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.
5. Essendon
This final wooden spoon candidate is tricky.
Although it's unlikely any team outside of North Melbourne or West Coast will challenge Richmond, Essendon are beginning to look increasingly vulnerable.
The Bombers finished 2024 in embarrassing fashion, losing six of their final seven matches to close the season - finishing 11th after being as high as second on the ladder.
Instead of bringing in established players to bolster the playing list, Essendon have doubled down on blooding youth, with no experienced players acquired through the trade period. This could be viewed as an exciting strategy - particularly after the oft-reckless trade decisions of the Adrian Dodoro era - but it will need time to truly blossom.
While young players such as Isaac Kako, Nate Caddy and Elijah Tsatas are incredibly exciting, they are still raw talents.
Importantly, Essendon still boasts some of the most consistent players in the competition, with Zach Merrett firming as a perennial All-Australian selection.
However, we feel Essendon haven't improved adequately on their disappointing 2024 season, and with teams all around them growing in confidence, it could be a season where the Bombers are left behind.
Get set for the footy with the FREE Zero Hanger 2026 AFL Season Guide! Packed with 150+ pages of player profiles, team previews, insights and analysis, the 2026 AFL Season Guide is built for fans who want the full picture. Download your free Season Guide HERE.
