As football continues to evolve and change, so do the roles of players. Some are impenetrable - key backs and key forwards - but over time, others have shone and now entered scrutiny.
Ruckmen have been much maligned for most of the modern era as more and more teams find success without A-grade ruckmen.
But now, it's football's next stage of evolution into fast-paced frenetic, get the ball forward at all costs styles that have pushed one-dimensional inside bulls into the shadows.
Much like ruckmen, unless you're a perennial All-Australian candidate, your value is diminishing before your very eyes. The last few years have suggested this, and 2025 has been no different.
Hawthorn best and fairest winner James Worpel, is currently experiencing that shift in real time with his club. Contract negotiations had taken a standstill until recently, where it has been reported he's received both a two-year and four four-year deal below his expected salary.
This is the general sense amongst the AFL community, with more and more clubs looking to poach wantaway bulls or recruit the next prevalent player through the draft.
Collingwood are a team that has shown that it can be a successful blueprint in the past few seasons. As Hawthorn transitioned into a full youth movement, former Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell was sent looking for a new home, which Collingwood happily obliged. Funnily enough, his position in the Pies' best side is being held by another former Hawk - Ned Long - who joined Collingwood after being delisted from the Waverley Park side.
The transition in recruitment has been furthered in 2025. The Western Bulldogs picked up Matthew Kennedy off the scrap heap from Carlton for a late pick. Three-time All-Australian Jack Macrae was also deemed replaceable for the Dogs and a necessity for St Kilda.
There are exceptions to these rules - as true with ruckmen - where A-grade talent will always demand attention, such as Carlton's Tom De Koning. Matt Rowell is one that many clubs have kept a close eye on and would pay top dollar to lure him out of the Gold Coast. Sam Walsh is another who can work inside the packs who clubs are aiming to lure. Worpel is building a case to become a bargain purchase for the suitors who will become unsuccessful in securing Rowell.
Now as football progresses, our attention has shifted to a new breed of players. Clinical, pacey and dynamic outside midfielders and architectural half-back flankers have emerged as must-haves for contending sides.
The movement was clear at the commencement of this season, when St Kilda chased Moorabbin local Finn Callaghan with an alleged offer of $17 million across 10 years.
Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has risen to become one of football's most sought-after signatures, with home state clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide tussling to steal away the prodigious talent from his Bayside residency.
Across the competition, Champion Data is recognising the change in trends as well. After Round 8, seven of the 10 highest-rated players in the competition were recognised as outside midfielders or damaging half-backs, with breakout star Lachie Ash ranking as the competition's best player.
This is all stemming from the next wave of footballing tactics taking over the AFL. While some sides are battling away with congested, heavy contest-style games (looking at you, Carlton), the successful clubs in this current campaign are playing a completely different game. A style predicated on forward half pressure, quick release from the back half and precise kicking. Sides such as Collingwood, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Geelong all thrive stylistically and have the personnel to accommodate their style.
Their modern interpretations are transforming their sides into goal-scoring monsters and defensive demons. Amongst their best players and most damaging players? You guessed it, classy midfielders and damaging half-backs.
Using Adelaide as a case study, they continuously lacked a decisive punch from their midfield mix and backline. The Crows now have a revamped midfield group that has brought the class and damage of Izak Rankine to work alongside prestigious kicker Jordan Dawson. Jordan Soligo has had a bigger runway to work as well and is no slouch by foot.
Gold Coast have galvanised their attack with the recruitments of Daniel Rioli and John Noble. Neither will stake claims as the best kicks in the competition, but they put their mark on the game through attacking kicks that challenge any defensive outfit. Both were highly sought after, with Rioli costing the Suns a (expendable) top 10 draft pick and Noble being an important piece in the Jack Lukosios-Dan Houston trade.
The hierarchy of footballing needs to compete for a premiership will forever be a place that ebbs and flows as game styles evolve. However, in its current state, it has never been more important to identify top-of-the-line talent at these positions.
