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The 10 most underrated players in the AFL
SEN • December 16th, 2025 8:05 pm
The stars may steal the spotlight, but don't lose sight of the players off broadway.
Whether they're putting on the clamps in the back pocket, laying that crucial tackle or freeing up their teammate to dominate around the ground, these guys do the one percenters that aren't always reflected on the stat sheet.
These are the players rated exceptionally highly by their clubs, but fail to receive the plaudits from the general AFL world.
Today, they receive the flowers they deserve.
The SEN.com.au team has put together a list of 10 players that we believe have flown too far under the radar heading into the 2026 season.
In no particular order:
Ryan Lester (Brisbane)
He just flies under the radar, does his job with no fuss, and rarely loses a battle. A coach’s dream.
Ryan Lester doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves league-wide although there is little doubt how highly regarded he is by the Lions.
The fuss-less Lester is never high on Brisbane’s B&F chart, nor is he ever in All-Australian contention, but he is a vital player in the back-to-back premiership defence.
It felt his career was passing him by and it appeared as such when he was delisted at the end of 2022. But Chris Fagan kept the faith by recalling him and Lester repaid it handsomely by producing career-best footy in 2023.
His past two seasons have been exceptional and he remains an underrated gem.
Andrew Slevison
Darcy Wilmot (Brisbane)
While Dayne Zorko gets most of the plaudits for his performances off half back, Wilmot is proving to be just as important to his team’s success.
Having played in every game for the Lions since 2023, the 22-year-old has been an integral part of their premiership squads with his natural speed and kicking ability suiting Brisbane’s game plan.
His marking has also been a standout, particularly his intercepts, where he ranked 12th in the competition.
With his continual improvement in finding the footy and using it effectively, don’t be surprised if his impact becomes more and more pronounced next season.
Nicholas Quinlan
Sam Switkowski (Fremantle)
One of the most dangerous small forwards in the AFL.
Switkowski’s blistering pace, cleanliness and knack for goals ranks him incredibly high in the hidden statistics, frequently cited by Champion Data as one of the competition’s premier players.
But it goes far beyond the numbers. Switkowski was a crucial piece of Fremantle’s incredible end to the season, averaging 14 disposals, two clearances and six score involvements over the final 11 rounds – of which the Dockers won 10.
His 17 were crucial in securing a Round 24 win over the Bulldogs, and his absence was felt significantly as the Dockers fell to Gold Coast in their Elimination Final.
If Fremantle are to improve this season, a healthy Switkowski will most certainly have his fingerprints all over it.
Jaiden Sciberras
Shaun Mannagh (Geelong)
After being picked up by the Cats following his best on-ground performance in the 2023 VFL Grand Final, Mannagh has seized the opportunity with both hands.
While he can find goals of his own, it’s his ability to set his teammates up with score involvements and goal assists that saw Geelong score the second most points last season, showing his importance to their attack.
Within the forward 50, the small forward continues to make his presence felt, having ranked in the top ten for tackles within the arc, creating plenty of stoppages and opportunities through his pressure.
Having won the AFLCA’s Young Player of the Year this season at the age of…28, the talented “youngster” looks set to continue his improvement into 2026.
Nicholas Quinlan
Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast)
One of the Suns’ finest Academy graduates, Uwland has very few weaknesses within the back 50.
At 188cm, the general defender can defend multiple positions, comfortable switching onto talls while naturally dominating against small forward opposition.
One of the competition’s best lockdown defenders, Uwland also carries high intercept capabilities (5.4 intercept possessions per game) and is an incredibly strong in one-on-one contests (76.5 per cent win rate from 1.4 per game, 4.4 spoils per game – third of all general defenders).
All while using the ball to great effect exiting D50 (83.3 per cent disposal efficiency), Uwland is extremely reliable with ball-in-hand.
Rarely a fumble, the young defender is as steady as any behind the ball, and at just 22 years of age and with 49 career games thus far, expect Uwland to shine in 2025.
A victim of the small-market treatment? Potentially.
Future All-Australian? We think so.
Jaiden Sciberras
Jack Buckley (GWS Giants)
The 27-year-old key defender is easy to forget when you look at the stars within this Giants side. But the output that Buckley produces week in and week out as his side’s second-best key defender, is something that isn’t heralded enough on a weekly basis.
Coming off a career best year in marks on average for the season, Buckley also ranked in the top 10 for his position in one percenter’s per game – further highlighting his defensive tenacity being consistently at a high level every time he plays.
Without his input, the likes of Sam Taylor and Connor Idun (who are terrific defenders in their own right), struggle to maintain their high standard of footy out put and further solidifies his importance to this Giants side.
Zac Sharpe
Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn’s Mr Fix It.
Blake Hardwick is a player that Hawks’ fans love, but most others don’t think much about.
A pillar of Hawthorn’s defence on both small and medium talls, Hardwick is one of the club’s most reliable players.
With the Hawks rising up the ladder sharply in the last two seasons, many other players have attracted headlines and attention. Hardwick, though, has just gone about his business, putting back-to-back seasons with top-five finishes in the best and fairest in his back pocket.
Whether in defence or up forward, Hardwick is a player who simply gets the job done each time for coach Sam Mitchell.
Lachlan Geleit
Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn)
One could argue that Scrimshaw is the best ‘depth’ player in the AFL.
Able to play as both a small and tall defender, the 27-year-old not only fills holes in D50, but he also excels.
In a backline made up of Tom Barrass, Josh Weddle, Josh Battle, Blake Hardwick and James Sicily, it’s no surprise that defensive depth may find it difficult to break into the side.
That said, Scrimshaw played so well upon his return to the side in Round 19, he remained in defence for the remainder of the season including finals, playing a major role as one of the side’s best throughout September.
He might not be the first Hawthorn defender that comes to mind but don’t be fooled, Jack Scrimshaw would be considered up there with the best if it weren’t for his in-house competition.
Jaiden Sciberras
Paul Curtis (North Melbourne)
This guy is a genuine star, and I’m not sure if fans from the other 17 clubs have realised yet.
The highlights and athletic ability are obvious, but Curtis also stacks up on the stat sheet.
Looking at his 2025 season alone, Curtis dominated the tackles inside 50 stat. The young Roo finished on 53 tackles inside 50 last season, next best was Josh Dunkley on 39… keep in mind, Curtis only played 19 games.
Now, looking at his scoreboard impact, Curtis is as good as any, with 38 majors to his name.
That 2.0 goals a game is better than any small forward apart from Jamie Elliott, who plays a completely different role to Curtis. Those two goals per outing are also equal to Kysaiah Pickett and Jack Higgins.
Keep in mind, Curtis didn’t even make the 22under22 team.
It’s only a matter of time until this guy gets his flowers, and there’s every chance it comes in 2026 with a season genuinely worthy of All-Australian selection.
Lachlan Geleit
Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
The fans believe Vlastuin is one of the most underrated players in the league and we agree.
A stalwart in defence for the Tigers, the ever-composed Vlastuin has been a model of consistency over his 255-game career which has included three premierships.
Richmond’s intercept king has finished top four in the best and fairest on five occasions - including twice in premiership seasons - highlighting his importance to the yellow and black.
Vlastuin is an elite defender at club level and that only extends to the league side of things where he ranks in the top 10 for intercept possessions and top 5 for intercept marks.
Somehow he’s still not an All-Australian which is criminal.
Andrew Slevison
Beyond the SEN.com.au team, we asked YOU, who are the AFL's most underrated players?
Receiving 728 responses, the top two were clear favourites, with both general defenders receiving over 30 votes following their efforts in 2025.
See YOUR most underrated players below:
Top 10
1st - Nick Vlastuin - 35 votes
2nd - Blake Hardwick - 34 votes
3rd - George Hewett - 24 votes
=4th - Tom Atkins - 17 votes
=4th - Tom Liberatore - 17 votes
6th - Josh Dunkley - 16 votes
7th - Josh Worrell - 15 votes
=8th - Ed Richards - 14 votes
=8th - Jaspa Fletcher - 14 votes
=10th - Darcy Cameron - 13 votes
=10th - Jack Crisp - 13 votes
Multiple vote-getters:
12th - Darcy Wilmot - 12 votes
=13th - Beau McCreery - 11 votes
=13th - Callum Wilkie - 11 votes
=13th - Max Hall - 11 votes
=16th - Sam Durham - 10 votes
=16th - Ryan Lester - 10 votes
=16th - Paul Curtis - 10 votes
=16th - Zach Guthrie - 10 votes
=20th - Gryan Miers - 9 votes
=21st - Andrew Brayshaw - 8 votes
=21st - Ben Keays - 8 votes
=21st - Jye Caldwell - 8 votes
=21st - Nic Newman - 8 votes
=21st - Willem Drew - 8 votes
=26th - Archie Roberts - 7 votes
=26th - James Rowbottom - 7 votes
=26th - Josh Daicos - 7 votes
=29th - Harris Andrews - 6 votes
=29th - Hugh McCluggage - 6 votes
=29th - Jai Newcombe - 6 votes
=29th - Jamie Elliott - 6 votes
=29th - Jack Henry - 6 votes
=29th - Josh Treacy - 6 votes
=35th - Isaac Quaynor - 5 votes
=35th - Jack Sinclair - 5 votes
=35th - Max Holmes - 5 votes
=35th - Rhylee West - 5 votes
=39th - Alex Neal-Bullen - 4 votes
=39th - Connor Idun - 4 votes
=39th - Jake Melksham - 4 votes
=39th - Jake Soligo - 4 votes
=39th - Jarrod Witts - 4 votes
=39th - Jordan Clark - 4 votes
=39th - Lachie Schultz - 4 votes
=39th - Liam Baker - 4 votes
=39th - Max Michalanney - 4 votes
=39th - Miles Bergman - 4 votes
=39th - Patrick Lipinski - 4 votes
=39th - Sam Switkowski - 4 votes
=39th - Will Ashcroft - 4 votes
=52nd - Billy Frampton - 3 votes
=52nd - Callum Ah Chee - 3 votes
=52nd - Errol Gulden - 3 votes
=52nd - Heath Chapman - 3 votes
=52nd - Isaac Heeney - 3 votes
=52nd - Jake Bowey - 3 votes
=52nd - Jordan Dawson - 3 votes
=52nd - Karl Amon - 3 votes
=52nd - Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera - 3 votes
=52nd - Nathan Broad - 3 votes
=52nd - Ned Long - 3 votes
=52nd - Sam Walsh - 3 votes
=52nd - Shaun Mannagh - 3 votes
=52nd - Tristan Xerri - 3 votes
=66th - Aaron Naughton - 2 votes
=66th - Bodhi Uwland - 2 votes
=66th - Brady Hough - 2 votes
=66th - Brandon Starcevich - 2 votes
=66th - Brody Mihocek - 2 votes
=66th - Caleb Serong - 2 votes
=66th - Dayne Zorko - 2 votes
=66th - Darcy Byrne-Jones - 2 votes
=66th - Dylan Moore - 2 votes
=66th - Ed Langdon - 2 votes
=66th - Harry Cunningham - 2 votes
=66th - Harvey Langford - 2 votes
=66th - Hayden Young - 2 votes
=66th - Hugo Garcia - 2 votes
=66th - Jack Viney - 2 votes
=66th - James Jordon - 2 votes
=66th - Jason Horne-Francis - 2 votes
=66th - Jayden Short - 2 votes
=66th - Joel Freijah - 2 votes
=66th - Justin McInerney - 2 votes
=66th - Lloyd Meek - 2 votes
=66th - Logan Morris - 2 votes
=66th - Luke Jackson - 2 votes
=66th - Luke Ryan - 2 votes
=66th - Marcus Windhager - 2 votes
=66th - Mitch Georgiades - 2 votes
=66th - Nic Martin - 2 votes
=66th - Nick Larkey - 2 votes
=66th - Noah Answerth - 2 votes
=66th - Ollie Dempsey - 2 votes
=66th - Ollie Hollands - 2 votes
=66th - Reuben Ginbey - 2 votes
=66th - Sam Powell-Pepper - 2 votes
=66th - Sam Taylor - 2 votes
=66th - Scott Pendlebury - 2 votes
=66th - Toby Nankervis - 2 votes
=66th - Tom McCartin - 2 votes
=66th - Trent Rivers - 2 votes
=66th - Wil Powell - 2 votes
=66th - Zac Bailey - 2 votes
