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.
10. Geelong
(Backline ranking: 12th; Midfield ranking: 15th; Forward line ranking: second)
With a stacked forward line, Geelong should be contending again in 2025, although an untried midfield group and potential defensive depth worries reveal a worrying flipside of the coin.
The Cats boast some of the league's best talents offensively, with Jeremy Cameron, Gryan Miers, Tyson Stengle and Rising Star Ollie Dempsey slotting inside the forward 50.
The midfield has been an area of concern for a couple of years after Selwood's retirement, with hopes lying on a fully recovered Bailey Smith and even greater improvement from Max Holmes, whose hamstring blow in the preliminary final effectively ended up displaying how large his influence is on Geelong's performances.
Geelong still also lack a clear ruck option, however have an abundance of key positional players that can rotate through the role.
As for the defence, should Tom Stewart and Sam De Koning shift between their defensive duties and respective midfield and ruck minutes, the Cats' make-shift set-up could be leaky.
However, with an additional home game at GMHBA Stadium, as well as their consistent culture of on-field success, the Cats' list is nicely placed to provide the club with another finals appearance in 2025, even if it lacks a couple of key positions or depth.
Because hey, it's worked out okay before.
