Round 2 was a weekend of surprising results, including standout performances from a batch of the league's emerging stars. Four players notched a perfect 20 votes for Zero Hanger's 2025 AFL MVP, two of which are yet to reach 80 games played.

Jai Newcombe (20 votes) kicked off the week with a dominant 32 disposals, matching the performance of the Blues' elite inside midfielders as Hawthorn staved off a desperate Carlton side. His team-high 11 tackles and nine clearances illustrated his hunger around the contest, which was ultimately needed in a tight game where Carlton's Tom De Koning (12 votes) dominated the ruck battle.

Speaking of ruckmen, Tristan Xerri stamped himself as an emerging superstar tall of the AFL in North Melbourne's ultimate obliteration of the Demons, rewarded with the full 20 votes from our staff. His rise as one of the league's top ruck has been slowly building for some time now, but after outclassing Max Gawn in the crucial final quarter of the Kangaroos statement victory, it is now undeniable he has entered the upper echelon of the AFL's big men. His 29 hitouts and 12 clearances made him best afield, just a week after posting 51 hitouts against the Bulldogs' Tim English. Paul Curtis and Tom Powell also polled well for the Roos, earning 15 and 10 votes respectively.

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee also polled a perfect 20 votes after steadying the Power's rocking ship, with his 39-disposal performance proving to be far too much for an inexperienced Tigers midfield.

Lachie Neale was the fourth and final player to poll 20 votes this week, his leadership and 35 disposals critical in the Lions avoiding a brutal upset to West Coast at the Gabba on Sunday. Alongside him was the invariably skilled Josh Dunkley, whose 11 votes from his 23-disposal, seven-clearance and one-goal outing sees him rocket into first place on the leaderboard. Dunkley has been a consistent driver of scoring for the Lions this season, involved in nearly a quarter of all Brisbane scores this season, his consistent efforts establishing a short early lead after three weeks of play.

Jack Macrae was an unstoppable force in the midfield for St Kilda on Saturday night, with Geelong's lack of pressure allowing him to run rampant for 35 disposals and nine clearances at 83% efficiency. He backed up his ball-winning with some impressive defensive moments too, winning two free kicks and laying 10 tackles, a complete performance which earned him a near-perfect 19 votes. He now ranks fourth on the 2025 season leaderboard with 25 total votes.

Likewise, Ben Keays polled 19 votes in Adelaide's offensive onslaught against Essendon in their hoodoo-breaking win at the MCG on Saturday, his four goals playing a key role in the victory. Only Jordan Dawson has polled more votes for the Crows this season, his eight votes on Saturday bringing his season total to 24, which ranks fifth league-wide.

Chad Warner concluded the weekend with an 18-vote performance in Sydney's first win of 2025, a team-high 26 disposals and 10 score involvements helping knock off Fremantle in the dying stages. If Sydney continue to win, Warner will likely establish himself as a clear favourite to take home the MVP, ranking first in score involvement percentage through three games, being a contributing player in 45.5% of Sydney's scores this season.

Carlton vs Hawthorn

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe
4 Josh Battle Josh Battle Josh Battle Tom De Koning
3 Tom De Koning Mabior Chol Tom De Koning Josh Battle
2 Massimo D'Ambrosio Tom De Koning Josh Ward Mabior Chol
1 Mabior Chol George Hewett Mabior Chol Josh Ward

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Lachlan Schultz Sam Darcy Steele Sidebottom Tom Liberatore
4 Sam Darcy Nick Daicos Sam Darcy Nick Daicos
3 Steele Sidebottom Lachlan Schultz Nick Daicos Sam Darcy
2 Nick Daicos Tom Liberatore Lachlan Schultz Steele Sidebottom
1 Tom Liberatore Steele Sidebottom Tom Liberatore Lachlan Schultz

Essendon vs Adelaide

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Ben Keays Zach Merrett Ben Keays Ben Keays
4 Zach Merrett Ben Keays Zach Merrett Zach Merrett
3 Jordan Dawson Jake Soligo Matt Crouch Jordan Dawson
2 Jake Soligo Jordan Dawson Jake Soligo Jake Soligo
1 Riley Thilthorpe Matt Crouch Josh Rachele Matt Crouch

Port Adelaide vs Richmond

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Connor Rozee Connor Rozee Connor Rozee Connor Rozee
4 Jase Burgoyne Jase Burgoyne Jase Burgoyne Jase Burgoyne
3 Willie Rioli Mitch Georgiades Mitch Georgiades Mitch Georgiades
2 Mitch Georgiades Ollie Wines Joe Richards Willem Drew
1 Willem Drew Sam Powell-Pepper Kane Farrell Logan Evans

St Kilda vs Geelong

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Jack Macrae Jack Macrae Jack Macrae Rowan Marshall
4 Rowan Marshall Rowan Marshall Rowan Marshall Jack Macrae
3 Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Jack Higgins Jack Higgins Marcus Windhager
2 Jack Henry Marcus Windhager Lawson Humphries Jack Sinclair
1 Marcus Windhager Jack Henry Mason Wood Tom Atkins

Brisbane vs West Coast

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Lachie Neale Lachie Neale Lachie Neale Lachie Neale
4 Josh Dunkley Dayne Zorko Liam Ryan Josh Dunkley
3 Liam Ryan Harris Andrews Dayne Zorko Dayne Zorko
2 Harris Andrews Josh Dunkley Tyrell Dewar Liam Ryan
1 Dayne Zorko Hugh McCluggage Hugh McCluggage Tim Kelly

North Melbourne vs Melbourne

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Tristan Xerri Tristan Xerri Tristan Xerri Tristan Xerri
4 Paul Curtis Paul Curtis Tom Powell Paul Curtis
3 Kade Chandler Cameron Zurhaar Paul Curtis Tom Powell
2 Charlie Comben Tom Powell Cameron Zurhaar Cameron Zurhaar
1 Tom Powell Kade Chandler Clayton Oliver Kade Chandler

Fremantle vs Sydney

Mitch Keating Aidan Cellini Callum Farquhar Nick Splitter
5 Chad Warner James Jordon Chad Warner Chad Warner
4 James Rowbottom Josh Treacy Josh Treacy James Rowbottom
3 Jaeger O'Meara Chad Warner Jaeger O'Meara Josh Treacy
2 James Jordon Jaeger O'Meara James Jordon James Jordon
1 Josh Treacy Hayden McLean Nathan O'Driscoll Jaeger O'Meara

 

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