AFL 2025 Finals Preview: Who Will Crown the Next Premiers?

After 25 gruelling rounds, we now know the eight teams that will battle it out to be crowned 2025 Premiers. During September, they will face off in a finals series until there are just two remaining, who will then go on to clash on the biggest matchday of them all at the 129th AFL/VFL showpiece event for the Premiership Cup/Flag.

It has been a fantastic season, so far, with the regular home-and-away campaign producing so many great matches and moments; full of excitement, thrilling action, high drama, and close finishes for which everyone involved deserves so much credit.

For the first time in over 20 years, five states in the country – Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia – will be represented.

How the finals work

The top four teams in the eight receive the “double chance” when they play in the week-one qualifying finals. The winners receive a bye to the third week, while the losers will remain in the competition and will play a semi-final the following week.

The bottom four of the eight play knock-out games – only the winners survive and advance in the tournament. Home advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks through to the Preliminary Final in the third week.

In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals from the first week. The victors of those matches head to the Grand Final, which will be played on Saturday, 27 September (2.30 pm) at the MCG.

Week 1 – Qualifying(QF)/Elimination (EF) finals (4/5/6 September)
- QF – Thursday 4 September: Adelaide v Collingwood @ Oval (7:10 pm)
- QF – Friday 5 September: Geelong v Brisbane @ MCG (7:40 pm)
- EF – Saturday 6 September: GWS v Hawthorn @ Engie Stadium (3.15 pm)
- EF – Saturday 6 September: Fremantle v Gold Coast @ Optus (5:35 pm)
Week 2 – Semi-finals (12/13 September)
Week 3 – Preliminary finals (19/20 September)
Week 4 – Grand final (27 September)

Contenders

Adelaide (Ladder Position: 1st)

Nickname: ‘Crows’
Colours: Navy Blue, Red & Gold
Coach: Matthew Nicks
Captain(s): Jordan Dawson (pictured below)

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It has been an outstanding season for Adelaide, which triumphed in their last nine matches to claim a first McClelland Trophy (minor premiership) since 2017, the last time it played at the pointy end, having finished a disappointing 15th the previous year.

Their impressive 18-5 record, which represents the best winning ratio ever in club history, has given them a great opportunity at a tilt at a possible third Premiership.

Dealt a significant blow with the loss of star midfielder Izak Rankine, who will miss the series, having been banned for four matches for making a homophobic slur.

However, certainly have the squad and more than enough talent to go all the way – two home finals at their fortress Oval ground will also be a massive advantage.

Geelong (Ladder Position: 2nd)

Nickname: ‘Cats’
Colours: Navy Blue & White
Coach: Chris Scott
Captain(s): Patrick Dangerfield

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Yet another stellar campaign by Geelong, superbly led by the AFL’s most experienced coach, Chris Scott (pictured above), who has qualified in 13 out of 15 during his reign.

Almost went a little under the radar, en route to securing the second spot on the ladder, but not the bookmakers that have installed them as the outright favourites to win it.

Finished as the highest scorers in the regular home-and-away season and have a real weapon in Jeremy Cameron, who won a second Coleman Medal of his career.

Have a great mix of experience and youth in their squad. Shaun Mannagh picked up the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player Award, and having been at this stage so many times before, he knows exactly what it will take to go all the way.

Brisbane (Ladder Position: 3rd)

Nickname: ‘Lions’
Colours: Maroon, Blue & Gold
Coach: Chris Fagan
Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale

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The current reigning Premiers are entering their seventh straight finals series and have the opportunity to go back-to-back, something they did in the early 2000s.

Given the number of injuries during the campaign and toughness of the draw, coach Chris Fagan recently hailed it as “probably our best.” They will be getting a welcome boost with 2 x Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale (pictured above) set to return to the team.

With the departure of Joe Daniher to retirement, the question was which player would fill his boots. Step forward, Logan Morris, the youngest Lion to ever play in a grannie, who has had a cracking season and is not fazed by the big stage at all.

Their away form has been quite exceptional in 2025, with only one defeat outside of Queensland, which is a real asset, and they won’t fear playing anyone at any venue.

Collingwood (Ladder Position: 4th)

Nickname: ‘Magpies’
Colours: Black & White
Coach: Craig McRae
Captain: Darcy Moore

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Come into September as the most out of form side, but their superb mid-season form, when they led the ladder for a while, proved enough to clinch that last top four spot.

However, Magpies coach Craig McRae (pictured above) was quick to point out that part of the season is now over, and it is like starting a completely new one playing in September.

Boast the most experienced squad, which will prove invaluable at this business end of the year, with a number of them part of the flag-winning line-up back in 2023.

Nick Daicos, who has just won the AFL Players Association MVP and been selected in the All-Australian side for the third time, is a genuine match-winner.

Greater Western Sydney (Ladder Position: 5th)

Nickname: ‘Giants’
Colours: Orange, Charcoal & White
Coach: Adam Kingsley
Captain(s): Toby Greene

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Yet to win the grandest prize of them all, despite being involved in seven out of the last nine campaigns that included a losing grand finalist, but here for another crack.

The Orange Tsunami were victorious in nine of their last ten matches, coming storming home to clinch fifth spot and, with it, a home elimination final at Engie Stadium.

Four players made the All-Australian squad (Sam Taylor, Tom Green, Finn Callaghan and Lachie Ash), the best representation ever in club history, whilst key forward Jesse Hogan looks to be coming back at the perfect time from a foot injury.

Have taken some big scalps over the course of the regular season against Geelong (twice), Gold Coast (twice), Brisbane and Collingwood, so they are more than capable.

Fremantle (Ladder Position: 6th)

Nickname: ‘Dockers’
Colours: Purple & White
Coach: Justin Longmuir
Captain(s): Alex Pearce (pictured below)

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Showed nerves of steel and all their class to qualify, especially following the disappointment of missing out in 2024, with that last round win over the Bulldogs.

Given the quality in their squad, Justin Longmuir and his players have been under pressure to perform, firmly in the spotlight, which they have handled very well.

I have only been part of the September action once since 2015, so I don’t have the experience of some of the other clubs, which will bring a new challenge.

However, seen by some as a bit of a dark horse, having stood up in some big moments, and if a club outside the top four is going to do, then most likely to be them.

Gold Coast (Ladder Position: 7th)

Nickname: ‘Suns’
Colours: Red & Gold
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain(s): Noah Anderson

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A fantastic achievement by the Gold Coast, which has finally done it and will be in the mix come the pointy end for the first time in club history, since their formation in 2009.

There were plenty of emotional scenes after their record-breaking margin win over Essendon on Wednesday evening, which just showed what it meant to everyone.

The arrival of three-time Premiership coach Damien Hardwick has really paid dividends with the Suns now playing a completely different brand of footy.

Another significant factor has been their ability to win on the road, a real Achilles’ heel in previous campaigns, which they will need to do to have any chance.

Hawthorn (Ladder Position: 8th)

Nickname: ‘Hawks’
Colours: Brown & Gold
Coach: Sam Mitchell
Captain: James Sicily

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The ‘Hollywood Hawks’ make up the eight, having enjoyed a solid season in which they racked up their largest number of victories under current coach Sam Mitchell (pictured above).

Known for their bold, attacking style of play, referred to as “Hok Ball”, they are an inspiring outfit to watch and could certainly cause plenty of chaos.

Key forward Jack Gunston has been in unbelievable form so far, booting a career season high 62 goals, which everyone at the club hopes he carries into September.

Face a daunting interstate trip up to face the Giants, at a venue where they have only ever triumphed once back in 2019, but will undoubtedly relish the challenge.

Betting Odds

Geelong $3.75, Brisbane $4.50, Adelaide $5, Collingwood $7.50, Hawthorn $18, Fremantle $21, Greater Western Sydney $21, Gold Coast $41 (Source: Sportsbet)