GOOD: FROM HEARTACHE TO HOPE

I breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday night, as the final siren sounded on West Coast’s 2025 season.

One win from their 23 games made for far more lows than highs.

But I do believe this difficult chapter has closed with a glimmer of hope.

That hope is headlined by young gun Jobe Shanahan, who capped off his debut season with three goals against Sydney.

Across nine games, Shanahan finished with 12.9, giving fans a taste of his immense potential.

Lucca Grego made his debut in the final round of the home and away season and showed plenty of promise in defence, while top draft pick Bo Allan has already committed to the club’s long rebuild, signing on until 2028 alongside Shanahan.

Reuben Ginbey’s relentless determination, fight and passion have made him a standout all season. He’s shaping as a future captain.

And then there’s the next generation powering the Eagles’ engine room — Harley Reid and Elijah Hewett have both provided glimpses of what could be.

For a team that’s endured more than enough heartache, the green shoots are real, and they’ve arrived.

BAD: FEELING THE VOID

The minor premiers’ 13-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday should have been a comfortable victory.

Instead, it raised uncomfortable questions about what Adelaide could look like without Izak Rankine come finals.

Rankine has been suspended for four games after using a homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent. He’s one of the Crows’ most dynamic players, capable of turning games with moments of brilliance.

Against the Roos, Adelaide led by 25 points at three-quarter time but allowed North to kick four consecutive goals to narrow the margin. The absence of Rankine’s attacking flair was obvious.

If this is how the Crows perform against a lower-ranked side without him, it’s a worrying sign for September.

UGLY: FINALS FIGHT

Is the dream of finals footy fast fading for Gold Coast?

A narrow, four-point loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night has left their September hopes still in doubt.

To be fair, they ran into a determined Power side farewelling coach Ken Hinkley and club legend Travis Boak.

Now it all comes down to a season-defining clash with Essendon at home on Wednesday night.

The equation is simple: Win and they are in.

Still though, it’s a bitter pill for Damien Hardwick and his players to swallow.

Just last week, they were eyeing off a top-four finish.

A win over Greater Western Sydney would have all but sealed it, but instead the Suns faltered.

Then came Port, and with it, another golden opportunity slipped away.