Every fan's question leading into the new season is 'What should I expect of my club in 2025?'
For some, it will be, and rightfully so, staking their claim as genuine contenders for the premiership.
For others, it will likely be to avoid the wooden spoon.
Irrespective of yesteryear's highs and lows, with the new year comes a new outlook that all 18 clubs can push for the ultimate glory, and 2025 is no different.
Thus, we examine where each side sits in terms of their respective 'premiership window' on various levels: wide open, opening, closing, and locked shut.
Adelaide
Opening
The Crows have been starved of finals opportunities since their disastrous grand final loss in 2017 to Richmond.
Since then, it has been a long road back that has welcomed many stars from rival clubs, and the 2024 off-season was no different.
Adelaide narrowly, and most would say wrongly, missed out on September action in 2023, meaning their game plan can stack up under Matthew Nicks.
However, entering his fifth year, with no tangible improvement coming out of West Lakes, 2025 is a do-or-die year for Nicks.
The Crows welcomed Giants duo Isaac Cumming and James Peatling that will immediately improve their back half and midfield cohort whilst the inclusion of Alex Neal-Bullen will add further firepower to the strong running game between the arcs that Nicks has developed.
Then the South Australian wunderkind in Sid Draper, who looks as ready as a draftee can be to make an impact at the elite level, is exciting enough for fans.
Adelaide ranks middle-tier for age (24.8 years avg.) and 12th for experience (69 games), which historically has boded well for clubs attempting to push up the ladder.
And although we feel they are in the next bracket of clubs below the Brisbanes and Sydneys, finals shouldn't be too far away.
