As attention turns to the twists and tales that 2025 could offer, new and familiar names are set to emerge as the headline-makers who will shape the AFL in the new year.
The past 12 months saw the likes of Adam Simpson, Christian Petracca, Ken Hinkley, Laura Kane and Harley Reid prominently feature in the news, wanted or not.
Some big names can already be predicted to catch widespread attention in the coming year, while there may be a surprise or two who take the cake.
So, in no particular order, these are eight of AFL's biggest expected headline makers for the 2025 season...
3. Andrew Dillon
You can't have a list like this without someone from AFL headquarters, and more so the CEO.
The shape-shifting nature of the game and the key calls that must be made by the AFL, its Commission and other key figureheads significantly play a part in the product, and therefore fan satisfaction, that is delivered.
In conjunction with football boss Laura Kane, chairman Richard Goyder and game development lead Rob Auld, among others, Dillon is the biggest influence in the AFL.
Whether successful or not, each and every decision made by Dillon and his team will be critiqued and criticised externally. The competition has been arguably its most entertaining over the past two seasons, so expectations will again be high.