If there's one thing sports fans love, it's rankings. The debate will never be truly settled, but it remains an engaging topic for fans to ponder. Here, we’ve examined the statistics and a general consensus online, considering factors such as performance, impact on matches, and team contribution, and come up with what we believe is a fair ranking of the best current AFL players in 2025. Of course, if there are any you'd amend, let us know in the comments. Please note that all player statistics are accurate as of the end of the 2024 AFL season and are provided for illustrative purposes only.
15. Caleb Serong (Fremantle) (New Entry for 2025)
Caleb Serong combines leadership with elite ball use. A tireless work rate and the ability to win contested footy have made him key for the Dockers. In 2024, he produced standout individual performances while demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
Goals: 7
Disposals: 27.5
Marks: 4.0
Tackles: 5.6
Clearances: 7.1
Kicks: 12.7
A great balance of grit and polish, he regularly wins clearances and uses the ball effectively going forward. Consistent and influential, it's hardly surprising that he's found himself a spot in the Top 15 as one of the best current AFL players in 2025. If you're new to footy, you might want to read our beginner's guide to the AFL.
14. James Sicily (Hawthorn) (Down from #10 in 2024)
James Sicily is Hawthorn's captain and one of the best defenders in the AFL. His marking ability and intercept work help him to play a decisive role in Hawthorn's defensive setup.
Goals: 6
Disposals: 19.8
Marks: 6.9
Tackles: 1.5
Clearances: 0.2
Kicks: 13.6
He excellently reads plays and controls the backline, making him one of the most effective defenders to play footy. He was selected for the All-Australian team in 2023 and has been Hawthorn's captain since the 2023 season.
13. Tom Green (GWS) (New Entry for 2025)
Tom Green is now established as a dominant midfielder for the Giants. Big, strong, and able to contest the ball, he's the engine of GWS' midfield. His consistent numbers in disposals and clearances make him an important part of the team's structure.
Goals: 12
Disposals: 29.0
Marks: 4.4
Tackles: 5.0
Clearances: 6.8
Kicks: 13.9
In 2024, he was one of the AFL's most reliable ball-winners. He ranked among the league leaders for contested possessions. Green's rise can't be ignored, and it looks like he'll be in the conversation about the best footy players for a while yet.
12. Toby Greene (GWS) (Down from #3 in 2024)
Toby Greene plays for the GWS Giants. While he's certainly famous for goal-scoring and winning matches, he's also a fan favourite for his playing style.
Goals: 41
Disposals: 16.4
Marks: 4.6
Tackles: 3.2
Clearances: 2.3
Kicks: 11.6
That said, his aggressive playing style has sparked controversy, but not enough to deter ESPN from ranking him as one of the top 15 AFL players of 2024. With a career spanning over a decade, he's played over 200 games and scored over 300 goals. He's been Greater Western Sydney's captain since 2022 and has been selected as an All-Australian thrice. He's won the Kevin Sheedy Medal twice and was GWS' leading goalkicker four times.
11. Max Gawn (Melbourne) (Same as 2024)
Max Gawn is considered one of the best ruckmen in the AFL. He plays for Melbourne, where he's also the captain.
Goals: 6
Disposals: 20.7
Marks: 5.7
Tackles: 2.2
Clearances: 5.3
Kicks: 10.3
He's a seven-time All-Australian and premiership-winning captain, and his playing has been vital to Melbourne's success. He's dominant in the ruck but also contributes with solid marking and defensive efforts. He's won the Frank "Checker" Hughes Medal, the Keith "Bluey" Truscott Medal, the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year, and the Neale Daniher Trophy.
10. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) (Up from #13 in 2024)
Clayton Oliver is one of footy's finest inside midfielders. He works well in contested situations, clearances, and winning the ball in tight spaces.
Goals: 4
Disposals: 25.6
Marks: 2.9
Tackles: 5.4
Clearances: 5.5
Kicks: 10.8
He's won the Best and Fairest three times at Melbourne and was a key player in the 2021 premiership. He's excellent at gathering disposals, breaking tackles, and feeding the ball to his teammates. He's also consistent with a relentless work ethic. ESPN's rankings placed him within the top 10. If you're unsure what these player's stats mean, you might want to read more about the rules of footy.
9. Sam Walsh (Carlton) (Up from #14 in 2024)
Sam Walsh is a young midfielder playing for Carlton. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft and quickly became one of Carlton's most important players.
Goals: 5
Disposals: 26.3
Marks: 3.6
Tackles: 4.6
Clearances: 3.7
Kicks: 10.9
He can find the ball, cover the ground, and make great decisions under pressure. His achievements speak for themselves. He was All-Australian in 2021, won the Ron Evans Medal and was the AFLPA best first-year player in 2019. As of the 2024 season, he's Carlton's co-vice captain, a testament to his leadership and skill.
8. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide) (Up from #9 in 2024)
Though the history of footy spans centuries, Zak Butters has only been alive for a tiny part of it. Born in 2000, he was drafted in 2018 and has steadily become one of the Power's key players.
Goals: 1
Disposals: 27.6
Marks: 3.3
Tackles: 5.0
Clearances: 6.7
Kicks: 13.3
His fearless playing style helps him to break lines and provide forward momentum. In 2023, he firmly established himself as one of the league's rising stars. The sources we found regularly praised his impact on matches, his ability to win the ball, and his effective use of it. Butters is a two-time All-Australian, was the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year in 2023, and has won the Robert Rose Award twice and the Lou Richards Medal once.
7. Errol Gulden (Sydney) (New Entry for 2025)
Errol Gulden was one of Sydney's brightest performers in 2024. He's cemented a reputation for himself as a hard-running and highly skilled midfielder. He can accumulate disposals, deliver with precision, and cover huge ground. He's become invaluable to the Swans' game style.
Goals: 13
Disposals: 28.1
Marks: 4.3
Tackles: 3.7
Clearances: 4.6
Kicks: 14.8
His impact across all areas of the ground sets him apart. He racks up possessions, applies defensive pressure, and contributes to the scoreboard. He's become a genuine contender when discussing the best AFL players right now.
6. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane) (New Entry for 2025)
Will Ashcroft has quickly turned into one of the AFL's most exciting young midfielders. He's only a couple of years into his career, but his composure, clean hands, and decision-making under pressure have had him compared to some of the game's greats. As Brisbane, he's slotted comfortably into a talented midfield and looks like he'll be key to their success.
Goals: 9
Disposals: 25.1
Marks: 4.5
Tackles: 4.7
Clearances: 5.4
Kicks: 12.2
He can find the ball, link up play, and contribute defensively, which is why so many people are talking about him. He's more than a rising star; he's already one of the best current AFL players. Expect great things from him.
5. Christian Petracca (Melbourne) (Up from #6 in 2024)
Christian Petracca is one of Melbourne's most important players and is famed for his versatility. He was vital in Melbourne's 2021 premiership and combines power, skill, and creativity in the midfield and forward line.
Goals: 18
Disposals: 25.4
Marks: 3.6
Tackles: 3.4
Clearances: 4.4
Kicks: 11.5
His ability to influence games as a ball-winner and a damaging forward makes him a challenging prospect for his opponents. He won the Norm Smith medal in the 2021 Grand Final. Petracca is also a four-time All-Australian and was Melbourne's leading goalkicker in 2019. He won the Keith "Bluey" Truscott Trophy in 2020 and 2023 and the Frank "Checker" Hughes Medal in 2021.
4. Lachie Neale (Brisbane) (Up from #7 in 2024)
Lachie Neale is one of those players who regularly appears near the top of player rankings. The Brisbane Lions player is known for finding the ball in traffic, winning clearances, and finding teammates with accurate handballs.
Goals: 7
Disposals: 27.3
Marks: 4.2
Tackles: 3.7
Clearances: 6.1
Kicks: 13.3
He's earned multiple All-Australian selections, and he's known for his incredible leadership and work ethic. In the Lions' midfield, he ensures that the team is a dominant force at stoppages, and he's widely respected for his overall ability and vision.
Since 2023, he's been the Brisbane Lions' co-captain. He's won the Brownlow Medal twice and was an All-Australian four times. He also won the Merrett-Murray Medal three times, the Geoff Christian Medal twice, and the Ross Glendinning Medal four times.
3. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) (Down from #2 in 2024)
Marcus Bontempelli is the Western Bulldogs captain and a versatile and dominant midfielder. He has been one of the league's best players for some time now, and the sources we found, whether subjective opinion pieces or the statistics themselves, both ranked him as one of the finest players and like many of the others in this list, he may be considered one of the greatest ever when he retires.
Goals: 21
Disposals: 27.1
Marks: 4.7
Tackles: 5.4
Clearances: 6.3
Kicks: 14.1
He's a multiple All-Australian and Best and Fairest winner. Bontempelli offers a physical presence and incredible leadership. He's been the Western Bulldogs captain since 2020, won the Leigh Matthews Trophy three times, the AFLPA Best Captain Award three times, and the Charles Sutton Medal five times.
2. Patrick Cripps (Carlton) (Up from #4 in 2024)
Patrick Cripps debuted in 2014 and has been among the league's best players for ten years. He's earned several All-Australian selections and is regularly praised for being one of the game's hardest-working players.
Goals: 14
Disposals: 24.2
Marks: 2.2
Tackles: 5.7
Clearances: 6.4
Kicks: 9.6
Every source we checked also agreed that Cripps belonged near the top of the rankings. Since 2022, he's been Carlton's captain. He won the Brownlow Medal in 2022, the Leigh Matthews Trophy in 2019, and is a four-time All-Australian. He's also one of the AFL's highest-earning players.
1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood) (Same as 2024)
Nick Daicos, the son of Peter Diacos, a Collingwood legend, quickly emerged as an incredible talent in the game.
Goals: 17
Disposals: 30.1
Marks: 4.1
Tackles: 3.9
Clearances: 6.2
Kicks: 16.8
He debuted in 2022 and is one of the Magpies' most essential players. He typically plays across half-back and through midfield, with incredibly accurate kicking and impeccable decision-making. Even though Daicos is very young, he's shown to be capable of performing under pressure and breaking games open. He's a two-time All-Australian and won the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, AFL Rising Star, AFLPA Best First Year Player, and a three-time 22under22 team. No matter where we looked, whether it was the stats or other rankings, Nick Daicos was up there.
What would your top 15 look like? Who do you think is the best AFL player right now in 2025? This list didn't contain any Indigenous players, but we've got an entire article dedicated to the best Aboriginal AFL players.
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