Never has an upcoming AFL season seemingly split Fox Footy’s tipsters so dramatically.
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It’s Christmas Eve for footy fans, with just one sleep left until the start of the 2025 home and away season.
Thirty-five Fox Footy experts have looked into their respective AFL crystal balls and predicted the top eight, premier, wooden spoon, Brownlow Medallist and Coleman Medallist for 2025.
And across those 35 tipsters, eight clubs have been nominated to win the premiership, highlighting just how even the AFL competition is now and, subsequently, how wide-open this year’s flag race is seen to be. For context, the most number of clubs tipped to win a premiership by Fox Footy experts this decade is five (in 2021, 2023 and 2024).
The GWS Giants were the most popular premiership tip, with 11 pundits nominating Adam Kingsley’s side to claim the club’s first premiership. Seven pundits tipped the Brisbane Lions to go back-to-back, while six others surveyed believed Geelong would claim a second flag in three years. The other clubs tipped to win a flag include Hawthorn, Sydney, Collingwood and Fremantle.
“They’re the annoying little brother that’s matured and they’ve grown into themselves,” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon told Fox Sports.
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Yet despite being the hot Grand Final tip, some believe the Giants won’t even play finals following the losses of several established players to rival clubs during last year’s trade period.
All but one tipster said they expected Brisbane to play finals this year, with all but two predicting Geelong to finish inside the top eight.
The next most popular finals tip was Collingwood, with 31 of the 35 pundits picking the Magpies to bounce quickly from their subpar 2024 campaign. Two even tipped the Pies to win the premiership.
“Everyone needs a slice of luck and if they stay injury-free, their best players have proven they can win a premiership — and I think they can do it again now they have added Dan Houston into the backline,” five-time premiership Hawk Dermott Brereton told Fox Sports.
Premiership Eagle Will Schofield, however, isn’t a Collingwood believer in 2025.
“I don’t have Collingwood in the eight this year. I think they’re a good side, (but) I don’t see where their improvement comes from this year,” Schofield told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight.
“I’m very happy to be made to look silly here – which I quite often do – but you’ve got to pick an eight … They’re one of those sides that definitely could be (in the top eight), alongside Melbourne, Fremantle and Gold Coast.
“They’ve added some players over the off-season, but they didn’t make finals last year, so they’re going to have to improve. I don’t just think having a good side and winning a Grand Final two years ago just automatically means you’re going to improve this year.
“They have to improve more than the other sides that are out of the eight too. Teams that missed the eight last year aren’t just going to be sitting around going: ‘Well, it’s not our year this year.’ Everyone improves, everyone wants to make the eight, everyone wants to play finals.
“They’re in a big group of teams that certainly can – and they will have aspirations of a premiership – but right now I don’t have them in the eight.”
The Magpies and Fremantle were widely tipped to jump from the bottom 10 last year to the top eight this year, while some predicted Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide to play finals in 2025.
Five-time premiership Hawk Dermott Brereton said it was a big year for the Dockers and coach Justin Longmuir.
“They’ve got everything that they want now,” Brereton told Fox Sports. “Built a good list and they’ve added (Shai) Bolton, who is an unbelievable talent.
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“If they don’t win a lot of games and push top four, there’s something wrong.”
The big slider for most pundits was the Western Bulldogs, with only six predicting Luke Beveridge’s side to feature in September. And only 10 tipped Port Adelaide to make the eight in Ken Hinkley’s final season in charge.
While the flag race is wide open, the wooden spoon one isn’t, with 28 of the 35 experts expecting Richmond to finish on the bottom of the ladder after significant list turnover at the end of last season.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos was clearly the most popular Brownlow Medal tip, with some love for returning Melbourne on-baller Christian Petracca.
Just under half of those surveyed tipped Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron to claim a second Coleman Medal, although others believed Giant Jesse Hogan would go back-to-back or Fremantle goalkicker Josh Treacy to explode in 2025.
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OVERALL TALLY (32 surveyed)
To play finals
34 (of 35) — Brisbane Lions
33 — Geelong
31 — Collingwood, Hawthorn, GWS Giants
29 — Sydney Swans
27 — Fremantle
25 — Carlton
10 — Port Adelaide
9 — Melbourne
8 — Gold Coast Suns
6 — Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Crows
Premiers
11 (of 35) — GWS Giants
7 — Brisbane Lions
6 — Geelong Cats
3 — Hawthorn
2 — Sydney Swans, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle
Runners-up
10 (of 35) — GWS Giants, Collingwood
6 — Brisbane Lions
4 — Hawthorn, Carlton
1 — Geelong Cats
Wooden spoon
28 (of 35) — Richmond
5 — West Coast Eagles
2 — St Kilda
Brownlow Medal
16 (of 35) — Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
4 — Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
2 — Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide), Will Day (Hawthorn), Caleb Serong (Fremantle), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
1 — Chad Warner (Sydney Swans), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Max Holmes (Geelong Cats), Matt Rowell (Gold Coast Suns), Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
Coleman Medal
13 (of 35) — Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
6 — Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
5 — Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
2 — Charlie Curnow (Carlton), Nick Larkey (North Melbourne), Harry McKay (Carlton)
1 — Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs), Oscar Allen (West Coast Eagles), Ben King (Gold Coast Suns), Jake Waterman (West Coast Eagles)
FOX FOOTY CRYSTAL BALL: EXPERTS’ FULL AFL 2025 SEASON PREDICTIONS
JOSH BARNES (Herald Sun/Midweek Tackle)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Melbourne and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Sydney Swans. “Easy to forget the Swans were the raging favourites for 25 weeks last year. Most likely to make it back to the big dance.”
Runners-up: Carlton
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
EDDIE BETTS (Fox Footy expert analyst)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Adelaide and Fremantle IN | Geelong Cats, GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Carlton. “They’ve got Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay up forward and an All-Australian full-back in Jacob Weitering. If they stay healthy with the list they have they should go all the way.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Chad Warner (Sydney Swans)
Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
DERMOTT BRERETON (Fox Footy expert analyst)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Sydney and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Collingwood. “Everyone needs a slice of luck and if they stay injury-free, their best players have proven they can win a premiership — and I think they can do it again now they have added Dan Houston into the backline.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
JONATHAN BROWN (Fox Footy expert analyst/On The Couch)
Top 8 changes: Melbourne, Fremantle and Collingwood IN | Western Bulldogs, Carlton and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “They’ve got star players coming back from injury and Levi Ashcroft will be huge.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Harry McKay (Carlton)
NATHAN BUCKLEY (Fox Footy expert analyst/On The Couch)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Fremantle, Gold Coast and Melbourne IN | Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Carlton and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “I can only see them getting better.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
SHAUN BURGOYNE (Fox Footy expert analyst)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood IN | Carlton OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “They’re the same team, apart from Joe Daniher, so they’ve got the experience now and they’ve tasted success.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
JAY CLARK (Herald Sun/First Crack)
Top 8 changes: Fremantle and Melbourne IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Geelong Cats. “There is still so much growth in young stars Max Holmes, Sam De Koning and Ollie Henry.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
BEN COTTON (foxfooty.com.au)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “Their time is now. Stacked at either end of the ground and so much upside still on their list.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
BEN DIXON (Fox Footy expert analyst/Bounce)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood IN | Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Hawthorn. “They’re the most exciting team last year with additions over the summer. They’re backline is sorted, midline strong and forward line — just finish it off. Their flexibility and firepower will be unmatched.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Oscar Allen (West Coast Eagles)
WILL FAULKNER (foxfooty.com.au)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Western Bulldogs and Carlton OUT
Premiers: Sydney Swans. “They’ve been at the top for so long and been so close. With the same list, I’m optimistic they’ll be better from their recent grand final losses and clinch the flag.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
ANDREW GAZE (Bounce)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood IN | Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Hawthorn. “Recruited well with Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, their young players are continuing to develop and there’s a game style that’s fun to watch.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Will Day (Hawthorn)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
SCOTT GULLAN (Herald Sun/Midweek Tackle)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Adelaide, Melbourne and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions OUT
Premiers: Collingwood. “Lots of risk with the oldies, but love the recruits. One last roll of the dice.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
CATHERINE HEALEY (foxfooty.com.au)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Fremantle and Adelaide Crows IN | Hawthorn, Carlton and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “The pain of straight sets last year will spur them on.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Brownlow Medal: Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Coleman Medal: Jake Waterman (West Coast Eagles)
ANTHONY HUDSON (Fox Footy caller)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Will Day (Hawthorn)
Coleman Medal: Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
BRAD JOHNSON (Fox Footy expert analyst)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide and Hawthorn OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants
Runners-up: Brisbane Lions
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
SARAH JONES (Fox Footy host and boundary commentator)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Gold Coast IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “The heartbreak of the finals series last year will burn in them all season and propel them to a first premiership.”
Runners-up: Brisbane Lions
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
JACK JOVANOVSKI (foxfooty.com.au)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Fremantle and Gold Coast Suns IN | Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Carlton OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “The off-season losses have been oversold — the talent on this list is palpable, and some haven’t even come to the fore yet. Jake Stringer adds a dynamic element to an already-lethal forward unit, while the back half remains incredibly stout. The midfield just needs to halve contests as long as Tom Green is out. And most importantly, they need to stand tall in those tense September moments.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden Spoon: West Coast Eagles
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
DAVID KING (Fox Footy expert analyst/First Crack)
Top 8 changes: Fremantle, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Collingwood IN | Sydney, Port Adelaide, Carlton and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Fremantle. “They’re better stocked than any other team.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Harry McKay (Carlton)
MAX LAUGHTON (foxfooty.com.au)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Fremantle and Gold Coast IN | Carlton, GWS Giants and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Hawthorn. “Clearly one of the best teams in footy after their 0-5 start last year, while they won’t find things quite as easy with a tougher fixture and more attention paid to them by opponents, their off-season additions combined with continued growth can spark a Collingwood style rise-upon-rise.”
Runners-up: Brisbane Lions
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
KATH LOUGHNAN (Fox Footy host and boundary commentator)
Top 8 changes: Fremantle and Collingwood IN | Western Bulldogs and Carlton OUT
Premiers: Fremantle. “Going with my heart.”
Runners-up: Brisbane Lions
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
ALASTAIR LYNCH (Fox Footy expert analyst)
Top 8 changes: Fremantle and Collingwood IN | Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles
Brownlow Medal: Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
GARRY LYON (Fox Footy expert analyst and host/AFL 360)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Melbourne IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “They’re the annoying little brother that’s matured and they’ve grown into themselves.”
Runners-up: Brisbane Lions
Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Coleman Medal: Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
GLENN McFARLANE (Herald Sun/Midweek Tackle)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “The Daniher loss will hurt, but last year’s premiers still have plenty of ammo left to fire, with Levi Ashcroft set to come in and join brother Will.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
CORBIN MIDDLEMAS (Fox Footy caller)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood, Fremantle and Adelaide IN | GWS Giants, Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Geelong Cats
Runners-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
LEIGH MONTAGNA (Fox Footy caller and expert analyst/First Crack)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Geelong Cats
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
CAM MOONEY (Fox Footy expert analyst/Bounce)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Sydney and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Geelong Cats. “A couple of good inclusions plus home ground advantage. They were only a kick away from making it last year. Their young kids are going to be better.”
Runners-up: GWS Giants
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Max Holmes (Geelong Cats)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
ADAM PAPALIA (Fox Footy caller)
Top 8 changes: Fremantle, Adelaide and Gold Coast Suns IN | Sydney, Geelong Cats and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants
Runners-up: Carlton
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Coleman Medal: Ben King (Gold Coast Suns)
JON RALPH (Herald Sun/Midweek Tackle)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood IN | Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Geelong Cats. “The new Geelong flyer isn’t Bailey Smith, it’s Max Holmes. The Cats will get even better in 2025.”
Runners-up: Carlton
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
JACK RIEWOLDT (Fox Footy expert analyst/On The Couch)
Top 8 changes: Gold Coast and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: Carlton. “The rise of a powerhouse.”
Runners-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: St Kilda
Brownlow Medal: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Coleman Medal: Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
DWAYNE RUSSELL (Fox Footy caller)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “The Giants have a strong midfield, forward line and defence and had the Lions on toast in last year’s finals before letting a premiership opportunity slip. So it’s not a stretch to see them improve.”
Runners-up: Hawthorn
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants)
WILL SCHOFIELD (Fox Footy expert analyst/AFL Tonight)
Top 8 changes: Fremantle, Gold Coast and Melbourne IN | Port Adelaide, Carlton and Western Bulldogs OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants
Runners-up: Hawthorn
Wooden Spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Matt Rowell (Gold Coast Suns)
Coleman Medal: Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
KELLI UNDERWOOD (Fox Footy caller and host)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Adelaide IN | Sydney and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “It’s their time.”
Runners-up: Carlton
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
BEN WATERWORTH (foxfooty.com.au)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Geelong Cats. “There’s something special about this forward line this year. Expect Patrick Dangerfield and Shannon Neale will have a massive impact in the forward arc, the midfield will naturally improve and the backline will be as stingy and organised as ever. They’ll do it again, the Cats.”
Runners-up: Brisbane Lions
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
LAUREN WOOD (Herald Sun/Midweek Tackle)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Fremantle IN | Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “Loved the Lions of ‘24 and are only adding significant stocks to the mix.”
Runners-up: Geelong Cats
Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles
Brownlow Medal: Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
DAVID ZITA (Fox Sports News/AFL Tonight)
Top 8 changes: Collingwood and Melbourne IN | Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide OUT
Premiers: GWS Giants. “The list is stacked with talent, they’ve been desperately close already and could improve this year.”
Runners-up: Collingwood
Wooden spoon: Richmond
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats)
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