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SEN’s 2025 AFL predictions: Premiers, Brownlow, Coleman, breakout player, unexpected story & more
SEN • March 4th, 2025 7:28 pm
The 2025 AFL season is almost here and with that comes a whole host of predictions.
All the big names across the SEN network as well as the SEN.com.au digital team have forecast the year ahead and named their premiers, Brownlow and Coleman winners, unexpected storylines and more.
See all the season predictions below:
SEN1116/AFL Nation
Garry Lyon
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Nick Larkey (NM)RISING STAR WINNER: Nate Caddy (ESS)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideBREAKOUT PLAYER: Nate Caddy (ESS)
Tim Watson
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: CollingwoodRUNNER-UP: GWSBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Josh Treacy (FRE)RISING STAR WINNER: Isaac Kako (ESS)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jed Walter (GCS)
David King
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: FremantleRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Harry McKay (CAR)RISING STAR WINNER: Leo Lombard (GCS)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Players react warmly to Kane Cornes' commentsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Riley Thilthorpe (ADE)
Dwayne Russell
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: HawthornBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Sam Lalor (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: A team that hasn't won a flag before breaks throughBREAKOUT PLAYER: Sam Darcy (WB)
Andy Maher
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Sid Draper (ADE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: AdelaideBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Chad Warner extends his Sydney contract.BREAKOUT PLAYER: Lachie Cowan (CAR)
Andrew Gaze
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: HawthornRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Will Day & Jai Newcombe (HAW)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: North MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Jai Newcombe wins the BrownlowBREAKOUT PLAYER: Cam Mackenzie (HAW)
Julian De Stoop
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GeelongRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Sid Draper (ADE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Clayton Oliver finishes Top 3 in the BrownlowBREAKOUT PLAYER: Ollie Henry (GEE)
John Donohoe
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Caleb Serong (FRE)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Nick Larkey (NM)RISING STAR WINNER: Finn O'Sullivan (NM)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: CollingwoodBIGGEST SLIDER: HawthornUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Return of the Max! King silences the doubters with career-best 60-goal season for SaintsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Nate Caddy (ESS) & Hugo Garcia (STK)
SEN WA
Paul Hasleby
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: HawthornRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Isaac Kako (ESS)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: AdelaideBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Beveridge's time is upBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jye Amiss (FRE)
Mark Duffield
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Sam Lalor (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: North MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Longmire announced as Tassie Devils coachBREAKOUT PLAYER: Sam Darcy (WB)
Peter Vlahos
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: FremantleBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Caleb Serong (FRE)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Sam Lalor (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: AdelaideBIGGEST SLIDER: SydneyUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Harley puts off contract talk with EaglesBREAKOUT PLAYER: Nathan O'Driscoll (FRE)
SEN SA
Mark Bickley
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Joe Berry (PA)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: The discussion around Bevo. Will he go on next year? It will be a storyBREAKOUT PLAYER: Colby McKercher (NM)
Dan Menzel
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: SydneyRUNNER-UP: FremantleBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Four of last year's top 8 don't play finalsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Trent Rivers (MEL)
David Wildy
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GWS.BROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Sam Lalor (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: AdelaideBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Cripps gets his third Brownlow MedalBREAKOUT PLAYER: Josh Treacy (FRE)
Jarrod Walsh
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: FremantleBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Chad Warner (SYD)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Sam Lalor (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: AdelaideBIGGEST SLIDER: SydneyBREAKOUT PLAYER: Riley Thilthorpe (ADE)
SENTrack
Gareth Hall
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GWSBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Will Ashcroft (BRI)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Nick Larkey (NM)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: North MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: CarltonUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Hinkley to coach TassieBREAKOUT PLAYER: Will Day (HAW)
Campbell Brown
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Nate Caddy (ESS)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Josh Treacy leading Coleman mid-seasonBREAKOUT PLAYER: Reuben Ginbey (WCE)
Miles Pfitzner
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: CollingwoodBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: 2 coaches don't see out the season - 1 in SA, 1 in VicBREAKOUT PLAYER: Cam Mackenzie (HAW)
Cam Luke
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: FremantleRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Will Day (HAW)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Aaron Naughton (WB)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Brisbane replace Daniher in the exact way they did in 2020 when they got himBREAKOUT PLAYER: Max Holmes (GEE - becomes a genuine AA star)
Josh Jenkins
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: Gold CoastBIGGEST SLIDER: Sydney & CarltonUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Experts stop become mystified by mega contractsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Izak Rankine (ADE - becomes AA player)
AFL Record
Ashley Browne
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: HawthornBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Nate Caddy (ESS)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Channel Seven brings back the Saturday night replayBREAKOUT PLAYER: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK)
SEN Tassie
Brent Costelloe
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GWSBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Nick Larkey (NM)RISING STAR WINNER: Murphy Reid (FRE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: North MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Roos push for Top 8 spotBREAKOUT PLAYER: Cam Mackenzie (HAW)
SEN.com.au
Andrew Slevison
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: CollingwoodBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Minimum of three coaches to be sacked/move onBREAKOUT PLAYER: Aaron Cadman (GWS)
Nic Negrepontis
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (Gold Coast)RISING STAR WINNER: Nate Caddy (ESS)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Hawks miss the 8BREAKOUT PLAYER: Riley Thilthorpe (ADE)
Lachlan Geleit
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Sam Lalor (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: CollingwoodBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Shredded Stringer wins Norm SmithBREAKOUT PLAYER: Ryley Sanders (WB)
Jack Makeham
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GeelongRUNNER-UP: GWSBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Dan Curtin (ADE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Crows disappoint again, Nicks sackedBREAKOUT PLAYER: Tom Brown (RIC)
Ethan Clark
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (CAR)RISING STAR WINNER: Josh Smillie (RIC)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: MelbourneBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Daicos fully fit, not in top 5 BrownlowBREAKOUT PLAYER: Hugo Garcia (STK)
Terence Lattanzio
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: CollingwoodRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Dan Curtin (ADE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: CollingwoodBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Rising Suns make historic maiden finals appearanceBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jed Walter (GCS)
Simon Chapman
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: FremantleRUNNER-UP: GWSBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Patrick Cripps (CAR)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (CAR)RISING STAR WINNER: Dan Curtin (ADE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: EssendonUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Bombers finish bottom 2BREAKOUT PLAYER: Josh Treacy (FRE)
Zac Sharpe
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GeelongRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Caleb Serong (FRE)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Finn O'Sullivan (NM)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: SydneyUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Clarko steps down as North coachBREAKOUT PLAYER: Josh Weddle (HAW)
Sam Watson
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: CollingwoodBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: No major MRO controversiesBREAKOUT PLAYER: Ed Allan (COL)
Charles Goodsir
PREMIERSHIP WINNER: GWSRUNNER-UP: CollingwoodBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR WINNER: Sid Draper (ADE)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: Gold CoastBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Hawks fail to recapture HokBall heroicsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Finn Callaghan (GWS)
