Halfway to September: An AFL season snapshot

As the 2025 season turns into the home stretch, The Burne's AFL sharpshooter Darcy McCartin takes aim at the good, the bad and the ugly of the footy year so far.

Collingwood

The Pies are back on top in 2025, sitting first with an 11–2 record. Firming as premiership favourites, it’s clear to see why, with shades of 2023 reappearing after a down year in 2024. The Daicos boys are running riot– Nick in the midfield and Josh off half-back. Many veterans are giving one final push, with Sidebottom, Pendlebury and Elliott, to name a few, playing some of the best footy they’ve produced in years. New additions Houston, Perryman and Membrey have slotted in well, and the emergence of young midfielder Ned Long has further boosted the Magpies’ stocks. Vying for their 17th premiership, Collingwood is going to take some stopping.

Brisbane

The Lions are well on track for back-to-back flags after a great start to the year, with only three losses from 11 games. However, a 52-point Round 6 loss to the only team above them –– Collingwood –– casts some doubt over whether they can bridge the gap. Following the retirement of Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and youngster Logan Morris have taken up more of the mantle and, so far, they’ve managed just fine. A midfield of Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley and Will Ashcroft is a scary prospect for opposition teams. These Lions are roaring into premiership contention.

Adelaide:

Everything is finally coming together for the Crows. Having not made the top eight since their 2017 Grand Final loss to Richmond, it’s surely time for their return to the big stage. There are very few weak points, with every player fulfilling their role. Captain Jordan Dawson is in dominant form and is complemented by the explosive now-midfielder Izak Rankine. Young key forward duo Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe have gone to a new level, sitting sixth and seventh in the Coleman leaderboard. The Crows have a real shot at the finals, with the top four firmly in reach.

Gold Coast

Damien Hardwick has got his Suns side exactly where he wants them. Yet to have a finals berth since their inclusion into the AFL, this has to be the year for Gold Coast. A list with immense talent– with Noah Anderson leading the way through the midfield and defensive recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble adding the finishing touch. Apart from a surprise Round 6 loss to Richmond, the Suns have proved why they deserve to finally push into finals contention.

Geelong

Every year without fail, Chris Scott’s Geelong outfit remains etched into the top eight. Since Scott took over as coach in 2011, the Cats have made a whopping 20 finals series. They’re set for another in 2025. The inclusion of Bailey Smith from the Bulldogs has proved to be an excellent move –– a contender for recruit of the season. Smith’s one-two midfield punch with Max Holmes, and a forward duo of Coleman leader Jeremy Cameron and star captain Patrick Dangerfield, form a lethal force. Once again, Geelong are premiership contenders.

Hawthorn

It’s been an interesting season for the Hawks. Despite sitting in sixth, they’ve been far from their best and not up to their late-season 2024 form. Three consecutive losses to the Suns, Lions and Pies raise the question of whether they can truly match it with the top sides. With a big win over the Bulldogs and an upcoming game against the Crows, Sam Mitchell will want his side to prove they belong among the contenders.

GWS

Perhaps slightly below expectations –– with many predicting a top-four finish –– the Giants still cling to a top-eight spot at the halfway point. A forward line featuring last year’s Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan and 2023 All-Australian captain Toby Greene is producing, but another gear from these two would only boost the Giants. Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield have been outstanding across half-back, linking up and generating much of their attacking play. There’s another level to go for GWS –– and if they find it, top four is a real possibility.

Fremantle

An inconsistent year from the Dockers sees them just barely hanging on to a finals spot. Three wins in a row have shown signs of improvement after a shaky 0–2 start. Like the Giants, many expected more from this talented side. However, they remain a strong chance to play a role in September. Midfielder Andrew Brayshaw has taken his game to another level, and Luke Jackson has dominated when handed the No. 1 ruck role. There’s plenty of room for growth, but for now, they’re just holding on.

Western Bulldogs

The Dogs are playing much better than a side currently sitting ninth. All six of their losses have been by under 22 points, showing they’re never completely out of a game. They’ve also won three games by over 70 points and two by over 90 –– an outrageous stat just 12 rounds in. Sam Darcy started the year like a house on fire before injury, while the return of ‘The Bont’ has reignited the team. Recruit Matt Kennedy has added grunt to a midfield already boasting Liberatore, Bontempelli and Richards. For a team in ninth, those above had better watch out.

Essendon

Many Essendon fans will be disappointed with their team’s output in 2025. All six wins have come against teams below them on the ladder, including scraping past bottom two sides West Coast and North Melbourne by a combined five points. A 91-point loss to the team one spot ahead –– the Dogs –– suggests they’re struggling against stronger opposition. There’s a long way to go, but it’s not looking good for the young Bombers.

St Kilda

It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Ross Lyon’s Saints. Wins against the Cats and Dockers have been highlights, while losses to West Coast and Carlton have been low points. Many Saints fans are struggling to read this side. There’s top-end talent –– Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jack Sinclair and Callum Wilkie are all pushing for All-Australian defensive honours –– but their depth is lacking. Another mediocre mid-table finish seems likely.

Melbourne

Much like the Saints, you never quite know what you’ll get each week with Melbourne. A 10-goal loss to North Melbourne was a lowlight, but an 11-point win over the Lions at the Gabba shows their potential. Max Gawn continues to defy Father Time with his ruck dominance, while ‘Kozzy’ Pickett has taken his game to a new level in a forward-mid role. The pieces are there –– they just need consistency.

Carlton

To put it lightly, 2025 has been disastrous for Carlton. A shock Round 1 loss to Richmond set the tone, and an 0–4 start shut the season down before it began. With a spine of Weitering, Cripps and Curnow, and Tom De Koning in the ruck, many are bewildered by their poor form. Depth may be an issue, but even so, a team of this calibre should be doing much better.

Sydney

From a Grand Final appearance in 2024 to a likely bottom-four finish in 2025 –– it’s been a stunning fall for Sydney. The pre-season loss of Errol Gulden to a major ankle injury was a big blow. Small forward Tom Papley was ruled out after Round 2, and captain Callum Mills has battled multiple injuries, returning only in Round 10. With key players failing to back up last season’s form, a coaching change, and a lack of key forwards, the Swans have tumbled down the ladder.

Port Adelaide

In Ken Hinkley’s final season as Power coach, many might feel the change should have come sooner. Port sits in the bottom four after seven losses, including two blowouts by over 90 points. Missing star midfielder Zak Butters early hurt, but even his return hasn’t been enough to turn things around. It’s a bleak 2025, and Hinkley’s power switch has well and truly been turned off.

Richmond

Despite sitting 17th, Richmond would be pleased with their start to the year. Many predicted a winless season, but they’ve already banked three wins by the halfway mark –– including a big Round 1 victory over Carlton and an upset over top-four Gold Coast. No. 1 pick Sam Lalor looks a star, alongside a promising crop of young talent. A rebuilding team that’s already exceeded expectations.

North Melbourne

North fans will be frustrated to see their team still so far down the ladder. Improvement was expected, but it’s not quite materialised. From 2020 to 2024, they managed just 15 wins –– and added just three more in 2025. Their young midfield –– Xerri, Davies-Uniacke, Sheezel and Wardlaw –– has quality, but holes remain in defence and forward support for Nick Larkey. They’re not quite there yet, despite some promising signs.

West Coast

Unfortunately for the Eagles, they’ve clearly been the bottom side in 2025. There are positives amid the pain –– ––   Brady Hough’s move to the midfield has looked promising, and young gun Elijah Hewett is proving his worth. It’s clear West Coast is in full rebuild mode and must attack the draft to secure top-end talent. Their sole win  –– over St Kilda ––  has at least provided a flicker of hope.

NEXT WEEK: Your club, your players: Part 2 of Darcy McCartin's wrap of the season so far.