Kane Cornes’ top 50: Nick Daicos crowned the best player in the AFL

There are superstars everywhere, but only one can be crowned the best in my list of top 50 players in the AFL.

It’s no surprise midfielders dominate the list with eight of the top 10 coming from the engine room.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kane Cornes unveils his top five AFL players.

But there is still room for the best two forwards in Jeremy Cameron and Charlie Curnow at the pointy end with both featuring in the top 10.

Only one ruckman features in the entire list and there is also no room for West Coast young gun Harley Reid.

Who else was unlucky to miss? Check out the full list below, including detailed comments on the top 10.

Kane’s top 50

50. Jack Sinclair

49. Max Holmes

48. Brayden Maynard

47. Andrew Brayshaw

46. Patrick Dangerfield

45. Lachie Whitfield

44. Noah Anderson

43. Jai Newcombe

42. Aliir Aliir

41. Charlie Cameron

40. Dylan Moore

39. Luke Davies-Uniacke

38. Dan Houston

37. Callum Wilkie

36. James Sicily

35. Sam Walsh

34. Connor Rozee

33. Harris Andrews

32. Jake Waterman

31. Hugh McCluggage

30. Will Day

29. Tom Papley

28. Harry Sheezel

27. Max Gawn

26. Sam Taylor

25. Zach Merrett

24. Sam Darcy

23. Nick Larkey

22. Jordan Dawson

21. Hayden Young

20. Jason Horne-Francis

19. Caleb Serong

18. Izak Rankine

17. Jacob Weitering

16. Jeremy McGovern

15. Nick Blakey

14. Tom Stewart

13. Toby Greene

12. Errol Gulden

11. Jesse Hogan

10. Chad Warner

Warner has the ability to rip the opposition apart in just 20 minutes. His electric speed and uncanny knack for kicking running goals make him one of the most watchable and exciting players in the league. With 35 goals last season, Warner’s return as a midfielder was phenomenal. By the end of 2025, he may well be one of the top three players in the game.

9. Zak Butters

Port Adelaide’s best player already has a stacked trophy cabinet and is universally admired for his courage. He has elite speed, wins the ball in a variety of ways, and is an exceptional and creative kick. To take his game to the next level, Butters should aim for a goal a game this season and focus on taking the simplest decisions to avoid costly turnovers.

8. Charlie Curnow

Curnow is often unfairly judged because of his perceived struggles in finals, but he is unquestionably a top-10 player. Over the past three seasons, Curnow has kicked an extraordinary 202 goals and is the player most opposing teams focus on when facing the Blues. Thanks to his deadly field kicking, Curnow is as dangerous outside of 50 as he is deep. Body permitting, he will once again be the leading contender for another Coleman Medal.

7. Lachie Neale

What a resume Neale has. He remains the cleanest player at ground level in the AFL and the standout member of Brisbane’s star-studded midfield. Neale has adapted to taggers and taken his game to new heights, becoming more willing to kick the ball and push forward to impact the scoreboard. With elite endurance and agility, Neale should’ve won the Norm Smith Medal for his amazing performance in last year’s grand final.

6. Patrick Cripps

The two-time Brownlow Medalist has maximised his speed and power, and there’s no better sight than watching him burst out of congestion. Cripps averaged over eight clearances and 15 contested possessions per game in 2024. Few players deserve a premiership more than Cripps.

5. Christian Petracca

A season marred by injury and controversy didn’t prevent Petracca from staying among the top five players in the game. Like Heeney, Petracca is a beast in the contest, capable of breaking tackles and posing a major threat when deployed inside 50. The Norm Smith medallist is still entering his prime, and if his body holds up, he’ll be back to his scintillating best in 2025.

4. Jeremy Cameron

In a league dominated by midfielders, Cameron stands out as the best forward in football. Geelong coach Chris Scott allowed Cameron more freedom in 2024, giving him the chance to roam up the ground, lose his matchup, and still impact the scoreboard. Cameron registered a career-high 392 disposals and kicked 64 goals, showcasing his versatility and lethal finishing ability.

3. Isaac Heeney

Heeney was one of the most devastating players in the league last season. His game was the most well-rounded among his peers, winning nearly 12 contested possessions, six clearances, and kicking 34 goals. He has the ability to exploit midfield opponents by drifting forward and using his outstanding aerial ability and forward craft. His disappointing grand final performance doesn’t diminish his standing, Heeney remains firmly in the top three players in football.

2. Marcus Bontempelli

Last year’s All-Australian captain was dominant once again in 2024, securing his sixth best and fairest award. Bontempelli spent more time forward, kicking a career-high 32 goals. Strong overhead, tough in the contest, and renowned for his decision-making, he rarely wastes a disposal. His set-shot goal kicking is the only area where he falls short. Remarkably, Bontempelli is yet to turn 30, making his record even more extraordinary.

1. Nick Daicos

Nick Daicos is the most prolific and hardest player to stop in the AFL. His midfield numbers in 2024 were extraordinary, averaging over 30 disposals and nearly eight clearances per game. Daicos is the most dangerous player when the ball is in his hands, particularly when delivering inside 50. He kicked 20 goals and earned 38 Brownlow votes last season, solidifying his place among the best.