Don ‘going to be a star’; contender’s scary point of difference: What we learned about every club

You can feel footy fever in the air as the 2025 AFL campaign approaches.

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Before that, all 18 AFL clubs get a final tune up for the season proper over the next week in the AAMI Community Series.

Foxfooty.com.au analyses what we learned about all 18 teams.

Tuesday February 25, 7.10pm at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

ESSENDON

Result: 21-point win over Geelong (104-83)

Match report: Geelong v Essendon AAMI Community Series game

What we learned:Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy are going to feed Essendon families “for the next decade”. Caddy, the blonde-haired high-flyer, and Kako, a devastating presence at ground level. It’s a recipe for disaster for opposition defences. The 18-year-old Kako and 19-year-old Caddy combined for seven goals and nine score involvements on Tuesday night against Geelong, with Kako snagging four majors — and it should have been five. The No.13 pick flourished in tight confines, adding 14 disposals and four marks to his stat-line, with Fox Footy analyst David King remarking: “(His) ability to see where the crumb is going, get there first and capitalise … (He’s got a) quicker reaction than most.” Then there’s Caddy, who seems set to explode in his second season. The 2023 No.10 pick only had four disposals in three quarters of action, but he booted three goals from them and took three marks. His considerable impact without being around the Sherrin a tonne tells the more important tale. “This man’s workrate, it’s so impressive,” King said of Caddy on Tuesday. “All the way up the field to provide an option then correcting back to goal, coming back at the football again … He’s going to be a star. He’s probably the brightest shining light that’s entered out at Tullamarine for a little while.” The Bombers have their forward-line foundation both aerially and on the carpet — it’ll just be about finding the right complementary pieces and hoping the midfielders get it forward enough times to make opposition pay. “If you’re an Essendon supporter … they would be absolutely thrilled they are going to be calling those two names and watching those two players for the next decade for the Essendon Football Club.”

GEELONG

Result: 21-point loss to Essendon (83-104)

Match report: Geelong v Essendon AAMI Community Series game

What we learned: This Cats forward line has all the tools to be the best in the competition this season. Most Geelong eyes are on fifth-year forward Shannon Neale’s partnership with four-time All-Australian superstar Jeremy Cameron as they spearhead the Cats’ attack in 2025, and the nimble 22-year-old showcased his athletic prowess as an aerial threat on Tuesday night against Essendon. Neale and Cameron each kicked two goals against the Bombers. Fox Footy expert David King believes Neale is in for “a massive year” as Geelong’s key-position focal point deep in attack with Cameron drifting up the ground. “You go to Jeremy Cameron inside your forward 50, the Cats get a goal from 35 per cent of those occasions. This guy (Neale) is not far off that, he’s 31 (per cent). He clearly hasn’t got the opportunities that (Tom) Hawkins and Cameron have got over the last couple of years, but (at) only 22 years of age … That’s talent right there; that’s exciting for Cats fans.” Incisive half-forward Gryan Miers was Geelong’s best on Tuesday and adds a ground-level dynamism to that forward unit. He recorded 30 disposals, nine marks, one goal and a game-high eight score involvements against the Dons. Similarly, Tyson Stengle continues to damage as a dangerous crumbing presence, kicking two goals of his own and adding seven score involvements from 16 disposals.

Wednesday February 26, 7.10pm at IKON Park, Carlton

RICHMOND

Result: 83-point loss to Collingwood (49-132)

Match report:Richmond v Collingwood AAMI Community Series game

What we learned: The going was tough for Richmond in their first official match of 2025, but their fans can rest easier knowing that regardless of the scoreline, the long-term guidance from senior players to their youth will eventually pay dividends. Leading at the very front on Wednesday night at Princes Park were Jayden Short and Jacob Hopper, who performed across half-back and the midfield respectively. The duo each filled their stat lines, but it was their actions that spoke louder than their numbers. “I thought there were some real positives from their senior players,” Geelong modern-day great Tom Hawkins said of the pair post-game. Toby Nankervis, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Ross could also hold their heads high in the clash, with their importance this season amplified in the otherwise-tough night for Adem Yze’s men. If there’s one other positive that can come out of the loss to the Magpies, it’s that despite the grim scoreline, the Tigers had only two less inside 50s than their opponents, and had five more clearances thanks to some of the aforementioned senior players. Ultimately, it was execution by foot and hand that allowed Collingwood to run away winners in the manner that they did, but there were more positives this week than what there were from last week’s match simulation against West Coast.

COLLINGWOOD

Result: 83-point win over Richmond (132-49)

Match report:Richmond v Collingwood AAMI Community Series game

What we learned: Fans and pundits are always warned of reading too much into pre-season games ahead of the start of the home-and-away season, but there was still a lot to like about Collingwood’s dismissive win over Richmond on Wednesday night. First and foremost, the duo of Josh Daicos and recruit Dan Houston look likely to settle in across half back for 2025, with both players running rampant throughout the Princes Park hit out. Three-time Geelong premiership player Tom Hawkins was full of praise for the duo post-game, stating that they were ‘slick in and around the contest’, before declaring that Collingwood’s ‘running game has returned’. Racking up the pill mostly in the defensive half also was Pat Lipinski, who found the ball 37 times for 14 marks and 588 metres gained in a distribution-friendly role Pies fans may see more of in 2025. Melbourne great Garry Lyon highlighted delisted free agent Tim Membrey as his biggest watch after the pre-season match, with the 30-year-old snagging four majors amid a great night for Collingwood’s forwards. “I think he’s a fascinating watch out of tonight. (At St Kilda) he had to carry a fairly heavy load, but (here) it’s going to be shared because of some of the other big fellas they’ve got down there,” Lyon highlighted post-game. Membrey worked seamlessly up forward with new teammates Bobby Hill and Brody Mihocek, who also kicked four majors as delivery inside forward 5o maintained a high standard all night long. Unsurprisingly, Nick Daicos was exceptional with 32 disposals in less than three quarters before he exited the game prematurely.

HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Thursday February 27, 5.20pm at UTAS Stadium, Launceston

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 5pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Jason Dunstall, Brad Johnson and Cameron Mooney.

BRISBANE LIONS v ADELAIDE CROWS

Thursday February 27, 8.10pm at Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8pm on Channel 504, with Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton, Jordan Lewis, Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Brown.

GWS GIANTS v CARLTON

Friday February 28, 5.20pm at Manuka Oval, Canberra

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 5pm on Channel 504, with Anthony Hudson, Nathan Buckley, Nick Dal Santo, Brad Johnson and Eddie Betts.

GOLD COAST SUNS v SYDNEY SWANS

Friday February 28, 8.10pm at IKON Park, Carlton

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Corbin Middlemas, Jonathan Brown, Gerard Healy and Ruby Schleicher.

ST KILDA v PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday March 1, 3.10pm at RSEA Park, Moorabbin

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 504, with Leigh Montagna, Kelli Underwood, David King, Gerard Healy and Ruby Schleicher.

WEST COAST EAGLES v NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday March 1, 6.10pm at Hands Oval, Bunbury

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan with Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich and Will Schofield.

FREMANTLE v MELBOURNE

Sunday March 2, 6.10pm at Rushton Park, Mandurah

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan with Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich and Adam Simpson.