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.
16. North Melbourne
(Backline ranking: 18th; Midfield ranking: 13th; Forward line ranking: 16th)
If North Melbourne are to rise out of the bottom four in 2025, it will be largely due to their ever-increasing plethora of midfield talent.
Each year North Melbourne continue plucking midfielders at the top end of the draft, and with a season or two under the belts of Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher, the Roos' midfield is set to become explosive.
Add in 25 and 26-year-olds Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jy Simpkin, and the depth of talent is evident.
However, North Melbourne's other two lines could let the club down next season. The forward line is another wait-and-see prospect with the inclusions of Jack Darling and Luke Parker, while their defence is perhaps their greatest weakness, lacking any player greater than serviceable, other than the temporarily-stationed young midfielders easing into AFL level.
Charlie Comben presents as the fix for the Kangaroos' defensive worries, but his swingman abilities mean even he can be a temporary figure in the backline.
The Roos have arguably the best young talent coming through the ranks and now have experienced, premiership-winning veterans in the side to breed a winning culture. Although, development is still needed for this young list, hence the low ranking, but don't be surprised if North Melbourne have exceeded a few clubs this time next year.
