Legendary AFL figure Mick Malthouse predicts top eight for season 2025, including Fremantle Dockers

The next two rounds are total contrasts, but each one will expose the gulf between the top and bottom teams like never before. This weekend, the top-nine teams play the bottom-nine teams. As much as the AFL likes to pump up the season, it is currently in a slumber. Game attendances are low, and people are switching their televisions over to Wimbledon, because the footy results are predictable with very few upsets. The shame is, it could be so much better with a change to the draft and free agency rules. But what goes around comes around, and there is really only one game this weekend that could go either way – sixth placed Fremantle against 12th placed Sydney. A win for all top-nine clubs this weekend will further widen the gap. Even if the Dockers lose, they would still be three games ahead of 10th placed Port Adelaide. Next week will sort out the top eight and we will get a clearer picture of the top four versus the next four. 8th placed Gold Coast will be further tested against ladder leaders Collingwood. 7th placed Bulldogs take on Adelaide, in 3rd. 9th placed Greater Western Sydney, with newfound form, face 4th placed Geelong. The Dockers are against Hawthorn in a tussle for 5th and 6th position. And 2nd placed Brisbane is the only side playing a team outside the eight - the injury ravaged, under siege Carlton. Port Adelaide’s prospects are high next week, playing the Eagles, which may give them slender hope of staying in touch with the eight. Just. Round 24 is yet to be fixtured. Technically it could be done like the English Premier League where all games are played at the same time to avoid an advantage for any team. But the AFL won’t do that. Only two games in that round could influence the structure of the final eight – Fremantle V Bulldogs, and Brisbane V Hawthorn. However, remember that the great Round Zero is still to be completed. What a shemozzle. While finals-bound clubs will have a bye, the Suns, if they remain in the eight, will have to put a team out against Essendon, who by that stage will be looking ahead to March 2026. And it won’t be a dead rubber because the Suns will be fighting for a higher position in the eight. This is a huge disadvantage heading into September without a rest like the other clubs, and heaven forbid if a player is injured or concussed. So, the compromises continue right through to Round 24.1. In the end I see Collingwood finishing on top. At two-and-a-half games in front they would have to not turn up to not top the ladder. Brisbane, back in form, will finish with a home final and the chance of preliminary final. If Adelaide can hold its nerve, with a good percentage it can and should finish in the top four. Geelong with the easiest draw, remarkably and unbelievably, will be fourth. The Bulldogs are too good not to finish 5th. 6th to 9th will depend on injury and the form maintenance of Hawthorn, Fremantle, Gold Coast and the Giants. The unlucky 9th may come down to percentage. I don’t think this will be the Dockers. Sunday’s game, where the bookies have Sydney as favourites, could determine if Fremantle finishes 8th or 9th. Destiny is in their own hands. MICK’S TOP EIGHT (9. GWS)