EIGHT rounds are done and four remain in the regular season for AFL Women’s in 2025. With that knowledge, it means the race for the dreaded wooden spoon is on, and while the clubs in this article will be keen to avoid the honour, we take a look at who is in the running based on their draws.

18th – Gold Coast Suns (1-7 | 4 points | 37.0%)

Remaining: Hawthorn (A), Western Bulldogs (H), Collingwood (H), Richmond (A)

The Suns are the front-runners to take out the spoon after narrowly avoiding it last year. It’s hard to see them getting close to Hawthorn on current form, but they do play the Bulldogs and Collingwood in Queensland which are winnable, while a potential spoon-off between the bottom two sides takes place on November 1 against the Tigers. Injury has decimated the Suns this season, but they have a stack of Academy prospects ready to take them up the ladder quickly.

17th – Richmond (1-7 | 4 points | 62.0%)

Remaining: North Melbourne (H), Collingwood (A), Fremantle (A), Gold Coast (H)

The Tigers have a comfortably better percentage than the Suns, but North Melbourne is known for decimating percentages and even the most diehard of Tigers fans are more just hoping to keep it respectable against the rampaging premiership favourites. On paper, the last three games are more than winnable, though the trip west will be a big challenge. If Tigers beat Collingwood, they should avoid the spoon, and would do so with a victory over Gold Coast in the final round.

16th – Collingwood (2-6 | 8 points | 56.9%)

Remaining: St Kilda (A), Richmond (H), Gold Coast (A), Brisbane (H)

Last year’s wooden spooners showed some promising signs through the early part of the season, but have seemingly fallen off the wagon in the past few weeks. The Saints are playing good footy and Brisbane in the final round will be too experienced for the Magpies who have also been hampered by a number of injuries to key players. The game against Richmond will determine if Collingwood avoids the spoon, but realistically a win in either that match or Gold Coast – when they fly interstate for just the second time this season – will see them clear.

15th – GWS Giants (2-6 | 8 points | 64.3%)

Remaining: Geelong (A), Fremantle (H), Carlton (A), Port Adelaide (H)

The toughest of the five sides in terms of fixtures, they play four teams that are fighting it out for finals spots, while Carlton is one in contention for a top four gig. If GWS can replicate its recent form prior to the last round the Giants are not without a chance, but it will be tough. Realistically should be safe thanks to percentage and the bottom three all playing each other.

14th – Western Bulldogs (2-6 | 8 points | 82.0%)

Remaining: Essendon (H), Gold Coast (A), Geelong (H), St Kilda (A)

Realistically the Dogs aren’t winning the spoon, but mathematically they are only on the eight points. They’ve been far better than the sides below them as a whole with the exception of one or two matches. If they travel well they’ll beat Gold Coast, and even the Bombers game could be a win for the Dogs. They will more likely leapfrog a few than drop down, but technically could still win the wooden spoon.

SUMMARY

Due to Gold Coast, Richmond and Collingwood all playing each other, it is anticipated one of them will finish in last. The Tigers would have expected to finish far higher and their best is better than the other two, so should win both. That would leave the Suns and Pies in the bottom two for a second straight year, but it is hard seeing the Suns making up that percentage gap. There’s a chance the Giants don’t win another game, but just avoid the spoon due to the others facing one another, while the Dogs just look that half-level above, and have confidence after spanking Collingwood a fortnight ago.