Contenders Analysis - 2025 Afl

Visual analysis showing which teams are true contenders (can win the title) or pretenders (may have had a few good wins but will not win the championship) based on their offensive and defensive performance.

Contenders Overview

Defense

HAW

COL

Both

BRI

GEE

ADE

GCS

Neither

FRE

SYD

CAR

STK

PTA

MEL

ESS

NTH

RIC

WCE

Offense

GWS

WBD

Offense (top) vs Defense (left) - Top third performance

True

Defense

Offense

Neither

Analysis Summary

True Contenders

Defensive Contenders

Offensive Pretenders

Pretenders

Based on top 6 teams (top third) for offense and defense metrics

Defensive Contenders

Strong defense, weak offense - rely on low-scoring games

HAW

#4 • 7th offense • 3rd defense

COL

#5 • 9th offense • 1st defense

True Contenders

Strong offense and defense - championship material

BRI

#1 • 6th offense • 6th defense

GEE

#2 • 2nd offense • 4th defense

ADE

#3 • 3rd offense • 2nd defense

GCS

#6 • 4th offense • 5th defense

Pretenders

Weak offense and defense - unlikely to compete

FRE

#8 • 8th offense • 7th defense

SYD

#10 • 11th offense • 11th defense

CAR

#11 • 14th offense • 10th defense

STK

#12 • 12th offense • 13th defense

PTA

#13 • 15th offense • 14th defense

MEL

#14 • 10th offense • 12th defense

ESS

#15 • 16th offense • 16th defense

NTH

#16 • 13th offense • 17th defense

RIC

#17 • 18th offense • 15th defense

WCE

#18 • 17th offense • 18th defense

Offensive Pretenders

Strong offense, weak defense - inconsistent performers

GWS

#7 • 5th offense • 9th defense

WBD

#9 • 1st offense • 8th defense

Legend

Quick Guide

True Contenders: Strong offense & defense

Defensive Contenders: Strong defense, weak offense

Offensive Pretenders: Strong offense, weak defense

Pretenders: Weak offense & defense

Methodology

• Teams divided into thirds based on total teams
• Top third for offense = highest average points for
• Top third for defense = lowest average points against
• Quadrants determined by offense/defense tier placement

Quadrant Meanings

• True Contenders: Strong offense & defense
• Defensive Contenders: Strong defense, weak offense
• Offensive Pretenders: Strong offense, weak defense
• Pretenders: Weak offense & defense

Data Explanation

F: Average points scored per game (offense metric)

A: Average points conceded per game (defense metric)

#: Current ladder position

Teams are categorized based on their performance relative to other teams in the competition. True contenders typically have both strong offensive and defensive capabilities, while pretenders may excel in one area but struggle in the other, or struggle in both areas.