Every AFL team’s 2025 list ranked 1-18

After ranking all 18 clubs for how their backline, midfield and forward lines fared this year, we've combined all three lists to rank every club's list as a whole for 2025. Each club was valued 1-18 for each third of the field, assessing how those groups combined throughout the year, with Brisbane coming in at No.1 for both defence and midfield, while the Bulldogs were crowned the best attack despite missing out on the top eight. READ: 2025 BACKLINE RANKINGS READ: 2025 MIDFIELD RANKINGS READ: 2025 FORWARD RANKINGS Here are the final list rankings for 2025 following our three-part series, starting with 18th and counting down to the top club... West Coast Backline: 18th Midfield: 18th Forward Line: 17th There's no surprise that the 2025 wooden spooners rank the worst in the competition in two of three categories. The Eagles, amid their rebuild, struggled to compete across the trio of lines, but have unearthed some exciting talent, headed by Harley Reid. Andrew McQualter's first year in charge showcased a new game plan and players in new positions, and, understandably, faced a lot of teething problems. Richmond Backline: 16th Midfield: 17th Forward Line: 18th The Tigers impressed many with five victories, as Adem Yze unveiled many top draftees from the 2024 intake. A memorable Round 1 win over Carlton spurred the Richmond faithful on, whilst understanding the struggles that would persist throughout the year as they remained in the bottom two of the competition. The backline was Richmond's best line, led by premiership stars Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad, while the midfield experience of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper avoided an 18th-placed on-ball brigade. Essendon Backline: 15th Midfield: 16th Forward Line: 16th The Bombers' 2025 season was one littered with trouble both on and off the field, and the unprecedented amount of injuries reverberated through the league. Brad Scott handed out 15 debuts throughout the year and faced many challenges with player availability, which contributed to the struggles. Essendon's midfield and forward line were placed bottom three, but the backline held up more often than not, given Scott's emphasis on team defence. Melbourne Backline: 12th Midfield: 15th Forward Line: 15th The Demons still hold a heap of premiership defenders in their team mix, which undoubtedly played a part in the stability down back. However, the poor ball movement and lack of genuine forward stars, aside from Kysaiah Pickett, prevented the club from achieving anything meaningful in 2025. As for the midfield, Max Gawn was the lone wolf, despite Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver featuring prominently in 2025. St Kilda Backline: 10th Midfield: 14th Forward Line: 13th The Saints improved as a whole, but failed to translate that to a finals performance despite impressive efforts throughout the year. Callum Wilkie held up the backline, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair's versatility was notable throughout the defence and midfield. Jack Higgins kicked over 40 goals but was the sole performer in the front half, given the absence of Max King. Port Adelaide Backline: 14th Midfield: 13th Forward Line: 9th The Power's forward line was enhanced by a breakout season from Mitch Georgiades, as a host of smalls complemented his efforts. However, season 2025 saw Ken Hinkley's last in the hotseat failing to get underway, as the midfield and backline groups wilted under immense opposition pressure. Connor Rozee helped with ball movement from defence as Zak Butters' return from injury helped the on-ball brigade. North Melbourne Backline: 17th Midfield: 7th Forward Line: 11th The Kangaroos looked at improving their offence to help with their defence, but the move from Alastair Clarkson failed. North Melbourne's backline was ranked second last, although their forward line operated seamlessly with Nick Larkey, Cam Zurhaar and Paul Curtis. But what is noticeable is the midfield, with a litany of young talent making their way in the competition, as well as star ruckman Tristan Xerri. Sydney Backline: 11th Midfield: 9th Forward Line: 14th Sydney couldn't back up a grand final appearance, and with many injuries to key players, lacked cohesion on all lines. The key forward mix struggled in 2025, which forced Tom McCartin to be swung to the opposite end of the ground at times. However, the midfield group, namely Isaac Heeney and Brodie Grundy, continued their impressive careers with multiple standout efforts. Carlton Backline: 13th Midfield: 8th Forward Line: 12th Tom De Koning's early-season form and George Hewett's consistency led the Blues' midfield contingent, which lacked a typical Patrick Cripps effort in 2025. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay couldn't get their years going as they battled both injury, form and ball movement issues from further up the ground. And if it wasn't for Jacob Weitering, Michael Voss' backline would've been in disarray. Collingwood Backline: 5th Midfield: 10th Forward Line: 10th The preliminary finalists were dominant all year, but a fadeout in the final few weeks of the year prevented a second premiership in three seasons. For the most part, Collingwood's defence held up better than its rivals. On the opposing end, Jamie Elliott produced a career-best campaign, but needed more assistance from his teammates. Nick Daicos once again led the midfield, but its heavy reliance on veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, as well as youngster Ned Long, proved costly. Hawthorn Backline: 3rd Midfield: 11th Forward Line: 8th The acquisition of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass shored up the Hawks' backline whilst also allowing for more versatility in James Sicily, Blake Hardwick and Josh Weddle. Jai Newcombe was a star in the centre square, but it was obvious it's an area of improvement given their desire to secure Zach Merrett in October. As for inside 50, Hawthorn's group were still exciting and damaging, but lacked that killer blow. Jack Gunston kicked 73 goals, which was a standout. GWS Backline: 8th Midfield: 6th Forward Line: 5th The Giants have been consistent in the AFL competition for some time now but have failed to translate that to premiership glory. With stars on every line, Adam Kingsley can't ask for much more. Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley dominated in defence as Tom Green and Finn Callaghan did in midfield. The forward mix was hindered by Jesse Hogan's battle with injury, despite persisting through the pain, while Toby Greene was a rival target, making it difficult to produce a dominant 2025 campaign. Adelaide Backline: 2nd Midfield: 12th Forward Line: 3rd Adelaide's rise to a minor premiership was largely due to their improvement in the backline, which was headed by Josh Worrell and Mark Keane. The forward group of Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker worked well, until the finals, while the smalls of Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine terrorised opposition. But Matthew Nicks' midfield failed him in September, reflected by the interest in bolstering that part of the ground via the trade period. Gold Coast Backline: 7th Midfield: 2nd Forward Line: 6th The Suns' first finals campaign, and subsequent win, was off the back of star on-ball pair Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, as the former claimed the Brownlow. Jarrod Witts is also a worthy mention. Their defence improved largely due to the acquisition of John Noble and Daniel Rioli as running defenders, but they missed Charlie Ballard in 2025. Ben King put together a career-best year, but needed help from his teammates. Fremantle Backline: 6th Midfield: 5th Forward Line: 4th A consistent season from Fremantle all over the ground, but the Dockers couldn't get past the first week of September. The forward line worked well, and they'll benefit from the experience as the midfield group functioned impressively. Hayden Young's inclusion from injury in 2026 will see them go to new heights. Defensively, the Dockers are stingy, but are still working on balancing their attacking blend with their defensive prowess. Western Bulldogs Backline: 9th Midfield: 3rd Forward Line: 1st The Bulldogs flipped the script from one year to another, claiming the title as the best attacking mix in the competition in 2025. But that came at a cost of their defence, which was constantly under siege due to their forward thrusts. Luke Beveridge also toiled over key defenders, who are yet to be settled on. Their midfield boasts Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore and Tim English, while the addition of Matt Kennedy helped round out the strong contingent. Geelong Backline: 4th Midfield: 4th Forward Line: 2nd The runners-up in 2025 had everything except the result on the last Saturday in September. Defensively, Chris Scott continues to find ways to maximise his talents, more often than not freeing up Tom Stewart. Their forward group possessed Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron, while the fleet of selfless smalls ran the opposition off their feet. As for their onballers, the mix was improved by the addition of Bailey Smith as Max Holmes took his game to new heights. Brisbane Backline: 1st Midfield: 1st Forward Line: 7th Yes, the premiers boast two top rankings, which should come as no surprise. Their backline, led by All-Australian Harris Andrews, worked with great cohesion, as veteran Dayne Zorko and Jaspa Fletcher dominated all year. Chris Fagan's on-ball group is strides ahead of the competition, and that was proven in September. However, their forward mix desperately missed Joe Daniher, and although Logan Morris filled his shoes in his second season, the Lions bolstered their group with Oscar Allen in the trade period, which was clearly seen as an area of improvement.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Every AFL team’s 2025 list ranked 1-18

After breaking down all three lines, here’s how your club’s list ranked for 2025.

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