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
8Errol Gulden
While only featuring in 10 games for Sydney this year, having returned to the field in Round 15 from an ankle injury, Errol Gulden quickly proved why he should be considered among the league's elite, backing up his 2023 and 2024 campaigns, which saw him tally 53 Brownlow Medal votes.
The Swans went 7-3 with Gulden in the lineup, indicating his sensational impact for this team, as he recorded 25 or more disposals in six of those matches.
The 23-year-old averaged 26.6 disposals per game at 71.4% efficiency overall, both near career-bests, and was demonstrative on the scoreboard, averaging 6.3 score involvements. Only Isaac Heeney averaged more for the Swans in 2025 (6.9).
