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.
Carlton
Wide open
The Blues' hard work in the late 2010s and early 2020s has led to them being perfectly placed to make a genuine push for a flag.
Carlton's spine is arguably the greatest in the competition, headlined by spearhead forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay as well as being led by Patrick Cripps and Jacob Weitering.
And the emerging Tom De Koning, who is the modern-day prototype of a star ruckman, and Michael Voss have plenty to work with.
Defensive recruit Nick Haynes enters the club as the oldest player on the list, which is a nod to how well they've developed and managed to retain and obtain players of an impressive ilk to be in the premiership conversation.
And they should be there for quite a while.
The Blues proved they were capable of running deep in September when they pushed past Sydney and Melbourne to make the penultimate weekend before running into a rampant Brisbane outfit in 2023.
Last year played out similarly, remaining inside the top eight for all but two weeks despite a poor final month of the home and away campaign, resulting in another bout with the Lions that ended their year earlier than hoped.
Carlton's ability to take the next step will rely heavily on the availability of their stars, which at times in 2024 was stripped from them.
Michael Voss plausibly has one of the most stacked lists in the league, but to win a premiership, talent can only get you so far.
