AFL's Crystal Ball: Midseason Forecasts
Last updated on June 4, 2025 at 09:50 am
Posted on June 4, 2025 at 09:49 am
The AFL season has reached its pivotal halfway mark, prompting analysts to reassess their preseason predictions. Collingwood's dominance suggests an inevitable march toward September glory, while individual award races tighten with unexpected contenders emerging. Traditional powerhouses stumble as surprise packets rise. The coaching landscape shifts beneath restless boards. What seemed certain in March now appears anything but guaranteed.
Premiership Predictions: Collingwood's Path to Glory
Nearly every midseason forecast points toward a familiar outcome: Collingwood claiming another premiership flag. The Magpies' trajectory toward a home Grand Final appears inevitable, with their qualifying final positioning guaranteeing a vital week off. Analysts cite Collingwood's unstoppable offense as the primary factor distinguishing them from competitors, while their defensive dominance has proven unbreachable against top-eight opponents. Brisbane looms as the likely Grand Final opponent, though experts predict a comfortable victory regardless of the challenger. The consensus suggests Collingwood's 2023 triumph wasn't an aberration but rather the beginning of a sustained period of supremacy in the competition.
Individual Awards: Brownlow Medal and Rising Star Race
The Brownlow Medal race has become an intriguing storyline amidst Collingwood’s strong season, with Geelong’s Bailey Smith emerging as a surprise challenger to longtime frontrunner Nick Daicos. The Nick Daicos campaign hype continues for a third consecutive year, though Bailey Smith's showmanship and speech factor have captured attention. Meanwhile, the Rising Star competition features clear frontrunner Levi Ashcroft, with Nate Caddy mounting a late challenge. Dark horses include Fremantle's Murphy Reid and Essendon's Archie Roberts, who has assembled an impressive season. These individual honors provide intrigue beyond team success, showcasing the AFL's emerging and established talent.
Biggest Surprises and Disappointments of 2024
While Collingwood's march toward another premiership unfolds as expected, several teams have defied or fallen short of preseason predictions. Carlton and Sydney emerge as the season's biggest disappointments, their unmet preseason expectations leaving fans frustrated. Conversely, Adelaide's remarkable turnaround under Matthew Nicks represents the year's most pleasant surprise, alongside Richmond's unexpected competitiveness. Bailey Smith's stellar form at Geelong also warrants recognition after early-season doubts. These dramatic shifts have already sparked coaching carousel movements speculation, with Luke Beveridge and Adem Yze drawing attention for different reasons. The AFL landscape continues evolving, proving predictions remain an inexact science.
