After every round of the 2025 AFL season, ESPN's football writers will come together and determine who should hold a place in their rolling All-Australian team.
So, who deserves a coveted blazer if the season were to end right now?
ESPN's mid-year All-Australian team (post-Round 17)
FB: Josh Worrell (ADE), Callum Wilkie (STK), Lachie Ash (GWS)
HB: Dayne Zorko (BRIS), Sam Taylor (GWS), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK)
C: Max Holmes (GEE), Ed Richards (WB), Bailey Smith (GEE)
HF: Kysaiah Pickett (MEL), Jeremy Cameron (GEE), Touk Miller (GC)
FF: Jamie Elliott (COLL), Mitch Georgiades (PA), Izak Rankine (ADE)
R: Max Gawn (MEL), Noah Anderson (GC), Nick Daicos (COLL)
I/C: Hugh McCluggage (BRIS), Jordan Dawson (ADE), Tom Liberatore (WB), Caleb Serong (FRE)
Changes from Round 17
INS: There are certain players in this sport whose stats won't truly represent the impact they have for their teams, a lot of them are defenders, and Adelaide's Josh Worrell is absolutely one of them. The 24-year-old is having a superb year down back in Matthew Nicks' side, he reads the play well, intercepts, makes desperate spoils, and his one-percenters go largely unnoticed, not to mention he's lost just four of his 25 contested defensive one-on-ones this season. He's done more than enough to earn a spot in the side. Joining him in the team this week is Gold Coast star Touk Miller, whose 25 disposals, one goal, and nine score involvements against the Bombers only adds to a season in which he is the seventh highest-rated player in the league using Champion Data's rating points metric.
OUTS: Jacob Weitering has been hampered by an ankle niggle in recent weeks and with Carlton starting to concede heavy scores, he had to make way. There's still time for him to force his way back in but for now we have to reward form. We also gave Jack Higgins more than enough chances after a terrific start to the year but you can only hold onto early-season form for so long, his five goals in six weeks just not enough production to justify keeping his spot in the forward pocket.
In the mix, and those on notice
There are a few players right on the cusp of selection, but unfortunately 25, 28, or 30 doesn't go into 22! Ones to keep an eye on in the backline include Harris Andrews, Sam Collins, Darcy Moore, Jacob Weitering, and Port skipper Connor Rozee who really isn't putting a foot wrong. Sam Taylor is hanging on by a thread given his injury status.
There's also a bunch of midfielders who are around the mark for selection, including Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, Zak Butters, Miles Bergman, hard-running Essendon skipper Zach Merrett. We're giving Caleb Serong and Jordan Dawson another chance, but they both need to lift.
In the forward line, Isaac Heeney is coming with a bullet, and Ben King and Jesse Hogan need to keep kicking goals. The ruck situation remains ever fascinating as well, with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri, Collingwood's Darcy Cameron, Freo's Luke Jackson, and Sydney's Brodie Grundy all in the mix to dethrone Max Gawn.