The AFL is back in an official capacity this weekend now that the practice games have been completed and so now we look at who can be taken seriously out of pre season games and which sides might be in trouble. Geelong and Essendon played a very good game down at the Cattery, Collingwood are putting their foot forward in going for the flag this year. The reigning premiers were beaten but how much does it mean? And was the Carlton showing against GWS real?
Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers
It can be hard to take any stock out of Geelong pre season games as they usually save their best for the season proper, but they did have a great showing throughout the match. The Bombers put them under pressure for the first quarter, but after that got into that Geelong groove we know they can get in too, which makes them so dangerous and hard to stop. Jeremy Cameron was once again incredible, showing his class, and that’s what they showed, class. Now Essendon are a younger side than they were last year, but this game had positive signs, the pressure on the ball, the contested possessions they had, and obviously the straight kicking helped a lot, but they looked better, and a more determined side, now how well will this game translate to the rest of the year? Only time will tell. But in terms of a first “official” outing against a side that they have struggled against for the past 20 years, it is not a bad start, not to mention Issac Kako who had a great performance, kicking 4 goals and probably could have had 5, but good signs from the young small forward Essendon have lacked for many years now.
Richmond Tigers vs Collingwood Magpies
These two sides are at opposite ends of their cycles so hard to take anything out of this game other than Collingwood will probably be premiership contenders, while Richmond, with the young team they have, will most likely end up bottom two this season, but in terms of what Richmond might want, its development, and the growth within the team so then they can get back to premiership contention in about 3-5 years time. The Pies are one of the favourites for sure, alongside, Brisbane and probably Geelong, granted this may be their last year to win another flag with all the aging veterans in their side like Pendlebury and Sidebottom, but they are still damn good, they proved it last year with all the injuries ravaging their list. This year, so long as they stay relatively injury free, it could be a big year for the Pies, they have all the tools, can they put it together in season 2025?
Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn last season romped on into the eight late and then went on to beat the Doggies in an elimination final. This year they may have more of a target on their back considering their rapid improvement last year. During the match, the Dogs lost their main man Marcus Bontempelli to an injury and will be out for a few games, but they have the players otherwise to deal with such a loss through the rest of the side. As far as the result, the Dogs can take something from the win down in Tassie, but the Hawks might not have been going at 100%, but it looks like Hawthorn might be better off to start the season, as compared to the Doggies who lost both their pre season games. But they are just practice matches, so maybe they’ll come out firing.
Brisbane Lions vs Adelaide Crows
These two sides are interesting cases, and played out a close game which Adelaide won narrowly by 3 points. In terms of chances, there wasn’t a lack of them, and Adelaide are better than they showed last year, but things just didn’t really click. Walker, Fogarty, Dawson and Rankine are all capable of doing great things but the Crows inconsistency in a way has let them down, but going up to Brisbane, and beating them up there, even if it is a practice match is good signs for them. The Lions are the reigning premiers and the retirement of Joe Daniher has left a spot open in the forward line, which is going to very hard to replace. On the other hand, draftee Lei Ashcroft looks very good right out of the gate, which is a big win for them, and they still have the players from last years triumph, but the question remains, will the Lions suffer from the “premiership hangover” as Collingwood and Geelong did for various reasons. It will be an interesting watch.
GWS vs Carlton Blues
This game is an example of how hard it can be to read the pre season games. Carlton absolutely smashed the Giants by 58 points. Carlton are good, and they look it, had a weird season last year, ending up in finals, an going out early, but they have shown ability to win those big games. Saad, Cripps, McKay are all key players for them and they have had some instrumental moments for the club. Carlton look strong but it is a situation where they will have to prove their worth in the real season and grab a spot in the top 8 comfortably, as they did in 2023. GWS are probably among the quiet favourites this season, they have all the tools but just weren’t on top at all, which might be a concern, as the side look for their first ever premiership. But Toby Greene didn’t really factor into the game and when players like for the Giants don’t factor in, the team becomes easier to stop it seems, so that will something to work out going forward.
Gold Coast Suns vs Sydney Swans
The Swans with both practice matches have shown something under new coach Dean Cox, and they need to, especially after the belting they were given in the final last year. Halfway through the first term they were up 25-0, even in a practice match that means something is working, and this was a match where they were missing Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Tom Papley and Callum Mills. Guys who were instrumental in their run last year. With them in the side, Sydney look a dangerous outfit, especially if some of that anger still holds from last years 60 point final defeat. Gold Coast came back well, Mac Andrew was taken off for concussion protocol, but overall new players like Rioli and Noble came in and were effective right off the bat which is good signs for the Suns as they look for the finals berth for the first time in their history.
St Kilda vs Port Adelaide
Similar to the Richmond/Collingwood dynamic where the Saints are going for development and improvement this year as opposed to Port who are gunning for yet another finals place. It was a one sided affair between the two sides with Port taking their foot off the pedal later in the game, as they kept St Kilda goalless in the first quarter. Between Horne-Francis and Jeremy Finlayson running their game, they should be in for another good year. It may come down to consistency for them, as that is a lot of what they lacked last year. Just need to look at the finals last year for that. St Kilda are back in rebuild mode and it shows, they struggled for most of the game and could have been worse in a real match, some bright spots for them but it could be a long season for St Kilda.
West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
Two of the bottom three from last season in a pre season match over in the west, which the Eagles won out by 2 points. Going off opportunities, North had the better, kicking 15 behinds to West Coast 5. The conditions may have played a part but realistically its good signs for both teams, North did okay in their match sim against Melbourne the match prior, and West Coast showed some improvement again, with Jake Waterman once more proving his worth as a great forward for the Eagles. While neither side will be making finals they are showing improving signs and will be very interesting to see how it all pans out for these two teams.
Fremantle Dockers vs Melbourne Demons
Inaccuracy for Melbourne, 24 behinds, that is a lot of missed chances. They won all the stats too, Clearances, possessions, inside 50’s, disposals. All of them. So they must be doing something right, but these are the types of things that haunted them last season, and can drag them down. Fremantle have a side that can compete, it is clear, they struggled with some consistency at the back end of last season and missed out on the eight when they looked very good for it with a few weeks to go in the season. But being a practice match, they may have not been going at 100%, it is entirely possible, when they ramp it up, but interesting nonetheless.
So the pre season is over and this weekend we get into the real season starting off with Brisbane vs Geelong game so long as the cyclone doesn’t affect that game happening. Essendon will travel to the Gold Coast, Sydney host Hawthorn and Collingwood dace off against GWS.