Following the nine-part series ranking each AFL club's positional lines, it is time to review each AFL team's list in its entirety and determine which sides can enter 2025 with full confidence in the talent on their list.
While some clubs may be star-studded in one spot, this list will take the entire squad into account, looking into the depth, firepower, and performances in 2024 across all three areas of the field.
Those who have been consistently at the top of the rankings throughout our series will undoubtedly find themselves at the top of the board once again, but those who popped into the top six just once, or those who had a starkly low ranking in comparison to their other results, may find themselves dropped to midtable or below.
RELATED: FORWARD LINE RANKINGS, MIDFIELD RANKINGS, & BACKLINE RANKINGS
So, here is the concluding chapter to Zero Hanger's pre-season list rankings, signifying the best and worst teams on paper for the year ahead.
1. Brisbane
(Backline ranking: first; midfield ranking: first; forward line ranking: fifth)
The Lions have easily the deepest pool of talent in the AFL.
Had he not been a father-son selection, Levi Ashcroft could have easily been the number one pick in the draft, and his debut may not even come in Opening Round.
Logan Morris, after a brilliant debut campaign, is still not a lock in the side despite Joe Daniher's retirement.
Ryan Lester was crucial in the premiership charge, but with Tom Doedee and Keidean Coleman returning from ACL injuries, his spot may be in jeopardy.
It would take all day to run through every player on the list, but the fact of the matter is: you could. Nearly every player at Brisbane has a genuine reason why they could play at AFL level at some stage next year, meaning should unavailabilities arise, the Lions are covered, and covered with talent at that.
The Lions ranked fifth for points per game in 2024, but following a stunning grand final blitz, they may as well have been the best attacking team in the competition and ranked first in all three categories of our series.
However, the loss of a 50-plus goalkicker in Daniher will have an impact. Whether it be new recruit Sam Day or development tall Brandon Ryan that replaces him, or staying true to Morris, the Lions will certainly reminisce on having the talented key target awaiting a punt inside 50.
Although, Hawthorn lost a key forward after a premiership in 2013 and went on to win another two.
And with as stacked a squad as Brisbane have, it's not ridiculous to say that this list could do the same.
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