sydney Swans Academy/Sydney Swans VFL); Will Hayes (Subiaco Juniors/Claremont); Dan Houston (Port Adelaide); Harry Perryman (GWS Giants); Tim Membrey (St Kilda); Charlie West (Henley/Woodville-West Torrens).
Departures: VFL: Yuyu Ashwin (Northern Bullants); Nicky Christian; Ben Crocker (Moe); Patrick Farrant (Port Melbourne); Harry Flynn (Northern Bullants); Jett Hartman (Mooroolbark); Campbell Lane (Old Xaverians); Jedd Longmire (Werribee); Josh Mathey (Peel Thunder); Rye Penny (Werribee); Liam Purcell (Sandringham); Kaden Schreiber (Northern Bullants); Ben Silvagni (Balwyn); Sam Sofronidis (injured); Ryan Sparkes (Wonthaggi); Jonathan Tomasiello (Coburg); Ollie Warburton (Carlton VFL). AFL: Aiden Begg (delisted – North Ringwood); Jack Bytel (delisted – Coburg); Josh Carmichael (retired); Josh Eyre (delisted – Castlemaine); Nathan Kreuger (delisted – Geelong Cats VFL); Nathan Murphy (retired); John Noble (Gold Coast Suns); Joe Richards (Port Adelaide).
Summary: Like arch-rival Carlton, 2024 was a complete write-off for the Magpies despite having a more than handy list. And that means the scope to fly back up the ladder is plain for all to see. They’ve lured Curtis Taylor and Josh Bennetts off AFL lists, forward Liam Hude has the potential to be a star, Ben De Bolfo bolsters their defence and Josh Browne played plenty of games for Williamstown, while strong drafting will also push players back to the VFL. Ben Crocker and Campbell Lane are significant losses while Kaden Schreiber was also a regular when fit. They could finish anywhere from finals to bottom four once again, but the feeling is if they stay fit it could be closer to the upper end of that.
Prediction: 11th
Coach: Cameron Joyce (first season, replacing the late Dale Tapping and Blake Caracella)
Fixture: Wil (h), Wer (h), bye, PM (a), Col (a), NM (h), Syd (h), bye, Ric (h), BL (a), Car (h), Cas (a), Fra (a), bye, GC (h), Box (a), GWS (h), Foo (h), Syd (a), Gee (a), San (a)
Plays Twice: Sydney Swans
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Last Season: 11th (9-9)
Arrivals: VFL: Dom Akuei (Carlton); Jordan Busuttil (Williamstown CYMS); Shane Clough (Gisborne); Kieran Gallagher (Westmeadows/Calder Cannons); Lachlan Hogan (Moama/Bendigo Pioneers); Riley Leedham (Gisborne/Calder Cannons); Nic Quigg (GWS Giants VFL); Noah Scott (Pascoe Vale/Calder Cannons); Tyler Sellers (North Melbourne); Hamish Sinnott (Geelong Cats VFL). AFL: Angus Clarke (East Gambier/Glenelg); Archer Day-Wicks (Sandhurst/Bendigo Pioneers); Tom Edwards (Swan Districts); Kayle Gerreyn (Joondalup-Kinross/West Perth); Zak Johnson (St Mary’s Greensborough/Northern Knights); Isaac Kako (Northern Saints/Calder Cannons/Essendon NGA); Jaxon Prior (Brisbane Lions); Rhys Unwin (Cobden/GWV Rebels).
Departures: VFL: Luca Alessio (St Bernard’s); James Barrat (St Kilda); Charlie Bolmat (Northern Bullants); Noah Caracella (Newtown & Chilwell); Oscar Duncan; Ryan Eyre (Collingwood VFL); Malik Gordon (Strathfieldsaye); Macca Hallows (Pascoe Vale); Jack Jedwab (Romsey); Michael Kiraly (Collingwood VFL); Kane Loftus (Uni Blacks); Will Madden (Northern Bullants); Ayui Makieng; Alex Molan (East Point); Jake Moorhead; Amin Naim (Northern Bullants); Bailey Scott (Colac Imperials); Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles); Tom Toma (Cohuna Kangas); Declan Willmore (Coburg). AFL: Kaine Baldwin (delisted – Port Melbourne); Jayden Davey (delisted – Port Melbourne); Dyson Heppell (retired – Port Melbourne); Nick Hind (delisted – Darley); Jaiden Hunter (delisted – Claremont); Jake Kelly (retired); Jake Stringer (GWS Giants); Tex Wanganeen (delisted – Port Melbourne); Sam Weideman (delisted – Vermont).
Summary: The Bombers have been a Jekyll and Hyde team over the past couple of years, and it is how they start that could be the key determining factor to their chances of success this year. Grabbing a couple of spearheads in Tyler Sellers from North Melbourne and Tom Edwards during the SSP is a boost, even though Sellers has been playing back in the pre-season. 2023 Gold Coast premiership player Jared Eckersley looks like he could be ready to take the competition by storm. They are going to rely a lot on draftees at this stage, with last year’s breakout players Tom Toma and Jack Jedwab not returning and Kaine Baldwin, Sam Weideman and Tex Wanganeen among those let go. We’ll have much more of a read on the Bombers after they host Williamstown and Werribee in the first two games.
Prediction: 14th
Coach: Stewart Edge (fifth season)
Fixture: NB (h), bye, Wer (a), San (h), GWS (a), Col (a), Cas (h), Wil (a), Gee (h), bye, Cob (a), Fra (a), Ric (n), Syd (a), NM (h), bye, BL (a), Ess (a), GWS (h), Box (a), Car (h)
Plays Twice: GWS Giants
Doesn’t Play: Gold Coast Suns, Port Melbourne, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Last Season: 3rd (15-4-1)
Arrivals: Footscray: Omar Abou-Eid (Pascoe Vale); Cody Bramble (Sunbury); Riely Collins (Redan/Sandringham Dragons); David Cuningham (Carlton); Liam Hunt (North Heidelberg); Xavier Kardachi (Sunshine/Western Jets); Bailey Medwell (Sebastopol); Ted Middleton (Lorne); Luca Muratore (Airport West); Kane Sexton (Yarraville-Seddon/Western Jets); Fred Valpied (Palm Beach-Currumbin). Western Bulldogs: Sam Davidson (East Brighton/Richmond VFL); Josh Dolan (Beaumaris/Sandringham Dragons); Cooper Hynes (Bonbeach YCW/Dandenong Stingrays); Lachie Jaques (St Mary’s Geelong/Geelong Falcons); Luke Kennedy (Ormond/Sandringham Dragons/Sandringham/Coburg); Matt Kennedy (Carlton).
Departures: Footscray: Angus Bade; Trent Bianco (Box Hill Hawks); Josh Chatfield (Deer Park); Chance Doultree (Casey Demons); Lachie McArthur (Coburg); Rhett Montgomerie (Central District); Charlie Naish (Wangaratta); Josh Sparkman (Port Melbourne); Kai Stretton (Dingley); Connor Watson (Leongatha); Sam Willoughby (Echuca). Western Bulldogs: Dom Bedendo (delisted – Port Melbourne); Charlie Clarke (delisted – Port Melbourne Colts); Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne); Alex Keath (retired – East Brighton); Jack Macrae (St Kilda); Aiden O’Driscoll (retired); Kelsey Rypstra (delisted – North Adelaide); Bailey Smith (Geelong Cats).
Summary: The Bulldogs are always around the mark and there is nothing to suggest that won’t be the case again, despite the losses of Trent Bianco, Dom Bedendo and Josh Chatfield. Draftee Sam Davidson’s brilliant pre-season means they might not see a lot of him at VFL level, but David Cuningham is a quality signing if he can stay fit. They will also be burning at how it all ended last year, losing a home preliminary final to interstate opposition in Southport. Cooper Craig-Peters was one of the breakout stars of 2024 and should take the next step, Dan Orgill is always a consistent performer, Liam Hunt was a gun in his previous VFL stint and will cause trouble once he gets back up to speed. Cam Owen will also help if he can stay fit. Looking forward to seeing how QAFL representative player Fred Valpied makes the jump.
Prediction: 4th
Coach: Jackson Kornberg (second season, 11-9)
Fixture: bye, PM (a), Wil (a), Ric (h), NB (h), Wer (a), Cob (h), bye, Sou (a), San (h), Box (a), Foo (h), Ess (h), Cob (a), bye, PM (h), NB (a), Col (h), Car (h), NM (a), BL (h)
Plays Twice: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1
Last Season: 11-9 (8th)
Arrivals: Kobe Askew (Vermont/Oakleigh Chargers); Tom Blamires (Sandringham); Kade De La Rue (North Melbourne VFL); Jordan Doherty (Sorrento/Dandenong Stingrays); Corey Ellison (Williamstown); Clayton Gay (Dromana); Will Hamill (Adelaide Crows); Darby Hipwell (Sandringham); Bailey Lambert (Carlton VFL); Riley Mihailovic (Beaumaris); Ned Moodie (Casey Demons); Jacob Noble (Noble Park); Tarkyn O’Leary (Sandringham); Owen Williams (Mt Eliza).
Departures: Matt Aldous (South Croydon); Josh Butland (Frankston YCW); Darcy Gilbert (Old Brighton); Ryan Jacobs; William Kennedy; Troy Maggs (Bayswater); Josh Mounter (Beaconsfield); Jack Newnes (retired); Jet Peckett (Sandringham); Connor Riley (Port Melbourne); Tom Roberts; Kyle Stainthorpe (Rowville); Josh Stern; Max Williams (Frankston YCW).
Summary: Can they do it again? The feelgood story of 2024 after spearing from the wilderness into the second week of the finals, the Dolphins have retained almost everybody they would have wanted to and boosted their forward line with Casey premiership spearhead Corey Ellison after a strong stint with Williamstown. An attack of Matt Johnson, Noah Gown and Ellison is as powerful as Frankston has had for years, while the return of Bailey Lambert provides more X-factor. Bringing in impressive Sandringham pair Darby Hipwell and Tom Blamires are also big wins and could really drive their new club further into recently unchartered territory. Trent Mynott plays his 100th game early in the year, and in Tom Murphy, George Grey Seb Quirk, Tyson Milne, Taine Barlow, Jacko Voss and Joe Lloyd there’s now quality on every line despite the exits of Jack Newnes and the lionhearted Max Williams. And I haven’t even mentioned the big fish yet – Peninsula product Will Hamill, who has landed in the Pod straight out of the Adelaide Crows and could be the biggest signing the Dolphins have made in many years.
Prediction: 6th
Coach: Mark Corrigan (third season)
Fixture: San (a), NB (h), Cas (h), Box (h), Car (a), bye, GWS (h), PM (a), Foo (a), Wil (a), GC (h), Wer (a), BL (h), bye, Ric (a), GWS (a), Col (h), NM (a), bye, Ess (h), Syd (a)
Plays Twice: GWS Giants
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Frankston, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: NSW 2
Last Season: 5th (12-7-1)
Arrivals: VFL: Joey Chaplin (Perth); Paddy De Grandi (St Joseph’s); Kobe George (Bell Park/Geelong Falcons); Felix Katsaros (Sturt); Patrick Kelly (South Barwon); Nathan Kreuger (Collingwood); Mitchell Lloyd (Koroit/GWV Rebels); Doyle Madigan (South Barwon); Charlie McCartin (Lorne/Sydney Swans VFL); Jay Rantall (Werribee); Brock Williamson (Leopold); Taj Wyburd (Peel Thunder). AFL: Cillian Burke (County Kerry; Ireland); Lennox Hofmann (Old Brighton/Sandringham Dragons); Xavier Ivisic (Bell Park/Geelong Falcons); Jack Martin (Carlton); Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Keilor/Western Jets); Jacob Molier (Onkaringa Valley/Sturt); Jay Polkinghorne (Western United Penong/Norwood SANFL); Patrick Retschko (St Kilda City/Oakleigh Chargers); Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs).
Departures: VFL: Lachlan Bond; Kade Chalcraft (Shepparton United); Mace Cousins (Werribee); Ryan Eyers (Werribee); Brayden Ham (St Mary’s; Geelong); Liam Kershaw (Werribee); Ajang Kuol Mun (Port Melbourne); Tanner Lovell (Portland); Nic Minchin (Murrumbeena); Tyler Norton (Wangaratta); Darby Schilder (St Arnaud); Hamish Sinnott (Essendon VFL); Bailey van de Heuvel. AFL: Phoenix Foster (retired – Paskeville); Joe Furphy (delisted – Coburg); Mitch Hardie (delisted – Casey Demons); Tom Hawkins (retired – Finley/Old Melburnians); Emerson Jeka (delisted – Altona); Oscar Murdoch (delisted – Newtown & Chilwell); Brandan Parfitt (delisted – Perth); Gary Rohan (delisted – Port Fairy); Zach Tuohy (retired – Bacchus Marsh); James Willis (delisted – North Adelaide).
Summary: Another team that it is hard to get a read on. Expected to do better in 2022-23, performing better than expected in 2024 before a disappointing straight-sets exit from September. Top four is within reach again, but so is a slide back to the teens. WAFL pair Joey Chaplin and Taj Wyburd and Sturt’s Felix Katsaros come with strong wraps. Bringing Nathan Kreuger back bolsters the goalscoring power and the Cats stocked up on young talent in the rookie draft, as well as luring the third McCartin brother Charlie to State league footy after a solid cameo with Sydney last year. But they will need those youngsters to step up to cover the loss of star mid Mitch Hardie, a spot that could have been Kade Chalcraft’s before his own departure. With Emerson Jeka gone, do they have the experienced tall defenders to stay in the upper echelon?
Prediction: 8th
Coach: Tate Kaesler (second season)
Fixture: bye, Cas (a), NB (h), Sou (a), Syd (h), BL (a), bye, Box (h), San (a), Cob (h), Gee (a), bye, GWS (a), Cas (h), Ess (a), Col (h), PM (a), BL (h), Ric (h), Car (a), GWS (h)
Plays Twice: Brisbane Lions, Casey Demons, GWS Giants
Doesn’t Play: Footscray Bulldogs, Frankston, North Melbourne, Werribee, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Victoria 6
Last Season: 9th (10-7-2)
Arrivals: VFL: Fraser Cameron (De La Salle); Max Cruse (Palm Beach-Currumbin/Gold Coast Suns Academy); Miles Enders (East Malvern/Prahran/Sandringham Dragons); Aiden Fyfe (Labrador); Hugh Greenwood (North Melbourne); Cody Harrington (Southport); Cooper Hynes (Broadbeach/Suns Academy); Oscar Wood (Surfers Paradise/Suns Academy). AFL: Cooper Bell (Belconnen/GWS Giants Academy); Asher Eastham (Heyfield/Gippsland Power); Elliott Himmelberg (Adelaide Crows); Ben Jepson (Southport Sharks); Max Knobel (Fremantle); John Noble (Collingwood); Daniel Rioli (Richmond).
Departures: VFL: Matthew Evans; Tom Fields; Finn Hay (Southport); Corey Hitchcock; Nathan Kady; Beau Lester-Sutherland; Ben O’Brien; Tom Reeves; Harry Sullivan (Southport); Josh Zanker-Close. AFL: Rory Atkins (Port Adelaide); Sandy Brock (West Coast Eagles); Levi Casboult (Palm Beach-Currumbin); Sam Day (Brisbane Lions); Brandon Ellis (retired); Oskar Faulkhead (delisted – North Adelaide); Jack Lukosius (Port Adelaide); Darcy Macpherson (delisted – North Melbourne VFL); Jack Mahony (delisted – St Kevin’s); Hewago Oea (delisted – Southport Sharks); Will Rowlands (delisted – Norwood).
Summary: The Suns will have plenty of experience to help develop their next wave of Academy talent, with skipper James Tsitas staying on at VFL level, Hugh Greenwood returning as a playing assistant coach and 2022 Southport Grand Final player and former Sun Aiden Fyfe also back in the fold. Meanwhile, James Frawley and Zac O’Brien remain on the list. Apart from that, the Suns will once again put their faith in Generation Next, with Liston Medal runner-up Rory Atkins, fellow midfielder Darcy Macpherson, best and fairest Hewago Oea, Sam Day and Jack Mahony gone. It is the suite of recruits onto the AFL list that will decide whether they can retain their spot in the finals.
Prediction: 10th
Coach: Wayne Cripps (third season)
Fixture: bye, Wil (h), San (h), Cas (a), Foo (h), Syd (a), Gee (a), Col (a), PM (n), Ric (h), NB (h), BL (a), GC (h), bye, Wer (a), Gee (h), Ess (a), Syd (h), Foo (a), bye, GC (a)
Plays Twice: Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, Sydney Swans
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Carlton, Coburg, Frankston, North Melbourne, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1, Victoria 6
Last Season: 14th (8-10)
Arrivals: VFL: Hugo Birks (Sydney Swans VFL); Mitchell Blow (Pennant Hills); Noah Bradshaw (Wodonga); Jaiden Butson (Centrals Trinity Beach); Ben Coghill (Yarrawonga); Declan Fitzgerald (North Shore NSW); Khy Gibbs (South-West Sydney/Swans Academy); Nick Irvine (Yarrawonga); Perry Lewis-Smith (Yarrawonga); James Lugsdin (Sydney Swans VFL); Liam McCarthy (South Cairns); Sam McMeeken (Manly-Warringah); Jace McQuade (Wangaratta Rovers); Louie Montgomery (North Adelaide/Port Adelaide SANFL); Hunter Pickett (North Adelaide); Luke Skrivanic (Pennant Hills); Mitch Szybkowski (Casey Demons). AFL: Cody Angove (Scarborough/Claremont); Oliver Hannaford (Sandhurst/GWV Rebels); Harrison Oliver (St Bedes-Mentone/Sandringham Dragons); Jack Ough (Wentworth District/GWV Rebels); Jake Stringer (Essendon).
Departures: VFL: Cooper Bell (Gold Coast Suns); Jackson Bowne (Montmorency); Ned Byrne; Billy Clark (Eastlake); James Creighton (Brisbane Lions VFL); Kale Gabila; Daniel Gauci (Norwood SANFL); Ethan Grace; Jensen Hargreaves (Yarrawonga); Coby Hilton; Sam House; Lochlan Jenkins; Charlie McCormack; Nic Quigg (Essendon VFL); Nathan Richards (Corowa-Rutherglen); Joel Rush (Peel Thunder); Josh Smith (North Adelaide); Giorgio Varagiannis (Northern Bullants); Ethan Williams (Sandringham); Oliver Withers. AFL: Isaac Cumming (Adelaide Crows); Cooper Hamilton (delisted – Carlton VFL); Nick Haynes (Carlton); Adam Kennedy (retired); James Peatling (Adelaide Crows); Harry Perryman (Collingwood); Braydon Preuss (delisted – Yarragon).
Summary: Where to put this team? They’ve been stuck in just outside the top 10 for most of their time in the VFL, with the ability to beat just about anyone and lose to just about anyone. They need to win their home games to take the next step into the finals, a task which is definitely not beyond them. The big unknown is how much they will use their Ovens and Murray recruits, and what impact they can have on the next level. They are either top-liners or set to be so in one of the strongest country leagues in Australia, but VFL is another level altogether. A lot is again set to fall on captain Ryan Hebron, and he will need Marc Sheather and Harper Montgomery to stay fit. Swans recruit James Lugsdin showed some strong signs last year as well.
Prediction: 13th
Coach: Tom Lynch (third season)
Fixture: Cas (a), Box (a), Syd (h), Car (h), bye, Ess (a), BL (h), Ric (h), Col (a), bye, Wer (a), PM (h), Car (a), Box (h), Foo (a), bye, Syd (a), Gee (h), San (a), Fra (h), Sou (a)
Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Carlton, Sydney Swans
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Northern Bullants, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Last Season: 15th (8-10)
Arrivals: VFL: Hugh Byrne (Echuca); Matthew Clarkson (Richmond VFL); Adrian Cole (St Bede’s-Mentone/Sandringham Dragons/Sandringham); Liam Gunson (St Kevin’s); Olli Hotton (St Kilda); Matt Keast (Werribee); Sam Linder (St Kilda City/Sandringham Dragons); Ollie Lowe (Sandringham); Darcy Macpherson (Gold Coast Suns); Ewan Macpherson (Brisbane Lions VFL); Jack O’Sullivan (Hawthorn); Paddy O’Sullivan (Koroit); Tyson Scoble (Carngham-Linton); McLaren Spiteri (Park Orchards); Nathaniel Sulzberger (North Hobart/Sandringham Dragons); Adam Tomlinson (Melbourne); Oscar Van Dam (North Launceston/Tasmania Devils). AFL: Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs); Jack Darling (West Coast Eagles); Jacob Konstanty (Sydney Swans); Finn O’Sullivan (Koroit/Oakleigh Chargers/Richmond VFL); Luke Parker (Sydney Swans); River Stevens (Newtown & Chilwell/Geelong Falcons) Luke Urquhart (Melville/East Fremantle); Matt Whitlock (Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers).
Departures: VFL: Ned Conway; Calvin Daraio (South Belgrave); Ben Davis (Montmorency); Kade De La Rue (Frankston); Mitch Hannan; Sam Hayes (Strathmore); Nick Hodgson (Coburg); Jamie Hope (Old Brighton); Sam Lowson (Southport Sharks); Hamish Murphy (Williamstown); Tom O’Sullivan); Deakyn Smith (Casey Demons); Jack Watkins (Port Adelaide SANFL). AFL: Blake Drury (delisted – Adelaide Crows SANFL); Hamish Free (delisted – South Fremantle); Hugh Greenwood (retired – Gold Coast Suns VFL); Charlie Lazzaro (delisted – Port Melbourne); Bigoa Nyuon (delisted – Ballarat); Tyler Sellers (delisted – Essendon VFL); Liam Shiels (retired – South Croydon); Jaidyn Stephenson (retired – Ferntree Gully); Curtis Taylor (delisted – Collingwood VFL).
Summary: After a breakthrough finals appearance in 2023, the Kangaroos slid back down the ladder last year. But they have been proactive in trying to remedy that, with key defender Adam Tomlinson heading a strong list of recruits that includes ex-Saint Olli Hotton, former Hawk Jack O’Sullivan, Werribee talent Matt Keast, young Tasmanians Nathaniel Sulzberger and Oscar Van Dam and the Macpherson brothers Darcy and Ewan. However, they have lost captain and dual reigning best-and-fairest winner Jack Watkins, experienced full back Jarrod Lienert and star small forward Sam Lowson alongside AFL-listed VFL regulars Tyler Sellers, Charlie Lazzaro, Curtis Taylor, Jaidyn Stephenson and Biggie Nyuon.
Prediction: 15th
Coach: Rohan Welsh (second season)
Fixture: Foo (a), Gee (a), GC (a), bye, Fra (a), PM (h), Col (h), Cob (a), Cas (h), Sou (n), GWS (a), Car (h), bye, Ric (h), Syd (a), Wil (h), Fra (h), Cob (h), PM (a), bye, Wer (h)
Plays Twice: Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Essendon, North Melbourne, Sandringham
Last Season: 21st (2-16)
Arrivals: Deng Andrew (Berwick); Yuyu Ashwin (Collingwood VFL); Charlie Bolmat (Essendon VFL); Liam Coghlan (Port Melbourne); Peter Costanzo (Mitcham/Oakleigh Chargers); Harry Flynn (Collingwood VFL); Brody Glenn (Greensborough); Sam Green (Port Melbourne); Riley Greene (Brisbane Lions VFL); Will Madden (Essendon VFL); Amin Naim (Essendon VFL); Ben Quaynor (Eltham); Luke Ryan (Sandringham); Christopher Scerri (Strathmore); Kaden Schreiber (Collingwood VFL); Lochie Simpson (Wodonga Raiders); Blade Sulzberger (North Launceston); Liam Taylor (North Ringwood); Giorgio Varagiannis (GWS Giants VFL); Jackson Weideman (North Albury).
Departures: Arthur Armstrong (Cobden); Corey Barbaro; Hudson Barrett (Parkside); Kobe Brown (West Preston-Lakeside); Josh Buchanan (Airport West); Harry Butterworth (Bundoora); Josh Cooper; Jared Crosbie (Kilmore); Charlie Di Stefano (Parkside); Felix Dreher (Port Melbourne); Lucas Edmonds (Port Fairy); Cooper Ellis (Parkside); Ryan Gardner (Montmorency); Luke Green (Preston); Sam Hayes; Marcus Holland (St Bernard’s); Matthew King (travelling); Christos Kosmas (Keilor); Jason McCormick (Eltham); Isaac McMillian (unknown); Caleb McPherson (Albion); Tyson Pickett (Fitzroy Stars); John Roumeliotis (Essendon Doutta Stars); Tristen Waack (Traralgon); Jed Wallace (Lower Plenty); William Wallace.
Summary: A much better off-season from the Bullants as they retained a vastly longer list of players than the previous season, including most of their better players. Co-captain Matt King is gone, as are fellow defenders Tristen Waack and Will Wallace despite strong seasons, while they would be extremely disappointed to lose late-season discovery Felix Dreher. But they have been able to lure some VFL quality performers who are just yearning for opportunity, led by Collingwood’s Kaden Schreiber among a trio of Magpies, Brisbane Lion high-flyer Riley Greene, three young Bombers, a couple of Borough men and impressive big man Liam Kolar back from a knee injury. Expect significant improvement this season, and they could definitely climb the ladder, pending support for Jean-Luc Velissaris, Liam Mackie, Paddy Fairlie and John Jorgensen, while Will Elliott could become the breakout star of the year. But they are coming from a long way back.
Prediction: 20th
Coach: Brendan McCartney (first season, replacing Adam Skrobalak)
Fixture: BL (a), Fra (h), bye, Ess (h), Box (n), NB (a), Sou (a), Gee (h), GWS (n), Wer (h), bye, NM (a), Cob (h), Car (h), Wil (h), Fra (a), GC (h), bye, NB (h), Cob (a), Col (h)
Plays Twice: Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Footscray Bulldogs, Richmond, Sandringham, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Last Season: 16th (6-12)
Arrivals: Kaine Baldwin (Essendon); Dom Bedendo (Western Bulldogs); Lachlan Bond (Geelong Cats VFL); Jayden Davey (Essendon); Felix Dreher (Northern Bullants); Paddy Farrant (Collingwood VFL); Tom Graham (Norwood SANFL); Sam Grant (Coburg); Ned Hawkins (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs/Sydney Swans Academy); Dyson Heppell (Essendon AFL); Ajang Kuol Mun (Geelong Cats VFL); Charlie Lazzaro (North Melbourne); Archie Lazzaro (Newtown & Chilwell); Drew Lloyd (Balranald); Will Martyn (Brisbane Lions VFL); Flynn Penry (Cobden/GWV Rebels); Riley Polkinghorne (North Ballarat); Max Rider (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs); Connor Riley (Frankston); Michael Rudd (Carlton VFL); Jack Skinner (Colac Imperials/Geelong Falcons); Josh Sparkman (Footscray Bulldogs); Hugh Trigg (North Ballarat); James Van Es (St Kilda); Tex Wanganeen (Essendon); Malachi White (North Ballarat).
Departures: Sam Allen (Werribee); Anthony Anastasio (injured); Kyle Borg; Liam Coghlan (Northern Bullants); Jacob Conlan (Albury); Lucas Conlan (Albury); Felix Flockart (Old Brighton); Billy Gowers (gridiron); Sam Green (Northern Bullants); Cody Henness (Sale); Spencer Johnson (Werribee); Harry Maguire (Werribee); Robbie McComb (Port Melbourne Colts); Dan McKenzie (Blackburn); Bryce Milford (Norwood; Victoria); Lachie Modica (Beaconsfield); Mitch Moschetti (Hurstbridge); Oscar Roberts; Baker Smith (Greenvale); Roarke Smith; Nick Stuhldreier (South Fremantle); Kye Turner (Williamstown); Kyle Viccars (Waverley Blues); Campbell Walker; Zach Walter (Barwon Heads); Cam Wild (Werribee).
Summary: The spotlight is well and truly on Port Melbourne as they launch into the Brendan McCartney/James Hird era. They have the highest profile and credentialled on-field recruit in many years in Dyson Heppell stepping straight in from the elite level. They also have gained fellow former Bombers Tex Wanganeen, Kaine Baldwin and Jayden Davey, big leaping Bulldog Dom Bedendo, North Melbourne ball magnet Charlie Lazzaro and St Kilda’s James Van Es straight out of the highest level. There is also former AFL Tiger Will Martyn among seven more from rival VFL clubs and SANFL regular Tom Graham, who played 16 times for Grand Finalist Norwood last year. Captain Harvey Hooper will also be back after missing the second half of last year and there are also massive wraps on former fringe Geelong ruckman Ajang Kuol Mun. Billy Gowers, Robbie McComb and Roarke Smith are big losses, while Dan McKenzie and Kye Turner aren’t returning after they barely got on the park last year. However, the Borough looks to have more than covered them. Expect a return to the finals for the first time in eight years as a minimum.
Prediction: 7th
Coach: Jake Batchelor (first season, replacing Steve Morris)
Fixture: Cob (n), San (a), BL (n), Fra (a), Cas (a), Box (a), bye, NM (a), Ess (a), GWS (a), Syd (n), bye, Foo (n), NB (a), Gee (h), Sou (h), bye, Wer (a), GC (a), San (h), Wil (a)
Plays Twice: Sandringham
Doesn’t Play: Carlton, Collingwood, Port Melbourne
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Last Season: 10th (10-9)
Arrivals: VFL: Max Clohesy (Shepparton Swans); Kai Daniels (Pyramid Hill); Tom Ferguson (St Kevin’s); Sam Flockart (Old Brighton); Zane Greenham (St Kevin’s); Jhett Haeata (Beaumaris/Sandringham Dragons); Reuben Hanson (Karingal); Sean Lai (Cheltenham); Seth Macdonald (South Belgrave/Eastern Ranges); Tom McKenzie (Coburg); Phil Moi Moi (Sydney Swans VFL); O’Neill Moncrieff (Parkside); Sam Phillips (Old Trinity); Massimo Raso (Keilor/Western Jets); Sam Toner (Narre Warren/Dandenong Stingrays). AFL: Jasper Alger (Warragul/Oakleigh Chargers); Harry Armstrong (Ormond/Sandringham Dragons); Jonty Faull (Redan/GWV Rebels); Taj Hotton (Hampton Rovers/Sandringham Dragons); Sam Lalor (Bacchus Marsh/GWV Rebels); Thomas Sims (Montmorency/Northern Knights); Josh Smillie (Park Orchards/Eastern Ranges); Luke Trainor (St Peters/Sandringham Dragons).
Departures: VFL: Tom Bower (Noble Park); Tom Brindley (Greensborough); Harry Broderick (East Keilor); Ry Cantwell (North Ringwood); Matthew Clarkson (North Melbourne VFL); Sam Davidson (Western Bulldogs); Luk Haddara (Newport); Chad Harris (Sorrento); Harvey Langford (Melbourne); Archie May (Subiaco); Joel Nathan (North Ringwood); Cam Olden (Pines); Finn O’Sullivan (North Melbourne); Jagga Smith (Carlton); Luke Teal (Old Trinity); Liam Thomas (Old Camberwell); Harry White (Werribee Districts). AFL: Liam Baker (West Coast Eagles); Shai Bolton (Fremantle); Matt Coulthard (delisted); Noah Cumberland (delisted – South Morang); Jack Graham (West Coast Eagles); Dylan Grimes (retired); Dustin Martin (retired); Sam Naismith (retired); Marlion Pickett (retired – Melton South); Daniel Rioli (Gold Coast Suns).
Summary: Tiger fans are aren’t going to enjoy this prediction, but there is every chance this pundit will look extremely silly at the end of the year. The Tigers performed out of their skins last year to make the finals given their injury avalanche and it will be a massive effort if they can repeat after the huge turnover of players from AFL level that will test their depth. A lot of reliance will fall on the draftees from last year’s super haul, even though quite a few will play regular footy at the top level, which will push others back down. Hopefully skipper Lachie Street makes a clean return from his knee reconstruction, and it will be a big boost if so. However, the departures of the premiership heroes as well as Sam Davidson, Chad Harris, Archie May, Cam Olden, Noah Cumberland et al is going to be extremely hard to overcome across a long season.
Prediction: 18th
Coach: Brendon Goddard (first season)
Fixture: Gee (h), Ric (h), GWS (a), Foo (a), BL (h), bye; Car (a), Wer (h), GC (h), Fra (a), bye, Sou (h), Col (a), Wil (a), Box (a), Syd (h), bye, Cas (a), NM (h), Ric (a), Ess (h)
Plays Twice: Richmond
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Interstate Trips: NSW 1
Last Season: 12th (8-9-1)
Arrivals: Sandringham: Sam Buck (St Bede’s-Mentone/Sandringham Dragons); Joey Campigli (Old Brighton); Jack Cheep (Parkdale); Zac Greeves (Castlemaine); Josh Hutchings (Caulfield Grammarians); Ned Maginness (Box Hill Hawks); Andrew Mathieson (Box Hill Hawks); Bailey McKenzie (Old Brighton/Sandringham Dragons); Jet Peckett (Frankston/Bonbeach); Liam Purcell (Collingwood VFL); Billy Richardson (Brisbane Lions VFL); Jez Rigoni (Wangaratta Rovers/Murray Bushrangers); Charlie Rozenes (Ajax/Sandringham Dragons); Cameron Saultry (St Bedes-Mentone); Ben Seers (Beaumaris/Sandringham Dragons); Ben Stephenson (Uni Blacks); Aaron Taylor (Ormond/Sandringham Dragons); Ethan Williams (GWS Giants VFL). St Kilda: Eamonn Armstrong (County Meath; Ireland); James Barrat (Leitchville-Gunbower/Bendigo Pioneers); Hugh Boxshall (Swanbourne/Claremont); Harry Boyd (Norwood SANFL); Jack Carroll (Carlton); Alex Dodson (Payneham-Norwood Union/Sturt); Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs); Patrick Said (Sunbury Lions/Calder Cannons); Alix Tauru (Warragul Blues/Gippsland Power); Tobie Travaglia (Sandhurst/Bendigo Pioneers/Carlton VFL).
Departures: Sandringham: Max Benier; Lachlan Benton; Tom Blamires (Frankston); Will Brown; Adrian Cole (North Melbourne VFL); Brodie Findlay (North Adelaide); Hugo Hall-Kahan (Williamstown); Darby Hipwell (Frankston); Lennox Hofmann (Geelong Cats); Luke Kennedy (Western Bulldogs); Ollie Lowe (North Melbourne VFL); Luca Macnab (Old Brighton); William Nish (Beaumaris); Tarkyn O’Leary (Frankston); Luke Ryan (Northern Bullants); Anthony Seaton (St Kevin’s); Will Vesely; Bayleigh Welsh; Logan Young (De La Salle); Vince Zagari (retired). St Kilda: Matt Allison (delisted – Coburg); Josh Battle (Hawthorn); Riley Bonner (delisted – Casey Demons); Tom Campbell (Melbourne); Brad Crouch (retired); Jack Hayes (delisted – Woodville-West Torrens); Olli Hotton (delisted – North Melbourne VFL); Tim Membrey (Collingwood); Ben Paton (Sydney Swans); Seb Ross (delisted – Colac); James Van Es (delisted – Port Melbourne).
Summary: Despite the impressive practice match win over North Melbourne last week, this shapes as a baptism of fire for Brendon Goddard in his coaching debut. The Zebras have just seven players still on their VFL list from 2024. Only new captain Blake Watson (42) and vice-captain Misilifi Faimalo (21) have played more than 13 games. A lot will rely on St Kilda’s list staying fit to keep them competitive throughout a long season, with the likes of Isaac Keeler, Max Heath, Lance Collard and Gus McLennan pushing hard to play regular AFL footy. Losing skipper Anthony Seaton, vice-captain Darby Hipwell, best and fairest Tom Campbell, Tom Blamires and Hugo Hall-Kahan and Ollie Lowe looks tough to overcome.
Prediction: 21st
Coach: Matthew Primus (first season, replacing Steve Daniel)
Fixture: Wer (h), Cob (h), Car (a), GC (h), bye, Wil (a), PM (h), Cas (a), Fra (h), NB (n), bye, San (a), Syd (h), Col (h), BL (a), Ric (a), bye, Wil (h), Box (h), Wer (a), NM (h)
Plays Twice: Werribee, Williamstown
Doesn’t Play: Essendon, Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, GWS Giants
Interstate Trips: Victoria 7
Last Season: 2nd (15-7)
Arrivals: Sam Cilmi (Palm Beach-Currumbin); Owen Collins (Brisbane Lions VFL); Josh Cresswell (South Cairns/Sandringham Dragons); Mason Field (Labrador); Josh Gore (West Adelaide); Finn Hay (Gold Coast Suns VFL); Tai Hayes (Palm Beach-Currumbin); Joe Kennedy (Surfers Paradise); Marcus Khoo (Kyabram); Justin Krok (Labrador); Sam Lowson (North Melbourne VFL); Hewago Oea (Gold Coast Suns); Charlie Rowe (Mt Eliza/Dandenong Stingrays); Darby Scott (Aberfeldie); Harry Sullivan (Gold Coast Suns VFL).
Departures: Ryan Banks-Smith (Aspley); Rhys Clark (South Cairns); Byron Finch (Redland-Victoria Point); Aiden Hall (Claremont); Charlie Harmelin (Broadbeach); Cody Harrington (Gold Coast Suns VFL); Ben Jepson (Gold Coast Suns); Jay Lockhart (Lilydale; Tasmania); Jesh Morgan (Wilston Grange); Lachie Rhook (Koroit); Matt Shannon; Jacob Townsend (retired).
Summary: After two Grand Final heartbreaks in three years, the Sharks have a new coach as former Port Adelaide boss Matt Primus assumes the top job from the affable and popular Steve Daniel. And there is no indication the Sharks will be anywhere but right in premiership contention again. They have only farewelled four Grand Final players in Jay Lockhart, Matt Shannon, Rhys Clark and Gold Coast Suns SSP selection Ben Jepson, while adding potential matchwinners in Sam Lowson and Suns best and fairest winner Hewago Oea. They have one of the best midfields in the competition, and a cult figure ruckman who dominated last year and now strips a much more dangerous and powerful figure in Brayden Crossley following a training block with the Western Bulldogs. They will be desperate to make a statement in the Grand Final rematch in Round 1 and are sure to be there when the whips are cracking.
Prediction: 2nd
Coach: Jarrad McVeigh (first season, replacing Damian Truslove)
Fixture: Col (a), bye, NM (a), Wer (h), GC (a), GWS (h), Ess (a), Car (h), Cob (a), Cas (h), Ric (n), bye, Sou (a), Foo (h), NB (h), Sam (a), NM (h), GWS (a), Ess (h), bye, Gee (h)
Plays Twice: Essendon, GWS Giants, North Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2, Victoria 6
Last Season: 13th (8-9-1)
Arrivals: VFL: Oscar Davis (Sydney University); Cameron Este (Westbrook/Pennant Hills/ Sydney Swans Academy); Declan Fitzpatrick (Glebe/ Sydney University/ Sydney Swans Academy); Angus Hanrahan (Mooroopna); Tom Hitchens (East Sydney/UNSW-Eastern Suburbs/Sydney University/ Sydney Swans Academy); Jack Kluske (Mypolonga); Harrison Podmore-Taylor (East Sydney/UNSW-Eastern Suburbs/Sydney University/ Sydney Swans Academy). AFL: Riak Andrew (Berwick/Dandenong Stingrays); Riley Bice (Murray Magpies/Albury/Werribee); Ned Bowman (Orroroo/Norwood SANFL); Jesse Dattoli (Ivanhoe/Northern Knights); Blake Leidler (Surrey Park/Oakleigh Chargers); Ben Paton (St Kilda).
Departures: VFL: Toby Alker; Ben Ashley-Cooper (South Adelaide); Jake Bartholomaeus; Hugo Birks (GWS Giants VFL); Joel Cochran (Collingwood); Tye Gander (South Adelaide); Joe Harrison; Ned Hawkins (Port Melbourne); Will Kelly; James Lugsdin (GWS Giants VFL); Charlie McCartin (Geelong Cats VFL); Phil Moi Moi (Richmond VFL); Hamish Morrison (Williamstown); Harry Morrison; Josh Nicholls; Bili Robertson; Monty Velthuis. AFL: Harry Arnold (delisted – Brisbane Lions VFL); Jacob Konstanty (North Melbourne); Jaiden Magor (delisted – South Adelaide); Lachlan McAndrew (delisted – Adelaide SANFL); Luke Parker (North Melbourne); Sam Reid (retired); Cooper Vickery (delisted – Carlton VFL).
Summary: Another club that it is hard to get a read on. Werribee premiership player Riley Bice will hope to play regular AFL footy but will otherwise provide strong drive out of defence, while Angus Hanrahan steps back into State league footy after a few years away. There was rumours of a high-profile former AFL player arriving at one stage during the off-season who could have pushed them into the finals, but that hasn’t materialised. There’s some quality coming through the Academy that should play games later in the year once their under-18 commitments are finished. The departures of 2019 NEAFL MVP Jake Bartholomaeus, Phil Moi Moi, Hamish and Harry Morrison and Harry Arnold will be hard to overcome and will reduce the Swans’ depth, as will the loss of Will Kelly, despite them not getting a lot out of him last year. Can the draftees keep them in contention?
Prediction: 17th
Coach: Jimmy Allan (second season)
Fixture: Sou (a), Ess (a), Foo (h), Syd (a), Wil (h), Fra (h), Box (h), San (a), bye, PM (a), NM (h), Gee (h), Wil (a), bye, GWS (h), Cas (h), Cob (a), Ric (h), bye, Sou (h), NB (a)
Plays Twice: Southport Sharks, Williamstown
Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Gold Coast Suns
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Last Season: Premiers (18-3)
Arrivals: Sam Allen (Port Melbourne); Mace Cousins (Geelong Cats VFL); Anthony Depasquale (Kyabram); Ryan Eyers (Geelong Cats VFL); Archer Gardiner (North Albury); Hayden Gill (Carlton VFL); Jackson Grundy (North Warrnambool/Nightcliff); Dom Gugliotti (Mooroopna); Spencer Johnson (Port Melbourne); Ben Kellett (South Barwon); Liam Kershaw (St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons/Geelong VFL); Jake Lohmann (Brisbane Lions VFL); Jedd Longmire (Collingwood VFL); Harry Maguire (Port Melbourne); Myles McCluggage (South Warrnambool); Harry Miller (Williamstown CYMS/Western Jets); Isaac Nixon (Bacchus Marsh); Rye Penny (Collingwood VFL); Noah Tullio (Newtown & Chilwell/Geelong Falcons); Cooper Ward (Barwon Heads/Geelong Falcons); Tylar Watts (Geelong West); Cam Wild (Port Melbourne); Brady Wright (Darley).
Departures: Emmanuel Ajang (South Adelaide); Kobe Annand (Central District); Darcy Bennett (overseas); Riley Bice (Sydney Swans); Gennaro Bove (Newtown & Chilwell); Mitchell Chafer (St Joseph’s); Nathan Cooper (Wangaratta Rovers); Nick Coughlan (retired); Kye Declase (Box Hill Hawks); Nick Hayes (Woodville-West Torrens); Jack Henderson (Melbourne); Aidan Johnson (Melbourne); Matt Keast (North Melbourne VFL); Wardell Lual (Casey Demons); Oliver Northam (South Adelaide); Sam Paea (Aberfeldie); Hamish Pierson (Old Geelong); Corey Preston (Box Hill Hawks); Jamie Quick (North Ballarat); Stefan Radovanovic (Keilor); Jay Rantall (Geelong Cats VFL); Michael Selsby (Yarraville-Seddon); Connor Thar (Waubra); Reuben William (Keilor).
Summary: The 2024 premiership team had 13 players who did not line up in the losing 2023 Grand Final. Add that to this list turnover and it will be a superhuman effort for the Tigers to stay in premiership contention. Premiership heroes Jack Henderson, Riley Bice and Aidan Johnson have already made their AFL debuts, the best two defenders in the league in Nathan Cooper and Nick Coughlan have moved on, the most experienced player in the league, Nick Hayes, has returned to South Australia and ruckman Sam Paea and defender Stefan Radovanovic have opted for local footy. But they still have the toughest and most committed player in the VFL in Liston medallist Dom Brew after he unfortunately was overlooked for an AFL list spot following a dominant season, and the heart and soul midfielder will enter the season with a point to prove. He and key forward Hudson Garoni are why I am not brave enough to write the premiers off.
Prediction: 9th
Coach: Justin Plapp (fifth season)
Fixture: Ess (a), GWS (a), Fra (h), Cob (h), Wer (a), Sou (h), bye, Foo (h), Car (a), Gee (h), BL (a), bye, Wer (h), San (h), PM (a), NB (a), Box (h), Sou (a), Col (h), bye, Ric (h)
Plays Twice: Southport Sharks, Werribee
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Gold Coast Suns, North Melbourne, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
Last Season: 6th (13-8)
Arrivals: Nicco Conlan (St Bernard’s); Lachlan Gollant (Adelaide Crows); Hugo Hall-Kahan (Sandringham); Damon Hollow (Epping/Calder Cannons); Nathan Jensen (Brisbane Lions VFL); Ben Kennedy (Yarrawonga/Murray Bushrangers); Carter Michael (Brisbane Lions AFL); Hamish Morrison (Sydney Swans VFL); Tom Mundy (Deer Park); Hamish Murphy (North Melbourne VFL); Ned Pendergast (Yarrawonga); Luke Scicchitano (Deer Park); Max Stobie (Maffra/Gippsland Power); Kye Turner (Port Melbourne).
Departures: Ben Andrews; Josh Browne (Collingwood VFL); Akol Deng (Yarraville-Seddon); Corey Ellison (Frankston); Will Fordham (Wodonga Raiders); Lucca Grego (West Coast Eagles); Darby Henderson (Lara); Will Jury (Strathmore); Josh Kemp (Strathmore); Corey Rich (Wodonga Raiders); Ryley Stoddart.
Summary: One of the most stable clubs in the competition this off-season with 30 of their 44 players remaining from last year. Corey Ellison’s move to Frankston and the departures of Will Fordham, Ryley Stoddart, Darby Henderson and Corey Rich are the biggest losses, but they have covered them by bringing in key forward Lachie Gollant straight from the Adelaide Crows, half-forward Hugo Hall-Kahan from Sandringham, Carter Michael from the Brisbane Lions and Kye Turner from Port Melbourne among others. It means they should at least match their semi-final effort of the past two years and will open the door to challenge for the top four that will give them a huge shot at breaking a 10-year premiership drought. Blake Coleman’s move to defence is one to watch, while the return of Fin O’Dwyer from his season-ending injury will also be important.
Prediction: 5th
