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 20)
FB: Josh Worrell (ADE), Callum Wilkie (STK), Dayne Zorko (BRIS)
HB: Josh Daicos (COLL), Harris Andrews (BRIS), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK)
C: Max Holmes (GEE), Bailey Smith (GEE), Jordan Dawson (ADE)
HF: Kysaiah Pickett (MEL), Jeremy Cameron (GEE), Ed Richards (WB)
FF: Jamie Elliott (COLL), Riley Thilthorpe (ADE), Izak Rankine (ADE)
R: Brodie Grundy (SYD), Noah Anderson (GC), Nick Daicos (COLL)
I/C: Hugh McCluggage (BRIS), Zak Butters (PA), Caleb Serong (FRE), Tom Liberatore (WB)
Changes after Round 20
INS: Riley Thilthorpe has forced his way in after dominating the Showdown with three goals, six clearances, and 19 disposals in the wet, only adding to his impressive 2025 campaign. He's booted 44 goals, is the No. 2 contested marking key forward in the game behind only Sam Darcy, and No. 1 in his position for goal assists, not to mention his obvious impact around the ground at stoppages.
OUTS: Unfortunately, Port Adelaide's Mitch Georgiades has to make way for Thilthorpe, but there's four games left for him to continue pushing for a blazer.
In the mix, and those on notice
There's no shortage of players on the cusp of All-Australian selection. In defence, we still have our eyes on Sam Taylor who made a successful return from injury in Round 20, as well as Jacob Weitering, Sam Collins, Darcy Moore, and Nick Vlastuin. There's also a bunch of midfielders, led by Marcus Bontempelli, Zach Merrett, Andrew Brayshaw, Tom Green, and Matt Rowell. If you're a midfielder in our current side, you wouldn't want your form to dip even slightly.
In the forward line, Isaac Heeney is unlucky and coming with a bullet, while Ben King, Aaron Naughton, Jesse Hogan, and Georgiades are all making strong cases to be included in the team. The ruck situation remains as fascinating as ever with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri, Collingwood's Darcy Cameron, Freo's Luke Jackson, and Max Gawn all chasing Brodie Grundy.