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.
4. (9th) Collingwood
An ageing list, albeit filled with stars, presents the Magpies with an intriguing dilemma in 2025 should their veterans' output reduce.
Let's acknowledge the presence of Nick Daicos off-rip. All AFL fans know what he can do and his ability to shoulder the burden even at just 22 years of age.
The ever-consistent Jack Crisp will pair with Daicos, while the father-son star's brother Josh will continue to be a reliable winger. Patrick Lipinski will also be pressing for another year of consistent selection.
However, Collingwood's midfield efforts will still be reliant on Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury, two stars in the final stages of their career. While the Pies' youngsters such as Fin Macrae and Ed Allan are hoping to rival their veteran counterparts, Collingwood are still dependable on Sidebottom and Pendlebury contributing weekly, which could come back to bite the Pies if age gets the better of the two this season.
Whether Jordan De Goey can reclaim his career-best season from 2023 will also influence Collingwood's season, as he continues to make strides towards a full recovery from a lingering groin injury. The explosive midfielder played just 13 games in 2024.
Tom Mitchell is set to be sidelined again for the beginning of 2025 in another frustrating setback for the 2018 Brownlow medallist.
Darcy Cameron has become a solid ruck for the Pies though and should be the outright ruckman all season.
Collingwood ranked midtable for clearances in 2024 and 12th for inside 50s, highlighting the need for a breakout talent to come through and assist the older members of the team to ensure they remain effective in a reduced role of responsibility.
