The 2025 AFL season kicks off with heightened expectations and concerns surrounding the Richmond Tigers, who are poised for another tumultuous campaign following several high-profile departures. The Tigers, once the envy of the league after clinching three premierships between 2017 and 2020, are now perceived as significantly weakened after finishing at the bottom of the ladder last year.
Starting their season on March 13, 2025, against the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Tigers will be without many of their star players, including the influential Dustin Martin, who heads the list of over 1,000 games of experience lost from last year.
The team will feature three 19-year-olds making their debut, signaling the onset of what looks to be a rebuilding phase. Matthew Lloyd from Nine's Today has already voiced severe doubts about their ability to succeed this year, declaring, "Many are asking the question, will Richmond win a game of football this year? That's how young they are this season." The Tigers have had their fair share of issues with six key players sidelined, including Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, and Dylan Grimes. All eyes will be on whether this youthful squad can muster enough resilience against their opponents.
Carlton will enter the match missing key forward Charlie Curnow and young gun Elijah Hollands, partially leveling the playing field. Still, the Blues, bolstered by their deep and experienced lineup, are favored to dominate. Analysts expect Carlton to win comfortably, projecting the final score to be Carlton by 57 points. This prediction follows their strong showing from last season, marked by changes and optimism.
On the other hand, the spotlight soon shifts to another game featuring the Essendon Bombers against the Hawthorn Hawks on March 14, 2025. This traditional rivalry carries historical weight, with many recalling the infamous 2004 match known as the “line in the sand game,” when fierce physicality defined their rivalry.
Currently, Essendon’s head coach Brad Scott is facing pressure to demonstrate the commitment and performance standards expected from his players. Following two seasons with 11 wins and quick end-of-season fades, Scott's contract extension may be seen as the club's way of assuring fans of their commitment to future growth.
Hawthorn's confidence is buoyed by their recent victory over the Sydney Swans, setting them up as favorites against Essendon. Stars like Will Day, who impressed with three goals and 26 disposals last week, will be pivotal against the Bombers. With debuting draftee Isaac Kako, the Bombers will need to showcase their potential and teamwork to stand against the Hawks.
Further matchups over the weekend include Geelong's clash with Fremantle, where the Cats aim to redeem themselves after last season's preliminary final defeat against the Lions. Geelong will debut prized recruit Bailey Smith, injecting hope and experience as they look to establish their dominance early this season.
Sydney's rematch against the Brisbane Lions on March 15, 2025, is also highly anticipated. With the Lions favored after four consecutive victories over the Swans, they aim to assert themselves with another win. Sydney coach Dean Cox will have to navigate the game without injured players Taylor Adams, Errol Gulden, and Callum Mills, vulnerabilities which the Lions will certainly seek to exploit.
All these matchups set the tone for the season, with fans and pundits alike wondering how the reshaping of teams and fresh talent will influence this year’s games. The predictions and expectations significantly highlight the uncertainty and thrill of starting anew.
Each game will not only serve as the initial test for these teams but also as the foundation for the narratives each club hopes to build upon as the season progresses. From fierce rivalries rekindled to the trials of rebuilding teams, this weekend's AFL action has plenty at stake, promising excitement and unpredictability.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely, not just for the scores but for the larger themes of response and resilience from teams, particularly those like Richmond and Essendon aiming to turn the tide following challenging seasons and set the stage for stronger performances moving forward.