Zero Hanger's final rankings of every AFL team's midfield are here, revealing the top six clubs in the competition.
Each club listed has an abundance of talent across all positions in the centre square, with game-breaking stars who can lift their team to victory when the moment calls as well as role players who play their part to perfection.
In the toughest rankings yet, we've undertaken the challenge of ordering the league's best midfield groups sixth through first.
TEAMS 18-13:ย Every AFL team's midfield ranked: Part 1
TEAMS 12-7: Every AFL team's midfield ranked: Part 2
So who should your club be afraid of seeing at the first bounce this season? Here are Zero Hanger's top midfield sides in the AFL...
5. (5th) Fremantle
There are rising stars wherever you look on Fremantle's list, but none so glaring than in the midfield.
There's the young trio of Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young, each no older than 25 with their prime years still ahead of them.
Factor in the veteran dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe who can still be of value in a reduced role, as can Jaeger O'Meara.
Jeremy Sharpย andย Bailey Banfieldย offer reliable two-way running on the wing, while the addition ofย Shai Bolton through the trade period creates a fresh dynamic in the middle with his livewire, game-breaking spark.
From a depth perspective, draftee Murphy Reid will make his case known, while out-of-favour midfielder Will Brodie will also challenge for game time.
Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson are a strong one-two punch in the ruck, with Jackson's versatility allowing him to combine with Darcy or be stationed forward and allow Darcy to dominate the bulk of the contests.
2024's statistics suggest Fremantle are on the cusp of rising the ladder in 2025. They ranked third for clearances but tenth for inside 50s, highlighting they were a touch too one-paced to become threatening from stoppage.
However, with another pre-season under the belt of their stars, veteran leadership to rotate through, and the addition of an excitement machine that will improve their dynamic beyond pure ball magnets, Fremantle have the midfield profile to make a deep run in September 2025.
