The 2025 AFL season is upon us. In an eventful pre-season, footy fans have already been treated to a number of dazzling goals from the league's best, setting the tone for what might be one of the more prolific goalkicking seasons in recent memory.
It was Jesse Hogan who led the way in 2024, winning the Coleman Medal comfortably with 69 snags to his name in the home and away season. The question now is: Can he do it again? If not, who will?
We've picked out the seven favourite candidates for the 2025 Coleman Medal.
4. Sam Darcy
The Bulldogs' nightmare pre-season injury toll thankfully does not include prized father-son pick Sam Darcy, who might take the biggest leap in scoring out of anyone on this list.
With a more consistent run in the senior squad last season, Darcy kicked a goal in 20 of his 21 AFL games, reaching a pinnacle of seven goals against North Melbourne in Round 23.
Darcy's physical tools give him a significant advantage over his opponents, most notably his near seven-foot stature, and with several years of AFL conditioning under his belt now, he is looking as comfortable as ever on the big stage.
In the Bulldogs' pre-season fixtures, Darcy has impressed massively, kicking 3.2 against Hawthorn from seven marks, signifying the clear momentum he's been building out of the 2024 season.
If his efficiency in front of the sticks can improve to a level we've seen out of Coleman winners in the past, it's not unfair to suggest Darcy can be the young gun to push for the title down the stretch of the home and away season.
