25. Jake Waterman

West Coast

Beats out Charlie Curnow for this spot, kicked over 50 goals for the year, second for marks inside 50, 11th in contested marks. Played with grunt and passion with a huge work rate. Achieved this with a bottom three team.

24. Dan Houston

Collingwood

Built a strong reputation as a rebounding, running intercept defender at Port Adelaide. He arrives at Collingwood with the pressure on.

23. Jacob Weitering

Carlton

Only lost two from over 60 contests in 2024. Without him it could be a very different story for Carlton. His intercepts were also very important, ranked 18th in the competition.

22. Jeremy McGovern

West Coast

In a defence that has now been under siege for a few years, he stands tall. Intercepting the ball, rebounding the ball from defence, with his super competitiveness leading the way for West Coast.

21. Harry Sheezel

North Melbourne

Called into the midfield early in 2024, his decision making with the ball and football intelligence is through the roof, ranked fifth in the competition for effective disposals, while averaging nearly 30 touches a game, all at 20 years of age.

20. Luke Davies-Uniacke

North Melbourne

Unlucky not to be ranked higher, a shining star in the North Melbourne midfield. Ranks fourth in centre bounce clearances, along with top 10 rankings in clearances and inside 50s.

19. Jeremy Cameron

Geelong

Still has the ability to rip games apart. Has multiple weapons, getting up the ground and using his legs or staying inside 50 to lead and mark.

18. Max Holmes

Geelong

Took his game to the next level with his blistering run and carry, ranked number one in the competition for metres gained. Won the Cats’ best and fairest in 2024. Could elevate with a bullet in 2025.

17. Jason Horne-Francis

Port Adelaide

Took his game to another level in 2024, becoming more consistent and influential. Clean with his contested possessions, his run and bounce was outstanding, finishing with 27 goals for the year.

16. Harris Andrews

Brisbane

The No. 4 intercept defender in the competition, but rarely gets beaten one-on-one. Was magnificent during the final series.

15. Caleb Serong

Fremantle

Elite purely based on the massive numbers accumulated across the year. His huge work-rate led to a 2024 ranking of the second-most disposals in the competition.

14. Andrew Brayshaw

Fremantle

Doesn’t get the accolades like many elite midfielders. Averages 29 touches a game, 13th for disposal effectiveness, fifth for score involvements per game in the competition. Add his work-rate, desire and competitiveness, he is clearly elite.

13. Chad Warner

Sydney

The blistering midfielder was on fire in 2024, elite at inside 50s, running bounces and score involvements. Another Swan to have a dismal grand final.

12. Tom Green

GWS

Wins an enormous amount of the ball, does his best work in the contest. Building his reputation as an inside beast in the Cripps mould.

11. Hayden Young

Fremantle

Put himself into the conversation of elite mids in the competition with a breakout season. His decision making taking the ball inside 50 for a team score is outstanding. Ranked fifth for inside 50s per game and fourth for goal assists.

10. Max Gawn

Melbourne

The number one ruck in the competition, an amazing seven All-Australians. His ruck craft is pure class.

Perhaps his greatest attribute is leading his club when the club looked to be disintegrating over the last few years.

9. Errol Gulden

Sydney

Masterful performance on a wing in 2024, first ranked at inside 50s per game and second in metres gained, was a driver of the Swans home and away season. His grand final performance was one to forget and he will be looking for redemption.

8. Zak Butters

Port Adelaide

Cemented his place as an elite midfielder with his attack on the game in a very dynamic fashion. Ranked three in score involvements, another season like 2024 will see him be at the pointy end of these rankings.

7. Christian Petracca

Melbourne

Was tracking toward his fifth All-Australian before his horrific injury, ranked second in score involvements and third in goal assists per game in 2024. He is a star in midfield and forward craft is elite.

6. Isaac Heeney

Sydney

Brilliant all year in the Sydney midfield during home and away season. Has speed, agility at ground level and can fly for marks with the best of them, becoming the number one for score involvement in the competition. Grand final appearances have not been great.

5. Jesse Hogan

GWS

It’s taken a long time to reach his potential, now a Coleman medallist, and received All-Australian honours for the first time. Has the uncanny knack of marking the ball at the highest point in a contest, ranking him the number one player for marks inside 50 in 2024.

4. Lachie Neale

Brisbane

The dual Brownlow medallist is a freak who just keeps winning the ball. His ability to set up play for his team through handball is something to behold, now a premiership player.

3. Marcus Bontempelli

Bulldogs

Took home the AFL Players Association’s Most Valuable Player for the third time. Level of consistency is sky high, I admire his all-round game as a midfielder and the ability to kick goals. Number one in AFL for ranking points.

2. Nick Daicos

Collingwood

Came storming home to win the AFL Coaches Player of the Year. His ability to run and carry the ball with sublime skill is extraordinary. His football IQ is absolutely elite, bringing his teammates into the game.

1. Patrick Cripps

Carlton

The Carlton captain and dual Brownlow medallist racked up 45 votes to be crowned the 2024 winner. Is the king of contested ball, with skill. His ability to lead from the front is unmatched.