As the 2025 AFL season concludes,a comprehensive ranking of each club’s performance across key positional lines offers a data-driven look at the league’s competitive landscape. An analysis by Zero Hanger assessed the backline, midfield, and forward capabilities of all 18 teams, revealing a clear hierarchy as clubs prepare for the upcoming trade period and draft [[1]].Despite a competitive year, Brisbane has emerged as the top-ranked team while the Western Bulldogs boast the league’s most potent attack, demonstrating that offensive strength doesn’t always translate to finals contention.
Brisbane has emerged as the top-ranked team in the AFL for 2025, according to a comprehensive analysis of each club’s performance across all lines. The rankings, compiled after evaluating the backline, midfield, and forward lines of all 18 clubs, paint a clear picture of the league’s hierarchy as the season progresses.
The assessment valued each team from 1 to 18 in each area of the field, considering their combined strength throughout the year. While Brisbane dominated in both defense and the midfield, the Western Bulldogs surprisingly earned the title of best attack, despite missing out on a playoff berth.
READ: 2025 BACKLINE RANKINGS
READ: 2025 MIDFIELD RANKINGS
READ: 2025 FORWARD RANKINGS
Here’s a look at the final team rankings for 2025, starting with the team at No. 18 and counting down to the league’s best…
18West Coast
Backline: 18th
Midfield: 18th
Forward Line: 17th
Few were surprised to see the 2025 wooden spooners ranked last in two of three key categories.
The Eagles, firmly in rebuild mode, struggled for consistency across the board, but have identified some promising young players, led by Harley Reid.
Andrew McQualter’s first season as head coach saw a shift in game plan and player positioning, inevitably leading to some growing pains as the team adjusts.
