Welcome to Zero Hanger's top 50 player rankings for 2025 - a list based primarily on a player's 2025 production in addition to their career pedigree and future projections.

The bar is as high as ever to impact as an AFL footballer consistently, let alone to a star level. All-Australian discussions are in constant debate as several guns often find themselves snubbed from proper recognition.

Here is the second edition (40-31) of our top 50 AFL players right now...

READ: PART 1 (50-41)

33rd - Bailey Dale

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Bailey Dale of the Bulldogs breaks the tackle of Jake Riccardi of the Giants during the round seven AFL match between GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval, on April 26, 2025, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Bailey Dale of the Bulldogs breaks the tackle of Jake Riccardi of the Giants during the round seven AFL match between GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval, on April 26, 2025, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

2024 rank: N/A

Dale continued to star in his 11th season at the Bulldogs since being drafted in 2014, averaging a career-high 27.0 disposals per game at an incredible 81.4 per cent efficiency, deservedly finding himself as the latest new entry inside our top 50.

The 29-year-old has emerged as one of the AFL's most damaging players off half-back, ranking eighth in the league for metres gained (545.2 per game), and made history with a 49-disposal, 1016 metres gained effort against Essendon in Round 10 this year.

Dale was one of the three defenders to average at least two score launches per game, but also proved his ability to impact the Dogs' attack further down the ground, with his 5.5 score involvements per game leading all listed defenders this year.

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