Prediction How many games will the AFC win in 2025?

[Kane McGoodwin]

14 wins

This is the most positive I have been at the start of the season in a long time. If we can avoid injury to key players we are an outside chance at a top 4.

We have 9 potential A graders. Fog, RT, Rankine, Rachele, Dawson, Hinge, Draper, Soligo, Murray. My biggest concern is rucking depth.

Bring it on. Can't wait.

Draper won't be next season...

I would go for as my potential top 10 A graders...

Rankine
Dawson
Thilthorpe
Soligo
Worrell
Fogarty
Michaelanny
Hinge
Rachele
Neal-Bullen

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Yep, a Rip Van Winkle situation

 

[Rotayjay]

Well wife and I have The overland booked Thursday 25th and returning Monday 29th of September. $110 each way for her and $145 each way for me. 2012 I booked early and we were one kick away from a grand final. 2017 booked early and we made it. So maybe we can do it again.

I'll just drive. My grand final guarantee membership is waiting to be used for its intended purpose.

 

[AFC979810]

Hinge is a very good player - but doubt he would fit into the A grader category.

IMO - TT, Rankine, Rachele are our 3 that have the ability to be absolutely elite top 10 players in the AFL.

FOG, Dawson, Soligo, Max and Walker can all be All Australian level if everything goes right.

Hinge, ANB, Worrell, Murray can be quality players - but think All Australian level is a bit of a stretch.

 

[GROTTO]

I'll just drive. My grand final guarantee membership is waiting to be used for its intended purpose.

I remember making so many plans to get to Melbourne for the 2006 GF.

 

[mick500]

I was optimistic going into last year. Having missed finals only by a bad goal umpiring error. This year I'm extremely pessimistic. I think Matthew Nick's should've been moved on at the end of last season and we're just wasting time. I selected 8 wins fwiw. But I hope I'm very wrong.

 

[steve9798]

Draper won't be next season...

I would go for as my potential top 10 A graders...

Rankine
Dawson
Thilthorpe
Soligo
Worrell
Fogarty
Michaelanny
Hinge
Rachele
Neal-Bullen

Good list.

I initially rated Michaelanny and Worrell as A graders but then I downgraded them to B+. However, both have a huge upside and could defintely be A graders. I'm a big fan of both. Tough, aggressive, skillful and composure under pressure. It's a great backline we are building.

Murray is a freak player, with x factor and toughness. If he can keep his body sound, he will be one of the elite tall defenders in the competition. In the top 5 most important players on the list. If he has a good year so will we.

Unfairly I'm probably placing too much expectations on Draper. I think he is one of those youngsters who will come in and immediately have a massive impact. Hopefully they give him a chance.

Curtin, Milera, Pedlar, Bond, Cumming, Peatling, ANB - who knows what these guys can produce. It's going to be an exciting year.

Ruck depth and how will the coaching group perform are the concerns.

 

[Rank]

I was optimistic going into last year. Having missed finals only by a bad goal umpiring error. This year I'm extremely pessimistic. I think Matthew Nick's should've been moved on at the end of last season and we're just wasting time. I selected 8 wins fwiw. But I hope I'm very wrong.

I agree that we should have replaced Nick's and he's not much chop, I reckon this year's playing list along with player progression will be too good to miss out on finals.

 

[Pea Nut]

Yep, a Rip Van Winkle situation

View attachment 2214323

Isn't that the guy who sang Ice Ice Baby ???

 

[steve9798]

I remember making so many plans to get to Melbourne for the 2006 GF.

So did my wife and I. This game was probably the only time I left a game in complete shock.

At least we know how it feels being a Port supporter during the Hinkley era.

 

[Jarman3]

I was optimistic going into last year. Having missed finals only by a bad goal umpiring error. This year I'm extremely pessimistic. I think Matthew Nick's should've been moved on at the end of last season and we're just wasting time. I selected 8 wins fwiw. But I hope I'm very wrong.

Yep. I went into last year with optimism and got what I probably deserved for going into a season with optimism.

This year we are sh*t until proven otherwise.

 

[SugarShane]

Isn't that the guy who sang Ice Ice Baby ???

That's a niche reference and I love it.

 

[Rank]

So did my wife and I. This game was probably the only time I left a game in complete shock.

At least we know how it feels being a Port supporter during the Hinkley era.

Yep I was there in the members 4 goals up at half time with the breeze in the 3rd Quarter. and the vibe was that we were off to the GF next week.
Walking out of the ground that day was as sickening as it gets, we let the flag slip.
Back then we had it over Sydney and woulda beat them in the GF if we got there.

 

[jenny61_99]

Good post, Im glad you raised the new faces comment about our R1 team in 2025 compared to 2024.

Its actually looking much better as IIRC we were also missing Tex, TT and Curtin.

Peatling, ANB, Cummings, Draper are all big improvements to that R1 team.

7 starting 18 players on the ground, dramatically makes a huge difference.

You think Draper will play?

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Draper won't be next season...

I would go for as my potential top 10 A graders...

Rankine
Dawson
Thilthorpe
Soligo
Worrell
Fogarty
Michaelanny
Hinge
Rachele
Neal-Bullen

Every one seems to have a different definition of "A-grade".

But let's say (realistic) potential all Australians in 2025.

Rankine
Dawson
Soligo
Thilthorpe

AA Squad

Fogarty
Murray
Worrell
Rachele
Hinge
Michalaney

Some the second group have potential to make the team in the future seasons.

Although it's pretty unlikely that all these players made the squad in 2025.

 

[Scorpus]

Every one seems to have a different definition of "A-grade".

But let's say (realistic) potential all Australians in 2025.

Rankine
Dawson
Soligo
Thilthorpe

AA Squad

Fogarty
Murray
Worrell
Rachele
Hinge
Michalaney

Some the second group have potential to make the team in the future seasons.

Although it's pretty unlikely that all these players made the squad in 2025.

Thilthorpe and Soligo would need to have unbelievable seasons to make All Australian in 2025. I don't think either is particularly realistic, but squad is a possibility

 

[MarcusP2]

Thilthorpe and Soligo would need to have unbelievable seasons to make All Australian in 2025. I don't think either is particularly realistic, but squad is a possibility

Thilthorpe's last season (albeit less than a third) comes to around a 12 disposal / 6 mark / 50 goal season - that's what got Waterman named on field last year. So if he improves further he'd be around the mark.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Thilthorpe and Soligo would need to have unbelievable seasons to make All Australian in 2025. I don't think either is particularly realistic, but squad is a possibility

Do you mean because first timers often get overlooked.

I think their projection definitely looks AA level in the next year or 2

 

[Scorpus]

Do you mean because first timers often get overlooked.

I think their projection definitely looks AA level in the next year or 2

A combination of that and also how hard it is to win those positions. The level required far outstrips their current output

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I was optimistic going into last year. Having missed finals only by a bad goal umpiring error. This year I'm extremely pessimistic. I think Matthew Nick's should've been moved on at the end of last season and we're just wasting time. I selected 8 wins fwiw. But I hope I'm very wrong.

I think I'm actually less pessimistic. That's why it's going to hurt so much when we come out and suck again.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

A combination of that and also how hard it is to win those positions. The level required far outstrips their current output

That why I’m talking projection.

Most players have their biggest break out season in years 4 or 5.

Their primed to go to the next level

 

[Scorpus]

That why I’m talking projection.

Most players have their biggest break out season in years 4 or 5.

Their primed to go to the next level

Even with projection Thilthorpe would need to be one of the top 3 goal scorers in the league. Look how hard it was for Tex to get there. To me that's more optimistic than realistic.

Same with Soligo. I could see him improving to squad level, but team? Not sure he realistically has that in him.

I think our most realistic prospects are Dawson and Rankine. I'd even have a guy like Rachele as more likely to get there if he rotates mid/forward.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Same with Soligo. I could see him improving to squad level, but team? Not sure he realistically has that in him.

I

Ever?

 

[Scorpus]

Ever?

Maybe later in his career like Sidebottom or Sloane

 

[FR0GGY]

I just want the feeling back of going into most games feeling like we should win.