Kane Cornes reveals his top 50 players in the AFL
Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes is counting down the top 50 players in the AFL as we head into the new season.
Who makes the cut? Who’s unlucky to miss?
Check out the players ranked No.50 to No.6 before Cornes reveals the top five on Tuesday night’s news bulletins.
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50. Jack Sinclair
49. Max Holmes
48. Brayden Maynard
47. Andrew Brayshaw
46. Patrick Dangerfield
45. Lachie Whitfield
44. Noah Anderson
43. Jai Newcombe
42. Aliir Aliir
41. Charlie Cameron
40. Dylan Moore
39. Luke Davies-Uniacke
38. Dan Houston
37. Callum Wilkie
36. James Sicily
35. Sam Walsh
34. Connor Rozee
33. Harris Andrews
32. Jake Waterman
31. Hugh McCluggage
30. Will Day
29. Tom Papley
28. Harry Sheezel
27. Max Gawn
26. Sam Taylor
25. Zach Merrett
24. Sam Darcy
23. Nick Larkey
22. Jordan Dawson
21. Hayden Young
20. Jason Horne-Francis
19. Caleb Serong
18. Izak Rankine
17. Jacob Weitering
16. Jeremy McGovern
15. Nick Blakey
14. Tom Stewart
13. Toby Greene
12. Errol Gulden
11. Jesse Hogan
10. Chad Warner
Warner has the ability to rip the opposition apart in just 20 minutes. His electric speed and uncanny knack for kicking running goals make him one of the most watchable and exciting players in the league. With 35 goals last season, Warner’s return as a midfielder was phenomenal. By the end of 2025, he may well be one of the top three players in the game.
9. Zak Butters
Port Adelaide’s best player already has a stacked trophy cabinet and is universally admired for his courage. He has elite speed, wins the ball in a variety of ways, and is an exceptional and creative kick. To take his game to the next level, Butters should aim for a goal a game this season and focus on taking the simplest decisions to avoid costly turnovers.
8. Charlie Curnow
Curnow is often unfairly judged because of his perceived struggles in finals, but he is unquestionably a top-10 player. Over the past three seasons, Curnow has kicked an extraordinary 202 goals and is the player most opposing teams focus on when facing the Blues. Thanks to his deadly field kicking, Curnow is as dangerous outside of 50 as he is deep. Body permitting, he will once again be the leading contender for another Coleman Medal.
7. Lachie Neale
What a resume Neale has. He remains the cleanest player at ground level in the AFL and the standout member of Brisbane’s star-studded midfield. Neale has adapted to taggers and taken his game to new heights, becoming more willing to kick the ball and push forward to impact the scoreboard. With elite endurance and agility, Neale should’ve won the Norm Smith Medal for his amazing performance in last year’s grand final.
6. Patrick Cripps
The two-time Brownlow Medalist has maximised his speed and power, and there’s no better sight than watching him burst out of congestion. Cripps averaged over eight clearances and 15 contested possessions per game in 2024. Few players deserve a premiership more than Cripps.
Tune into the 6pm news bulletins on Tuesday night as Cornes reveals his top five.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
