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.
Melbourne
Closing
A lot has been written about where Melbourne stands among the competition and the fact is, no one really knows.
They won a flag three years ago before consecutive top-four finishes that ended in straight sets exits seemingly papered over cracks that have come to the fore in 2024.
The narrative around Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver damaged the club while the premature retirement of Angus Brayshaw and the drug scandal involving Joel Smith shoved the Demons further into a dark pit.
But aside from the persistent off-field drama, Melbourne appears as a smokey in 2025, albeit waning.
The club has 16 2021 premiership players remaining on the list whilst an assembly of young talent is already making their mark.
But with the ageing Max Gawn and Jack Viney, coupled with the unknown futures of Petracca, Oliver and Kysaiah Pickett, the Demons must strike now or fear a period of mediocrity.
