The queue at the front of the premiership window is growing – but not everyone can squeeze through it at the same time.

Brisbane are at the front and have shown nothing to suggest they can’t go again, Sydney, GWS and Port Adelaide are there too.

Carlton are running out of chances and Collingwood are running out of time.

But after the closest season we’ve ever had and a thrilling finals series, any of those sides — and some more — could win it all in season 2025.

This year’s contenders span the whole country. Melbourne was lit up by the finals series last season, including a pulsating preliminary final between Geelong and Brisbane.

The Lions invigorated Queensland with their first flag in two decades and it was one that should perhaps have belonged to Sydney.

The SCG was a party every time the Swans continued their unbeaten run to start last season and the fuse was lit in Adelaide when Ken Hinkley came face-to-face with Hawthorn players after they clashed in September.

Sydney won 10 games in-a-row on their way to a second humiliating defeat on grand final day last year.

It is rare for a team that makes it to the final weekend to reach the first one of the next year with a new coach in charge, but Dean Cox is now the man in John Longmire’s chair.

GWS are bold and brash, led by Adam Kingsley — one of the most innovative coaches in the league — and a fleet of star forwards. Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene now have Jake Stringer and youngster Darcy Jones nipping at their heels. That forward line could be anything, but they need it to improve on an embarrassing finals defeat where they coughed up cushy leads to go out in straight sets.

If the Lions can find someone to cover the shock post-premiership retirement of Joe Daniher, there is nothing to say they won’t be a power again. They’ve forged a dynasty before.

And even the Suns have put a brave new rebrand into the world they pledge will come with a brave new era.

The Bulldogs, who will ride on the shoulders of Marcus Bontempelli again when he returns from injury and Carlton, who are riding on the coat-tails of two-time Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps.

Sam Mitchell, Jack Ginnivan, Nick Watson and friends introduced us to Hokball last season and now they’ve added defensive giants Tom Barrass and Josh Battle to their mix.

Even the ageing Cats can’t be counted out if Bailey Smith can help support Patrick Dangerfield in his twilight years and Max Holmes in his formative ones. The same goes for the Pies, with their crop of flag heroes.

This is a season for the whole country to get around. After the first-ever grand final played between two clubs from the northern states, Victoria is bracing for another ambush from what they call the “interstate” clubs.

FIVE MATCHES YOU CAN’T MISS IN 2025

Round 1, Saturday, March 15

Sydney v Brisbane

SCG, 4.15pm

It’s the first grand final rematch of the season, just two weeks in. But both clubs have questions to answer. The Swans have a new coach, with Dean Cox in charge and Brisbane have to find some coverfor retired forward Joe Daniher.

Round 5, Sunday, April 13

Port Adelaide v Hawthorn

Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm

The first time these two sides — who both made runs through the finals last year — have met since Power coach Ken Hinkley came face-to-face with Hawks skipper James Sicily in a fiery exchange after he mocked young gun Jack Ginnivan. It’s also the last game of Gather Round in front of a fiery Adelaide crowd, those Sunday evening games have had a track record of producing thrillers.

Round 8, Sunday, May 4

Sydney v GWS

SCG, 1.10pm

The last time these two rivals met, Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner turned it on and the Swans charged down a lead to beat GWS in a pulsating qualifying final. It has become one of the league’s must-watch rivalries because neither side has slipped down the ladder in recent seasons.

Round 11, Thursday, May 22

Geelong v Bulldogs

GMHBA Stadium, 7.30pm

Bailey Smith and his new Geelong teammates will welcome the Western Bulldogs to the Cattery for a blockbuster Thursday night game. Smith is set for a key role in the Cats midfield and after a drawn-out and high-profile move down the highway. All eyes will be on how his former Western Bulldogs teammates respond.

Round 3, Sunday, March 30

West Coast v Fremantle

Optus Stadium, 3.10pm

Fremantle — who are widely tipped to contend for a top four spot this year — get their first glimpse at West Coast’s new era under coach Andrew McQualter and new recruits Liam Baker and Jack Graham. Last year’s derbies were fiery, including a night where Harley Reid lit up Optus Stadium and stunned the Dockers.