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Sport Nation
The 10 players Simpson believes are All-Australian locks
Jaiden Sciberras • July 7th, 2025 2:30 pm
Through 17 rounds of AFL football, a number of players across the association have tallied highly impressive seasons, standing above the rest and leading their teams by example.
As the off-season fast approaches, the prospect of the All-Australian squad becomes as prevalent as any, with rolling squads coming in thick and fast.
While the selection panel will no doubt be noting the consistency and performances of some of the stars of our competition, it’s difficult to suggest that through just 17 games, a player has already guaranteed a spot in the illustrious All-Australian team.
However, with seven rounds remaining in the 2025 AFL season, former Eagles coach Adam Simpson has named 10 players that he believes have done enough to lock up a place in the 2025 All-Australian squad.
Simpson’s list is made up of six midfielders, three forwards and a ruckman, with six players earning what would be their first All-Australian selection.
See the list below:
Tristan Xerri (NM)
RUCK: 17.5 disposals, 35 hitouts, seven clearances, six tackles per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 0
Nick Daicos (COL)
MID: 29.9 disposals, six clearances, eight score involvements per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 2
Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
MID: 24.3 disposals, five clearances, nine score involvements, one goal per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 6
Max Holmes (GEE)
MID: 26.8 disposals, five clearances, six score involvements per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 0
Ed Richards (WB)
MID: 25.9 disposals, six clearances, nine score involvements, two goal assists per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 0
Zach Merrett (ESS)
MID: 28.2 disposals, four clearances, seven score involvements per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 3
Noah Anderson (GCS)
MID: 30.5 disposals, seven clearances, seven score involvements per game
Previous All-Australian team selections: 0
Jamie Elliott (COL)
FWD: 12.5 disposals, five marks per game, 41 goals
Previous All-Australian team selections: 0
Jeremy Cameron (GEE)
FWD: 13.8 disposals, six marks per game, 52 goals
Previous All-Australian team selections: 4
Riley Thilthorpe (ADE)
FWD: 13.4 disposals, five marks per game, 33 goals
Previous All-Australian team selections: 0
Of the 10 selections, only two (Tristan Xerri, Zach Merrett) play for teams outside of the top nine, while suggesting that no defenders have locked up a place at this stage of the season.
These selections would leave room for six defenders and three forwards on-field, with four bench spots remaining.
Notable absences include Jordan Dawson (ADE), Sam Taylor (GWS), Bailey Smith (GEE), Hugh McCluggage (BRI) and Max Gawn (MEL).
