These are the top 30 AFL players for 2025 - The Age

[Rod Stroker]

Most names look as expected, but I wouldn't say that Rankine, Newcombe and Holmes in the top 30 players right now.

Is Petracca better than Cripps? Jake Niall’s top 30 AFL players for 2025

To be top 30 in an 18-team competition defines a footballer as genuinely elite. This exercise is simply about who’s the best.

www.theage.com.au

 

[parsons nose]

Always a difficult assignment when you have to evaluate a player on the rise against a player on the wane.

 

[Mr Meow]

Most names look as expected, but I wouldn't say that Rankine, Newcombe and Holmes in the top 30 players right now.

Is Petracca better than Cripps? Jake Niall’s top 30 AFL players for 2025

To be top 30 in an 18-team competition defines a footballer as genuinely elite. This exercise is simply about who’s the best.

www.theage.com.au

Who replaces them?

Holmes was the 3rd best teams BnF winner, best finals player and received coaches votes 14 times (10th best in the league) for 73 votes total (15th best in the league). Take him out and you could argue Geelong would've missed finals altogether. Had elite games at half back, on the wing and in midfield.

Newcombe had a fantastic year (84 coaches votes, BnF winner of a semi final team) and was one of the best midfielders in the comp during the final stretch of the season - the main driver for their hot finish. Dominated AA level mids in finals.

Rankine I'm less sold on (he did also miss 8 games), but was probably the best mid/forward in the comp when he was out there and a goal/goal assist machine.

PS you might want to post the list of players because of the paywall.

 

[Lingsface]

Can you share the list for us unsubscribed people please?

 

[Paul Kersey]

Comments on the top ten where relevant. Petracca (3) - who knows what we’ll see from him. Coming back from a very severe injury. Heeney (5) - no way imo. One really good season (also has a history of Leon Davis like GF performances). Curnow (6) - no way you’d take him ahead of Cameron or Hogan. Gun footballer but punches down and has a shonky record in finals. Gawn (9) - ran out of petrol last year imo. Gonna be tough playing that role in his 34th year.

Here’s the top ten.

Bont
Daicos
Petracca
Cripps
Heeney
Curnow
Neale
Butters
Gawn
Cameron

 

[Mr Meow]

Comments on the top ten where relevant. Petracca (3) - who knows what we’ll see from him. Coming back from a very severe injury. Heeney (5) - no way imo. One really good season (also has a history of Leon Davis like GF performances). Curnow (6) - no way you’d take him ahead of Cameron or Hogan. Gun footballer but punches down and has a shonky record in finals. Gawn (9) - ran out of petrol last year imo. Gonna be tough playing that role in his 34th year.

Here’s the top ten.

Bont
Daicos
Petracca
Cripps
Heeney
Curnow
Neale
Butters
Gawn
Cameron

I don't think you could knock Curnow down for finals without doing the same for Butters.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Who replaces them?

Holmes was the 3rd best teams BnF winner, best finals player and received coaches votes 14 times (10th best in the league) for 73 votes total (15th best in the league). Take him out and you could argue Geelong would've missed finals altogether. Had elite games at half back, on the wing and in midfield.

Newcombe had a fantastic year (84 coaches votes, BnF winner of a semi final team) and was one of the best midfielders in the comp during the final stretch of the season - the main driver for their hot finish. Dominated AA level mids in finals.

Rankine I'm less sold on (he did also miss 8 games), but was probably the best mid/forward in the comp when he was out there and a goal/goal assist machine.

PS you might want to post the list of players because of the paywall.

Well that's it right there. They had great years, but it's just been one great year so far. If I was picking the top 30 players in the AFL now, I'd be going for players who have performed at an elite level for more than 1 year.

 

[Rod Stroker]

.Gawn (9) - ran out of petrol last year imo. Gonna be tough playing that role in his 34th year.

Agree. I'm probably biased but I still reckon Xerri should have been AA ruck last year. Gawn got it because Gawn

 

[Mr Meow]

Well that's it right there. They had great years, but it's just been one great year so far. If I was picking the top 30 players in the AFL now, I'd be going for players who have performed at an elite level for more than 1 year.

Fair enough - based on that criteria it makes sense.

 

[Iceman!]

Well that's it right there. They had great years, but it's just been one great year so far. If I was picking the top 30 players in the AFL now, I'd be going for players who have performed at an elite level for more than 1 year.

Newcombe made the AA squad in 2023 as well so that is two in a row.

 

[Fadge]

Comments on the top ten where relevant. Petracca (3) - who knows what we’ll see from him. Coming back from a very severe injury. Heeney (5) - no way imo. One really good season (also has a history of Leon Davis like GF performances). Curnow (6) - no way you’d take him ahead of Cameron or Hogan. Gun footballer but punches down and has a shonky record in finals. Gawn (9) - ran out of petrol last year imo. Gonna be tough playing that role in his 34th year.

Here’s the top ten.

Bont
Daicos
Petracca
Cripps
Heeney
Curnow
Neale
Butters
Gawn
Cameron

Good list.

Darcy Cameron had a great 2025, but there are a few others I'd have ahead of him at 10.

 

[Mofra]

Most names look as expected, but I wouldn't say that Rankine, Newcombe and Holmes in the top 30 players right now.

Is Petracca better than Cripps? Jake Niall’s top 30 AFL players for 2025

To be top 30 in an 18-team competition defines a footballer as genuinely elite. This exercise is simply about who’s the best.

www.theage.com.au

Holmes I am massive on. Could be in the top couple of players in the comp this year. That blend of speed & disposal ability on the run is very rare.