Following the nine-part series ranking each AFL club's positional lines, it is time to review each AFL team's list in its entirety and determine which sides can enter 2025 with full confidence in the talent on their list.
While some clubs may be star-studded in one spot, this list will take the entire squad into account, looking into the depth, firepower, and performances in 2024 across all three areas of the field.
Those who have been consistently at the top of the rankings throughout our series will undoubtedly find themselves at the top of the board once again, but those who popped into the top six just once, or those who had a starkly low ranking in comparison to their other results, may find themselves dropped to midtable or below.
RELATED: FORWARD LINE RANKINGS, MIDFIELD RANKINGS, & BACKLINE RANKINGS
So, here is the concluding chapter to Zero Hanger's pre-season list rankings, signifying the best and worst teams on paper for the year ahead.
8. Carlton
(Backline ranking: 14th; Midfield ranking: fourth; Forward line ranking: third)
One of the more star-studded lists in the league, it's a surprise the Blues have faltered to make a genuine finals run since Michael Voss took the reins.
A brief glance on paper and there is a dual Brownlow medallist, a couple of Coleman medallists and an All-Australian defender leading the way for the Blues.
However, the Blues' high amount of points conceded per game, ranked the fifth-highest amongst AFL clubs, and first amongst 2024's top eight teams, suggests the Blues' backline needs some improvement. With Nic Newman out for the season, and no incoming trade recruits, another season of leaky defence could be upcoming for Carlton, and potentially determine their fate in 2025.
Although, you can never count out Patrick Cripps, who has time and time again proved his worth on the biggest of occasions.
