The Premiership favourite- 2025

[Mr Meow]

I hear this from Cats (and Hawks too) but we're 2-3 over the last 5 and the Hawks go WLWLWLWL.

We seem to have close fought games regardless of form and quality. 2022 qual for example, we weren't within a bulls roar and was it a goal at the end? Ditto this year, Pies were on top for 3 quarters but Geelong won it with courage and nous. Cats were supposed to belt us both times in 2023, didn't happen.

Very well matched, two adept coaches, always dynamic. Would be a fitting GF but every chance it's neither.

We have our inexplicable superstition of Pies being our kingmakers each 21st century premiership success. There are no modern day Geelong flags that didn't involve beating Collingwood in a final. Much like Richmond with us, although theirs was condensed to a 4 year period. Ours covers 2007-2022 and adding 2025 to that would strengthen the prophecy even further.

 

[1970crow]

Hawthorn in form at the right time of the year. Could be another 2008 style premiership Hawthorn's way

Plus benefit of home finals if they get past us this week.

 

[Hawkk]

Yep both games this week are a genuine 50/50. I still would back the home teams in both games.

I think the footy world are hoping for a Cats v Hawks prelim, although I’m not as Hawthorn are the team that worry me (Pies) the most. I’d be more then happy for Crows to win, although there would be some sweet Karma if they were to go out in straight sets considering the way the behaviour of there crowd was last Thursday night.

A Geelong v Hawthorn PF is a unicorn final. Most of the time they never happen (see Carlton v Collingwood in 2023). I still think Adelaide will find a way to grind this out — although unlike the Power last year they are fully expected to win IMO.

 

[Carringbush2010]

I cordially invite the Collingwood team to my place for a Beef Wellington lunch next Wednesday.

Hold the mushroom.

 

[nineteen eighty]

We have our inexplicable superstition of Pies being our kingmakers each 21st century premiership success. There are no modern day Geelong flags that didn't involve beating Collingwood in a final. Much like Richmond with us, although theirs was condensed to a 4 year period. Ours covers 2007-2022 and adding 2025 to that would strengthen the prophecy even further.

Oh there you go...you've done it now. You've gone and mentioned Richmond in this thread. You've opened the door now. Incooooming...

 

[Mr Meow]

Oh there you go...you've done it now. You've gone and mentioned Richmond in this thread. You've opened the door now. Incooooming...

It was a compliment if anything. But you're right, I wouldn't be surprised if I copped an angry drive-by regardless.

 

[Cyclops]

It was a compliment if anything. But you're right, I wouldn't be surprised if I copped an angry drive-by regardless.

Fight fire with fire. Respond to a Richmond poster 'but why do you not rate the minor premiers?" while tagging Dan26.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Its kind of funny because in 23-24 the Crows ball movement looked so dangerous, what happened? They were cutting up teams through the middle, looked very dangerous scoring. This season they're one of the worst. It seems they went too defensive, which wins you a lot of home and away games against the poorer sides I guess, but is it enough in finals? Has a very Melbourne 22-23 feel about it.

our ball movement in 2024 was not dangerous, it was utter dogshit, that's why he had so a drop in performance.

We were more aggressive with the ball to start the season, but when under pressure Nicks always resorts to the 'safe' conservative option.

 

[GoPies1]

If Pies and Cats make the GF the Cats will not handle the pressure rating Collingwood can bring. They will fall apart. Out of all the teams left it is the Cats I most want to play.

Teams need to hold them in the last 5 minutes of quarters, very good finishing side.
Pressure is key on their 4 link players, don’t like shadows.
I think the hawks will beat them up if they get through.
I’m hoping crows win next 2 games to put cats and hawks out

 

[GoPies1]

I cordially invite the Collingwood team to my place for a Beef Wellington lunch next Wednesday.

That’s pretty fkd up
3 ppl died, killer sentenced today and you are making light of it.
All class

 

[Gilbert_Grape]

Hard to beat finals experience.

Since 2000:
13 premiers had played 3 finals series in the previous 3 years.
9 had played 2/3 finals series.
3 had played 1/3 (WBD 2016, Melb 2021, Haw 2008)
0 had played 0/3

Of teams still in it:
Bris is 3/3 of the 2022-24 finals
Coll & Gee 2/3
Haw 1/3
Ade + GC 0/3

Going by # of finals played, Premiers average 7 finals in the previous 3 years (*assuming making a PF counts as 3 finals, GF/Premiership counts as 4 finals - even if they skip the SF)

Lowest are:
Haw 2008 = 2
WBD 2016 = 1
Rich 2017 = 2

Of teams still in it:
Bris = 11* finals last 3 years (just previous years, excluding 2025 & PF = 3, PREM = 4)
Coll & Gee = 7*
Haw = 2
Ade + GC = 0

 

[RCAB]

Hard to beat finals experience.

Since 2000:
13 premiers had played 3 finals series in the previous 3 years.
9 had played 2/3 finals series.
2 had played 1/3 (WBD 2016, Melb 2021)
1 had played 0/3 (Haw 2008)

Of teams still in it:
Bris is 3/3 of the 2022-24 finals
Coll & Gee 2/3
Haw 1/3
Ade + GC 0/3

Going by # of finals played, Premiers average 7 finals in the previous 3 years (*assuming making a PF counts as 3 finals, GF/Premiership counts as 4 finals - even if they skip the SF)

Lowest are:
Haw 2008 = 0
WBD 2016 = 1
Rich 2017 = 2

Of teams still in it:
Bris = 11* finals last 3 years (just previous years, excluding 2025 & PF = 3, PREM = 4)
Coll & Gee = 7*
Haw = 2
Ade + GC = 0

You might want to re-check all your numbers again.

1 had played 0/3 (Haw 2008)

Hawks played a final series in 2007 and we're 1 win, 1 loss in that year.

 

[Hobbes]

If we're talking historical trends, the number of teams that have lost five out of their last ten minor suit games and won the flag is zero, in well over 100 years.

 

[Fadge]

If we're talking historical trends, the number of teams that have lost five out of their last ten minor suit games and won the flag is zero, in well over 100 years.

What about 5 of their last 7?

 

[Fadge]

At the start of the year, I stated only 3 teams could win it - Pies, GWS and Hawks.

Now that Hawks have eliminated GWS, the Grand Final will clearly be:

Pies v. Hawks

 

[biaseddustyfan]

This makes no sense.

hmmmm looks like they were as bog average as I thought

 

[Mr Meow]

Two MCG teams with home prelims. Then one of the other best MCG teams of recent years + a strong Queensland team. Pretty even race I'd say.

 

[Former Decathlete]

hmmmm looks like they were as bog average as I thought

Bog average.

But doesn't give me much joy watching the hawk flogfest and now we have to put up with it for a week.

 

[dean33]

Shame the gf wont be hawks v cats. Winner wins the flag

 

[Fadge]

Pies broke the Crows.

Hawks simply feasted on their carcasses.

 

[Interdimensional Bigfoot]

Looking like a Geelong v Gold Coast GF.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Shame the gf wont be hawks v cats. Winner wins the flag

In a weird way, I see it the opposite.

We don't often get rivalries in prelims, and it presents like the winner is going to have to play two GF's in a row. It's a huge emotional and physical drain.

Full credit to Hawthorn in 2013. Absolutely well deserved premiers, but on GF day they came out like a team who had to climb Everest the week prior. Freo just managed to be even more psychologically screwed themselves.

Then again, I could be way off. Just reckon the Pies are in the box seat from here.

 

[Dangerfield86]

Pies broke the Crows.

Hawks simply feasted on their carcasses.

Crows cannot cope with finals pressure they panicked both finals, the hawks were ruthless tonight, Cats and Hawks
Playing best footy now winner next week wins the flag, Mitchell is a top coach.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Crows cannot cope with finals pressure they panicked both finals, the hawks were ruthless tonight, Cats and Hawks
Playing best footy now winner next week wins the flag, Mitchell is a top coach.

I think Cats / Hawks winner defeats GC for the premiership.

 

[Gavin Excell]

In a weird way, I see it the opposite.

We don't often get rivalries in prelims, and it presents like the winner is going to have to play two GF's in a row. It's a huge emotional and physical drain.

Full credit to Hawthorn in 2013. Absolutely well deserved premiers, but on GF day they came out like a team who had to climb Everest the week prior. Freo just managed to be even more psychologically screwed themselves.

Then again, I could be way off. Just reckon the Pies are in the box seat from here.

I've always thought the team that has the tougher prelim is usually the team to beat. Last year a good example