Voting for Zero Hanger's 2025 MVP Award has been finalised after a delayed ending to the season due to the rescheduled clash between Gold Coast and Essendon.
Throughout the season, the Zero Hanger team - consisting of editor Mitch Keating, general manager Nick Splitter, digital reporter Aidan Cellini and writer Hayden Farquhar - voted on every game to establish our AFL MVP.
Votes were given out on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum score any player can record in any game is 20.
Patrick Cripps (2022, 2024), Marcus Bontempelli (2023), Touk Miller (2022) and Ollie Wines (2021) are all past winners of the award.
A Finals MVP Award will also be handed down after this year's Grand Final, with Norm Smith Medal winners Bobby Hill (2023) and Will Ashcroft (2024) taking out previous titles.
10th. Noah Anderson
Votes: 169
Games: 23
Games Polled: 16
Appointed Gold Coast skipper for the first time, Anderson didn't disappoint, delivering on a personal level as well as leading the club towards its first-ever finals appearance.
Polling in over two-thirds of his games, Anderson recorded eight outings where he received 12 votes or more, as well as a clean sweep (maximum votes) in Round 21 for his performance against Richmond.
He polled in seven of the last 10 games.
9th. Tom Green
Votes: 173
Games: 22
Games Polled: 15
The Giants bull continues his rise to stardom, reaching the top 10 in the competition for the first time in the Zero Hanger MVP voting.
Green polled in 15 games, with eight of those seeing votes of 12 or more received for his efforts.
Highlights from the year were clashes against Essendon (unanimous best on) as well as Round 15 (17 votes against Gold Coast).
8th. Jeremy Cameron
Votes: 179
Games: 23
Games Polled: 14
The 2025 Coleman Medal leader is the only non-midfielder in this list (minor give away).
Cameron kicked 83 goals for the season and looked on track to reach the ton before a late-season fadeout.
The former Giant produced seven games in which he polled 17 votes or more, including back-to-back perfect performances in Rounds 19 and 20.
He also received votes in five of the last six games, claiming 88 in that span and a top-10 finish.
Cameron returns to the top 10 for the first time since 2022.
7th. Caleb Serong
Votes: 182
Games: 23
Games Polled: 16
The Docker dynamo was ultra consistent throughout 2025, snaring votes in 16 games, including a perfect 20 in Round 22.
Serong polled 15 votes or more in eight matches, including a purple patch of form between Rounds 14 and 24, where he didn't receive plaudits on a measly two occasions.
He has finished inside the top 10 for the past three years.
6th. Andrew Brayshaw
Votes: 183
Games: 23
Games Polled: 16
Another Docker hits the top 10; Brayshaw's year has flown under the radar in most eyes.
But his two-way efforts and unwavering selflessness have been recognised by the votes at Zero Hanger.
The on-baller had a purple patch (excuse the pun) between Rounds 3 and 9, collecting 100 votes.
He also had another spur-on late in the year, where he was rewarded with a perfect game in Round 18, and featured prominently in the ensuing weeks.
Brayshaw returns to the top 10 for the first time since 2022.
5th. Marcus Bontempelli
Votes: 184
Games: 18
Games Polled: 15
A delayed start for the Bont didn't deter this Bulldogs champion from making a genuine push as the competition's MVP.
Bontempelli played 18 games, and polled in 15, remarkable.
The Bulldogs skipper came home with a wet sail, receiving 120 votes between Rounds 17 and 24.
A previous winner in 2023, Bontempelli recorded four perfect matches, and was extremely close in the final round of the year.
He has sat inside the top 10 in all but one season since 2021.
4th. Jordan Dawson
Votes: 194
Games: 23
Games Polled: 17
The Crows' skipper is deservedly among the top players of the 2025 season.
Dawson was consistent throughout the campaign as Adelaide claimed the minor premiership.
He, at times, was the difference maker in a lot of matches, turning the tide with his own boot.
Dawson recorded 15 votes or more on eight occasions, including three unanimous best on grounds.
He returns to the top 10 after squeezing in in 2023.
3rd. Matthew Rowell
Votes: 212
Games: 23
Games Polled: 17
Rowell's transformation should be studied, but his hard work and dedication were highlighted in his 2025 campaign.
The ball-winning machine added power and drive to his game, almost turning him into an unstoppable force.
Rowell polled in 17 of his 23 games, which included three unanimous best on grounds.
The Victorian also polled in every game since Round 15, collecting 110 votes in that period.
2nd. Bailey Smith
Votes: 214
Games: 20
Games Polled: 16
It's no shock that the star Cat recruit is among the best players for the 2025 season.
Smith joined Geelong from the Bulldogs following a year on the sidelines due to an ACL injury.
Geelong's lewd list management and bold move to lure the hard-running midfielder paid off.
Smith jumped out of the blocks at his new club, with a BOG performance in Round 1, followed by an impressive stretch between Round 4 and 12, polling in every game.
He backed that up in the run home, catching the voters' eyes from Round 20 to 24.
The 24-year-old did miss three matches, which could've been the difference maker between a silver and gold medal, but was still one of the standout performers of the year.
1st. Nick Daicos
Votes: 231
Games: 23
Games Polled: 18
Well, this was bound to happen at some point.
Daicos' fourth season in the AFL has marked his first Zero Hanger MVP, albeit finishing top five in the past two years.
The Collingwood maestro has largely been favourite for every individual award, and hasn't disappointed, polling in 18 games of his faultless 23.
Daicos was consistent throughout 2025, recording a dozen games where he collected 12 votes or more, as well as four unanimous BOG efforts.
