When there are teams battling it out, vying for that elusive top four race, just remember the teams in the cellar.
When there's a winner there's also a loser, and we predict the following five teams will lose - a lot!
With a mixture of young, rebuilding lists and disappointing sliders, our 2025 wooden spoon race is exactly where you don't want to be.
2. West Coast Eagles
West Coast have finished in the bottom four for the past three seasons, and while things are looking increasingly positive, it's hard to see the Eagles finishing any higher than 16th.
The output of key veteran departures Tom Barrass and Jack Darling will be difficult to replace for first-year head coach Andrew McQualter. Barrass' influence in particular - who has been a rock in a disruptive Eagles defence - will be difficult to fill.
West Coast have been busy in the trade market, with their acquisitions giving Eagles fans reason to be optimistic.
Richmond premiership player Liam Baker will certainly bring some much-needed consistency to a defence led by a resurgent Jeremy McGovern.
Furthermore, their forward line remains incredibly exciting, particularly if Oscar Allen can find more consistency alongside a red-hot Jake Waterman. Add Matt Owies to a group of small forwards that includes Liam Ryan, and you can start to see the outline of a strong team.
Not to mention, Harley Reid.
But the Eagles are still incredibly vulnerable, with their midfield lacking the depth of some of their competitors - particularly with Elliot Yeo missing the first two months of the season. Expect an uptick in form, but we predict the Eagles will continue factoring into the wooden spoon discussion.
