The 2025 AFL season is upon us. In an eventful pre-season, footy fans have already been treated to a number of dazzling goals from the league's best, setting the tone for what might be one of the more prolific goalkicking seasons in recent memory.
It was Jesse Hogan who led the way in 2024, winning the Coleman Medal comfortably with 69 snags to his name in the home and away season. The question now is: Can he do it again? If not, who will?
We've picked out the seven favourite candidates for the 2025 Coleman Medal.
6. Nick Larkey
North Melbourne are gearing up to finally take a leap in 2025, but if that's actually going to eventuate, Nick Larkey will need to deliver on a weekly basis.
Larkey's goalkicking suffered in 2024 with fewer opportunities firing his way, which resulted in a 25-goal decrease from his exceptional 2023. Luckily, the Kangaroos' off-season additions provide a clear pathway for Larkey's return to success, particularly with the addition of Jack Darling.
Darling impressed in his debut in the Roos kit in match simulation against Melbourne, working well to create space alongside Larkey inside 50, which resulted in a three-goal outing for Larkey. A similar presence was seen in the pre-season practice match against West Coast over the weekend with Larkey and Darling both carving out several goal-scoring opportunities.
What should excite North fans most is that Larkey has proven to be one of the more accurate kicks in the competition, his 67.6% shot accuracy ranking second amongst players to kick at least 30 goals last season. This was only a small fall from his 71% accuracy in 2023.
Pairing that with more goal-scoring opportunities coming out of a young and rampant midfield, plus being surrounded with an increasingly dynamic forward line, Larkey's search for a return to that insane 71-goal 2023 season is bound to occur.
