AFL 2025 Grand Final Recap & Season Wrap: Highlights & Expert Analysis

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Relive the 2025 AFL Grand Final and season highlights. Brisbane went back-to-back, Geelong fell short, and surprise contenders reshaped the premiership race.

AFL 2025 Grand Final & Season Recap in Focus

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Lions Roar to Back-to-Back Flags

Brisbane 18.14 (122) def. Geelong 11.9 (75)

Brisbane blew the game open after half-time, piling on goals to run out 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) winners. Back-to-back flags confirm what most suspected by September — this group has the makings of a dynasty. Will Ashcroft claimed his second straight Norm Smith Medal, Hugh McCluggage kicked four, and Charlie Cameron lit up the third quarter as the Lions powered clear of a fading Geelong.

Young Hawks, Rising Crows, and Suns Breakthrough

Now that the season has closed, the biggest storylines came from the risers. Hawthorn were the surprise of September, storming from eighth to a preliminary final. Sam Mitchell’s side showed grit, knocking out Adelaide and GWS, and their young midfield, led by Jai Newcombe, now looks ready for a sustained push.

Adelaide’s turnaround was almost as striking. Wooden spoon territory in 2024, minor premiers in 2025 — the leap was enormous. Their exit in straight sets was sobering but it doesn’t erase the gains. If Matthew Nicks can find a September formula, the Crows will be back.

Then there’s Gold Coast. Damien Hardwick’s first campaign produced the breakthrough Suns fans had been craving. A first ever finals win over Fremantle gave legitimacy to a side built around Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell. Brisbane humbled them in a semi, but the Suns’ days of being an afterthought are gone.

Big Names Who Fell Short

Sydney couldn’t shake the hangover from last year’s Grand Final and spent most of the year playing catch-up. A late rally wasn’t enough, leaving the Swans outside the eight.

Carlton’s year was another letdown. Injuries played a part, but the inconsistency was glaring, and their forward line never clicked. The Blues were built for September yet never got close.

Melbourne’s decline was sharper still. Only four years after ending their drought, the Demons looked a shadow of that team. With Simon Goodwin gone and Petracca’s future clouded, the question now is whether their premiership window has already slammed shut.

Collingwood also belong on this list. A top-two finish and stretches of dominance meant expectations were sky high, but when the crunch came, they stalled. A preliminary final was the ceiling, and with several veterans edging towards the end, it’s fair to wonder if their best shot has already passed.

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When Wins Weren’t Enough

One of the enduring memories of 2025 will be the sheer difficulty of making finals. Fifteen wins were required just to scrape into eighth. The Western Bulldogs had 14 victories and a percentage of 137, yet still missed out. That told the story of a season where margins were brutal. Depth and resilience mattered more than individual brilliance, and Brisbane showed the way — pulling strong performances from across the squad while absorbing injury setbacks.

What Comes Next

So what does it all mean for 2026? Brisbane go in as the team everyone else is chasing, and their list hasn’t peaked yet. Geelong will regroup — they rarely stay down for long — while Hawthorn, Adelaide, and Gold Coast have changed the balance of power, proving the flag race is no longer a two-club affair.

Brisbane set the pace now, and every other club will spend summer figuring out how to catch them. The season brought us fresh challengers, sudden exits, and a few harsh lessons but the takeaway is straightforward enough. In a year where the margins were as tight as they’ve ever been, one side still found a way to separate themselves from the pack, proof that dynasties are alive and well in modern footy.

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