As the clock winds down on 2024, AFL teams are frantically checking their holiday wish lists, hoping Santa Claus delivers the gifts they need most to excel in the rapidly approaching 2025 season. From the reigning premiers enjoying their spoils to those longing to break finals droughts, clubs around the league have their eyes on specific presents that could make all the difference between hoisting the premiership cup and watching from the sidelines come September.
The Spirit of Giving
In Adelaide, the Crows are wishing for top draft pick Sid Draper to blossom into a dynamic midfield star and the new face of the franchise. Up in Brisbane, the Lions have already received the greatest gift of all – a premiership – and would be foolish to ask for anything more. The Blues down in Carlton are simply hoping for a year free of the injury bug that has plagued them in recent seasons.
Heading to Victoria, the Magpies are seeking the fountain of youth to keep their veteran-laden list in contention beyond 2025. Their rivals, the Bombers, have a far more modest request: experiencing the thrill of a finals victory for the first time in over two decades. The outlook is rosier in Geelong, where the Cats’ continued success has them wishing for an endless supply of hidden gems to unearth.
Handling Pressure with Care
The Giants are hoping Santa brings a proverbial padlock to secure the leads they so frequently squandered in heartbreaking fashion in 2024. On the other side of the city, the Swans are praying for a smooth transition of power as Dean Cox takes the reins from longtime coach John Longmire.
Down in Tasmania, the Hawks’ trophy case is already bursting at the seams, but they’re still hungry for more silverware as the favorites heading into the new year. Their coach, Sam Mitchell, has them primed for a deep run with elite offensive and defensive units.
Seeking Stability and Success
Other clubs just want a bit of stability and positive momentum. The Demons are desperate for an improved public image after several tumultuous years filled with off-field distractions. The Saints need an injection of excitement to shed their “boring” label and re-energize an increasingly apathetic fanbase.
Out west, the Eagles are counting on new coach Andrew McQualter to guide their rebuilt roster out of the doldrums, while the Dockers are hoping for a smoother ride to September after last year’s ill-timed late-season swoon cost them a finals berth.
It might seem as boring as socks and jocks, but with Luke Parker and Jack Darling joining the ranks in 2025, North Melbourne’s playing group needs to be hanging on their every word and noting everything from preparation to diet, pre-game routine to body language.
– ESPN
One Gift to Rule Them All
When it comes down to it, though, every AFL club shares the same ultimate wish: to be the last team standing, basking in the glory of a premiership, when the final siren sounds on the 2025 season. The road ahead is long and arduous, but as the calendar flips to a new year, all 18 squads are on equal footing, brimming with optimism that this could be the season all their Christmas wishes come true.
As the clock strikes midnight on December 25th, AFL fans around the nation will be nestling snug in their beds, with visions of premiership cups dancing in their heads. But for the players, coaches, and staff tasked with delivering that cherished gift to their adoring supporters, the real work is only just beginning.
