Often regarded as the best players in the competition, the AFL's top midfielders are placed in the upper echelon of football talent.
The most likely position to win the AFL's esteemed awards, from Brownlows, to Norm Smith's, to club best and fairests, midfielders clean up as they roam the full field. Regularly running farther than other players, the best midfielders have incredible endurance as they accumulate touches of the football again and again.
In recent times, the ability for midfielders to hit the scoreboard has become a key part of the best midfielders' game, whilst influential touches are seen as greater than amassing a pile of possessions for little impact.
With onballers typically the best player on each team, there are plenty of players to choose from when determining a top 10. So, before we delve into the 10 best midfielders, here is a group of players unlucky not to be rewarded with a spot on the list...
Snubs:
*Positions based on Champion Data's 'midfielder' qualifications.
5. Isaac Heeney
Another player who embodies the rise of scoreboard-influencing midfielders, Heeney, begins the top five of this list.
Heeney impressively averaged a tick over 25 disposals per game in 2024 while also recording 1.4 goals. He averaged the third-most score involvements of any player at 7.8 per game while also sending in 4.5 inside 50s.
Despite becoming a main staple at the centre circle, Heeney failed to score a goal on just five occasions in 2024. His impact on games is vital to Sydney performing well, with his three sub-20-disposal games resulting in losses, including the 112-point loss to Port Adelaide and grand final day.
