The six emerging defenders who could go to the next level in 2025

Which emerging players could go to the next level in defence in 2025?

We’re looking at those who have played less than 100 AFL games (or the equivalent of around five seasons) and have the scope to step up as a defender.

Whether it be as a key position backman, a dashing half-back type or an unheralded lockdown, these are the defenders we believe can stand out this season.

SIX EMERGING MIDFIELDERS

See our six picks below:

Josh Weddle (Hawthorn)

We have already seen what Josh Weddle is capable of.

His athleticism is undeniable and his ability to intercept before helping cast forward launches from the backline is clearly evident.

Weddle was also Hawthorn’s top-ranked spoiler last year, working his way to many aerial contests as an extra to help the likes of Sam Frost and James Sicily.

Many believe he’ll eventually work his way into the midfield and while he may have his moments up the ground in 2025, he’ll likely play a decisive role for the Hawks in defensive 50.

In particular, Weddle’s contributions against Richmond in Round 15 (23 disposals, one Brownlow vote) and Carlton in Round 23 (18 disposals, three goals, two Brownlow votes) show what he can deliver at the elite level.

The former Pick 18 still needs to find consistency, which will come as he matures, but he undoubtedly has the scope to become a serious defender this year.

Andrew Slevison

Logan Evans (Port Adelaide)

After he was picked up by Port Adelaide in last year’s mid-season draft, Logan Evans made outstanding contributions in the second half of the 2024 campaign.

The teenager, who turned 19 last October, played 13 games including three finals with the Power, stepping up from SANFL level with aplomb. He debuted less than a month after being drafted and made an immediate splash with 20 disposals against eventual premiers Brisbane in Round 15.

Evans often used the ball neatly out of defence and was tasked with taking a lot of kick-ins later in the season as he became more comfortable in elite company.

With the league’s premier half-back Dan Houston now at Collingwood, there should be ample opportunity for Evans to become Port’s key rebounding defender.

Evans will have a full pre-season under his belt which should give him a much firmer footing in the AFL landscape.

Andrew Slevison

Lachie Cowan (Carlton)

Coach Michael Voss loves hard-nosed Tasmanian defender Lachie Cowan. He debuted him in Round 1 of 2023 straight out of his first pre-season, entrusted him with the number 2 guernsey that summer and played him from Round 6 onwards in Round 24.

Cowan has impressed as a lockdown defender, able to shut down small forwards and clamp resting midfielders who come up to the stoppage.

However, he will likely be asked to become a more attacking weapon in 2025, with Nic Newman set to miss the season with a torn ACL. Coming into his third year, Cowan can be trusted coming out of defence and has shown glimpses with rebound and carry off half back.

Through both the coach’s trust in him and sheer volume of opportunity, it should be a big year for the 20-year-old.

Nic Negrepontis

Charlie Comben (North Melbourne)

Can we please get Charlie Comben some luck? The 23-year-old key position swingman has every attribute it takes to thrive as a star in this competition, but has dealt with injury setback after injury setback in his career.

2024 was the year it mostly came together for him, playing 19 games – but the sheer turmoil around him with Ben McKay leaving, Griffin Logue missing most of the year, North Melbourne’s lack of key defenders – and then their need to throw him forward just as he was working it all out down back … it was a lot to overcome.

But 2025 will be the year, health permitting. Jack Darling and Nick Larkey are the clear key forward pillars. Logue, Comben and Aidan Corr will form the key defensive trio up the other end.

Despite having only played 28 games, it is clear he is an elite contested mark and reads the ball in flight better than most.

By the time Comben comes out of contract in 2027, he might just be looking at Ben McKay level financial offers from rival clubs himself.

Nic Negrepontis

Max Michalanney (Adelaide)

A player that’s already shown plenty in his first two AFL seasons, playing 22 and 23 games respectively in 2023 and 2024, Max Michallaney could be ready to really explode in 2025.

While the 20-year-old has always been a strong one-on-one defender effectively from his debut, he saw some serious increases in year two in terms of his offensive output as he increased significantly in disposals, marks, inside 50s and rebound 50s in 2024.

If that kind of trajectory continues while he still remains a staunch medium defender, Michalanney could genuinely launch himself into All-Australian contention, particularly as he already was good enough to finish fourth in Adelaide’s best and fairest count last season.

Lachlan Geleit

Judd McVee (Melbourne)

This young Demon already has all of the hallmarks of a 200+ game player.

While he somewhat broke out in 2024 as he was clearly one of Melbourne’s best defenders, the glimpses he showed towards the back end of the season around stoppages shows that he’s yet to get near hitting his ceiling.

Already an accomplished one-on-one defender with some neat skills, McVee could quickly become one of Melbourne’s best players if his game continues to grow by becoming a defender/midfielder hybrid.

His ability to play both roles could see him become a unique player around the competition that’s able to play on the league’s superstars that spend time both around the contest and resting forward.

2025 might be the year he really starts to show us that.

Lachlan Geleit