The 2025 AFL season will see some Top 8 sides from the previous season head south on the ladder, and while it takes a brave man to predict the downturn of two great Club’s, Geelong and Sydney are in the gun.
SLIPPERY SLOPE
GEELONG
There’s plenty of optimism down at the Cattery, but I’m looking at their 2024 feats as an over-achievement and for them to be the Pies of 2024 and slide out of the Top 8.
The retirements of Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy present huge challenges for the likes of Shannon Neale and whether they can unearth another half-back star such as Lawson Humphries.
The much-hyped arrival of Bailey Smith could make my prediction look silly, but his extended time away from footy could result in his impact being minimal until at least 10 games in.
With an ageing list of stars, including Dangerfield, Cameron, Guthrie and Stewart, they can’t afford injuries or drop games at home.
SYDNEY
The last time the Swans got pumped in a Grand Final, they finished eighth the following season and lost in week one of the finals.
Can Dean Cox do a Chris Scott and inherit an elite list and claim immediate glory?
Another big question is the future of Chad Warner. If they haven’t signed him by mid-way through the season, it spells danger, and they might think about where and how they use him.
The Swans forward line is where my issues lie. Amartey was lacklustre after his nine-goal haul in Round 14, McLean doesn’t spend enough time inside the arc to maintain form as a key forward, and Logan McDonald gets pushed around too much.
Big Cox has spent the required years under Longmire to ensure a smooth transition, but he must make changes to overcome the glaring deficiencies we saw in the 2024 Grand Final
