As always, some names are stiff to miss the All-Australian side, and 2025 is no different.
The near-impossible task of turning nearly 800-listed players into a final 22 is no easy feat, and will always be questioned based on the observer's personal views.
The selection panel consisted of Andrew Dillon (Chair), Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Abbey Holmes, Glen Jakovich, Laura Kane and Matthew Pavlich.
However, the 22 that did miss out, only some can consider themselves very unlucky.
We assess all those that missed the 2025 All-Australian team.
None of Carlton, Essendon, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond and West Coast had a player selected in the final team.
Adelaide
Mark Keane, Izak Rankine, Josh Worrell
The Crows' impressive rise to the minor premiership was on the back of this trio, especially the defensive pairing of Mark Keane and Josh Worrell.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
The two heavily underrated defenders aren't household names, and it most likely took until the end of the season to be recognised for their efforts.
Keane and Worrell rank 1st and 2nd for intercept possessions in the competition, and have a handy win-rate in contested one-on-ones.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Rankine was Adelaide's third player to miss after another stellar season on the field.
Playing more through the midfield, the former Suns upped his total disposals, clearances, score involvements and inside 50s.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Brisbane
Josh Dunkley, Dayne Zorko
The Lions pair have bigger fish to fry as we near September, but both were outstanding during 2025.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Zorko backed up his All-Australian campaign from last year, reaching similar heights as a dashing halfback who could penetrate the opposition's defensive structure with his elite kicking.
Admittedly, those chosen ahead of him (Bailey Dale and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera) had seasons rarely seen before.
As for Dunkley, the selfless, two-way on-baller rarely gets recognised externally, as his game isn't deemed as glamorous compared to other stars of the competition.
However, his outings allow players like Hugh McCluggage (2025 All-Australian) and Lachie Neale to flourish.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Collingwood
Josh Daicos, Jamie Elliott
Elliott could consider himself stiff to miss out on a maiden All-Australian blazer.
A career-best 52 goals, the high-flying small was dominant for the majority of the campaign, albeit a dip in form, which coincided with the Pies', may have cost him a guernsey.
Forward
Daicos' move to the halfback line proved to be a masterstroke by Craig McRae, with the older brother utilising his elite vision and ball use to get Collingwood out of a jam.
Like Zorko, the 27-year-old falls behind the likes of Dale and NAS, but placed himself among the game's best half-backs.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Fremantle
Andrew Brayshaw, Luke Jackson
The Dockers duo's inclusion in the AA squad was fitting, but would've been a major surprise if they made the final team.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Brayshaw, similar to Dunkley, is known for his selfless efforts and team-first attitude that allows the flashier players to thrive.
As for Jackson, the odds were always going to be against him, as it is rare for two ruckmen to be included in the final 22.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
He also spent time as a midfielder, ultimately robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Geelong
Max Holmes
Half of the Cats' dash brothers, Holmes, wasn't able to join his compadre (Bailey Smith) on stage.
The 23-year-old reached career highs among a host of stats after playing predominantly as an inside midfielder, although his versatility has seen Chris Scott throw him around in various positions.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
One of the unlucky ones to miss.
Gold Coast
Sam Collins, Ben King, Ben Long
King could consider himself lucky as he finished second in the Coleman Medal race after kicking 69 goals for the year.
The key forward was as efficient as they come, averaging 7.2 disposals and 4.4 shots on goal, three of which went through the big sticks.
Adelaide's Riley Thilthorpe was chosen ahead of him for his impact all over the ground, including the ruck, which is not in King's repertoire.
As for Long and Collins, their seasons were recognised with a justifiable inclusion in the All-Australian squad.
GWS
Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan, Tom Green
The trifecta of Giants that missed, were, at times throughout 2025, almost shoe-ins to make the final team.
Callaghan and Green's seasons were terrific, and were difference makers in many of the matches, but minor dips in form saw their rivals surpass them for an AA nod.
Ash's omission from the final 22 also aligns with Daicos and Zorko missing as half-backs, given the dominance shown by Dale and NAS.
Port Adelaide
Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades
Butters' false start due to injury put him on the backburner, but he returned in a flurry.
The Power star would've been close to selection, but the sheer weight of numbers and volume of games worked against him.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
As for his teammate, Georgiades, who produced another monster season after tearing his ACL in 2023.
The 23-year-old took control of Port Adelaide's forward line amid a year of injury, and slotted 58 goals.
Richmond
Nick Vlastuin
The Tiger veteran couldn't have done more to force his name into the All-Australian side.
Vlastuin ranks second for intercept possessions as a general defender, behind Worrell, and was sound in contested one-on-ones.
However, what should've increased his chances for a nod is the fact that Richmond's five-win season was littered with monumental losses.
Vlastuin countlessly stood up as the ball continued to be rushed inside the defensive 50.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Sydney
Brodie Grundy
If there were to be two ruckmen selected, Grundy clearly would've been next in.
But as history shows, the selectors rarely tend to put two bigs into the side, especially given one of the forwards (Riley Thilthorpe) assisted in the ruck.
However, Grundy's return to AFL stardom is a sight for sore eyes after multiple years, and clubs, where he struggled.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
Western Bulldogs
Sam Darcy, Tom Liberatore
Darcy's maiden AA chances were cut short when he injured his knee, so it is a fair effort that he made the squad.
The Bulldogs son-of-a-gun averaged 2.8 goals from 14.2 disposals, and quickly became the competition's brightest talent.
Forward
Darcy played 17 games in 2025, but you'd think with a few more under his belt that he'd be standing on the stage alongside his captain, Marcus Bontempelli.
Liberatore also deserved an AA squad call-up for his season.
His significance to the Bulldogs side can be likened to Dunkley and Brayshaw's, given his contested prowess and selflessness to allow Bontempelli and Ed Richards to dominate.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
