AFL Fantasy Draft 2025: Who Will Be The M1 Midfielder?
The competition for the M1 Midfielder in AFL Fantasy Draft 2025 is intense, with numerous elite players vying for the top spot.
Choosing the right midfielder is a crucial decision for your fantasy team, as the top-scoring midfielder can set the foundation for a successful season. To help you make an informed decision, we've developed a comprehensive ranking system that analyses a range of important metrics to predict which player is most likely to finish as the M1 Midfielder for AFL Fantasy 2025.
By evaluating factors such as previous scoring history, CBA share, injury history, role risk, and more, we've created a robust weighted scoring system. Based on these evaluations, we present our AFL Fantasy Rankings for the M1 Midfielder. As always, these rankings will evolve as preseason form and team dynamics unfold.
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The Candidates
Here’s a quick rundown of the 20 top candidates for the M1 Midfielder in AFL Fantasy 2025:
Marcus Bontempelli A consistent top performer in AFL Fantasy, Bontempelli combines elite scoring history with a high CBA share. His leadership role and reliable consistency make him one of the top choices for the M1 Midfielder.
Andrew Brayshaw Brayshaw is a well-rounded midfielder who excels in contested possessions and tackles. His scoring potential is significant, and he plays a key role in Fremantle's midfield rotations.
Zach Merrett Merrett is a consistent and durable option with an impressive CBA share. He excels at accumulating disposals and finding the ball around the ground, making him a strong contender for the M1 spot.
Jordan Dawson Known for his ball-winning ability, Dawson is one of the top performers over the last couple of years when playing in the midfield. His all-around game, including his ability to rack up possessions and score consistently, puts him in the mix for the top spot.
Tim Taranto Taranto’s ability to accumulate points, combined with his scoring consistency, makes him a top-tier midfielder. He’s an ideal candidate for the M1 role, especially given his role at Richmond.
Jack Steele Steele’s elite tackling and clearance ability give him a high fantasy ceiling. While he faces some role risk due to personnel changes, he’s still one of the most reliable midfielders in fantasy.
Sam Walsh Walsh has been one of the most consistent performers in recent seasons. Despite injury concerns, his solid scoring history and CBA share make him a top contender for the M1 spot.
Nick Daicos Daicos' ability to rack up points from the midfield and his impressive previous scoring history place him high in the rankings. He has massive upside with room for improvement, especially as he continues to develop. The biggest concern is how his foot will hold up during the year.
Josh Dunkley Dunkley’s move to Brisbane has made him even more potent, and he has a significant role in the midfield. He’s a player who can accumulate big numbers and score heavily for your team. Will he be the victim of a crammed midfield in 2025?
Tom Green Green’s breakout potential and ability to accumulate points make him an attractive choice for AFL Fantasy. His ball-winning and tackling skills are invaluable for fantasy coaches.
Errol Gulden Gulden is an exciting player with high scoring potential, especially in the Swans' midfield. His all-around running game make him a strong fantasy asset. A lot of intrigue around how the new coach will use this running power.
Noah Anderson Anderson has shown significant improvement in recent years and is a key player for the Suns. His ball-winning ability and consistent scoring put him in the mix for the top midfielders.
Zak Butters Butters is a dynamic player who can score heavily when given the opportunity. His agility and ability to win the ball make him a viable option for your AFL Fantasy team.
Caleb Serong Serong is a tackling machine and contested ball winner, and his ability to score consistently makes him a top-tier choice for any fantasy manager.
Isaac Heeney Heeney’s scoring ability has been on the rise, and he’s one to watch in 2025. His ability to rack up fantasy points and his recent scoring history makes him a solid pick. Like Gulden, what will the new coach bring?
Jai Newcombe Newcombe is an emerging star and could see increased responsibility in 2025. He’s an underrated fantasy asset based on his finals campaign, especially with his potential for further improvement.
Conor Rozee Rozee’s all-around game and explosive scoring potential make him a player to keep an eye on. His ability to deliver high scores on his day makes him a solid option.
Adam Treloar Treloar’s fantasy scoring has been consistent, and his role at the Bulldogs allows him to generate plenty of points. He’s a strong option for fantasy managers.
Clayton Oliver While Oliver has been an elite scorer in the past, his injury history and recent form have lowered his ranking slightly for 2025. However, he remains a key fantasy asset.
Christian Petracca Petracca’s role in Melbourne’s midfield is crucial, and he’s capable of big scores. His scoring consistency and ability to produce elite fantasy points make him a valuable pick normally but we all know he’s had a very unique end of season and preseason for him.
Tim Taranto (Richmond Tigers): Taranto’s should be the king pin in Richmonds midfield. He’s a great ball-winner and will be one of the top options in 2025.
How the Rankings Were Determined
To determine the most likely M1 Midfielder for AFL Fantasy 2025, we evaluated 20 top midfielders using a detailed scoring system that considers multiple factors. Each factor was weighted based on its impact on a player's overall fantasy potential.
Here are the key criteria we used to assess each player:
Primary Criteria (weighted heavily):
Previous Scoring History
Based on the player's fantasy scoring averages over the last three seasons (2022-2024). A player with a high scoring history is more likely to perform well in future seasons.
Centre Bounce Attendance (CBA) Share
Players with a higher CBA share tend to be more involved in the game and accumulate more fantasy points. We assessed the player’s CBA share from the 2024 season and weighted this factor heavily.
Points Per Minute
A player’s efficiency in generating fantasy points while on the field is crucial. Players who generate more points per minute of game time were given a boost in their overall score.
Time on Ground (TOG)
The more time a player spends on the field, the more opportunities they have to accumulate fantasy points. We looked at each player’s TOG from the 2024 season and adjusted their score accordingly.
Improvement Potential
Younger players or those entering their prime have a higher likelihood of improving their scoring output. This factor considered players who are expected to show growth in 2025 based on age, role changes, and other development opportunities.
Secondary Criteria (weighted moderately):
Role Risk
Role risk measures the likelihood that a player’s role within their team might change or be compromised due to tactical shifts or injuries. This factor is important but weighted lower than the primary criteria.
Internal Threats
Internal threats refer to teammates around them who are likely to improve and naturally take away scoring opportunities. Players who face significant internal competition were rated lower for this factor.
External Threats
This accounts for the likelihood of a player facing heavy tagging or defensive attention from opposition teams. Players who are unlikely to be tagged received a higher score.
Injury/Suspension History
Players who have a history of missing games due to injury or suspension are riskier choices for fantasy managers. We looked at the number of games missed over the last three seasons.
Tertiary Criteria (weighted the least):
Team Scoring (2024)
A team’s overall fantasy points output can influence a player’s potential to score. Teams that score highly generally offer better opportunities for their midfielders to accumulate points.
Team Fixture
The strength of a team’s fixture in 2025 was considered, as easier matchups can lead to higher scoring opportunities.
Preseason News and Reports
Any negative preseason reports or injury concerns, such as Sam Walsh’s hamstring injury, were factored in to lower their overall score.
The Rankings: Who Will Finish as the M1 Midfielder in AFL Fantasy 2025?
Using our refined scoring model, here’s how the top midfielders are ranked for AFL Fantasy Draft 2025:
| Player | Total Score |
|---|---|
| Marcus Bontempelli | 46.65 |
| Andrew Brayshaw | 46.35 |
| Zach Merrett | 45.15 |
| Jordan Dawson | 44.55 |
| Tim Taranto | 44.25 |
| Jack Steele | 43.95 |
| Sam Walsh | 43.95 |
| Clayton Oliver | 43.8 |
| Nick Daicos | 43.8 |
| Josh Dunkley | 43.5 |
| Tom Green | 43.2 |
| Errol Gulden | 42.9 |
| Noah Anderson | 42.9 |
| Zak Butters | 42.45 |
| Caleb Serong | 42.00 |
| Isaac Heeney | 41.70 |
| Jai Newcombe | 41.70 |
| Conor Rozee | 41.55 |
| Adam Treloar | 39.75 |
| Christian Petracca | 39.05 |
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right M1 Midfielder for AFL Fantasy Draft 2025 can set you up for a strong season. Our ranking model gives you a solid framework to identify top candidates based on several critical factors.
However, as we approach the season and more data comes to light, we will continue refining these rankings to ensure you have the best information at your fingertips.
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