Season 2024 is done and dusted so it’s time to send out the report cards and rate each team on a “pass” or “fail” for the home and away season. It’s not easy making bold prediction in the first week of March but it is fun looking back in hindsight. 

History has shown us that you never read pre-season tea leaves however history also gives you a few safe predictions with low hanging fruit such as North, Gold Coast, St Kilda and West Coast. 

The biggest disappointment was Collingwood who failed to make the top 8 after winning the Premiership in 2023. Melbourne was a close second after finishing 14th whilst Adelaide pipped Richmond for the final spot on the podium after finishing 15th.  

Teams who excelled or exceeded my expectations in 2024 included Hawthorn who caught everyone by surprise, whilst I clearly underrated Geelong who finished with a top 4 spot. Sydney took the final spot on the podium from Fremantle after making the Grand Final. 

1 – 𝗦𝗬𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗬 

Pre-season prediction – 6th  

Whilst the most important day in 2024 didn’t end well, it’s a pass for Sydney who finished top of the table giving themselves the best opportunities to advance into the Grand Final.     

Sydney has the team to be there again in 2025 but must win a Grand Final with their current team after previous failed attempts.   

2 – 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 

Pre-season prediction – 4th  

Port didn't set the house on fire and at times flew under the radar, but after Round 24 finished second on the ladder so it’s a pass. 

Their Qualifying Final was one to forget but a much timely Semi Final win to advance into a Preliminary Final was well overdue.  

2025 will be Hinkley’s final year so it’s now or never for this group under Ken.  

3 – 𝗚𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚 

Pre-season prediction – 10th  

Year on year, Geelong go about their business with little fuss and this year caught me out. It’s a pass for Geelong in 2024.   

Third on the ladder, a dominating game against Port in week 1 of finals and a close finish in the Preliminary Final puts the Cats in good order for next season.   

I know I won’t make the same mistake again so don't discount the Cats in 2025.  

4 – 𝗚𝗪𝗦 

Pre-season prediction – 5th  

Given their closest comparative franchise rivals (Gold Coast) failed to again make the top 8 shows GWS are doing things right (on field) so it’s a pass. They just need their fans to show up on game day.  

A top 4 finish and a close loss in week 1 of finals shows the Giants have what it takes. The deflating loss of another Preliminary Final may haunt the team in 2025.  

5 – 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗘 

Pre-season prediction – 2nd   

Some thought the disappointment of the 2023 Grand Final may have taken its toll on Brisbane and leading into bye rounds this year appeared it had. Brisbane were 13th on the ladder heading into Round 15, suffered long term injuries to key players and racked up frequent flyers during finals as a result but it’s a pass for the Lions. 

Melbourne and Collingwood were not good enough to win back to back Premierships so are Brisbane up for the challenge? 

6 – 𝗪𝗕 

Pre-season prediction – 8th    

Finishing the home and away season in 6th affords the Bulldogs a pass for 2024 given they finished outside the top 8 last year.  

Although exiting in an Elimination Final first up, the Dogs have the talent to be around the top 8 again next season.  

7 – 𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡 

Pre-season prediction – 16th    

There’s no more to say about the Hawks than what has already been said, so I’ll just get to the point and give them a pass.  

The Hawks gave the rest of the competition a 5 game head start only to finish a kick away from a Preliminary Final and are now the template for teams struggling to make the top 8. The rest of the competition must show more respect next year. 

8 – 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗧𝗢𝗡 

Pre-season prediction – 7th    

This may be a slightly unpopular opinion but I’m willing to offer Carlton a pass for 2024. Why? 

Whilst Carlton fell below expectations of 2023 and spiralled downwards out of the top 4 after being another one of those “flag favourites” at the halfway mark of the season, injuries to key players affected Carlton. Their weekly injury report resembled an emergency ward.  

Fit and firing, the Blues should make finals in 2025. 

9 – 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 

Pre-season prediction – 1st     

Although Collingwood finished outside the top 8 on percentage, the Pies would not have predicted such a poor season after having high expectations of going back to back.   

Perhaps re-watching their 2023 Grand Final win wasn’t the best preseason preparation, but they did, and their season fell apart. It’s a fail for Collingwood in 2024.  

Season 2025 will be an interesting watch.  

10 – 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗘 

Pre-season prediction – 14th      

Although a slight improvement from 2023, it’s another year, another fail for the Dockers. 

Seemingly on a downward trajectory since 2022, the Dockers need to regain their spark or they will be looking for a new coach in 2026.   

11 – 𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡 

Pre-season prediction – 15th     

Nothing like consistency for the Bombers who again finished 11th for the second time in 2 seasons which earns them a fail. 

As an outsider, the Bombers appeared to have only needed a slight tweak after finishing in the top 8 in 2021 but 2 years on and a change of coach, it has again raised more questions than answers at Windy Hill. Is Brad Scott the right man for the job to bring back the “Essendon Edge” in 2025? 

12 – 𝗦𝗧 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗔 

Pre-season prediction – 11th      

St Kilda dropping from 6th to 12th in one season guarantees them a fail.  

I for one do not care whether teams win ugly but I’m guessing Saints fans just want consistency and wins so if Ross Lyon wants to play defensive, the opposition cannot be afforded chances to kick goals. 

Where will the Saints finish in 2025? 

13 – 𝗚𝗖 

Pre-season prediction – 13th      

If Essendon are consistent, then Gold Coast are consistently on top of the dung pile when it comes to predictability which has earned them another fail in 2024. 

The Board openly stated their intentions of moving up the ladder for finals but again it’s “Eat, sleep, repeat” for the Suns.  

If Damien Hardwick cannot turn this club around, they may as well shut up shop.   

14 – 𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘 

Pre-season prediction – 3rd      

For a team expected to go back to back after winning the 2021 Premiership, Melbourne have really hit the skids going from Premiers to almost a bottom 4 team during that time. It has earned them a fail for 2024.  

Whilst losing Angus Brayshaw hurt the club, Clayton Oliver’s baffling poor form wasn’t helping and the icing on the cake was Christian Petracca’s season ending injuries. To be honest, I'm not sure whether having Petracca would have helped them make top 6 let alone top 8.

Season 2025 will either unite the club or cause massive fractures. 

15 – 𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗘 

Pre-season prediction – 9th      

The Crows had a season to forget, falling from 10th in 2023 to a bottom 4 team so it’s an automatic fail. A loss at home in Round 13 against Richmond (who took home the wooden spoon) triggered alarm bells for what was to come.  

The return of Riley Thilthorpe was a positive and he’ll be better again next year, but Matthew Nicks must make finals to save his career.  

16 – 𝗪𝗖 

Pre-season prediction – 18th      

It’s almost hard to recall the time West Coast were Premiers in 2018 and the decline has also seen Adam Simpson pay the price. It’s a fail for West Coast.   

A new coach with some fresh ideas may be what the doctor ordered in WA.  

17 – 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 

Pre-season prediction – 17th      

The record books came out early when North fans waited until Round 13 to secure their first win of the season and to make things worse had to wait until Round 18 before seeing a second. With just 3 wins for 2024, it’s a fail for North.   

There’s plenty of young talent but the Roos just need stability and just like Damien Hardwick, will Alistair Clarkson be the man to turn the club around? 

18 – 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗 

Pre-season prediction – 12th      

The dynasty is well and truly over and while Richmond have Premiership cups to remind themselves of good times, this season was a complete fail with just 2 wins making them unwanted owners of a wooden spoon. 

The draft will be one to watch for Richmond.