You know me Fade, I'm more of a counter as opposed to analyst.
For instance:
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I'll see myself out.
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The Real AFL MVP - 2025 Edition
- Thread starter Fadge
- Start date
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You know me Fade, I'm more of a counter as opposed to analyst.
For instance:
I'll see myself out.
- Thread starter
- #77
You should have included Tony Lockett and Buddy Franklin.
But this is the thread discussing the Most Valuable Player in the competition across the FULL SEASON of 2025.
Who would be your nomination, or top 3, and why?
- Thread starter
- #78
8. Max Holmes
2025 was an outstanding season for the Geelong speedster, with many rating him as Geelong's best player, ahead of both Smith and Cameron. Will certainly make for a very interesting club best and fairest count.
Opposition teams also rated him highly, as he was regularly the first Cat to be chosen to shut down.
Holmes was a big reason for Geelong's second place finish and Grand Final appearance. He had a really solid finals series, without being spectacular in any one final, and worked hard in the face of adversity in the Grand Final. Amazingly, he was overlooked in the All-Australian team - I certainly would have had him in there ahead of one or two others, but it was a tough midfield (and bench!) to crack this year.
Congratulations on a fantastic 2025 season, Max!
2025 was an outstanding season for the Geelong speedster, with many rating him as Geelong's best player, ahead of both Smith and Cameron. Will certainly make for a very interesting club best and fairest count.
Opposition teams also rated him highly, as he was regularly the first Cat to be chosen to shut down.
Holmes was a big reason for Geelong's second place finish and Grand Final appearance. He had a really solid finals series, without being spectacular in any one final, and worked hard in the face of adversity in the Grand Final. Amazingly, he was overlooked in the All-Australian team - I certainly would have had him in there ahead of one or two others, but it was a tough midfield (and bench!) to crack this year.
Congratulations on a fantastic 2025 season, Max!
- Thread starter
- #79
7. Jeremy Cameron
This guy is a superstar, and has certainly been the most consistently high performing key forward over the last handful of years (post Hawkins, Riewoldt, Kennedy).
83 goals in a regular season has not been done for a long time, and I was there the night he kicked 11 against North Melbourne - it was like a man playing against boys. But North are an AFL team.
He was close to even money with about 3 or 4 rounds to go to bring up the 100 goals, which would have been a phenomenal effort, and the first player since Buddy 17 years ago to do so.
Jezza was very much in the mix for a podium finish in the Fadgelow leading into the finals, and had a really solid Preliminary Final against the Hawks with 16 possessions, 3 goals and a couple of Coaches votes. When he did THAT TACKLE in the Grand Final, I thought it could be a game changer, and he battled on valiantly despite clearly being under duress. After the game we learn he in fact had a broken arm!
Congratulations on another magnificent season, Jezza!
This guy is a superstar, and has certainly been the most consistently high performing key forward over the last handful of years (post Hawkins, Riewoldt, Kennedy).
83 goals in a regular season has not been done for a long time, and I was there the night he kicked 11 against North Melbourne - it was like a man playing against boys. But North are an AFL team.
He was close to even money with about 3 or 4 rounds to go to bring up the 100 goals, which would have been a phenomenal effort, and the first player since Buddy 17 years ago to do so.
Jezza was very much in the mix for a podium finish in the Fadgelow leading into the finals, and had a really solid Preliminary Final against the Hawks with 16 possessions, 3 goals and a couple of Coaches votes. When he did THAT TACKLE in the Grand Final, I thought it could be a game changer, and he battled on valiantly despite clearly being under duress. After the game we learn he in fact had a broken arm!
Congratulations on another magnificent season, Jezza!
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- Thread starter
- #80
6. Jordan Dawson
This guy is just a sublime footballer. Every time I watched Adelaide, he seemed to just be able to step up when he needed to - a big pack mark, a much needed goal - he just has all the tools.
Did anyone think he would become the player he has when he was traded from Sydney? I didn't.
Runner-Up in the Players MVP, 4th in the Brownlow, and 6th in the Coaches MVP - Dawson had an outstanding home and away season, and he was my top ranked player for the Fadgelow after round 24. Unfortunately, along with a majority of his teammates, he had a forgettable finals series, which has led to his dropping out of the top 5 in the Fadgelow.
Still, a remarkable season from the Crows skipper, and would anyone be surprised if he had an even better season in 2026 with a big point to prove? I wouldn't.
This guy is just a sublime footballer. Every time I watched Adelaide, he seemed to just be able to step up when he needed to - a big pack mark, a much needed goal - he just has all the tools.
Did anyone think he would become the player he has when he was traded from Sydney? I didn't.
Runner-Up in the Players MVP, 4th in the Brownlow, and 6th in the Coaches MVP - Dawson had an outstanding home and away season, and he was my top ranked player for the Fadgelow after round 24. Unfortunately, along with a majority of his teammates, he had a forgettable finals series, which has led to his dropping out of the top 5 in the Fadgelow.
Still, a remarkable season from the Crows skipper, and would anyone be surprised if he had an even better season in 2026 with a big point to prove? I wouldn't.
- Thread starter
- #81
5. Noah Anderson
What a year from this emerging superstar of the competition.
Led his Suns to their maiden finals series, and conquered Fremantle in Perth for their maiden finals win. I have a soft spot for the Suns as I have quite a sizeable bet on them winning a flag before 2030, and with the list they are compiling, I have full confidence in them doing so.
Equal 1st in the Coaches MVP, equal 6th in the Brownlow (despite having a few votes 'stolen' from him) and the All-Australian Ruck-Rover, this guy will be amazing to watch over the next 8 to 10 years - his story has only just begun.
Congratulations on a phenomenal season, Noah!
What a year from this emerging superstar of the competition.
Led his Suns to their maiden finals series, and conquered Fremantle in Perth for their maiden finals win. I have a soft spot for the Suns as I have quite a sizeable bet on them winning a flag before 2030, and with the list they are compiling, I have full confidence in them doing so.
Equal 1st in the Coaches MVP, equal 6th in the Brownlow (despite having a few votes 'stolen' from him) and the All-Australian Ruck-Rover, this guy will be amazing to watch over the next 8 to 10 years - his story has only just begun.
Congratulations on a phenomenal season, Noah!
- Thread starter
- #82
4. Hugh McGluggage
Hugh was the big mover in the Fadgelow ranking after being ranked 9 at the end of the home and away series, he rocketed to #4 courtesy of the best finals series of all the contenders.
After being tagged out of the Qualifying Final, he responded in a big way to poll Coaches votes in each of his last 3 finals. I had a front row seat to his amazing performance against Collingwood in the Preliminary Final, and whilst his best work in the Grand Final was done late, a stat line of 26 and 4 on the last day of September was enough for me to consider it the second best performance of the finals series from all Fadgelow contenders.
Hugh was finally rewarded with his first All-Australian guernsey this year, after busting the door down over the past 3 to 4 seasons. He's now the first player tagged at Brisbane and suspect he is a big chance to add his club's Best and Fairest Award to his CV when the votes are tallied.
Congratulations on a magnificent 2025, Hugh!
Hugh was the big mover in the Fadgelow ranking after being ranked 9 at the end of the home and away series, he rocketed to #4 courtesy of the best finals series of all the contenders.
After being tagged out of the Qualifying Final, he responded in a big way to poll Coaches votes in each of his last 3 finals. I had a front row seat to his amazing performance against Collingwood in the Preliminary Final, and whilst his best work in the Grand Final was done late, a stat line of 26 and 4 on the last day of September was enough for me to consider it the second best performance of the finals series from all Fadgelow contenders.
Hugh was finally rewarded with his first All-Australian guernsey this year, after busting the door down over the past 3 to 4 seasons. He's now the first player tagged at Brisbane and suspect he is a big chance to add his club's Best and Fairest Award to his CV when the votes are tallied.
Congratulations on a magnificent 2025, Hugh!
- Thread starter
- #83
3. Matt Rowell
What a player this bloke is. I remember fighting the case for him to win the Rising Star despite only playing 5 games in his debut season. I didn't get a lot of support on that front, and in hindsight it was a crack field, with Serong and Anderson filling the top 2 placings. But I remain very confident he will end up being the very best player from that draft.
Rowell was just outside my top 5 at the end of the home and away season, but his Elimination Final was from the top shelf, and I have to elevate him slightly based on how the umpires saw him to claim the game's most prestigious individual honour.
I don't think I'm giving away too many secrets in declaring the three players to have multiple podium finishes in the 3 major individual awards, have also shared the podium in the Fadgelow.
Congratulations on a superb 2025, Matt!
What a player this bloke is. I remember fighting the case for him to win the Rising Star despite only playing 5 games in his debut season. I didn't get a lot of support on that front, and in hindsight it was a crack field, with Serong and Anderson filling the top 2 placings. But I remain very confident he will end up being the very best player from that draft.
Rowell was just outside my top 5 at the end of the home and away season, but his Elimination Final was from the top shelf, and I have to elevate him slightly based on how the umpires saw him to claim the game's most prestigious individual honour.
I don't think I'm giving away too many secrets in declaring the three players to have multiple podium finishes in the 3 major individual awards, have also shared the podium in the Fadgelow.
Congratulations on a superb 2025, Matt!
- Thread starter
- #84
2. Bailey Smith
What odds would have this bloke been to produce the year he has, coming off an ACL, in his first season at a new club? Astonishing.
He started the season like a house on fire, and maintained it throughout the year to be his team's most prolific player, for a club that started at short odds in the Grand Final.
Equal winner of the AFLCA Champion Player, and 3rd place in the Brownlow were just reward for his outstanding home and away season.
We all knew he could perform on the big stage after seeing what he could do for the Doggies in the 2021 finals series, and his best final this year was no doubt his 36 possession Preliminary Final against the Hawks, where he received 6 x Coaches votes. I rated that game as the 3rd best final of all Fadgelow contenders, and he threatened to take the #1 spot with a big Grand Final performance.
Alas, it wasn't to be for Bazlenka, but congratulations on an amazing year and runner-up in the 2025 Fadgelow!
What odds would have this bloke been to produce the year he has, coming off an ACL, in his first season at a new club? Astonishing.
He started the season like a house on fire, and maintained it throughout the year to be his team's most prolific player, for a club that started at short odds in the Grand Final.
Equal winner of the AFLCA Champion Player, and 3rd place in the Brownlow were just reward for his outstanding home and away season.
We all knew he could perform on the big stage after seeing what he could do for the Doggies in the 2021 finals series, and his best final this year was no doubt his 36 possession Preliminary Final against the Hawks, where he received 6 x Coaches votes. I rated that game as the 3rd best final of all Fadgelow contenders, and he threatened to take the #1 spot with a big Grand Final performance.
Alas, it wasn't to be for Bazlenka, but congratulations on an amazing year and runner-up in the 2025 Fadgelow!
- Thread starter
- #85
1. Nick Daicos
And here we have it folks.... the REAL AFL MVP for 2025 is..... NICK DAICOS!
This is Nick's second Fadgelow after previously receiving the award in 2023, his second season on the system.
Naicos is the most planned for and tagged player in the competition, and despite that, he continues to deliver at an uber-elite level.
The Players got it right when they awarded him their MVP - I don't think there is a greater individual honor than to be recognised for that award by your peers. 2025 also saw his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Brownlow (taking his average votes per game to a Bradmanesque 1.24), and a narrow 4th in the AFLCA Champion Player, after being overtaken by Rowell in his final game.
Another esteemed BigFooty poster got it right when he stated about Nick's Qualifying Final that he may not have been the best player on the ground on the night (he was rated 3rd best by the coaches), but he was clearly the most talented player on the field. The things he was able to do with the ball that night were simply ridiculous. His Preliminary Final was solid without being outstanding - yours truly ranked it in the middle of the pack in comparison to all finals games from the other contenders, though for the LOLs, PlAyEr RaTiNgZ considered it the SINGLE BEST FINALS PERFORMANCE of all Fadgelow contenders!
Nick, congratulations on your second Fadgelow - you are truly a magnificent footballer!
And here we have it folks.... the REAL AFL MVP for 2025 is..... NICK DAICOS!
This is Nick's second Fadgelow after previously receiving the award in 2023, his second season on the system.
Naicos is the most planned for and tagged player in the competition, and despite that, he continues to deliver at an uber-elite level.
The Players got it right when they awarded him their MVP - I don't think there is a greater individual honor than to be recognised for that award by your peers. 2025 also saw his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Brownlow (taking his average votes per game to a Bradmanesque 1.24), and a narrow 4th in the AFLCA Champion Player, after being overtaken by Rowell in his final game.
Another esteemed BigFooty poster got it right when he stated about Nick's Qualifying Final that he may not have been the best player on the ground on the night (he was rated 3rd best by the coaches), but he was clearly the most talented player on the field. The things he was able to do with the ball that night were simply ridiculous. His Preliminary Final was solid without being outstanding - yours truly ranked it in the middle of the pack in comparison to all finals games from the other contenders, though for the LOLs, PlAyEr RaTiNgZ considered it the SINGLE BEST FINALS PERFORMANCE of all Fadgelow contenders!
Nick, congratulations on your second Fadgelow - you are truly a magnificent footballer!
McCluggage finished 4 coaches votes behind Daicos and was dominant in 3 back to back to back knockout finals. Including smashing Daicos and Smith when it mattered.
Daicos was 3rd BOG in a non knockout final against the worst top 4 side in history (lost all 8 quarters of finals at home). A non factor in the prelim like Smith was in the GF (but Smith at least dominated his prelim).
Smith received a 1, 2 and 3 in the Coaches, League MVP and Brownlow and had a spectacular prelim against a strong side. That's enough for #2.
Not much splits Rowell and Daicos, but the former was ahead on the game by game voting systems in H&A and his overall finals output was similar. That gets him #3.
Despite playing poorly in the GF and breaking his arm, 88 goals in this era as the clear best forward in the comp has Cameron ahead too.
1. McCluggage
2. Smith
3. Rowell
4. Cameron
5. Daicos
Daicos was 3rd BOG in a non knockout final against the worst top 4 side in history (lost all 8 quarters of finals at home). A non factor in the prelim like Smith was in the GF (but Smith at least dominated his prelim).
Smith received a 1, 2 and 3 in the Coaches, League MVP and Brownlow and had a spectacular prelim against a strong side. That's enough for #2.
Not much splits Rowell and Daicos, but the former was ahead on the game by game voting systems in H&A and his overall finals output was similar. That gets him #3.
Despite playing poorly in the GF and breaking his arm, 88 goals in this era as the clear best forward in the comp has Cameron ahead too.
1. McCluggage
2. Smith
3. Rowell
4. Cameron
5. Daicos
It's difficult to compare defenders to midfielders and forwards but Harris Andrews needs more love.
Like Cameron is for forwards, Andrews is clearly the best defender in the comp. All Australian and the core of Brisbane's intercepting/rebounding game. 2nd in the Gary Ayres medal...as a KPD. Kind of unheard of. Him dominating was a huge part of Brisbane's late season success over the best teams.
Should probably be top 3 to be honest.
Like Cameron is for forwards, Andrews is clearly the best defender in the comp. All Australian and the core of Brisbane's intercepting/rebounding game. 2nd in the Gary Ayres medal...as a KPD. Kind of unheard of. Him dominating was a huge part of Brisbane's late season success over the best teams.
Should probably be top 3 to be honest.
- Thread starter
- #90
Desperation from Mr Meow.
Nominating a player who finished outside the top 10 in the Brownlow and Coaches Award, and who knows where in the Players MVP as the best player across a whole season.
Sorry, I don't throw away 6 months of data.
And then hallucinating that Bailey Smith came second in the Players MVP, and that because he received a single Gary Ayres vote more than Daicos (having played one more final), he should be rated higher than Daicos....
Oh boy.
Nominating a player who finished outside the top 10 in the Brownlow and Coaches Award, and who knows where in the Players MVP as the best player across a whole season.
Sorry, I don't throw away 6 months of data.
And then hallucinating that Bailey Smith came second in the Players MVP, and that because he received a single Gary Ayres vote more than Daicos (having played one more final), he should be rated higher than Daicos....
Oh boy.
- Jun 12, 2018
- 5,863
- 11,098
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
He kneed Fyfe Tex walker and griffin
Kneeing is a dog act
he went around kneeing oppo best players.
Dirty little ****er
- Feb 27, 2011
- 21,450
- 25,729
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
I have looked up the PlAyA RaTiNgZ and can confirm that Daicos had the best performance in finals and H&A. The detractors relying on their little Hoyney number are currently in shambles.
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- Thread starter
- #95
Unprecedented.I have looked up the PlAyA RaTiNgZ and can confirm that Daicos had the best performance in finals and H&A. The detractors relying on their little Hoyney number are currently in shambles.
But that's just what one of the emerging greatest players of a time does.
- Thread starter
- #96
We're now being told that Elimination Finals and Semi Finals should be weighted higher than Qualifying Finals, as the former are 'knockout', and the latter aren't....
Oh boy.
Rest assured Mr Meow, if we had a player that produced Jezza's home and away season together with Hugh's Finals series, that player would be the 2025 Fadgelow winner.
But that fictional player didn't exist in 2025, and Daicos gets the chocolates for the second time in his four year career.
Oh boy.
Rest assured Mr Meow, if we had a player that produced Jezza's home and away season together with Hugh's Finals series, that player would be the 2025 Fadgelow winner.
But that fictional player didn't exist in 2025, and Daicos gets the chocolates for the second time in his four year career.
- Dec 9, 2015
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Well done Daics, 2 Fadgelows in his first 4 seasons, unprecedented
McCluggage is competing with Neale, WAshcroft, Dunkley and Bailey in midfield for votes. It is deep and full of quality. He was still one of the premier mids of the comp all season and finished up 4 coaches votes behind Daicos (competing with dinosaurs and Ned Long in midfield for votes most of the season).
Hugh dominated 3 knockout finals in a row on the way to a premiership, which should have incredibly strong weighting. He outperformed the likes of Rowell, Daicos and Smith in those head to head finals by a significant margin. Of course he is number one.
Elixuh Toffee Lion since we have a Pies nuffy as OP, maybe you guys can offer some balance to this argument.
Guess we found Craig McRae's Bigfooty account, based on the results posted above.
Interesting comments to make whilst standing in front of a sign that says 'COPE'.
Interesting comments to make whilst standing in front of a sign that says 'COPE'.
5 coaches votes in a QF against the worst top 4 side ever, and none in the prelim, does not equate to a great finals series.
Dominating knockout finals against Gold Coast, Collingwood and Geelong while being the best or equal best player of the best team in the comp all season - on the way to a premiership? Yep, that sends Hugh ahead in a year where not much separated the top 5 or 6 midfielders in the comp.
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