The three most underrated and overrated AFL teams heading into the 2025 season

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.

Underrated: Port Adelaide

The Power are often the most underrated team heading into each season, and in the last few years, have time and time again proven those who discard them wrong.

Despite facing challenging fixtures and extensive travel, Port Adelaide has consistently demonstrated resilience, and in their last five years have finished their seasons in first, second, third and second.

Their ability to develop emerging talent and maintain competitive performances suggests they are primed for a standout season. Their midfield and backline are formidable and easily amongst the best of the competition, and with the additions of a couple of talented forwards, there is no reason for a vast majority of media commentators leaving them out of the eight for 2025.

Underrated: Gold Coast

Historically overlooked and coming into season 2025 with one of the easiest fixtures, the Gold Coast Suns have been quietly building a robust roster that is ready to mix it with the best of the competition.

With 'Dimma' coaching his second season at the club, a midfield that has the rest of the competition chasing for their signatures, and a backline that features one of the best defenders in Sam Collins, it's hard to dismiss this young and dynamic team from serious contention this year.

Recent drafts and player development programs have infused the team with young talent ready to make an impact. The occasional commentator has highlighted their potential to break into the finals, marking a significant milestone for the club, yet far too many have already written them off simply because they are the Gold Coast Suns.

Underrated: Melbourne

After a period of rebuilding, and with a list that is still one of the strongest on paper, the Melbourne Demons are emerging as a cohesive and daunting unit.

Strategic trades and a focus on nurturing young players have revitalised the squad that still boats many All-Australian players who, at their best, can mix it with any team in the AFL.

Experts have praised their midfield strength and defensive structure, and I'm predicting a return to their top-tier competition. With the second easiest fixture for 2025, Melbourne have every chance of a rebound year and are flying under the radar for many experts and commentators.

I can see them finishing in the top six and having a decent run at a grand final appearance in 2025.

Overrated: Fremantle

The biggest overhyped team of 2025 in my opinion.

Despite pre-season optimism - with some even labelling them as flag favourites - in recent years, the Dockers have struggled to meet expectations, with inconsistent performances raising questions about their contender status. Their forward line continues to be their Achilles heel, largely because of their defensive focus; a strategy that worked for the Swans in the mid-2000s but has yet to replicate its success in the two decades that have followed.

If you look at the premiers in the years since, they all played a modern, fast, attacking brand; Hawthorn, Richmond, Collingwood, Brisbane, Geelong and Melbourne.

The Dockers game style just doesn't live up to the other teams vying for the top. Therefore, I don't think they have the structure or talent to be able to make that leap to serious premiership contender.

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. 

Overrated: Collingwood

Collingwood fell back to Earth in season 2024, with premier midfield unable to carry their forward stocks like they did so effectively in season 2023.

Their backline fell apart, led by their skipper, and their forward line continued to struggle last year. And unless they can get that rebound structure back this coming season, we could see them missing out on the eight for the second year in a row.

On top of that, they are facing a tough schedule against top opponents, and don't forget they won eight and lost just one when decided by 10 points or less in 2023. If that ledger was flipped, or even more balanced, then they were fighting for the eight in their premiership season. I'm not sold they have anything more than a stellar midfield in 2025.

Of course, any prediction is just that, and in what shapes as one of the closest seasons to date, there are only comfortably a handful of teams that you can cross out as flag potentials in these early days of 2025, and none of them feature on this list.