19 players made the 44-man All-Australian team for the first time in 2024, suggesting they took their game to the next level.
So, who could be primed to do the same in 2025?
In no particular order, here are 10 players who have the opportunity to take the next big step over the coming 12 months.
2. Trent Riversย
The 23-year-old half-back flanker really hit his straps this year, seeing a jump in all key statistics. Rivers was the Dees' first choice to fill the hole in their midfield that Christian Petracca left when he went down halfway through the season.
Rivers will likely slot right into the back six once again when Petracca returns next season but they have seemingly unearthed a replacement for Clayton Oliver should he too need replacing at some stage.
The purple patch of form that Rivers found towards the end of the season will hopefully carry over into next season regardless of which position he plays in. An All-Australian season might be asking a bit too much of a jump from Rivers but it would be no surprise to see him rise to a new level next season in a Nick Blakey-type of role, rebounding off half-back as a damaging distributor.
