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
4Noah Anderson
Appointed Gold Coast skipper for the first time, Noah Anderson didn't disappoint, delivering on a personal level as well as leading the club towards its first-ever finals appearance.
The co-winner of the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award averaged a career-best 30.1 disposals in 2025 and dominated inside the heat of the contest, notching seven clearances per game, four of which came from stoppages.
Similarly to his co-star Matthew Rowell, Anderson levelled up in his post-season debut, recording an incredible 32 disposals and 11 score involvements in the thriller, exciting Suns fans about what is to come in 2026.
Considering the recruitment of 2021 Norm Smith Medal winner Christian Petracca too, Anderson's rise as one of the league's elite mids may have only just begun.
