The final round of the 2025 AFL season saw many highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Western Bulldogs’ loss and facing finals uncertainty; meanwhile, seven teams have been confirmed for the AFL Finals series.
Bulldogs lose, facing finals uncertainty
Defeated by the Fremantle Dockers over the weekend, the Western Bulldogs are relying on Essendon to defeat on the Gold Coast Suns in a mid-week affair on Wednesday night as they try and keep their finals hopes alive.
On the edge of a finals spot and currently in the top eight – ahead by the Suns – they were outclassed by Fremantle, who defeated them by 15 points away from home and have now moved into sixth.
Forward duo Patrick Voss and Josh Teacy both kicked three goals each, while it was Caleb Serong who registered 24 disposals and five tackles – and was also found not guilty by the MRC ahead of the finals.
“We seem to play our best footy against the better teams, as you saw for periods of the game tonight,” Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said.
“We’ve had seven wins against the top nine sides now and our players will get a lot of belief and confidence out of that.
“The contested game seems to suit us, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Collingwood secure top-four spot
After losing their last three consecutive matches, Collingwood entered the match against the Melbourne Demons down on confidence and nearly fell out of the top-four before defeating their rivals by six points in a Friday night thriller.
Entering the match with nothing to lose, the Demons gave their all against the Magpies and nearly came up with the ultimate upset to end their season. Looking towards a fresh start in 2026, Clayton Oliver’s 30 disposals and three goals from Bayley Fritsch unfortunately couldn’t get them the win.
Instead, it was the Magpies’ forwards and midfield stalwarts Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey, that really stood up for the home team, granting them a double-chance in September.
“Historically, finals have been his time to shine, so he’s probably one of the freshest players we have. Excited for what could be,” Collingwood coach Craig McRae said on De Goey
Giants sneak into home final
The GWS Giants have sneaked into the top-eight, thanks primarily to a one-of-a-kind performance from skipper Toby Greene.
Known for playing his best footy in the big moments, Greene produced a clinic against St Kilda over the weekend, which saw the three-time All-Australian kick two goals and set up another in the final quarter.
On the brink of being upset by their opponents, they were able to finish the clash strong and end the result with an 11-point win, securing their place in the 2025 AFL Finals series – and nearly making the top four.
There are not many players really that, back-to-back, can not only generate another 30 seconds for you to take that off the clock, hit the post from the boundary line, pretty close shot, and then know that they were going to attack the corridor and protect it for us. Absolutely brilliant,” GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley said of the club’s skipper.
“That’s what he does. But having said that, we don’t want to rely on that, but it’s nice when it does happen.
“He’s done that all year, to be fair, the leadership that he’s shown throughout the course of the year, particularly in big moments, I think he’s outstanding.”