The ability to take possession at the contest and advance the ball forward with accuracy has become an art form in the AFL.

The inside midfielder who can quickly flick the switch from a 50-50 fight for the football to an attacking play in a flash.

The combination of a contested ball winner, accurate user and forward-driving midfielder is one most onballers are tasked to become.

A dozen players this year are currently averaging at least 10 contested possessions, a disposal efficiency of at least 70% and at least 300 metres gained per game.

Among the 12, Carlton's George Hewett ranks No.1 for contested possessions (13.4) and No.2 for disposal efficiency (76.6%), with his metres gained mean (308.0) 11th overall.

Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw has the highest disposal efficiency of the dozen at 77.1%, with Essendon's Sam Durham the only other who moves the ball with accuracy three out of four times on average.

Brayshaw also ranks first for metres gained among the 12, going at 438.4, with Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and Gold Coast veteran Touk Miller the only others to be running at more than 400 metres gained.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: George Hewett of the Blues celebrates kicking a goal during the round six AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium, on April 18, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: George Hewett of the Blues celebrates kicking a goal during the round six AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium, on April 18, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters, West Coast recruit Liam Baker, Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe, Kangaroo Luke Davies-Uniacke, Lion Lachie Neale and Western Bulldogs ace Tom Liberatore are the other members of the 12.

Baker might be the most surprising, with his maiden season back in Western Australia flying under the radar.

Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs are the only clubs that have multiple players, with Noah Anderson and Ed Richards narrowly missing the cut due to disposal efficiency, going at 69.8% and 67.8% respectively.

Both midfiedlers would have been far ahead of the rest of the pack for metres gained, with Anderson's 573 metres gained per game fifth overall in the AFL among midfielders, with Richards one spot behind him in sixth, going at 547.6 metres per game.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Andrew Brayshaw of the Dockers celebrates a goal during the round four AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs at Perth Stadium, on April 06, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Andrew Brayshaw of the Dockers celebrates a goal during the round four AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs at Perth Stadium, on April 06, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Geelong's Bailey Smith is in a similar position, going at 696.5 metres gained and 10.3 contested possessions each outing, however his disposal use sits at 61.5%. His teammate Max Holmes follows suit, with a stat line of 583.4 metres gained, 10.6 contested possessions and 68.7% disposal efficiency.

The damaging dozen: 12 midfielders punishing the opposition the most
Players averaging at least 10 contested possessions, 70% disposal efficiency and 300 metres gained in 2025 (sorted by contested possessions)