The midfield is home to the AFL's most recognised names. This line receives the most individual recognition, sweeping the league's suite of awards most years. Those in the engine room shoulder the responsibility of galvanising their side through winning possession and determining field position.
Midfield groups are usually emblematic of a given team - good teams have good midfields, and bad teams do not.
Here's Zero Hanger's ranking of the league's 18 midfield corps for 2025.
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18. West Coast
In Andrew McQualter's first year at the helm, the league's youngest side won one game and was bullied around the ball. Memorably, the usually placid 'Mini' labelled his side's performance in the contest aspect of the game as 'pathetic', and the numbers support such a sentiment.
The Eagles registered the fewest contested possessions and total clearances in the competition. They ranked last for scores from stoppage, and were league-worst for first possession win rate.
The side's top four ball winners were all general defenders - a big worry, and one that is indicative of their struggles for territorial ascendancy in 2025.
Former number one pick, youngster Harley Reid was a rare silver lining, finishing first at the club for clearances and second for contested possessions, despite increased attention from the opposition.
