Introduction: The 20th Biggest AFL Story of 2025
As AFL fans field the receipts of a wild season, AFL.com.au continues its year-end countdown of the 50 biggest stories of 2025. At number 20, we highlight a September milestone that underscored both rising talent and enduring greatness. It’s a story that connects a young star breaking out with a champion midfielder cementing his legacy, all set against a year shaped by unexpected twists on and off the field.
Rising Star Emerges in September
September brought a surge of attention around a young star whose performances elevated expectations for the club and the competition as a whole. Across multiple late-season fixtures, this player demonstrated decision-making beyond their years, combined with pace, goal sense, and a willingness to take the game on under pressure. The moment wasn’t a single highlight reel play but a sustained run of impact that suggested a brighter horizon for the player and their team. Analysts cited improved defensive work, a sharper engine, and a growing ability to influence games when it mattered most.
Channeling Experience: The Champion Midfielder’s Dominance
Alongside the breakout talent, a veteran midfielder continued to show why they’re considered among the elite. With a combination of elite ball use, leadership on-field, and a knack for turning the tide in tight games, this player reminded fans and rivals alike that experience still carries a premium at the AFL level. The September stage was a reminder that the blend of class and consistency can remain the cornerstone of playoff pushes and premiership campaigns, even as new stars rise around them.
Why this pairing mattered
The convergence of a rising star and a seasoned great created a narrative that resonated beyond club lines. It spoke to the broader arc of 2025: talent flowering under pressure while veteran excellence provides the scaffolding for sustained success. Clubs watch those dynamics closely, as they signal potential late-season form that could echo into 2026 with both symbolic and practical implications.
Real-World Context: The Season’s Peripheral Storylines
While the spotlight shone on September’s pivotal performances, AFL fans also navigated a year punctuated by other significant events. Notably, Queensland faced a natural disaster that affected the Opening Round, shaping schedules and testing club resilience. Such incidents remind us that sport exists within a broader social and environmental landscape, where teams, communities, and leagues adapt to challenges while maintaining faith in the competition’s spirit and continuity.
What This Tells Us About 2025
Number 20 on the list is more than a moment; it’s a microcosm of the season’s trajectory. It showcases how a young player can accelerate through the ranks while a veteran provides a steadying, championship-caliber influence. It also highlights the AFL’s ability to weave competitive drama with real-world events, producing a narrative tapestry that keeps fans engaged and curious about what comes next.
Looking Ahead
With the countdown continuing toward AFL.com.au’s top 10 moments, fans can expect more stories that blend on-field excellence with off-field context. The 2025 season has already shown that football is more than a scoreline—it’s a shared experience of growth, resilience, and ambition across the league.
