Footy fans, strap yourselves in! Damian Barrett’s Sliding Doors is back and ready to dissect the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. After a sensational off-season, Barrett presents his keen insights into each of the 18 clubs, offering fans predictions and analyses that set the stage for an exciting year ahead. With games kicking off, his latest observations unpack what fans can expect this season.
The Adelaide Crows will be looking to break a concerning streak this weekend, as they haven't won at the MCG since 2017. With a match against the Essendon Bombers set for Saturday, March 22, 2025, this is their chance to finally shake off that history. Barrett emphasizes, “Belting up a woeful St Kilda on the home deck to open another year of fresh promises means nothing.” No excuses will suffice if they fail again this time around.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions have ridden the hype train this off-season, especially with their star youngsters, the Ashcroft twins. Barrett notes, “I’m not sure why Jaspa seems to be forgotten, or not given anywhere near enough love,” highlighting his impressive track record, especially after not missing a game since his debut mid-2023 and contributing significantly to last year's Grand Final victory.
Conversely, Carlton’s recent performance leaves plenty to be desired. Their match against the Hawks on Thursday night, March 20, saw them struggling, putting just two goals on the board after half-time and none in the final quarter. The gap to top-four status remains vast, according to Barrett, who remarks on their struggles.
As for the Bombers, they will head into the clash against the Crows missing significant firepower, with both Jake Stringer and Dylan Langford sidelined. Barrett points out that the duo combined for an impressive 85 goals last season, making their absence felt as they attempt to score against Adelaide's defense. With the Bombers facing challenges, Barrett questions their chances of achieving a winning score this weekend.
On a more positive note for Fremantle, Shai Bolton will be making his long-awaited debut as a Docker. Barrett believes this recruitment could transform the club, stating, “Fremantle’s season starts now,” as they prepare for their match against the Sydney Swans on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Over at Geelong, Shannon Neale stands poised to make his mark by stepping into a key forward role previously held by Tom Hawkins. His performance could significantly impact the Cats’ offense this season.
The Gold Coast Suns have sent mixed signals, touting their win against the Eagles in round one. Barrett acknowledges their performance, but not without skepticism, noting, “Sure, it was impressive, but witches hats would occasionally provide more challenges than West Coast at the moment.” Fan-favorite Matty Rowell’s game stood out in their victory, offering hope for the Suns moving forward.
After two rounds in the season, Barrett is pleased to report that Toby Greene is back to his All-Australian-captaincy best with GWS. His dominant performance has ignited the Giants’ efforts this season.
As Barrett shifts his focus to Hawthorn, he brings attention to an old-school player—Cam Mackenzie. “He’s very, very good,” Barrett enthuses, praising Mackenzie’s effectiveness in a league filled with flashy players.
The much-anticipated ruck duel on March 23 between Max Gawn and Tristan Xerri promises excitement, with Barrett asserting that Gawn remains the top ruck in the game even after nine seasons of dominance.
The North Melbourne squad comes off a disappointing loss to the Bulldogs, a situation made all the worse by their continued acceptance of defeat. With so much at stake in their match against the Demons, Barrett emphasizes the need for change.
Coach Kenny Hinkley has garnered admiration for his intense style and competitive spirit. In his final year coaching the Power, Barrett notes, “Combative Kenny is here to stay,” indicating that fans should expect a fired-up Hinkley guiding the squad this season.
Richmond faces what Barrett humorously dubs “Mission Impossible II” against Port Adelaide on March 22. With the inclusion of Liam Fawcett, they seek to defy expectations amidst injury struggles and setbacks.
Injury woes plague the St Kilda Saints as Max King remains sidelined, with reports indicating his return remains at least “2-3 weeks” away. Barrett casts doubt on the Saints' ability to turn their season around, pointing out their lack of honesty regarding injuries, an ongoing issue for the club.
The Sydney Swans currently find themselves in a rough patch, at 0-2 after close games against top-tier teams Brisbane and Hawthorn. Despite the losses, Barrett remains optimistic about their impending game against the Dockers, contemplating a rebound for the Swans.
Finally, the West Coast Eagles find themselves grappling with injuries to All-Australian forward Jake Waterman, whose back and calf issues compound the problems stemming from an 87-point loss to the Suns. Barrett acknowledges this further complicates an already testing season for the Eagles.
In other news, the Western Bulldogs have toyed with the idea of permanently adopting the name Footscray to mark their centenary celebrations. Barrett makes a strong case for this change, stating, “Just do it. There's something special about that name and suburb.”
In summary, Barrett keeps the conversation lively as he navigates the ups and downs of the clubs with insight and humor. The AFL season has surely kicked off with a bang, leaving fans eager to see how their teams will fare in the coming weeks.
