By Jon Pierik, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan
For the 10 teams who missed the finals, it’s now time to complete a major review of what went wrong … and right. Some expected to be alive come September, others knew they were in rebuild mode.
Our experts give their hot take on those teams with a long summer ahead.
Better luck next season: Mason Cox and Darcy Moore hope to lead the Magpies back to the promised land next time.Credit: Getty Images
COLLINGWOOD
Finish: Ninth, 52 points
The good: Ruckman Darcy Cameron backed up his premiership year with a career-best season. His marking around the ground was excellent. Only Nick Daicos was a better performer. The Magpies also won eight of their nine matches decided by a goal or less, and Jack Crisp’s run of consecutive games extended to 237. They played their best football in the final month, with Ed Allan showing promising signs in the final round.
The bad: Missing finals after winning a premiership was disappointing, and the club appeared unsettled off-field in the absence of football manager Graham Wright. The Magpies’ leadership attempted to plug the massive hole, but those efforts fell well short, leaving McRae with too much on his plate at times. Darcy Moore struggled for form, reducing Collingwood’s rebound from defence.
The excuses: Injuries either restricted or sidelined key players Jordan De Goey, Brody Mihocek, Mason Cox, Jamie Elliott and Tom Mitchell. Nathan Murphy’s absence after he was forced to retire because of concussion unsettled the Magpies backline. From their opening round loss to GWS, they were on the back foot in their preparation.
FREMANTLE
Finish: 10th, 50 points.
The good: Hayden Young backed up his trial run in the midfield late last season with an outstanding year as an onballer, joining Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw as a one-two-three punch that will grow together. He was tough and dynamic, while Josh Treacy looks to have solved the Dockers’ key forward issues, booting 45 goals. His late-season injury cruelled the Dockers’ finals hopes.
The bad: The final quarter fade-out against Essendon in round 21 cost them a finals spot when they gave up a 25-point lead and lost by one point. It continued a pattern where the Dockers lost four times when they led at the final break. They have talent, but they play careful football too often, and they fumbled under pressure when they needed to win at home in round 24 to make the finals.
The excuses: The loss of skipper Alex Pearce and Treacy to injury was crucial, with Pearce’s stabilising influence missed in key games against Essendon and Geelong. Sean Darcy’s absence was also felt in the final three matches.
ESSENDON
Finish: 11th, 46 points.
The good: The Bombers were in the top four at the midpoint of the season, before another fade-out, again winning just three of their last 12 games. Zach Merrett had a fine season in the midfield and shapes as a five-time best and fairest winner, joining James Hird, Bill Hutchison and Dick Reynolds in elite company. Nic Martin and Jye Caldwell were consistent. Nate Caddy has shown promise and will be a key plank of their future.
The Bombers have had another disappointing season, but coach Brad Scott has promised a tougher unit next year.Credit: AFL Photos
The bad: The Bombers were just as bad defensively as they were last year, despite the high-priced signature of Ben McKay. Their late-season drop-off was alarming and left supporters as frustrated as ever. Peter Wright was a disappointment, Jake Stringer too inconsistent. Dyson Heppell’s retirement could have been handled better – he deserved a farewell game in Melbourne.
The excuses: Excuses are in short supply. Brad Scott had his first real pre-season last summer; expect a better-drilled game plan to be enforced this summer. It’s time for a mentally tougher outfit to emerge.
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat embraces Josh Battle after the Saints’ win over Carlton on Sunday.Credit: AFL Photos
ST KILDA
Finish: 12th, 44 points.
The good: The Saints were strong defensively and moved the ball out of their back 50-metre arc well to create scoring chances. Their pace will worry opponents, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Liam Henry, Brad Hill and Darcy Wilson all boasting elite running power. Callum Wilkie returned to form by season’s end and Josh Battle and Rowan Marshall were consistently good. Eleven wins was close to par, and their last-gasp win over the Blues showed they played the season out to the end.
The bad: Their forward line was not productive enough, with Max King kicking just 19 goals and struggling to be a positive influence on games. But it was at clearance where the Saints were well behind the best teams, with Jack Steele brave but not damaging, while at times they allowed the opposition to dictate to such an extent the game was lost at centre clearance.
The excuses: St Kilda copped a shocking fixture, starting their season in Geelong and travelling interstate five times in the first 12 rounds. They also had two five-day breaks into Thursday night games in the first five rounds. It meant they were behind the eight-ball when good early season form only returned two wins from the first five matches.
GOLD COAST
Finish: 13th, 44 points.
The good: The Suns turned People First Stadium into an imposing home ground, winning seven of nine, and will be difficult to beat there in the coming years. Ben King made the leap from future star to become one of the best key forwards in the league. Sam Flanders blossomed under Damien Hardwick as coach. Matt Rowell is back on track to be the elite midfielder he promised to be. Defender Bodhi Uwland is one to watch.
The Suns had high hopes of making the finals in Damien Hardwick’s first year in charge.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The bad: New coach, same old Suns. In their 14th season, the expansion club dreamed big but failed to deliver. Again. Their lack of maturity was demonstrated by their inability to win on the road, where they lost eight in a row. Their core group is still young but, as Hardwick said after the loss to North Melbourne, it’s time to grow up.
The excuses: There aren’t any. Rarely will the Suns have as good a chance of making finals as they did this year. With two games against each of West Coast, North Melbourne and Richmond, they had a dream draw. And in a season where the fate of many clubs has been determined by player availability, they had one of the best runs with injury.
Christian Petracca’s serious injury in the King’s Birthday clash against Collingwood was the start of more drama for the Demons.Credit: AFL Photos
MELBOURNE
Finish: 14th, 44 points.
The good: In a season where not much went right for the Demons, the progression made by Trent Rivers, Jacob van Rooyen and Kysaiah Pickett were positives. The club blooded five debutants, the most promising being Caleb Windsor, who has the potential to be a 200-gamer in red and blue.
The bad: The Demons are no closer to solving their scoring woes, an issue compounded by an alarming drop-off in their midfield, which had been a strength until this year. They suffered three losses exceeding 50 points, including a 92-point annihilation in Alice Springs, having previously not lost by more than 40 points since 2020 when they last missed out on finals. Four defeats by less than a kick will have some wondering what could have been.
The excuses: Seldom has a club endured a season with more disruptions off the field. A campaign which started with Angus Brayshaw’s medically enforced retirement finishes with uncertainty over Christian Petracca’s future after a harrowing season-ending injury. In between, Clayton Oliver made it back to the field, a small victory in itself, but he was a shadow of his former self, and there was more board drama involving former president Glen Bartlett.
ADELAIDE
Finish: 15th, 34 points.
The good: The Crows have a talented young list, led by headline-grabbing forward Josh Rachele, midfielder Jake Soligo and defender Max Michalanney, who were named in the AFLPA’s under-22 squad of 40. Rory Laird had a strong season, so too Ben Keays.
Josh Rachele had a tumultuous season, and was dumped before round 24.Credit: Getty Images
The bad: Expectations were high of a return to the finals for the first time since the losing 2017 grand final, but the Crows never recovered from their 0-4 start to the season. The pre-season loss of star Riley Thilthorpe to a serious knee injury impacted Matthew Nicks’ game plan. In-season injuries to defender Josh Worrell and half-back Wayne Milera hurt, while only 15 games from match-winner Izak Rankine was not enough. Rachele’s frustrations over his role were publicly aired. And he did himself few favours with his antagonistic comments leading into the round 23 showdown, then his controversial goal celebration. He was axed for round 24. The reliance on veteran forward Taylor Walker remains an issue.
The excuses: There aren’t any. It’s been nothing short of a disaster. It was all set up for the Crows, particularly after Nicks was given a two-year contract extension in March. It shapes as finals or bust for the coach next season.
WEST COAST
Finish: 16th, 20 points.
The good: H-a-r-l-e-y R-e-i-d. That’s all that needs to be said, for the teenage prodigy is well on his way to being the league’s best player – after just one season. Reid’s fend-off is Dusty-like, his explosion something to behold. Tim Kelly, Liam Duggan and Jeremy McGovern worked hard.
The bad: Adam Simpson’s departure was good and bad. It highlighted the demise of this once great team (10 wins and 60 losses since the 2021 mid-season bye to that point), but was the circuit-breaker needed for a rebuild to begin in earnest. Reported text messages from players calling for change wasn’t a great look. That several prominent potential coaching candidates, including Nathan Buckley and Dean Cox, have declined to be interviewed for the top role is a worry.
Harley Reid had a fine rookie season for the Eagles.Credit: AFL Photos
The excuses: The Eagles were always going to be in a world of pain. Skipper Oscar Allen had only one game before round 16, but finished the campaign well. This was a club barely treading water, but now looks to have a clear view of what is required.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Finish: 17th, 12 points.
The good: Pick two Colby McKercher vindicated his high selection with a fine debut season, joining Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw as potential future top liners. There is optimism beyond the early draft picks. Tristan Xerri is pushing for All Australian selection in the ruck. Key position prospect Charlie Comben took a big step forward. Tom Powell, Jackson Archer, Paul Curtis, Bailey Scott and Eddie Ford all showed they could become solid senior footballers.
Harry Sheezel’s performances were a standout for the Kangaroos.Credit: Getty Images
The bad: Though there is more reason for confidence in their list, this was the fifth year in a row where North have finished in the bottom two with no more than four wins. Their percentage went backwards as well. It was not unreasonable for North fans to have expected better in 2024. A repeat of that form line next year would raise questions about whether Alastair Clarkson is the man to take them forward.
The excuses: There really aren’t any, but if you were being generous, you’d acknowledge the Roos are young. Still firmly in rebuild mode, North weren’t helped by the long-term unavailability of Griffin Logue, denying the club a dependable and experienced head in an overworked defence.
Dustin Martin’s retirement is a sign of major change at Punt Road.Credit: Eddie Jim
RICHMOND
Finish: 18th, eight points.
The good: It’s time to look to youth. Tom Brown demonstrated excellent ball use in defence and when sent forward. Defender Ben Miller was strong, while Rhyan Mansell was robust. It’s now time to work out what to do with premiership stars Shai Bolton, Liam Baker and Daniel Rioli, who may all be on the move.
The bad: The Tigers have only two players on their list who are former top 20 picks and aged 25 or younger – Josh Gibcus and Brown. That’s a worry. Tom Lynch’s injury issues hurt. The retirements of premiership stars were sad, but, as coaches like to say, “there’s no standing still in the AFL”.
The excuses: The Tigers were expected to finish near the bottom of the ladder, and that’s what they’ve done. It’s ground zero as they begin a painful rebuild under Adem Yze. Dustin Martin’s retirement officially closed the premiership era. There’s also change in the front office, with CEO Brendon Gale replaced by Shane Dunne.
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