It’s been an entertaining Men’s First XI season so far, as we head into the final five rounds of the 2024-25 season.
And there’s still a lot to play out in the run home for each team, particularly the mid table teams as they all battle for a spot in finals.
Carlton – 1st (54 points, % 1.699)
Remaining Games: Dandenong (H), Melbourne (A), Richmond (H), Ringwood (H), Casey South Melbourne (A)
Been a terrific season for the reigning premiers so far, undefeated and looking every bit a premiership team again.
But their run home is one of, if not the, toughest ones among all 18 teams, with all their opponents currently sitting in a finals position.
Richmond – 2nd (51 points, % 2.069)
Remaining Games: Essendon (H), Ringwood (H), Carlton (A), Dandenong (A), Melbourne (H)
Richmond have been one of the more improved sides this season, sitting a game clear of St Kilda in second place.
However, like Carlton, they too have a very tough run home, facing four of the current top eight sides in the last four red ball games of the season.
St Kilda – 3rd (45 points, % 1.64)
Remaining Games: Northcote (A), Fitzroy Doncaster (H), Greenvale Kangaroos (A), Casey South Melbourne (H), Geelong (A)
Couple of recent slip ups for the Saints have seen them slightly slide down from first to third on the table. They will have a relatively easier run home than the current top two though, with only one of their opponents, Casey South Melbourne, inside the top eight.
Ringwood – 4th (38 points, % 1.354)
Remaining Games: Kingston Hawthorn (H), Richmond (A), Dandenong (H), Carlton (A), Prahran (A)
The Rams have come charging in the last couple of white ball games, jumping from 13th to 4th in only a few weeks.
It is a pretty tricky run home, with games against the Hawks and True Blues bookending consecutive games against three of the top five sides. Game at home against Dandenong will be a massive one.
Dandenong – 5th (38 points, % 1.172)
Remaining Games: Carlton (A), Melbourne University (H), Ringwood (A), Richmond (H), Footscray (A)
The Panthers have been one of the biggest risers this season and are well and truly entrenched in the finals race.
There’ll be some good tests for them to end the season, particularly their games against Carlton, Ringwood and Richmond.
Casey South Melbourne – 6th (37 points, % 1.146)
Remaining Games: Footscray (A), Geelong (H), Northcote (A), St Kilda (A), Carlton (H)
Last year’s runners up sit in a similar spot to last year, this time lingering behind Dandenong and Ringwood in sixth spot on the table.
Whilst they should start favourites in the first three matches, their final two games will see them tested against two of the best sides in the competition thus far.
Camberwell Magpies – 7th (30 points, % 1.193)
Remaining Games: Melbourne University (H), Greenvale Kangaroos (A), Essendon (A), Fitzroy Doncaster (A), Kingston Hawthorn (H)
The Magpies have also been one of the most improved sides this season after a 13th-placed finish in season 2023-24.
A pretty decent run home for them too, with three of their opponents vying for finals and the other two sitting at the bottom end of the table.
Melbourne – 8th (29 points, % 1.054)
Remaining Games: Fitzroy Doncaster (A), Carlton (H), Footscray (H), Prahran (A), Richmond (A)
Slightly inconsistent season so far for Melbourne, with strong wins and some disappointing performances at times.
Tricky run home for them, facing off with two top four opponents whilst the rest of their opponents are still in the hunt to play finals. Game against Prahran could prove crucial.
Prahran – 9th (28 points, % 0.894)
Remaining Games: Greenvale Kangaroos (H), Footscray (A), Geelong (A), Melbourne (H), Ringwood (H)
The True Blues have shown plenty of promise so far this season, which sees them sit just outside the top eight.
A return to Toorak Park will boost their spirits but their run home is not going to be easy, particularly their final three games.
Northcote – 10th (28 points, % 0.794)
Remaining Games: St Kilda (H), Frankston Peninsula (A), Casey South Melbourne (H), Melbourne University (A), Fitzroy Doncaster (H)
At one stage the Dragons were sitting inside the top four, but a drop off with the white ball has seen them slip outside the eight.
Their final couple of red ball games are pretty reasonable though, with a couple of tough home games against St Kilda and Casey South Melbourne thrown in the mix.
Melbourne University – 11th (27 points, % 0.866)
Remaining Games: Camberwell Magpies (A), Dandenong (A), Frankston Peninsula (H), Northcote (H), Greenvale Kangaroos (A)
Another side who could sneak into finals given how tight it is, sitting just two points behind eighth place.
Will go in as favourites against Greenvale and Frankston Peninsula, but their other three opponents are set to present a challenge to them.
Geelong – 12th (26 points, % 0.999)
Remaining Games: Frankston Peninsula (A), Casey South Melbourne (A), Prahran (H), Footscray (H), St Kilda (H)
After a strong opening fortnight to the season Geelong are now entrenched in the logjam of sides competing for finals.
Their one white-ball game is a game they will enter as favourites at Frankston Peninsula, their other four games will present different challenges.
Fitzroy Doncaster – 13th (26 points, % 0.997)
Remaining Games: Melbourne (H), St Kilda (A), Kingston Hawthorn (A), Camberwell Magpies (H), Northcote (A)
Up and down so far this season for the Lions, but their white ball form sees them remain in the finals hunt.
They have a tough run home, facing three sides inside the top eight along with some tricky road assignments as well. Have lost all three games with red ball in hand and given their opponents to end the season they will need to be at the very best.
Footscray – 14th (24 points, % 1.075)
Remaining Games: Casey South Melbourne (H), Prahran (H), Melbourne (A), Geelong (A), Dandenong (H)
Some positive performances at times this season for Footscray. Despite this, they still sit six points from eighth-placed Melbourne.
Pretty tricky run home for them, with each of their final five opponents competing for a finals spot. If they can replicate what they did against St Kilda in the final round before the Christmas break each week then they can certainly get close.
Kingston Hawthorn – 15th (23 points, % 0.752)
Remaining Games: Ringwood (A), Essendon (H), Fitzroy Doncaster (H), Frankston Peninsula (A), Camberwell Magpies (A)
Still in the hunt for a top eight position but do sit a bit further behind than some of the sides sitting above them. They’ll have at least two games they go in as favourites but it’s the other three that are set to be tough assignments.
Essendon – 16th (12 points, % 0.528)
Remaining Games: Richmond (A), Kingston Hawthorn (A), Camberwell Magpies (H), Greenvale Kangaroos (H), Frankston Peninsula (H)
Tough season for the Bombers so far, but there could be a light at the end of the tunnel, with only two current top 8 teams and opportunities to add to the win column.
Greenvale Kangaroos – 17th (10 points, % 0.535)
Remaining Games: Prahran (A), Camberwell Magpies (A), St Kilda (H), Essendon (A), Melbourne University (H)
Unfortunately, it’s been another tough year for the Kangaroos. However, they do have a couple of opportunities in the run home to add to their win total.
Frankston Peninsula – 18th (4 points, % 0.515)
Remaining Games: Geelong (H), Northcote (H), Melbourne University (A), Kingston Hawthorn (H), Essendon (A)
Tough season for the Heat after an offseason of change during 2024. Like Greenvale do have opportunities in the remaining rounds to pick up points.