AFL action returns this week as the first wave of pre-season matches - including an Indigenous All Stars clash - prepare to offer some insight into what fans can expect for the year ahead.
A total of 18 games - made up of differing practice sessions and Community Series fixtures - will run from February 15 to March 2, taking us to just four days out from the home and away season's opener.
To conclude another summer of expectations, training notes, selection calls and coaching strategies, the coming weeks will hope to uncover some positives for each club.
Here we assess and name what fans from each faithful will be hoping to see from their AFL team this pre-season.
16. Sydney
A happy Chad Warner
It'll be one of the talking points of 2025... Can the Swans keep Chad Warner from keen rival clubs?
Sydney ticked every box last year when they were faced with the massive task of retaining all of Logan McDonald, Errol Gulden, James Rowbottom, Will Hayward and Ollie Florent, securing all five signatures before the off-season had arrived.
The busy signing window is sure to have placed some pressure on their purse, but the club has remained confident they have the pull to keep their next big off-contract fish in Warner.
Interest from his home state of WA is sure to be attractive, but if the Swans can keep Warner satisfied in NSW then they may have another big retention win in 2025.
Pre-Season Opponents:Â GWS, Gold Coast
