Midfields are as star-studded as it gets in the AFL, with even the mid-table teams boasting firepower and genuine All-Australian talent.
It could be on the wing or in the ruck, or simply the classic contested ball-winner, but each AFL club undoubtedly owns a star in the middle of the ground.
So where does your club rank across all teams in the competition? Do they have the depth across all positions to be the best in the league, or have last year's results proven their ability?
TEAMS 18-13: Every AFL team's midfield ranked: Part 1
In the second edition of Zero Hanger's midfield rankings, we've undertaken the challenge of ordering teams placed 12th through seventh, with each club potentially missing just that last piece to be considered one of the best in the competition.
2. (11th) GWS
The Giants are one of the unlucky sides in our rankings, given the talent emerging in their midfield.
Tom Green rose as an underrated Brownlow fancy ahead of the 2024 season, while Finn Callaghan has been tipped to break out for a couple of seasons now.
GWS also have the veteran experience of Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward to rotate through the centre, while Josh Kelly has continued to be an ever-reliable outside runner.
Toby Bedford has been a solid inclusion since departing from Melbourne, and Xavier O'Halloran is a valuable commodity on the wing, with GWS unwilling to trade the 24-year-old before the end of his contract.
Kieren Briggs established himself as a premier ruckman in 2023, with his commanding physicality allowing the 25-year-old to rack up hitouts.
While the upside of Callaghan and Green is promising, the ageing counterparts are a curious watch in 2025. Should Coniglio and Ward show signs of Father Time catching up, the Giants' midfield depth is fairly thin of ready-made talent to rotate through with Harry Perryman and James Peatling's exits.
GWS may have to blood some younger troops this season if Coniglio and Ward struggle with form, with 22-year-old Ryan Angwin (four games in 2024) and draftees Oliver Hannaford and Cody Angove potential options.
Re-listed 26-year-old Jacob Wehr will also be making his case after playing 11 games in 2024.
Additionally, the Giants' midfield has its ineffective moments. Despite the contested bull of Green and the emergence of Callaghan, ranking GWS eighth for clearances, the Giants placed 11th for inside 50s per game and third for clangers.
Evidently, the Giants' ball use from the clearance is a concern and could negate their strength in the contested parts of the game.
