The AFL 2025 results trip had a lot of surprises, amazing moments, and players who made an impact within the season. But everything now leads to one stage: the biggest day in Australian sports. For the first time in 138 years, the Cats and Lions will face off in the AFL Grand Final 2025 for the flag. Geelong is ready. Brisbane is hungry. The past is calling. This guide gives you the basics: how to catch the game, what to expect, and the best parts that will happen after the final whistle.
Bet on AFL Final with Bonus
AFL 2025 Season Recap
The AFL 2025 season recap makes it clear that it was a year of big rises, big falls, and unforgettable turning points. Adelaide was the first team to get the spotlight. After a bad 2024, the Crows were written off, but they went on to have one of the best seasons in AFL history. They went from 15th to 1st on the ladder, changing what people thought. But when the finals came, they fell short. That was the first big change in the season.
Then Hawthorn came. Not many people thought they would be able to back up their rise, but they did. The Hawks made it to the first preliminary final for the first time in ten years. Sam Mitchell's young team showed no fear as they knocked out big names along the way.
After 14 long years, Gold Coast Suns finally made it to the finals. Fifteen wins got them to September, and beating Fremantle in Perth made people who didn't believe them believe them. A shaky middle of the season for The Giants turned into a fast finish. They won nine of their last ten games, beating Brisbane on the road and Geelong twice. GWS caught fire at the right time, just like in 2023 and 2024, and made it back to the finals.
Collingwood also got a second chance. The Magpies' defense got stronger after they missed the finals in 2024, and Craig McRae's team rose again. They won six games in a row at the start of the season and never looked back. While their recruits didn't always do well, their campaign was built on experience and determination.
In the end, the AFL results left us with two giants still standing: Geelong and Brisbane, who were ready to fight for the flag.
AFL 2025 Ladder & Team Standings
The AFL ladder 2025 told a story of dominance, surprises, and heartbreak that lasted the whole season. Adelaide had the best record of any team, winning 18 games. Geelong was right behind with 17 wins, and Brisbane and Collingwood both had 66 points, but the Lions were ahead on percentage.
GWS, Fremantle, Gold Coast, and Hawthorn were the last four teams to make the top eight. To stay in the game, each of these clubs had to fight hard at the end of the year. The AFL standings were harsh, leaving Sydney, Carlton, and St. Kilda stuck in the middle of the table.
At the bottom, the wooden spoon was a harsh reality. North Melbourne endured another difficult season, unable to climb from last place, while West Coast and Essendon hovered just above.
Finals soon revealed why the ladder mattered. Adelaide’s strong season faltered, their top spot wasted in straight sets. Hawthorn stunned GWS, proving their eighth-place finish masked real danger. Gold Coast, in their first finals campaign, knocked off Fremantle by a single point, adding another shock to September.
Yet the real statement came from Geelong and Brisbane. The Cats beat Hawthorn in the semifinals after easily beating Brisbane in the quarterfinals. The Lions got their act together and beat Gold Coast to make it to the Grand Final.
The stage is ready now. Geelong and Brisbane, who both fought hard to get to the top of the ladder, will meet in the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
AFL 2025 Key Players & Awards
The AFL Brownlow Medal 2025 was a big surprise. Matt Rowell, a star for the Gold Coast, stole the show by getting 39 votes and becoming only the second Sun after Gary Ablett Jr. to win the game's top honor. He had a great season because he was strong, consistent, and had eight best-on-ground performances. Collingwood’s Nick Daicos once again came close, finishing runner-up for the third straight year. Bailey Smith, Jordan Dawson, and Andy Brayshaw rounded out the top five.
Rowell was great in the middle of the field, but Jeremy Cameron of Geelong was the best in attack. The Cats forward won the 2025 Coleman Medal with 83 goals, including 11 in round 20. Ben King and Jack Gunston were behind, but Cameron was too far ahead to be caught.
Murphy Reid from Fremantle was named Rising Star for his calmness and adaptability. Dan Curtin of Adelaide placed second. He played every game and helped the Crows reach the finals.
The season's best players made the All-Australian team. Daicos and Smith, along with stars from every line who changed the game with speed, skill, and strength, secured their spots. Smith and Daicos are on the biggest stage, and their Grand Final match against Geelong and Brisbane will highlight their amazing years.
The 2025 awards confirmed what fans already knew; this was a season defined by brilliance, breakthroughs, and unforgettable AFL best players.
AFL 2025 Finals Series Recap
The AFL fixture 2025 finals delivered everything fans hoped from close games to the big upsets, and now with two big teams standing tall at the end. The elimination finals set the mood. Hawthorn showed why they were the most dangerous eighth-place team in years by beating the Giants in a high-scoring game. Gold Coast won their first-ever finals game by one point over Fremantle. This made people on the coast happy and people in Perth sad. The results of the 2025 AFL finals showed everyone that September is never easy to predict.
The semi-finals made the race more exciting from there. Geelong showed their strength by beating Hawthorn with a strong performance that showed they were serious about winning the premiership. In the second semi, Brisbane crushed Gold Coast, using their experience from the finals to stop the Suns' dream run. By the end of that weekend, the stage was set for a mouth-watering preliminary round.
Fate had other ideas. Adelaide, the minor premiers, lost in straight sets, shocking fans. Collingwood tried hard but couldn't replicate 2023's performance. Geelong and Brisbane handled the pressure best, so their path was clear. The Cats beat Brisbane and Hawthorn by a lot in the quarterfinals and semifinals. After a slow start, the Lions beat Gold Coast in the semifinals to reach the final. Brisbane and Geelong are in the Grand Final. Both sides survived September's chaos, but one will rule 2025.
AFL Grand Final 2025 – Time, Date & Channel
The AFL Grand Final 2025 is set for Saturday, September 27, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). For fans asking, what time is the AFL Grand Final, the first bounce is confirmed for 2:30 PM AEST. Entertainment will light up the MCG before the game, with Snoop Dogg headlining, joined by Tash Sultana, Baker Boy, and Vera Blue performing the anthem. The MCG, with its roar and tradition, is the only place that could host a stage this big.
Now to the big question: what channel is AFL on? The answer is simple — the AFL on Channel 7 remains the home of the Grand Final. The entire game will be broadcast live and free, making sure fans across Australia don’t miss a single moment. For those streaming, 7Plus is your go-to, with the live TV feature giving you uninterrupted action.
International supporters won’t be left behind either. The WatchAFL app and website will deliver the game worldwide, keeping overseas fans connected to the heart of Australian sport.
So, whether you’re in the stands, on the couch, or streaming abroad, the 2025 AFL Grand Final is set for one unforgettable night.
Teams in the AFL Grand Final 2025
The 2025 AFL Grand Final features two of the most successful teams of the 2020s—Geelong and Brisbane—both vying for another premiership in a highly anticipated showdown.
Geelong and Brisbane have fought their way to the 2025 AFL Grand Final after impressive playoff campaigns. Geelong secured their spot with a commanding win over Brisbane (112-74) in the round ⅛ and then triumphed over Hawthorn (115-85) in the Semi-finals. Brisbane advanced to the Grand Final after comfortably defeating Gold Coast (100-47) in the Semi-finals, following their Quarter Final win over the Gold Coast Suns.
Geelong Cats have long been a powerhouse in the AFL, and their path to the Grand Final has been defined by balanced team play. Key players like Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins have provided the leadership, while their defensive unit, led by superstar defender Lachie Henderson, has been rock-solid throughout the season.
Brisbane Lions, on the other hand, bring a dynamic attack spearheaded by Charlie Cameron. Their midfield, featuring Jarryd Lyons and Dayne Zorko, will be crucial in dictating the tempo of the game. However, their weakness has often been their inconsistent defensive performances, something they will need to address in the Grand Final as they eye consecutive AFL titles.
How Long Is an AFL Game?
Fans often ask, how long is an AFL game? The answer is simple. Each match is made up of four 20-minute quarters, but that’s only the starting point. The 2025 AFL Grand Final will follow this rhythm. Play begins in four bursts of action, broken by short breaks between quarters and a longer half-time. By the end, the clock tells one story, but the actual run time almost always pushes past the two-hour mark.
Now, what if the scores are tied when the siren sounds? Extra time steps in. Players get a six-minute pause before resuming with two three-minute halves, plus time on. Sides switch ends after the first half without a break. Teams also gain ten extra interchanges for each half of extra time.
If the deadlock continues, the game does not stop. Another set of halves begins, and the battle rolls on until one team finds victory.
Bet on AFL Final with BonusPredictions & Odds for the AFL 2025 Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final odds 2025 tell the story of a clash too close to call. Geelong enters as the slight favorite at 1.54 on 1xBet, while Brisbane is a small underdog at 2.50 on Bet365. The numbers show that both sides are respected and suggest a close finish.
Our experts who make AFL predictions point to the midfield as the place to watch. Control and efficiency are the main parts of Geelong's structure. Brisbane, on the other hand, does well with speed, pressure, and breaking through defenses. On the big stage, whoever wins the most clearances and disposals could make a difference.
Turnovers are another weapon. This season, the Cats are 18-1 when they score more points than their opponents from turnovers. The Lions aren't far behind, with a record of 16-1 in games that ended this way. History makes it more interesting: since 2000, the team that lost the qualifying final has won four of the five Grand Final rematches.
Dunkley has had 25+ disposals in six straight Geelong games. With three Preliminary Final goals, Patrick Dangerfield demonstrated his flexibility. Brisbane has a +12.5 handicap, but three wins from four versus Geelong suggest they will battle to the siren.
Looking Ahead to AFL 2026 Season
The AFL 2026 preview gets us ready for another exciting season. Melbourne, Richmond, and West Coast are betting on youth and smart recruitment to climb the ladder. New people will bring new energy, and old stars will try to make up for their mistakes. The teams that reached the 2025 playoffs quarter finals remain the ones to watch, but surprises always come. Next year will be full of exciting races, new talent, and new stories that will change the future of the game.
