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.
GWS
Wide Open
Unlike their expansion-club counterpart, the Giants have been genuine contenders since they burst onto the finals scene in 2016, and were largely favourites to take the crown.
As a result of impressive player management and development, they've managed to stay around the mark, including losing their last three finals by a combined margin of 12 points.
Aside from Callan Ward (35) and Lachlan Keefe (34), GWS remains relatively young, with Toby Greene the next oldest at 31, hinting at their continual flag contention.
The only issue the Giants face is fighting off rival clubs for their star players, as reflected by the mini exodus that saw Isaac Cumming, James Peatling, Harry Perryman and Nick Haynes depart the club.
In turn, the New South Wales club safeguarded their future by adding three players within the first 24 picks in the 2024 draft, on top of their pair from the opening round the year before.
GWS has a sustainable game plan that should hold them in good stead whilst their drafting approach should only fuel their desire to be a difficult team to play against.
