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
6Jordan Dawson
Jordan Dawson's leadership and on-field execution played a pivotal role in Adelaide claiming the minor premiership in 2025.
His stats may not blow anyone out of the water, with his 23.4 disposals, 4.0 clearances and 6.0 score involvements per game the lowest numbers among this top 10, however, his impact cannot be understated.
His efficiency with ball-in-hand was a difference maker regularly for the Crows and rarely went missing in big matches, recording 20-plus disposals in all but four games this year.
If Adelaide are to bounce back from a more-than-disappointing straight-sets exit, Dawson's tenacity will need to be at the forefront of their game in 2026.
