Inarguably the most important line in football is the midfield, where the game's greatest superstars and game-changing talents position themselves.
The most likely position to win the AFL's esteemed awards, from Brownlows to Norm Smiths and club best and fairests, midfielders clean up as they roam the full field.
So, who were the 10 best midfielders in the 2025 AFL season?
Before we delve into the 10 best midfielders, here is a group of players unlucky not to be rewarded with a spot on the list.
Unlucky to miss:
Max Holmes - 26.9 disposals, 6.6 score involvements, 626.6 metres gained
Isaac Heeney - 23.6 disposals, 6.9 score involvements, 11.7 contested possessions
Andrew Brayshaw - 27.0 disposals, 5.0 clearances, 6.7 score involvements
Zach Merrett - 27.8 disposals, 3.9 clearances, 6.1 score involvements
Hugh McCluggage - 27.1 disposals, 6.0 clearances, 7.2 score involvements
Ed Richards - 26.0 disposals, 5.7 clearances, 8.3 score involvements
Tom Green - 29.7 disposals, 8.5 clearances, 7.0 score involvements
9Zak Butters
Like Serong, Butters achieved a third-straight best and fairest medal in 2025, despite facing early injury interruptions to his campaign.
The 24-year-old would ultimately average a career-high 28.0 disposals, 6.6 clearances and 6.1 score involvements over 20 games and earn a spot in the 2025 All-Australian squad, standing out as one of few bright spots in the Power's marred season.
Even while missing three games, Butters still recorded an extraordinary 87 coaches votes for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year in 2025. That's an average of 4.35 votes per game - only bettered by Bailey Smith and Marcus Bontempelli.
