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.
Fremantle
Opening
The Dockers are building something special and the competition knows it.
The acquisition of Shai Bolton from Richmond has officially opened the premiership window.
Justin Longmuir has been widely criticised for his mundane game style that revolves around defending the opposition as opposed to attacking the game.
As a result, Fremantle sits comfortably as one of the best defensive outfits in the league.
But what Dockers fans saw in 2024 was a shift to win the game, reflected by their daring ball movement from the back half through handball chains and linking up through the midfield.
And with a stacked on-ball brigade coupled with a stingy defence, the last line is the attack, in which Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss have quickly emerged as the leaders of the group.
The West Australian club has persevered through mediocrity for too long and should be expected to contend for the foreseeable future.
