AFL 2025: Every club's run home and predicted ladder position
The Bulldogs are still walking a tightrope, but the highest-scoring team in the competition now appears in the best position of the trio to lock up a finals spot.
Down the other end of the ladder, Richmond could finish with the provisional picks two and three in the draft.
DO YOUR OWN PREDICTED LADDER; THEN SCROLL DOWN TO SEE OURS 1. ADELAIDE
Played: 20, Won: 15, Lost: 5, Percentage: 144.1
Collingwood is the final roadblock in the way of a stunning minor premiership for the Crows, who have not played finals since the last time they topped the ladder in 2017.
Geelong, who trail by a game and 5.5 per cent, have been scoring heavily against the weaker sides and still have Essendon and Richmond to come, meaning Matthew Nicks' side almost certainly needs to win all three to secure the honour. 2. COLLINGWOOD
Played: 20, Won: 15, Lost: 5, Percentage: 130.8
Thursday night is crucial for Collingwood – find form against the Hawks, and the Pies can lock in a top-four spot and vie with Adelaide for top position the following week.
Lose both though and the Magpies could finish the season in fifth – an outcome that was unthinkable less than a month ago.
Jeremy Howe's fitness will be crucial this week and for the rest of the season as his fellow defenders are low on confidence without him. 3. BRISBANE LIONS
Played: 20, Won: 14, Drawn: 1, Lost: 5, Percentage: 112.1
Down the highway to Gold Coast was not a fun trip for Brisbane, but no club outside Queensland has enjoyed when the reigning premiers have come to visit this year.
The win over the Pies was a mature response which leaves a top-two spot on the cards if they can beat Fremantle in the west.
In the Chris Fagan era, the Lions are 3-3 against the Dockers at Optus Stadium.
The toughest post-bye rounds fixture of any side means it will be a herculean effort if they avoid another lapse in the last three games – we think they will drop one of them. 4. GEELONG
Played: 20, Won: 14, Lost: 6, Percentage: 138.6
Jeremy Cameron ton watchers are licking their lips, and the Cats can boost their percentage sky-high with opportunities to bully Essendon and Richmond in the final three games.
Second place or even a surprise minor premiership is now firmly in the equation, but they could still slide into fifth with a slip-up at the SCG and need to treat it as a final.
This week will be the one where the Cats manage their older players with a view to hitting Sydney with a full head of steam. 5. FREMANTLE
Played: 20, Won: 14, Lost: 6, Percentage: 113
Carlton gave Fremantle a mini reality check in Perth, and Hayden Young's groin complaint is troubling ahead of two 'eight-point' games against the Lions and Bulldogs to finish the home and away season.
But the Blues clash was exactly the sort of game where the 2024 Dockers would have caved under pressure, and this group will take great confidence from problem-solving their way out of trouble.
Beat Brisbane or the Dogs, and the Dockers can lock in a home elimination final. 6. GOLD COAST
Played: 19, Won: 13, Lost: 6, Percentage: 125.1
Gold Coast has all but confirmed its maiden finals berth, but won't be content to stop there.
Winning all four games could sneak the Suns past their Queensland rivals into fourth spot, but it will require maturity at their bogey venue Marvel Stadium and against an under-pressure GWS the week after.
They must also be far more competitive in Adelaide than at their last visit to beat the Power in Ken Hinkley's final game as coach. 7. HAWTHORN
Played: 20, Won: 13, Lost: 7, Percentage: 117.6
Hawthorn might be left to rue its missed chances in the final quarter against Adelaide, as now even a win over the Magpies or Lions would not be enough to guarantee eighth spot.
The Hawks will throw the kitchen sink at an out-of-sorts Collingwood on Thursday night, but does their midfield have enough weapons to trouble the Pies without Will Day?
Broadcasters might barrack for a Collingwood win to set up a final round Gabba epic with the Lions vying for the top-four and the Hawks desperate to qualify for September. 8. GWS GIANTS
Played: 20, Won: 13, Lost: 7, Percentage: 111.3
A visit to Canberra and some moral support from the 'Tom Green Fan Club' might just be the tonic that the Giants need after an insipid performance against the Bulldogs threatened to derail their finals hopes last week.
Unless they can boost their percentage above Hawthorn or the Dogs bottle it against Melbourne or West Coast, GWS will need to hit 15 wins to secure a finals spot.
But an upset win over the Suns on the road could yet propel them into sixth. 9. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Played: 20, Won: 12, Lost: 8, Percentage: 137.3
No one wants to sit in ninth, but the Bulldogs should feel slightly more comfortable than the Hawks and Giants despite starting a game behind heading into the last three weeks.
Melbourne will be tricky to face at the MCG, where the Dogs have not played since their round 3 loss to Collingwood.
But beat the Dees, and pending other results the Dogs could sew up finals qualification with a win over West Coast the following week.
The thumping win over GWS might have punched the Bulldogs' September ticket. 10. SYDNEY SWANS
Played: 20, Won: 10, Lost: 10, Percentage: 95
It's over for the Swans this year, but it will be interesting to see whether the frustrated side draws on any notion of grand final revenge to try to inflict some damage on the Lions' or Cats' ladder positions.
West Coast will be a fiery opponent in the last round if they enter the game needing a win to avoid the first one-win season since GWS in 2013. 11. PORT ADELAIDE
Played: 20, Won: 8, Lost: 12, Percentage: 79.8
A weary Port Adelaide has two chances at home to frustrate Fremantle and Gold Coast, but it feels unlikely that they will be able to summon enough to beat either.
Carlton's effort against Fremantle was enough to flip that projected result from previous weeks, which would leave them with a bottom-six finish that no one expected after a preliminary final last year. 12. MELBOURNE
Played: 20, Won: 7, Lost: 13, Percentage: 95
Their three opponents have it all to play for, but the Dees could still be capable of pushing the contenders at the MCG.
Steven May remains suspended for the Bulldogs clash, which will hurt against an in-form Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton 13. CARLTON
Played: 20, Won: 7, Lost: 13, Percentage: 92.1
The Blues' fight against the Dockers was enough to convince us to flip the result of the round 23 clash against Port Adelaide, but any further injury damage against the Suns this week would dent their hopes of ending a horror campaign with consecutive wins. 14. ST KILDA
Played: 20, Won: 7, Lost: 13, Percentage: 87.4
With Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera firing the way he is, the Saints should have too much pace and skill through the middle for the Tigers and Bombers over the next fortnight.
They never make it easy for GWS, either. 15. ESSENDON
Played: 19, Won: 6, Lost: 13, Percentage: 72
It might get ugly in Geelong this week for the injury-riddled Bombers, who fought bravely against Sydney but now need to back that up after a six-day break.
Supporters would be stirred if they could pinch a win with their inexperienced side in the final four games. 16. RICHMOND
Played: 20, Won: 5, Lost: 15, Percentage: 65.5
There's no disincentive for Richmond not to give it a red-hot crack against North Melbourne in its round 23 clash in Hobart.
The Tigers own the Kangaroos' first-round pick, so their draft hand will not change if they hold their advantage on the ladder. 17. NORTH MELBOURNE
Played: 20, Won: 4, Drawn: 1, Lost: 15, Percentage: 73.4
That Hobart clash is crucial for North Melbourne and Alastair Clarkson – defeat would effectively concede that the Tigers have leapfrogged them in the rebuild stakes after just 12 months down the bottom. 18. WEST COAST
Played: 20, Won: 1, Lost: 19, Percentage: 61.9
Last week's loss guaranteed the Eagles the wooden spoon, but they will desperately want to avoid a one-win season and give their fans some cause for optimism by getting up over Sydney in round 24.
Ed Bourke is an AFL and AFLW reporter for the Herald Sun and CODE Sports. He is also quick to jump on the bandwagon whenever any cricket or tennis comes to town. Ed previously worked as a sports reporter at NewsWire after completing a cadetship at the Herald Sun in 2022. AFL
Simon Goodwin's time at Melbourne is over with the premiership coach sacked in the midst of another disappointing Demons season. AFL
Sam Draper has a mysterious phone call, Lethal made some big calls and Nick Riewoldt hosted the footy Logies. Josh Barnes has the good word what you missed on TV.
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Sydney Morning Herald
44 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I think we should do it': AFLW captains push for Origin series in quest for more games, viewers
Molloy wants more footy and more chances to put the game's elite players in the spotlight, and has long wanted the All-Australian side to play together each year. 'I'm lucky to have a couple of All-Australian blazers and I think to myself, God, I'd love to see this team play,' Molloy said. 'I don't know where we play or who we play against, but I always thought to myself that it would be intriguing. 'We've seen so many exciting formats in the men's game, we've seen Origin in the past [in AFLW] and I'd love it. I'd absolutely love it. 'Any way we can showcase talent and put them all together – I'd love to see it in any format.' Some captains also expressed interest in an Australia v Ireland series between AFLW and Gaelic football stars, given the influx of Irish talent. But whatever the format, it must be a good product. 'We need to make sure it is something people want to watch and really build it up,' Crows captain Sarah Allan said. The teams If State of Origin were to return, Molloy believed the teams should be decided based on where a player's club is located, not where they were raised. But there is still strong state allegiance from those who would don an Allies jumper. Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher was already picking her WA side mid-interview – Ebony Antonio and Emma Swanson were among her selections – and hatching a plan to claim Chelsea Randall from South Australia's clutches. 'It would be great to get the old gang back together of people we used to play against in the WAFL,' Schleicher said. 'There is that state pride, there is nothing like putting your own colours on. But whatever it looks like, I'll put my hand up.' Carlton captain Abbie McKay said she would jump at the chance to play for Victoria or Australia. 'It would be awesome,' McKay said. 'I played one year for Vic Metro [at under-18 level] and it would be an honour to do it again.' Queensland could also field a strong side considering Brisbane Lions are a perennial contender and the Gold Coast are producing a host of talented players. 'There is that much talent that Queensland could have our own team – I'd probably say Queensland, South Australia and Victoria could all give it a red-hot crack,' Hawthorn captain Emily Bates said. The standard The AFLW played a State of Origin game in September 2017, when a Debbie Lee-coached Victoria thumped the Allies by 97 points at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce, Ellie Blackburn and Jasmine Garner were among the stars for the Vics. Schleicher was adamant such a result wouldn't be repeated. 'Hey, hey, hey, you are talking to a WA girl here – of course not,' Schleicher exclaimed. Bates was a part of the Allies team in 2017. 'We got absolutely pumped, so that wasn't a great memory,' she recalled. 'But I think it would be great for the game and showcase the best talent available, I'm keen to see it happen again.' Richmond captain Katie Brennan was also on that Allies side and said the talent is far better than in 2017. 'The talent from all the different states is extraordinary now,' Bates said. 'I'm a Queenslander, born and bred, and that talent pathway has gone from strength to strength. There would be more competitive balance out there and it would be an awesome sight to see.' Molloy was more pragmatic about the format. 'The under-18s is where we display our state talent. I would take a more holistic view and have the Allies playing Victoria as Victoria is like the footy capital,' she said. The timing The league's continued expansion is written into the CBA – with the current 18-team competition only playing for 12 rounds plus finals. While Origin would be a way to get more games in the calendar, the same issues that plague discussions of the return of the competition for the men's game would be problematic for the women. Playing a series on the eve of the season could see star players injured ahead of their club campaigns; playing at the end or in the off-season would interrupt their breaks. Playing representative football in the middle of the regular season – for example, making the game a showcase event on AFL grand final day or eve – is also likely to be unpopular with clubs. 'The only trouble [in 2017] was the injuries that came from the game, so that would be a risk. But I think we should do it,' Bates said. 'Timing is tricky. Girls often travel in the off-season and whatnot, I think the perfect time would be straight after the season when you still have your match fitness.' Molloy ruled out a mid-season Origin. 'I don't think fixturing it during the season is appropriate. We want to win the premiership, every team wants to win the premiership, so you don't want to take away from that journey.'
The Age
44 minutes ago
- The Age
‘I think we should do it': AFLW captains push for Origin series in quest for more games, viewers
Molloy wants more footy and more chances to put the game's elite players in the spotlight, and has long wanted the All-Australian side to play together each year. 'I'm lucky to have a couple of All-Australian blazers and I think to myself, God, I'd love to see this team play,' Molloy said. 'I don't know where we play or who we play against, but I always thought to myself that it would be intriguing. 'We've seen so many exciting formats in the men's game, we've seen Origin in the past [in AFLW] and I'd love it. I'd absolutely love it. 'Any way we can showcase talent and put them all together – I'd love to see it in any format.' Some captains also expressed interest in an Australia v Ireland series between AFLW and Gaelic football stars, given the influx of Irish talent. But whatever the format, it must be a good product. 'We need to make sure it is something people want to watch and really build it up,' Crows captain Sarah Allan said. The teams If State of Origin were to return, Molloy believed the teams should be decided based on where a player's club is located, not where they were raised. But there is still strong state allegiance from those who would don an Allies jumper. Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher was already picking her WA side mid-interview – Ebony Antonio and Emma Swanson were among her selections – and hatching a plan to claim Chelsea Randall from South Australia's clutches. 'It would be great to get the old gang back together of people we used to play against in the WAFL,' Schleicher said. 'There is that state pride, there is nothing like putting your own colours on. But whatever it looks like, I'll put my hand up.' Carlton captain Abbie McKay said she would jump at the chance to play for Victoria or Australia. 'It would be awesome,' McKay said. 'I played one year for Vic Metro [at under-18 level] and it would be an honour to do it again.' Queensland could also field a strong side considering Brisbane Lions are a perennial contender and the Gold Coast are producing a host of talented players. 'There is that much talent that Queensland could have our own team – I'd probably say Queensland, South Australia and Victoria could all give it a red-hot crack,' Hawthorn captain Emily Bates said. The standard The AFLW played a State of Origin game in September 2017, when a Debbie Lee-coached Victoria thumped the Allies by 97 points at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce, Ellie Blackburn and Jasmine Garner were among the stars for the Vics. Schleicher was adamant such a result wouldn't be repeated. 'Hey, hey, hey, you are talking to a WA girl here – of course not,' Schleicher exclaimed. Bates was a part of the Allies team in 2017. 'We got absolutely pumped, so that wasn't a great memory,' she recalled. 'But I think it would be great for the game and showcase the best talent available, I'm keen to see it happen again.' Richmond captain Katie Brennan was also on that Allies side and said the talent is far better than in 2017. 'The talent from all the different states is extraordinary now,' Bates said. 'I'm a Queenslander, born and bred, and that talent pathway has gone from strength to strength. There would be more competitive balance out there and it would be an awesome sight to see.' Molloy was more pragmatic about the format. 'The under-18s is where we display our state talent. I would take a more holistic view and have the Allies playing Victoria as Victoria is like the footy capital,' she said. The timing The league's continued expansion is written into the CBA – with the current 18-team competition only playing for 12 rounds plus finals. While Origin would be a way to get more games in the calendar, the same issues that plague discussions of the return of the competition for the men's game would be problematic for the women. Playing a series on the eve of the season could see star players injured ahead of their club campaigns; playing at the end or in the off-season would interrupt their breaks. Playing representative football in the middle of the regular season – for example, making the game a showcase event on AFL grand final day or eve – is also likely to be unpopular with clubs. 'The only trouble [in 2017] was the injuries that came from the game, so that would be a risk. But I think we should do it,' Bates said. 'Timing is tricky. Girls often travel in the off-season and whatnot, I think the perfect time would be straight after the season when you still have your match fitness.' Molloy ruled out a mid-season Origin. 'I don't think fixturing it during the season is appropriate. We want to win the premiership, every team wants to win the premiership, so you don't want to take away from that journey.'
The Advertiser
44 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Premiership window slammed shut for Goodwin after '21
The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterglow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell. The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterglow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell. The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterglow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell.
