A lot can change in a year, and there have been some stark — and surprising — shifts in player performance in 2025 compared to last season.
Whether it’s a head-turning uptick in output or a concerning decrease, nothing stays the same in the footy landscape — as you’ll soon see.
Fuelled by Champion Data’s player ratings, Foxfooty.com.au breaks down every club’s most-improved performer and biggest decliner from last season.
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ADELAIDE CROWS
Riser: Jake Soligo — #196 in 2024 to #70 in 2025 (+126 change)
The 22-year-old continues his ascent within one of the league’s more talented midfield groups. Soligo is averaging 2.4 centre clearances per game, which is classed as elite among AFL midfielders, while he’s also averaging an above-average 6.3 score involvements per game with his career-best 23.6 disposals.
Faller: Jordan Dawson — #95 in 2024 to #250 in 2025 (-155 change)
While the Crows’ skipper has drawn more opposition attention this year — as great players do — such a dramatic slide is still pretty tough to fathom. He currently ranks 171st in the competition for ball use, per Champion Data, which would indicate he’s not found himself with as much time nor space to accurately dispose of the ball.
BRISBANE LIONS
Riser: Jaspa Fletcher — #207 in 2024 to #87 in 2025 (+120 change)
While he mightn’t even be the second-most popular father-son Lion in Chris Fagan’s side, Fletcher is turning heads as an emerging contributor in Brisbane’s flag defence. The third-year defender has gone from 14.6 disposals and 2.4 intercepts per game to an above average 18.4 and 5.1.
Faller: Oscar McInerney — #136 in 2024 to #276 in 2025 (-140 change)
The heartbreak story of last year’s premiership triumph, ‘Big O’ has seen a decrease in output over the past 12 months. McInerney’s hitout-to-advantage rate of 25.9 per cent is classed as below average among fellow ruckmen.
CARLTON
Riser: George Hewett — #148 in 2024 to #37 in 2025 (+111 change)
The now-veteran has been at the forefront of the Blues’ three-game winning streak, getting down and dirty to win the hard balls and playing a key role in linking chains. The 29-year-old’s 30.1 (23.4 in 2024) disposals, 7.4 (4.6) tackles and 7.7 (5.4) clearances are all categorised as elite among AFL midfielders. He’s certainly alleviated some of the ball-winning burden off Patty Cripps and Sam Walsh.
Faller: Blake Acres — #101 in 2024 to #281 in 2025 (-180 change)
The wingman hasn’t been as involved in his third season in Blues colours as his first two. He’s seen decreases for disposals (22.4 in 2024 to 19.0 this year), marks (6.0 to 3.8) and disposal efficiency (71.7 per cent to 57.9), which is classed as below average.
COLLINGWOOD
Riser: Steele Sidebottom — #221 in 2024 to #23 in 2025 (+198 change)
He’s been a classy operator for a long time, but it’s still been pretty hard to fathom the veteran ball-winner playing this well this far into his glittering career. Sidebottom is averaging 25.9 disposals per game, which is not only a staggering increase of 7.6 but his highest mark since 2018. His 4.7 inside-50s, 8.9 groundball gets and 3.6 stoppage clearances per game are all considered elite among AFL midfielders. The man is 34 years old, just to remind you.
Faller: Harry Perryman — #130 in 2024 to #265 in 2025 (-135 change)
One of the Pies’ key off-season recruits, Perryman hasn’t quite set the world alight, with teammate Ned Long instead being the big emerger in Collingwood’s engine room. The 26-year-old remains a tackling machine, but he’s seen downturns in disposals — 18.0 last year to 15.9 thus far in 2025 — and marks, going from 5.0 to 2.7 per game.
ESSENDON
Riser: Jade Gresham — #180 in 2024 to #110 in 2025 (+70 change)
The former St Kilda livewire probably didn’t have as much impact to begin his Essendon tenure as he’d have hoped for, but he’s been a lively feature in the Bombers’ forward brigade this year. Gresham’s disposal efficiency has risen over six per cent to a career-best 74.4 to start the campaign, while his 57.1 per cent accuracy in front of the sticks is above average for AFL forwards.
Faller: Andrew McGrath — #57 in 2024 to #231 in 2025 (-174 change)
It hasn’t been a blistering start to the year for the 2016 No.1 overall pick, with McGrath observing falls in disposals, marks and tackles since last year, with his 20.7 possessions per game his lowest mark since his second season in 2018. His 0.8 inside-50s, 67.2 per cent kicking efficiency and 7.2 pressure acts are all classed as below average for AFL defenders.
FREMANTLE
Riser: Shai Bolton — #152 in 2024 to #29 in 2025 (+123 change)
The two-time Richmond premiership player has been a welcome addition to a very potent Fremantle forward half. Bolton’s 18.5 disposals, 4.8 inside-50s, 8.5 score involvements and 1.3 goal assists per game are all considered elite among AFL forwards.
Faller: Luke Ryan — #64 in 2024 to #191 in 2025 (-127 change)
The 29-year-old has seen a decline in influence through eight weeks. His disposal efficiency remains high, but Ryan isn’t seeing as much of the footy, going from 24.3 disposals last year to 19.9 thus far in 2025. He also hasn’t been as much of an aerial presence as in recent seasons, going from 8.6 marks to 5.9, while his intercept numbers have fallen from 5.8 to 4.6 per game.
GEELONG
Riser: Mark Blicavs — #229 in 2024 to #53 in 2025 (+176 change)
The man who can do it all, Blicavs is adored within the four walls at Kardinia Park and for good reason. Playing largely in key defence this year, the 34-year-old continues to contribute positively to Chris Scott’s flag-threatening charge, boasting elite-rated key-defender figures for clearances (3.3 per game), contested possessions (7.3), groundball gets (4.2), tackles (3.3) and pressure acts (11.8).
Faller: Tyson Stengle — #23 in 2024 to #254 in 2025 (-231 change)
All-Australian in 2022, the livewire attacker isn’t seeing as much of the Sherrin nor having as much scoreboard impact this year as in campaigns past. His 9.9 disposals per game are classed as below average for general forwards, while his goals per game have dropped to 1.1 after an elite-rated 1.8 last year. There’s no shortage of talent in the Cats’ forward line, and Patrick Dangerfield’s current prominence inside forward-50 might be affecting Stengle’s level of involvement — which isn’t necessarily a horrible thing if Geelong continues to stack the win column.
GOLD COAST SUNS
Riser: Bailey Humphrey — #213 in 2024 to #12 in 2025 (+201 change)
You only had to watch the youngster operate last Sunday in the Suns’ comprehensive win over Sydney to conceive the extent to which he’s already improved in year three. He’s getting more involved in games — whether it be chopping out Gold Coast’s stars through the middle or roaming dangerously in attack — averaging more than five more disposals per game for a mark of 15.8, along with an elite-rated 4.3 tackles and 3.7 clearances. His 6.5 score involvements per game are also considered elite for an AFL forward.
Faller: Sam Flanders — #10 in 2024 to #209 in 2025 (-199 change)
The 23-year-old utility hasn’t been as involved to begin the season, falling an eye-catching 199 spots as his disposals have fallen from 30.9 to 21.2 per game. His 1.6 inside-50s are classed as below average for general forwards and is a career-low number, and the same goes for his 50 per cent kicking efficiency — which is a glaring -21.1 per cent from last season. He’ll be looking to generate an uptick as the Suns push towards a maiden finals berth.
GWS GIANTS
Riser: Lachie Whitfield — #104 in 2024 to #27 in 2025 (+77 change)
The 30-year-old has been one of the competition’s most reliable operators with ball in hand, and he’s currently winning the ball at a career-high rate — upping his disposals per game to an elite-rated 31.7, while his 8.0 marks and 4.9 score involvements are also considered elite among AFL general defenders.
Faller: Jake Stringer — #73 in 2024 to #315 in 2025 (-242 change)
While Stringer’s fall of 242 spots is the biggest of any player between 2024 and 2025, it must be noted he’s built into the season after having his first GWS pre-season interrupted by a hamstring injury. He’s also still understandably getting used to a new forward-line system and new teammates, but he’ll want to turn his form around as his 0.6 goals per game and 1.8 tackles are classed as below average among AFL forwards.
HAWTHORN
Riser: Lloyd Meek — #185 in 2024 to #57 in 2025 (+128 change)
After bursting onto the scene in his first year at Hawthorn after moving from Fremantle the off-season before, Meek has followed up as one of the league’s premier ruckmen. His 38.0 hitouts per game and 11.4 hitouts to advantage are both elite-rated figures for an AFL ruck.
Faller: Jarman Impey — #107 in 2024 to #303 in 2025 (-196 change)
The veteran back-flanker isn’t winning as much ball this year as opposition teams are now latching onto what the Hawks want to do ball movement-wise from the defensive half. The 29-year-old’s 12.9 disposals per game are considered below average for a general defender, and it’s his lowest mark since 2020 when the games were shorter. His 1.9 rebounds-50s and 9.9 effective disposals are also below average.
MELBOURNE
Riser: Kade Chandler — #113 in 2024 to #69 in 2025 (+44 change)
The emerging left-footer has been a bright light through the Demons’ dreary start to the year, averaging career-bests for disposals (14.0 per game), marks (4.9) and groundball gets (3.9). His 1.1 goals per game are classed as elite for a general forward in the AFL.
Faller: Bayley Fritsch — #135 in 2024 to #302 in 2025 (-167 change)
The mercurial forward’s downturn in form has been no secret, with coach Simon Goodwin dropping the left-footer before Melbourne’s Round 6 win over Fremantle. And while he responded against Richmond last Thursday, he is currently averaging 0.8 goals per game — his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2018 — and he’s not doing enough defensively, with his 1.8 tackles rating as below average among general forwards.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Riser: Paul Curtis — #230 in 2024 to #8 in 2025 (+222 change)
Kangaroos great David King recently put on the agenda that Curtis has been one of the side’s best players this season, and while it might be a tough concept to digest at face value, he’s right — up to eighth in the AFL, with his rise of 222 spots from 2024 the biggest of any player in the competition. It’s a shame he’ll be missing the next three games through suspension, but the 22-year-old is averaging an elite 2.6 goals per game. His 6.9 score involvements, 4.0 tackles and 2.6 tackles inside-50 are also classed as elite for general forwards.
Faller: Harry Sheezel — #11 in 2024 to #208 in 2025 (-197 change)
Sheezel’s play has been at the centre of criticism in recent weeks as the Roos struggle to put together a winning run, with the majority of his possessions appearing to come at disadvantageous spots on the ground. He’s still averaging an elite-rated 29.7 disposals per game, but his efficiency by foot has dropped more than seven per cent to an average 63.4 per cent. Further, his inside-50s per game have dropped from 3.6 to 2.9, while his score involvement and tackling numbers have decreased marginally. This big a drop, though, is still difficult to digest.
PORT ADELAIDE
Riser: Connor Rozee — #181 in 2024 to #35 in 2025 (+146 change)
The move to put Rozee on a half-back flank has certainly paid dividends, freeing up Port Adelaide’s skipper to set up the play and kickstart offensive chains from behind the ball. Since last year, his disposals per game has risen by almost six per game from 23.6 to 28.3, while his inside-50s and efficiency output have also increased. And he’s still averaging 5.1 score involvements per game.
Faller: Ollie Wines — #115 in 2024 to #298 in 2025 (-183 change)
It’s been a tough stretch for the 2021 Brownlow Medallist, who was unfortunately subbed out of the Power’s win over Sydney a couple of weeks ago due to his heart condition. Wines is a clearance player, but his ball use is below par; his disposal efficiency of 65.9 per cent is his lowest mark in eight years, while his kicking efficiency of 46.8 per cent is also classed as below average among AFL midfielders.
RICHMOND
Riser: Seth Campbell — #245 in 2024 to #48 in 2025 (+197 change)
A revelation for the Tigers under Adem Yze in the forward line, Campbell influences just as much with his defensive pressure as with his nous around the sticks — his 19.0 pressure acts per game are considered elite for a general forward. Further, the 20-year-old has improved his scoring output from last year, posting 1.6 goals per game thus far in 2025, which is up from 0.5 last season.
Faller: Ben Miller — #129 in 2024 to #235 in 2025 (-106 change)
A depended-on cog in Richmond’s defence, the key backman has a tendency to get caught behind his opponent. Miller’s 1.3 intercept marks are classed as below average among fellow AFL key defenders, while his 3.9 intercept possessions and 1.3 groundball gets are also below average, and his contested defensive one-on-one loss percentage is at a career-worst 25 per cent.
ST KILDA
Riser: Jack Higgins — #81 in 2024 to #32 in 2025 (+49 change)
The livewire small forward is a classic example of an impact-per-possession player. Higgins doesn’t get a lot of the footy at all, averaging a below-average 10.0 disposals per game, but he makes the most of his possessions, averaging an elite 2.9 goals per game — sitting third in the Coleman Medal race through eight weeks. He’s also an above-average pressure player, posting 1.4 tackles inside forward-50 per game.
Faller: Rowan Marshall — #93 in 2024 to #273 in 2025 (-180 change)
Marshall, whose pre-season was interrupted by a pelvic stress fracture, hasn’t quite appeared the same impactful ruck star he has in recent seasons. While some will ponder whether he’s still carrying an injury of some sort, the 29-year-old is currently averaging a below-average 5.6 hitouts to advantage per game, and he’s kicking the footy at a career-worst 46 per cent efficiency. His hitout win percentage of just 36 per cent is also classed as below average for AFL ruckmen and a career-low mark for the 2023 All-Australian squad member.
SYDNEY SWANS
Riser: Matt Roberts — #138 in 2024 to #67 in 2025 (+71 change)
The South Australian has taken more ownership across Sydney’s half-backline, flourishing as a user in his fourth season. Roberts is averaging a career-best 24.6 disposals per game; over six more than last season and elite-rated among fellow AFL general defenders. He’s also managing an elite-rated 19.0 effective disposals per game.
Faller: Jake Lloyd — #167 in 2024 to #293 in 2025 (-126 change)
The decline of Lloyd corresponds with the emergence of the likes of Roberts and Riley Bice as the Swans continue to unearth their next wave of key contributors. The veteran flanker is still averaging 22.1 disposals per game but probably isn’t as defensively accountable as Dean Cox and co. would want, posting just 1.7 tackles and 11.6 pressure acts per game.
WEST COAST EAGLES
Riser: Reuben Ginbey — #240 in 2024 to #222 in 2025 (+18 change)
Ginbey’s rise of 18 spots is the biggest of any Eagle but the smallest of this bunch, which tells a story of winless West Coast’s start to the campaign. The 47-gamer isn’t getting as much of the Sherrin playing in defence as he would in the guts, but he’s shown he’s more than capable of playing a week-to-week back-half role for Andrew McQualter’s side, averaging an elite-rated 3.9 spoils per game in a promising show of his defensive accountability.
Faller: Liam Baker — #102 in 2024 to #237 in 2025 (-135 change)
It hasn’t quite been the start Baker would have hoped for after arriving at West Coast from Richmond last off-season. The hard-nosed utility is winning more of the ball as he’s immediately become a trusted option, but he’s using it poorly — his 62.7 per cent disposal efficiency is his worst mark since his rookie season in 2018, while it’s the same case for his 46.6 per cent kicking efficiency, with both figures rating as below average among AFL midfielders. His 2.9 tackles per game are also down on his 3.8 from last year.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Riser: Matthew Kennedy — #173 in 2024 to #14 in 2025 (+159 change)
Kennedy has sneakily been one of the best recruits of last off-season, having benefitted from more midfield opportunities with Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar spending the opening portion of the season on the sidelines. The former GWS and Carlton utility has lifted his disposals per game by more than 6.0 to 23.9, while his 6.7 clearances — way up from 2.1 in his final year as a Blue — classes as elite for an AFL midfielder. His 5.7 score involvements per game is an equal-career-high.
Faller: Aaron Naughton — #22 in 2024 to #206 in 2025 (-184 change)
A large onus falls on Naughton while Sam Darcy recovers on the sidelines, with Luke Beveridge making the call to throw Rory Lobb forward against the Giants to offset some burden. Naughton’s 1.7 goals per game are marginally down on last season, while he’s taking an average-rated 1.1 contested marks. His ball use also leaves a bit to be desired, with his 59.7 disposal efficiency rating as below average for a key forward.
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