As the 2025 AFL season rapidly approaches, discussions often centre around perennial powerhouses and how they will fair in the upcoming year.
There are always teams left out of the conversation for September, however some commentators do so at their own peril. While many teams aren't given the respect they deserve by the media, several teams are poised to surpass expectations and make significant strides in season 2025.
Of course, Hawthorn, Collingwood, and Carlton often feature heavily in the conversation, as the powerhouses that they are in the Victorian-centric media, but the surprise addition to this year's flag favourites are up-and-comers Fremantle. However, none of these teams have actually proved themselves to be serious 2025 contenders.
We need to put the spotlight on three heavily underrated teams who are all too often forgotten in the media, while also addressing the potentially overrated status of three clubs.
5. Overrated: Hawthorn
Following a strong end to their 2024 home and away season, the Hawks fell to the Power in a semi-final, a team that when it comes to finals have often been tainted as ‘easy beats'.
As a young and dynamic team, they have a lot of maturing and development to go before they are real contenders for a grand final appearance.
Will they make the eight? I'm not convinced. Are they flag contenders? Unlikely.
By the halfway point of the season, we will see indications that they flourished last year when things were good, but when things go bad (and they may at some point) then it's possible they won't have the stability to keep it together.Â
