AFL Christmas Wishlist: What your club is asking from Santa?

If Santa were to visit each club and deliver one present, what would fit the needs of each side ahead of the new year? Here, we look at the one thing atop each AFL team's Christmas wishlist this festive season... Adelaide FogThorpe? Crows forwards dominate Adelaide has been starved of finals football since 2017, when Richmond dismantled them in the grand final. Inching closer to September action, the Crows will be looking to some of their young stars to take them to the next level. Enter Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe. The pair haven't played a large amount of football together due to injury and form. But with Taylor Walker looking to step aside and allow the next generation to take over, the floor is theirs. Brisbane No more trouble in front of the big sticks It's hard to ask for something when you've reached the top of the mountain, but we've given it a go. Throughout their storied premiership season, the Lions faced multiple hurdles, but arguably none bigger than their goal-kicking issues. Brisbane lost six games on account of their errant kicking and ranked 14th for goal accuracy, sitting at 47 per cent. The club's top-four goal-kickers also ranked under 50 per cent, which is an area that Chris Fagan focuses on. Carlton Casualties at a minimum The Blues suffered one of the worst injury lists seen in recent times in 2024, culminating in utilising 37 players. Albeit not the biggest number, Michael Voss' hands were tied at times as key personnel were forced to the sideline, and some for lengthy periods. Jack Silvagni didn't reach the park; Sam Docherty's recurring knee issues reared their ugly head once more; Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet faced minor troubles. Then there's Adam Cerra, Mitch McGovern, Jesse Motlop and Charlie Curnow, who all missed at various stages of the year. Collingwood The fountain of youth There is no doubt that Collingwood is all chips in on season 2025, given their aggressive trade and free-agency moves. Craig McRae's top-line talent rivals the competition's best, but as it was shown last year when a few injuries hit, the Pies were scarce of stars. Finlay Macrae and Reef McInnes have been teasing black-and-white fans of their capability to mix it with the top level, while Ed Allan's Round 24 performance will have Supercoach users going wild as a cheap but effective pick-up. Essendon A finals win This would be an annual wish dating back to 2005. The Bombers have made the finals six times since their last victory in September but have yet to sing the song. Last year was on track to break the curse, spending 15 weeks inside the top eight, including pushing for the top four. Essendon fans have been crying out for a miracle, and starting with Santa fits into that mould. Fremantle Freo remove falter mode The Dockers spent 18 weeks inside the top 8 in 2024, only to lose their final four matches and squander a double chance. Fremantle proved their worth by beating grand finalists Brisbane and Sydney but somehow failed on hurdles against West Coast and Essendon when it mattered most. They are the 11th youngest team in the competition, but given their star talent, there is no time for excuses. Geelong Smith worth the price High-prized recruit Bailey Smith was arguably the biggest name that crossed clubs in the 2024 trade period. Smith spent the entire year on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, which cost the Cats a first-round selection, whilst also sliding further back in the draft. The 24-year-old has all the attributes to be a star of the competition, and a fresh start at a new club might be what the doctor ordered. Gold Coast Ability to travel abroad The Suns were finally expected to make the jump into finals after landing big fish Damien Hardwick as their head coach. But as it has since their inception, the inability of the expansion club to travel effectively waned their September chances, securing only one victory - coming from an after-the-siren goal - as the away side. Hardwick has the talent and the home-ground advantage down pat, but once they board an aeroplane, they turn into a different team. GWS Quick turnaround The Giants' 2024 year ended in heartbreak, coughing up two consecutive finals games with considerable leads to exit in straight sets by the barest of margins. And what's made matters worse is the off-season party that has ridiculed the club's leadership and culture. But to change the narrative, GWS must put it all together on the field. Hawthorn Lewis improves forward mix Mitch Lewis has been one of the great unknowns, having not played more than 15 games in one season across his career. Lewis' 2024 was plagued by injuries, playing four games due to an ACL injury, while hauls of 36 and 37 in the years prior show just how much upside there is. The Hawks produced outstanding results with a make-shift forward line, but if they can include the 25-year-old on a consistent basis, there's no reason they couldn't dream about the big dance. Melbourne Clarry and Trac stay 'ontrac' The Demons' year from hell almost saw the club entertain trades for star midfield duo Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, with rival sides coming hard. Bound by the lengthy and lucrative contracts, the pair stayed in the red and blue, for now. However, Melbourne has turned a new page, welcoming an external review and making shifts at the board and coaching level, which ideally will breathe new life into the club. At their best, Oliver and Petracca are the most dynamic midfield pairing, and if they can get the synergy right, who's to say the Dees won't be contending once again? North Melbourne LDU's John Hancock North Melbourne's first request from Santa will be the delivery of star midfielder Luke Davied-Uniacke's signature, indicating his recommission to the club. The 25-year-old has flagged the need to see improvement on the field before he makes his decision whilst also declaring his love for the club. The Kangaroos are stacked with cash and room to satisfy Davies-Uniacke's demands, but could the lure of finals football be too much? Port Adelaide Hinkley decision comes quick In 2024, Port Adelaide was forced to defend consistent badgering and torment surrounding Ken Hinkley's future. From the media to their own fans, Hinkley was forced to swat away the criticism as he took the club to the penultimate weekend. However, entering the final year of his contract, it is likely this will be 'Kenny's last, with Josh Carr lurking in the shadows. For the sake of Hinkley and the club, let's hope the decision doesn't drag out like his previous contract extensions. Richmond Lynch not to miss Richmond was aimless without their key forward, Tom Lynch, patrolling the front half of the MCG (and other grounds). Lynch was seen four times in 2024, and, ironically, played a huge part in the club's upset win over Sydney, kicking three goals before spending the next 10 weeks on the sidelines. We know what the two-time premiership player is capable of, and at 32 years old, everyone will be praying for an injury-free season. St Kilda Max King to stay fit The Saints have plenty to ask for, but keeping spearhead forward Max King on the park would take the cake. King has been plagued by injury across the past 24 months, resulting in a measly 23 games and 47 goals. St Kilda have been crying out for a star tall since Nick Riewoldt departed in 2017. And we all know what the No.12 is capable of, both past and present, with the latter kicking 52 majors in the 2022 season. Sydney Will Warner stay, or will he go? Sydney only wants one answer despite the constant speculation that the West Australian-born star will return home. Warner is quickly becoming one of the best players in the competition, and there's no shock that West Coast and Fremantle would be interested in luring him across the Nullaboor. However, the Swans have done a superb job at retaining all their quality players, locking away their future. Would one more hurt? West Coast Reid signs monster contract Harley Reid is already among the most sought-after players in the competition despite spending only 12 months in the AFL. When he joined the Eagles, Reid was bound by a three-year contract, with the West Australian club hoping to extend that. Following suit with Mac Andrew and Hayden Young, West Coast, ideally, would lock the Victorian into a monster contract, swatting away prying hands simultaneously. Western Bulldogs Let the Dogs out early Western Bulldogs will be eyeing a strong start to their 2025 campaign. As it has been Luke Beveridge's modus operandi (style), the Dogs are yet to claim a top-four spot under his rein,20 and usually making a late run towards September. A fast start will also put external noise surrounding Beveridge's future to rest as he enters the last year of his contract.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	BL	5	5	0	20	120
2	GC	4	4	0	16	168.3
3	GWS	5	4	1	16	145.4
4	COLL	5	4	1	16	127.1
5	HAW	5	4	1	16	111.8
6	GEEL	5	3	2	12	131.3
7	ADEL	5	3	2	12	130.4
8	FRE	5	3	2	12	108.3

AFL Christmas Wishlist: What your club is asking from Santa?

What are you hoping Saint Nick delivers to your team?

Richmond

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