SANFL Top 10 in 2025 – Midfielders

The best Hostplus SANFL League performers in 2025 are being unveiled through the SANFL Top 10 rankings.

SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank will reveal his high performing midfielders, rucks, forwards and defenders now that the dust has settled on this year’s exciting campaign.

Form across the 2025 season was used as the chief factor in the ranking process, with selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and West End State team weighing heavily, together with placings in the Magarey Medal, Shearman Medal, Club best-and-fairest awards and strong performances in finals matches.

High rankings in statistics such as total disposals, marks, contested marks, goals, clearances and tackles were also taken into account, along with Champion Data ranking points.

Find out who were the most influential midfielders in 2025.

It was a rare sight not to see Oliver Davis at the top of the stats sheet for South Adelaide throughout 2025. 

The Tasmanian was named in South’s best players for 13 of his 17 appearances this season while fittingly winning the Knuckey Cup as club champion.

The 23-year-old posted positive averages of 23 disposals, six clearances, five tackles, four marks and three inside 50s while earning selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year for the first time.

A red hot start to the season saw Kobe Mutch as the early pacesetter in the 2025 Magarey Medal count as he made his presence felt in his return to Oval Avenue. 

Placing second in the Eagles’ Club Champion count, the former South Adelaide midfielder averaged a whopping 26 disposals, five clearances and six tackles.

The 27-year-old finished runner-up to Tom Lewis in the Magarey Medal count, ensuring he will be one to watch when considering the front-runners in 2026.

The numbers continued to pile up for James Rowe as he chalked up his fifth selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year. 

Dynamic with his use of the Sherrin, the 26-year-old averaged 25 disposals, four mark, four clearances and three inside 50s while carrying a heavy load in the absence of star veteran Riley Knight for much of the season.

A loyal member of the West End State team, Rowe was also acknowledged by winning the Eagles’ Club Champion award.

Glenelg’s vice captain was again been a key force for the Tigers through the midfield with his booming left-foot kick.

The 27-year-old not only averaged 21 disposals, seven marks, three tackles, three clearances and five inside 50s in 2025, he also hit the scoreboard with 23 goals for the year.

Selected on the wing in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year for the third consecutive season, Allen placed fourth in the Shearman Medal as voted by SANFL coaches.

The 2024 Magarey Medallist had an incredibly strong first half of the season, posting averages of 25 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances across his 2025 campaign.

Earned selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year for a second consecutive year despite only playing in 13 minor round games due to a knee injury.

The 28-year-old, who commuted from the Riverland where he is based on a work placement, also finished third in the Magarey and Shearman Medals.

No player touched the Sherrin more in the minor round than the Magpies’ ball-magnet Watkins who, racked up 486 disposals at an average of 27 to go with four marks, four clearances and four tackles.

A member of the West End State team in his first Hostplus SANFL League season, the 24-year-old was quick to adjust to the standard after crossing from North Melbourne’s VFL team.

Selected as rover in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Watkins won the Magpies’ State League Club Champion award whilst also placing inside the top 10 for the Magarey and Shearman Medals.

A smooth-mover for Norwood through the centre square or across half-forward, Billy Cooteee continued to shine in the Hostplus SANFL League. 

Winning his first Michael Taylor Medal as Redlegs’ club champion, the 22-year-old was also selected in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

A member of the West End State team, Cootee averaged 23 disposals, five tackles, five clearances and four marks while also consistently hitting the scoreboard to boot 24 goals for the season.

Understood to be on the radar of AFL clubs as a potential SSP selection, Cootee placed fifth in the Magarey Medal and Shearman Medal.

The wily veteran showed no signs of slowing down in his highly-anticipated return to the SANFL where he relished the chance to link up with younger brother Corey in Glenelg’s midfield.

Runner-up in the Shearman Medal and the John H. Ellers Trophy count as Bays’ best-and-fairest, the 33-year-old – selected in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year – was incredibly consistent despite having a limited preseason after his retirement from the Brisbane Lions.

Averaging 24 disposals, five marks, five clearances and four tackles, Lyons is understood to be lining up with Hills Football League club Hahndorf in 2026 after announcing his SANFL retirement.

A major mover behind Sturt’s success in 2025 was Angus Anderson’s transformation in the centre square. 

Originally establishing himself as a League regular playing a role as a third tall forward, the 22-year-old made the most of his opportunity through the midfield while placing fourth in the P. T Morton Medal.

Averaging 20 disposals, five marks, four clearances, four inside 50s and four tackles, Anderson used his 190cm frame to make an impact with his explosive style whilst earning a berth in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

And he put it on display when it mattered most, collecting 27 disposals in the Second Semi before claiming the Jack Oatey Medal with 24 disposals and a goal in the Grand Final.

Such was Tom Lewis’ dominance in 2025, it was a case of asking what award didn’t he win?

Sturt’s hulking midfielder won the Magarey Medal, Shearman Medal. SANFL Now Player of the Year, The Advertiser Player of the Year and the P.T Morton Medal as club champion.

Selected as vice-captain of the The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, the 25-year-old also featured in both matches for the West End State Team.

Thriving as co-captain as the Double Blues with Will Snelling, Lewis posted averages of 26 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances and three marks which included collecting 26 disposals in both the Second Semi and Grand Finals en route to a well-deserved premiership medallion.