Sign a star, break a curse, play finals: Your club’s 2025 wishlist

Collingwood

Collingwood made their new year’s resolution in October and November. It was this: we are in the window and are going hard to win it again next year. So they again traded out draft picks for Dan Houston to bring in Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey as free agents. Will two half-back flankers make the difference? Maybe. Houston is an elite user of the ball, so the delivery to the forward line will be better. Perryman will be tried on the ball as a big-bodied defensive mid. He is clever, albeit not overly graced with speed. They will have good creativity off half-back, but they still only have Darcy Moore as a genuine classy tall, so they would be vulnerable if he were to be missing. What they need most is for Dan McStay and Jordan De Goey to play a whole season (De Goey managed only 13 games in 2024 in an all-too-familiar trend) and for Ed Allan to expand on his late-season form on the ball when he showed he had scope to be a genuine player. – Michael Gleeson

Essendon

The Bombers should resolve to win more games than they lose in the second half of next season after producing a combined win-loss record of 12-21 post-round 12 in the past three seasons. It was particularly disappointing the past two seasons, when they had 7-5 and 8-3-1 records, respectively, up to that point. For Essendon to take the next step, they need greater contributions from their emerging crop – and less reliance on the likes of Zach Merrett, Nic Martin, Andy McGrath, Kyle Langford and Mason Redman. Breakout campaigns from several of Elijah Tsatas, Ben Hobbs, Nik Cox, Archie Perkins, Nate Caddy, Zach Reid and Alwyn Davey jnr would be greatly beneficial. There is work to do to lock in the Bombers’ attack, too, because Jake Stringer (now a Giant) was one of only two Essendon players to kick more than 19 goals in 2024. They will hope Caddy picks up some of that slack, while draftee Isaac Kako is set to inject some excitement, but where does Peter Wright fit? Finding out if Sam Draper and Nick Bryan can play in the same side weekly is another task. Off the field, securing new revenue streams and kicking their pokies venues to the curb would please the fan base as well. – Marc McGowan

Fremantle

Shedding the “promising” tag, playing finals and transforming into genuine flag contenders must be at the top of the Dockers’ new year’s resolutions. Back-to-back September holidays were a sizeable disappointment for coach Justin Longmuir and a club that seemed headed for an extended period of success after gatecrashing the finals in 2022. They might still be losing sleep over that inexplicable one-point loss to Essendon in round 21 – after leading by 25 points early in the last quarter – that ultimately cost them a September spot. Freo’s youthful on-ball division is the envy of most other teams, headlined by Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young, but Brayshaw is a restricted free agent this coming season, so retaining him is a priority. Victorian clubs are already asking the question of Brayshaw’s management, and he is certain to command a top-dollar, lengthy deal whatever his decision is. At least the Dockers managed to woo Tiger Shai Bolton home, even if they paid a hefty price at the trade table to make it happen. Reigniting Bolton’s best football might be as simple as the sea change he has already experienced, but if not, finding a way to do that is one of Longmuir’s key tasks. – Marc McGowan

Geelong

It’s as simple a question as this for the Cats: Can they deliver Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron another flag? Dangerfield, 35 in April, is nearing the end of a grand career and may play limited games next season, while Cameron, 32, remains at the peak of his powers, but the clock is ticking. The Cats did well to regenerate their forward line last season once it became clear Tom Hawkins’ time was up. Cameron booted 64 goals, while Tyson Stengle (46), Ollie Henry (37), Brad Close (25), Shannon Neale (23) and Ollie Dempsey (22) ensured a vibrant front half in a season in which the Cats rebounded from the disappointment of 2023. Now Bailey Smith has been added through the trade period, that midfield/forward line should be even more potent. It will be interesting to see if Toby Conway can emerge as a consistent frontline ruckman, as Rhys Stanley, 34, nears the end of a 200-plus game career. The Cats will hope Sam De Koning can get back to his best form, and veteran recruit Jack Martin is healthy and fit. – Jon Pierik

Gold Coast

Gold Coast’s resolution is the same one they have made since their first year in the AFL: To (finally) play finals. In 2025 it might even come true. The Suns traded very smartly to bring in half-backs Daniel Rioli and John Noble, who will both provide run and dare. Run and creativity by foot was the most glaring hole in the Suns’ line-up, and Rioli, in particular, is an A-grade talent off half-back. Jack Lukosius is hugely talented and was popular at the Suns, but he was a square peg in a round hole for coach Damien Hardwick’s game, so he was the perfect player to trade out (to say nothing of the $1 million-plus annual wage he removes from the club’s salary cap considerations) because he was more valuable to the club he was going to than the one he was leaving. What do they want to see next year? Bailey Humphrey realising he belongs at the level and delivering on his huge potential; more games from Ethan Read; and seeing Jed Walter start to grab games by the scruff of the neck, which he looks poised to do. Mac Andrew is the interesting one. He is a very good second ruck, but few teams use a tall back for an interchanging ruck, so do the Suns need to try using him forward? – Michael Gleeson

GWS

The orange army will be desperately hopeful that the extraordinary heartbreak of a straight-sets finals exit can be turned into a positive. The manner of their semi-final loss to eventual premiers Brisbane – giving up a big lead to be pipped at the post – could either hurt them or enhance them. Next season will be the third as coach for Adam Kingsley. Their list has had a tune-up rather than a full service, with experienced players Nick Haynes and Harry Perryman departing, while a host of draftees have arrived, along with Jake Stringer from Essendon. The Giants will want an immediate impact from the experienced dynamic forward. Overall, however, the focus in western Sydney will be on consistency of performance and, to be brutal, not squandering their chances; if the match is there to be won, make it happen. – Scott Spits

Hawthorn

Do it again. That is the simple resolution for Hawthorn. This season was a free hit, unburdened by expectation as they climbed the ladder. But now they face a tougher draw, and more expectation to win and not only make finals again but press for the top four. We make assumptions about teams that their progress will be linear, but it seldom is, so it would not be surprising if the Hawks were to struggle next year to replicate their performance of 2024. They face a competition that had largely ignored them for three years but will now put time into their entertaining, attacking game over the summer. Tom Barrass was an excellent recruit. Provided his body can hold together, he will be important to them making that continued progress. He takes some of the intercept marking burden from James Sicily, while Josh Battle’s arrival should make it possible for Josh Weddle to be released up the ground to a wing, which is an exciting prospect. The most tantalising player at the Hawks, though, for teasing out how far and how quickly they can advance is not Nick Watson or Will Day, but Calsher Dear. – Michael Gleeson

Melbourne

Some clubs want to be in the headlines, but the Demons are surely aiming for a more drama-free year in 2025. That should not be hard, given the never-ending melodrama that played out at this club across the past 18 months or so. One resolution might be not to put Clayton Oliver up for trade next year. It is hard to imagine the champion midfielder will stay if he is being discussed for a third-straight trade period. Oliver’s running mate, Christian Petracca, is another huge storyline to follow, and Melbourne must do everything within reason to keep him happy as well. Any hope the Dees have of winning a second flag with this richly talented group – and even of 2021 premiership coach Simon Goodwin avoiding the blowtorch – depends on pacifying Petracca. Just in case things go pear-shaped again, they will want to expose first-round picks Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay, who loom as the onballers of the future. Figuring out if tall forward Matt Jefferson, the No.15 selection in 2022, is a significant part of the club’s future should be a priority, too, along with finding a successor for Max Gawn beyond a stop-gap option, such as Tom Campbell. – Marc McGowan

North Melbourne

The New Year’s message is clear for the Kangaroos – it’s time to win games. Mired at, or near, the foot of the ladder for the past five seasons, the Roos now have enough match-winning talent, particularly through the midfield, and experience, to finish mid-table. They won only three games last season, but had in-game bursts where they dominated, only to dramatically recede, as they did against Collingwood in a one-point loss at Marvel Stadium. It’s now time for a four-quarter impact. To aid this bid, premiership recruits Jack Darling, Caleb Daniel and Luke Parker provide experience and big bodies in roles the team needed, while Tristan Xerri is ready to build on a breakout season. In Griffin Logue and Charlie Comben, the Kangaroos have two pillars in defence. Internally, the Roos understand the excuses are running out. – Jon Pierik

Port Adelaide

The departure of Charlie Dixon (retirement) and the arrival of Jack Lukosius signals so much about the Power. The finals last year showed exactly what needed to change at Port. They played Dixon and Esava Ratugolea forward, which made for ball movement that was long, “bomby” and embarrassingly easy to defend. Dixon was done and no one else up forward could have an impact. Taking him out and bringing in a completely different style of forward in Lukosius, who is a lead-up player and not a pack marker, makes for an intriguing change for the Power. He is an elite kick, both at goal and into the forward line, so he will push up and down the ground. How Ken Hinkley uses Lukosius to then vary how Port move the ball, and the angles they cut, will be critical to the type of change they know they have to make. Veteran Travis Boak, who had a bad a preliminary final (he was not alone), could be interesting in this if the Power start to switch play more and use their wings to create and deliver the ball to Lukosius. – Michael Gleeson

Richmond

Richmond got what they wanted for Christmas back in November at the draft with a generational bounty of talent. Their hope in the new year will be the same as it has been for the past few years: Let Tom Lynch get out there and play. Let Josh Gibcus get out there and play. Let Jacob Hopper and Dion Prestia string games together. The common forecast is that the Tigers will struggle to win games because they will be so young. Maybe, but they still have a good rump of high-quality older talent. Blending the elite recruits with the existing talent could lead to anything for the Tigers. Yes, they are going young, and their first priority will be developing those elite young players they have just brought in, but they can still be competitive with what they have. Their No.1 pick Sam Lalor is built like a man already, and is ready to play. Josh Smillie, likewise, has a big build and is ready to go now. – Michael Gleeson

St Kilda

What do St Kilda want to see next year? Run, run and more run. The Saints brought in another elite runner in the draft, Tobie Travaglia. He is a versatile type with huge talent, so they will find a hole for him to fill, whether it’s on the ball, a wing or running off half-back. Likewise Alix Tauru, an excellent mark who will probably eventually settle in as an intercept marking defender, but who has the versatility to find a place somewhere under coach Ross Lyon. There’s growing frustration among St Kilda faithful with Max King, with fans questioning if he will ever be the player he promised to be. Is he stymied by Lyon’s ball movement, or does he stymie it with his running and leading patterns? So forget draftees – not many have a big impact in their first year anyway. King having the sort of season he is capable of would be what Saints fans most want to see next year. – Michael Gleeson

Sydney

The Swans are probably the most intriguing club in the competition, thanks to two heavy grand final defeats in three seasons. Getting belted in the 2024 season decider will hurt them, but it doesn’t have to define them. In any case, the Swans have turned over a new leaf with John Longmire’s exit from the senior coaching role. Experienced assistant Dean Cox steps into the big chair. Instinctively, it’s easy to conclude that their list remains in excellent shape. There’s no point, either, in downplaying such a successful home-and-away season (top spot, 17-6 record, a percentage of 126.7 per cent and close to the best defence in the comp). Luke Parker is gone, but the club’s midfield mix is top-notch. Don’t panic, Swans fans. – Scott Spits

West Coast

It’s a pretty simple wishlist for the Eagles: Keep improving and increase the number of wins. West Coast have bottomed out in recent years, an unusual spot for such a powerhouse club. But a paltry three wins in 2023 was followed by five in 2024. New coach Andrew McQualter will offer a fresh perspective and gun youngster Harley Reid is preparing for his second season. They’d also be banking that the arrivals of experienced players Liam Baker and Jack Graham from Richmond will stabilise the team and ensure those heavy defeats are a thing of the past. – Scott Spits

Western Bulldogs

Take your pick of new year’s resolutions, Doggies fans. After narrowly missing the finals in 2023, Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs will be desperate for a better return on investment next season than what they got in 2024. A 14-9 home-and-away record and close to the best percentage (they were narrowly behind the Swans) culminated with an elimination final loss to Hawthorn, who were riding a wave of momentum. True, the Bulldogs reached the grand final in 2021, but there’s an overwhelming feeling that they need to do a little better with their current crop of talent. They’ve had some notable departures – such Bailey Smith (Geelong), Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) and Jack Macrae (St Kilda) – but the Dogs are still seeking another eye-catching September. – Scott Spits