The 10 best positional changes of 2025

Either through necessity or creativity, some coaches look for positional changes to turn a game or season. Utilising defenders in attack, or rebounders through the midfield, role switches can be unearthed, adding a whole new perspective to what the player is capable of. Some moves in 2025 resulted in All-Australian blazers, while others caused oppositional distress. We take you through some of the best positional changes of 2025... Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Half-Back to Midfield This would be at the top of most lists for season 2025 as the star Saint emerged as one of the game's most exciting players. Wanganeen-Milera's switch from half-back to the midfield proved to be one of Ross Lyon's best masterstrokes, exposing the 22-year-old to his incredible potential, especially in the front half of the ground. A major uptick in disposals saw Wanganeen-Milera gather 29.9 touches on average, whilst also kicking 17 goals from 23 outings. Notably, his four-goal and 34-possession performance against Melbourne will go down in footy folklore for multiple reasons. One of those being his ability to determine the outcome of a match. Despite the efforts of the opposition, he never dipped under 20 possessions for the year, and has added a string to his bow that not many, if any, can contend with. The progression from half-back to the midfield has been a common move among some of the game's best, but Wanganeen-Milera could be the pick of the bunch. [caption id="attachment_162638" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Max Hall of the Saints celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 04 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 6, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] St Kilda will also be pleased with Max Hall's integration into the midfield after beginning his career as a crafty forward. He began 2025 inside 50, but his quick feet, clean hands and football nous saw him elevate into the on-ball brigade to good effect, seeing an increase in possession count but still maintaining his scoreboard impact. Dan Curtin Forward to Wing The Adelaide youngster is seen as a unicorn given his height and athleticism, and after spending his maiden season up forward, he moved to the wing in 2025. Curtin's rise to AFL stardom is well and truly on its way, showing his adaptability and versatility in pushing further up the ground. The big-bodied Western Australian started gaining more confidence as the year went on, gathering 15 or more disposals on eight occasions, with a breakout effort against Richmond in Round 16 (26 touches and two goals). [caption id="attachment_163737" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 06: Daniel Curtin of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 13 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on June 6, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)[/caption] Curtin's frame of 197cm along the wings adds a point of difference to the Crows' lineup, which is difficult to rival by the opposition. Josh Daicos Wing to Half-Back The older Daicos has almost perfected every position on the ground under Craig McRae, and his switch to half-back was a success. An All-Australian winger, Daicos' elite ball use, creativity, and dare, in theory, suit the rebounding defender, and in 2025, that theory was proven. The 27-year-old had a career-high in average disposals (26.84) as well as just under five rebound 50s a game, proving to be the Pies' main distributor in defence. Daicos was entrusted with the role to the point where two-time All-Australian Dan Houston played second fiddle, and was eventually moved to a wing later in the year. [caption id="attachment_162331" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos of the Magpies pose for a photo with their dad Peter Daicos and the Premiership Cup during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] But the son-of-a-gun also began to add midfield craft to his repertoire, which could be seen in 2026. Jack Silvagni Key Forward to Key Fefender The Blues will rue the loss of the third-generation Silvagni as the Saints swooped on the free agent in the off-season. But the 27-year-old began producing a career-best season, although it was halted by injury woes, limiting him to 13 outings. Silvagni's switch to his father's famous position as a key defender worked wonders for Michael Voss, who needed bolstering in the rearguard and assistance for Jacob Weitering. [caption id="attachment_161900" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Jack Silvagni of the Blues kicks a goal during the round 18 AFL match between Carlton Blues and Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium, on July 15, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] Silvagni not only quelled some of the game's best forwards, but also helped turn the ball over, resulting in an average of 6.2 intercept possessions across the season. Luke Jackson Ruck to Midfield The Dockers are steadfast that Luke Jackson can be a genuine onballer, despite establishing himself as a premier ruckman since he joined the competition. A premiership tall for the Demons in his own right, 2025 saw Jackson play as a rover to Sean Darcy, lining up alongside Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong at various stages. The 23-year-old acted as a big-bodied midfielder, which proved hard to contend with, whilst also freeing up the likes of Brayshaw and Serong as the opposition's attention was spread thin across Fremantle's on-ball group. [caption id="attachment_160460" align="alignnone" width="2560"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Luke Jackson of the Dockers celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 04 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on April 6, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Although Jackson's primary position is the ruck, his athleticism and versatility have been proven to be useful in other roles. Patrick Dangerfield Midfield to Forward There was discussion that Patrick Dangerfield would create history in 2025 by earning a ninth All-Australian blazer, only this time as a forward. Largely placed deep inside 50 to add some firepower in the front half, Dangerfield consistently hit the scoreboard, slotting 30 goals for the year. A stretch early in the campaign saw the champion Cat win multiple games off his own boot, literally. Matches against Melbourne, Adelaide and Hawthorn saw 'Danger' kick 10 majors, but most importantly, help Geelong claim three victories. [caption id="attachment_168731" align="alignnone" width="2560"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Patrick Dangerfield and Rhys Stanley of the Cats chat during the Geelong Cats AFL captain's run at GMHBA Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)[/caption] Ultimately, the 2016 Brownlow medallist started spending more time in the midfield toward the end of the season, although sitting at 21.3 per cent centre bounce attendances. But Chris Scott's move is more than likely to be revisited for 2026. Brady Hough Defence to Midfield Hough has made impressive strides from a lockdown small defender to a defensive midfielder and handy onballer. Through necessity, Andrew McQualter gave the 22-year-old opportunities through the centre of the ground in a bid to enhance the group. [caption id="attachment_158861" align="alignnone" width="2560"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Brady Hough and Harley Reid of the Eagles look on during the round 18 AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium, on July 14, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Hough spent 41.3 per cent of his time in centre bounces, which resulted in an uptick of overall possessions, clearances, inside 50, tackles and score involvements. Kysaiah Pickett Forward to Midfield The Pickett manoeuver into the midfield was filled with excitement. Beginning as a star small forward, honing his craft, the Melbourne jet has added endurance running and clearance work to his toolkit, which, at times, has acted as a lethal combination. The 24-year-old kicked 40 goals from 20 games, but averaged just under 20 disposals per game in 2025. The move saw clearances spike, as well as tackles, inside 50s, score involvements and shots at goal. [caption id="attachment_161228" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal during the round six AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Fremantle Dockers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 19, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)[/caption] Pickett shone in his new role, producing career-best games against Fremantle, Sydney and Carlton, with his stat line showing five goals and at least 23 possessions. The scary thing is that it could quickly become the norm. Joel Freijah Defence to Midfield Coined the 'right-footed Bont', Freijah adds a unique element to the Bulldogs' midfield group, while also alleviating the pressure heaped on Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore. The 20-year-old hasn't missed a game since debuting in Round 9, 2024, but has continued to develop his running capacity and ball accumulation skills, constantly getting into the right spots. A breakout game against Sydney put the AFL world on notice, with Freijah kicking four majors from 23 disposals. But more importantly, it showed his willingness to be a difference maker in the contest. [caption id="attachment_166463" align="alignnone" width="2560"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Joel Freijah of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 27, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] The move from coach Luke Beveridge was due to Adam Treloar and Bontempelli's absence, but he has unveiled a more-than-worthy onballer in his lineup. Reuben Ginbey Half-Back to Key Defender Ginbey was drafted by the Eagles as a local product with immense versatility, but with an eye to the midfield in years to come. Standing at 191cm, it was far-fetched to think he could play key defender in a rebuilding side, but coach 'Mini' gave him the opportunity. Ginbey was deployed as a tall backman in 2025, and due to his incredible efforts, was rewarded with the club's best defensive player title, as well as finishing runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal. [caption id="attachment_135109" align="alignnone" width="2560"] West Coast Eagle Reuben Ginbey (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)[/caption] He was seen throughout the year blanketing Jeremy Cameron and Sam Darcy, while Riley Thilthorpe, Charlie Curnow and Josh Treacy have stood opposite him.

The 10 best positional changes of 2025

Defence to midfield? Attack to back? We name some of this year’s coaching masterstrokes.

Kysaiah Pickett

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9