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Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandThree things the top six teams should do before the end of 2025
Jaiden Sciberras • July 4th, 2025 3:45 pm
With eight games remaining in 2025, the top six sides have their sights set on September action.
From the Dockers winning six straight to find themselves with a sniff of the top four, to the Magpies sitting pretty at the top of the table, the six leading the charge have all endured successful seasons up to this stage.
With the likes of the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants hovering on the verge of a top six spot, Collingwood enter the back-end of the season as the only side seemingly guaranteed a spot in the finals, just a few wins away from official mathematical qualification.
Looking forward to the remaining eight rounds, SEN WA's Mark Duffield has listed three things each of the sides can do within the final rounds to get the most out of 2025.
Starting with the charging Fremantle Dockers, Duffield will name three things each AFL side should look to accomplish over the remaining fixtures on SEN WA Mornings.
Fremantle
Get to September
“The late season stumble which came from a combination of a tough draw, injuries and a careless slip up against Essendon – has all Docker supporters nervous.
“Six in a row is good and there is a solid brand and emerging maturity – but they need to close the deal this year and play finals.”
Stay with the two-ruck policy
“It is clearly what Justin Longmuir believes in, and he needs to live and die by what he believes in.
“There is enough evidence to suggest it can work – especially with a slimmer (Sean) Darcy getting round the ground.”
Bring Hayden Young back at half back
“Ease him in and boost your ball movement – don’t throw him off the deep end in the midfield after a major injury.”
Hawthorn
Get Will Day fit in time
“The absence or presence of Day from the midfield is the difference between the Hawks being a finalist and a flag contender. He is that important.”
Find a focal point
“Jack Gunston has been great and Mabior Chol is one of footy’s pleasant surprises, but you would think they need either Calsher Dear or Mitch Lewis deep forward to complete a lineup that can contend.”
Keep using Nick Watson in bursts through the midfield
“Brilliant ball handler and user and it gets him into the game. A win-win for the Hawks.”
Geelong
Play through the Dash Brothers
“The new keys to the Cats are the runners – Bailey Smith and Max Holmes – they have to be fit and firing for another flag to get to Sleepy Hollow.”
Stick with Stanley
“Rhys Stanley doesn’t have to be best on ground, but the opposition ruck can’t be. Stanley or whoever leads the ruck for Geelong has to hold up and compete.”
Keep Jack Henry fit
“Jack Henry has to stay fit in defence.
“Everyone raves about Tom Stewart, but Henry is a star and just as important.”
Adelaide
Play through Riley Thilthorpe
“Everyone raves about Sam Darcy but let’s not forget the Crows have a forward almost as imposing.
“Riley Thilthorpe is built for September action. Can’t wait to see him there.”
Josh Rachele has to fire
“Izak Rankine is going to have to spend significant time midfield – the Crows need a ground level presence at the feet of their big three forwards.”
Josh Worrall needs to continue his great form
“The new leader of the Crows defence – his mettle will be tested in September.”
Brisbane
Harris Andrews remains the defensive key
“With Jack Payne injured the Lions need to manufacture enough support for Andrews to enable him to control the game from the back.”
Keep Logan Morris firing
“Logan Morris is the emerging focal point at the other end. Has hit a rich vein of form and is going to need to sustain it if the Lions are going to go back-to-back.”
Work Keidean Coleman back into the side
“Can they get Kiddy Coleman back up and firing – or is Dayne Zorko going to have to be the one who sets them in motion from half back again?”
Collingwood
Get Jordan De Goey fit
“He is the missing piece in the midfield and attack and would make them very, very tough to beat.”
Don’t rely on efficiency
“Be careful they don’t get so reliant on efficiency that they sacrifice the contest.
“In four contested categories across five weeks the Pies were statistical losers 18 out of 20 times.
“They won all five but shouldn’t bank on doing that against the gun teams come September.”
Make themselves a moving target
“It is hard to maintain dominance from two and a half games in front of the competition.
“The return of De Goey will help the Pies improve again, Lachie Schultz, Brayden Maynard and Beau McCreery are also important.”
