Whether you are first on the ladder or eighth, each team going into the AFL Finals Series has at least one reason why they could win a premiership or a reason why they can't.
Each team has every reason to believe they can win it all from here, whether it is based on form, game style, or experience. Every finals team has its own strengths and weaknesses, and now it's a matter of who can utilise their strengths to their advantage while minimising their weaknesses.
Below is listed every team's biggest reason why they can or can't bring home the 2025 AFL premiership.
2. Geelong Cats
Why
Experience
The Cats just secured their 15th top-four finish in the last 19 years. During this span, they have also achieved major success in finals on four occasions (2007, 2009, 2011 and 2022).
There is no doubt that this team has the experience to win the flag, especially with Chris Scott as their coach, who has been at the helm for two of those four premiership wins.
With what seems to be an open year for the premiership, their bounty of experience and lack of injuries has them primed to claim a fifth flag of the 21st century, bettering Brisbane and Hawthorn (four).
Why not
Recent record against top sides
Geelong has had a cruisy run home, beating the sides they should be beating, but due to this, they haven't beaten a top-eight side since early June.
They will face the Lions in the first week of finals, who have beaten them twice this season and beat them in the preliminary final last year.
Cats have taken down some good sides this year, but it has been a long time since being tested in a game.
