Round 1 of our Premier League season for 2025 is a mere one week away! Fresh off the first re-draft since the league reset of 2024, it's time to dust off the war room, review our new squads and roll out a selected team to begin this season. Let the trades, tactics, and bragging rights begin — the Premier League is back! Quebec Caribou (2024 Premier League title holder, @FreeKickLiam) vs. Darmstadt Dynamos (2024 Premier League runner-up, @WillH_VI) Last time they met: Quebec Caribou 1001 df. Darmstadt Dynamos 828 To kick off the season, we have a Grand Final rematch! Despite the Dynamos dominating the regular season, it was a grand final upset that left the Caribou with the chocolates last year. A powerful midfield performance from North duo Jas Garner and Ash Riddell overcame a "quiet" game from Ebony Marinoff, though a 132 from Dynamos' Bec Beeson kept the game tight. Caribou will be looking to get off to a strong start in their title defence in Round One, and brought in some known talent (Niamh McLaughlin, Eden Zanker, Imogen Barnett) in the re-draft to get the job done. Meanwhile the Dynamos looked for youth and ruck depth to fill some holes from last season, and will be coming into this one with a grudge to settle (already being 0-2 against the Caribou). Lima Llamas (9th in 2024, @hoschke118) vs. Stuttgart Storm (4th in 2024, @JonoSteven) Last time they met: Stuttgart Storm 853 def. Lima Llamas 656 For our second game, the Llamas will be keen to get off to a better start in 2025 after injury carnage pulled apart their 2024 campaign. In their last meeting, plenty of talent sat on the sideline with the likes of Lucy Single, Bri Davey, Liv Purcell, Ally Morphett and Kalinda Howart all watching on. The Llamas have brought in some youth in the re-draft, looking for some natural growth across a young cohort to energise his squad and output some big scores. Similarly, the Storm focused on bringing in young talent, with Lauren Young and Lucia Painter some longer term prospects. But with Rowbottom ready to lead the charges, this game is anyone's to win. Lagos Royals (8th in 2024, @PeterW) vs. Kyoto Kruisers (10th in 2024, @FreoDockers) Last time they met: Kyoto Kruisers 791 def. by Lagos Royals 793 Following one of the closest finishes in Premier League history, this battle is one to watch heading into Round One. The Royals would have been sweating bullets last season, with inaccurate kicking from Sophie Conway (5 behinds) and a slew of injuries to Bonnie Toogood, Chloe Molloy and Georgia Patrikios preventing them from running away with their early lead. However, with a full team on the park again and the Fantasy GOAT Kiara Bowers joining the squad last night, the Royals look poised to climb the ranks in 2025. The Kruisers had the big decision of the re-draft, taking Ash Centra at pick 1. The long term view makes perfect sense for a team brimming with young talent like Georgie Prespakis, Jas Fleming and Montana Ham. But will they be able to make their mark early in 2025? It's time to test the mettle of this young squad. Korean Kickers (6th in 2024, @Chloe) vs Adelaide All-Stars (7th in 2024, @Corza) Last time they met: Adelaide All-Stars 858 def. by Korean Kickers 879 The All-Stars went all out on their delistings during the off-season, picking up 5 more players than most last night. But with experienced players like Ange Stannett, Nicole Bresnehan and Erica O'Shea joining the team, this bold call could pay off early. The Kickers also sought to bring in experience through the draft, with veterans Kaitlyn Ashmore, Nicola Stevens, Kate Darby, and Stevie-Lee Thompson all amongst the oldest drafted in the evening. But with Sophie McKay and Emma McDonald also looking like long term forward options, the Kickers have found an interesting balance that might push them to success in both the short and long term. With Mim Strom, Ally Anderson and Mon Conti leading from the front, the Kickers will be looking to make it back to back wins over the All-Stars in Round One. Majorca Islanders (3rd in 2024, @TheTassieHawk) vs Vancouver Vultures (5th in 2024, @Athos123) Last time they met: Majorca Islanders 977 def. Vancouver Vultures 758 The Islanders were storming home in 2024 before falling short in a preliminary final loss against the eventual premiers. Along the way came a crushing victory over the Vultures, with some young guns like Sofia Hurley and Zarlie Goldsworthy leading the charge. Paired with some drafted experience like Paxy Paxman and Katie Brennan in the re-draft, the Islanders will be hoping to go the extra step this year (though a knee injury to Maddison Gay is the first hurdle to overcome). The Vultures were unlucky last season, barely falling short of a maiden finals appearance. Starting the re-draft by selecting the best name in football, Zippy Fish, was an excellent way to improve the team. The Vultures certainly have some promise, but starting the year without Steph Wales (inj) and Emma King (inj) will set the challenge for them early. _ _ _ _ _ Make sure to post your teams on this thread by 6:15pm (AEST) Thursday before the first game of the 2025 season gets underway (Carlton v Collingwood at Ikon Park). And good luck to all teams in our 2nd Season post-reset! Full fixture and 2024 Round Thread allocations can be found here: http://tooserious.net/forum/threads/premier-league-fixture-thread-2025-now-posted.91701/ And don't forget that trades remain open until 9pm on Tuesday August 12th! http://tooserious.net/forum/threads/2025-premier-league-trade-discussions.91971/ and as always there is a supplementary draft that opens once round 1 teams start getting named and closes with the start of the Sydney vs Richmond game http://tooserious.net/forum/threads/2025-premier-league-supp-draft.91994/