New list ranking the best players in the AFL leaves some footy stars crying foul - so do YOU agree with the pecking order?
Footy fans and video gamers have been delighted by the announcement that a new AFL video game is set to launch later this week.
But the announcement of AFL26 has come with plenty of debate after the stats and attributes of some of the game's best players for the latest addition to the video game franchise had been revealed on social media.
In fact, the stats had some players and fans crying a little foul.
It's been three years since Big Ant Studios and Nacon teamed up to publish a new AFL game.
This year's edition, which works in a similar ranking system to games including EA Sports FC, has ranked Carlton star Patrick Cripps as the highest-rated player in the game.
And there's not much separating the top seven in the game, with the Carlton captain, a two-time Brownlow Medallist for 2022 and 2024, sitting just one point ahead of Collingwood rival Nick Daicos, who has risen to stardom over the past two years for his sensational performances for the Magpies.
Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli (left) and Nick Daicos (right) rank as joint-second in the rankings
Three-time Leigh Matthews Trophy winner Marcus Bontempelli sits tied in second with Daicos with a rating of 93, while another Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale leads a quartet of Zak Butters, Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Heeney as the next best-ranked players, all joint on 92.
In fact, the current standings are not far off the AFL's April power rankings, with Daicos sitting top ahead of Cripps, Bontempelli, Heeney and Jeremy Cameron, while Chad Warner squeezes into the top seven ahead of Lachie Neale, while Zak Butters falls to ninth behind Christian Petracca.
Meanwhile, leading stats for each aspect of the game have also been revealed, and one AFL star, Max Holmes, was absolutely filthy that he'd been left off the list for the league's top speedsters.
After revealing AFL26's stats lists on Instagram, Holmes, who was not included in the top-10 fastest players, commented on the post: 'Excuse me?'
Instead, the video game has ranked Sam Switkowski as top, Tyson Stengle second and Brent Daniels in third. Bailey Banfield, Ben Ainsworth, Lachie Schultz, Zach Guthrie and Zac Williams all follow, with Callum Ah Chee and Dylan Moore making up the final two.
Max Gawn was ranked top for hitouts, interestingly above Port ruckman Jordon Sweet, who currently supersedes Gawn for the most hitouts in 2025, and is interestingly not included in AFL360's top-10.
North Melbourne were also aggrieved Nick Larkey was ranked 10th on the list of top set shot takers with his current shot at goal accuracy sitting at 60.6 per cent - one of the best ratios in the league.
'The most accurate set shot of all time in 10th,' North wrote.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by AFL (@afl)
Max Holmes was left aggrived he wasn't included in the top ten for speed on AFL26, while fans questioned why certain players had been omitted from different categories
Larkey was usurped at the top of the list by Josh Treacy, Jesse Hogan, Charlie Curnow, Ben King and Jeremy Cameron.
Others were incensed by the omission of Darcy Fogarty from the set shots line-up.
Some were baffled at why Geelong star Tom Atkins had been omitted from the tackling ladder, despite leading the competition for an average of 10.5 tackles a game.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Blues booed off the MCG after crashing to humiliating loss to North Melbourne: 'Don't worry Carlton. I give up too'
Carlton's finals hopes have taken a massive hit after being booed from the field in a dismal 11-point loss to North Melbourne at the MCG, a result that has left their season teetering on the brink of collapse. Supporters turned on the team in extraordinary fashion, with jeers echoing around the stadium at halftime, three-quarter time, and again as players slowly trudged from the field at the final siren. The boos were a reaction to a second-quarter onslaught from the Kangaroos, who kicked six goals to just one behind to seize control of a game few had given them a chance of winning. Despite a spirited late comeback that saw Carlton boot five unanswered goals in the final term, the damage was already done, and the Roos held on for a stunning 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory. North led by as much as 46 points midway through the third quarter and, while they faded late, the lead proved too big for the wasteful Blues to claw back. Carlton's inefficiency in the forward half was glaring once again, with the team kicking 5.5 from 18 inside-50 entries in the last term alone, despite North barely venturing forward themselves. The final siren was met with frustration, as thousands of Carlton fans had already left early, some walking to Jolimont Station while others joined a steady stream of vehicles exiting the MCG carpark well before the game ended. One supporter wrote: 'Don't worry Carlton. I give up too,' while another posted: 'We are one of the most boring rubbish teams going around. It is getting worse week by week.' The moment that seemed to sum up Carlton's afternoon came early in the third term, when after Cam Zurhaar kicked truly for North, Adam Cerra lashed out with a gut punch to ruckman Tristan Xerri. Although the contact was minor, the umpire awarded Xerri a free kick 45 metres out, and the resulting goal gave North a rare 'double goal' that extended their lead to 40 points. From there, the Blues completely lost composure, with Corey Durdin, Jaxon Binns and skipper Patrick Cripps all missing gettable chances and sending three consecutive shots out on the full. Carlton's win last week had given fans a flicker of hope, but this defeat has cast serious doubt over their ability to make the finals, particularly with a difficult run home that includes games against Collingwood, Brisbane, Fremantle (away), and Gold Coast. With only nine matches remaining, the Blues will likely need to win seven to qualify - a task that looks increasingly unlikely given their recent form. Coach Michael Voss now faces fresh scrutiny as new CEO Graham Wright prepares to take the reins, with the club's direction under question and supporter patience clearly running thin. Earlier in the match, Carlton suffered another scare when star defender and vice-captain Jacob Weitering was helped from the ground with a left ankle injury just minutes into the game. Carlton fans are leaving the MCG early😬 it's not even half time yet #AFLBluesNorth — RickRo$$⚽️🏀🏈🇦🇺 (@rickross1230) June 21, 2025 Carlton supporters leaving the MCG in droves 😂😂😂 #AFLBluesNorth #aflbluesroos #AFL #Baggers — JAKE FLAGPIES23 🏆🖤🤍 (@IncrediblyBozza) June 21, 2025 He had leapt over Cam Zurhaar in a marking contest, landed awkwardly, and signalled to the bench in clear distress before being taken from the field by medical staff. While Weitering's injury took the sting out of the Blues' early momentum, North also lost Jack Darling briefly after he sustained a nasty gash to the leg in a separate first-quarter incident. Darling returned in the second quarter after treatment, while Weitering's condition remains unclear ahead of next week. Carlton fans had hoped for a lift after star forward Charlie Curnow was named to return following calf concerns, and he made a stylish entrance by riding his bike to the ground wearing sunglasses and a club jacket. But despite his cool arrival, Curnow and his teammates were overwhelmed for three quarters by a North Melbourne side that simply wanted the ball more and executed their plans better. North Melbourne entered the game with just one win for the season, but their effort, composure and efficiency stunned everyone, especially against a Carlton outfit desperate to stay in finals contention. Despite only managing five inside-50s in the final quarter, the Roos had done enough in the first three to bank the points and notch their second win of the year.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The heartbreaking reality of these images as Hawthorn celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its famous threepeat
Hawthorn's golden era was honoured on Friday night, but one iconic name was missing from the celebrations. The club's famous threepeat team - premiers in 2013, 2014 and 2015 - reunited at Melbourne Town Hall to mark 10 years since their historic run. It was a night of laughter, stories, and old teammates reconnecting - except one. Cyril Rioli, the four-time premiership hero and 2015 Norm Smith Medallist, did not attend. When Hawthorn posted photos from the event, fans were quick to spot the painful detail. 'Where's Cyril?' one asked. Another posted a single tear emoji and the comment : 'Wish Cyril would go.' The rift between Rioli and Hawthorn remains unresolved, despite fans' hopes for healing. In 2022, Rioli became the lead plaintiff in a high-profile racial discrimination claim against the club. That matter has since been settled, with the club issuing an apology and the plaintiffs receiving an undisclosed financial settlement. But Rioli has remained distant from Hawthorn - and his absence on Friday confirmed the depth of that separation. Former captain Luke Hodge, who played alongside Rioli for a decade, has tried repeatedly to reconnect. 'We left on really good terms,' Hodge said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. 'When he retired, he sent me a message saying 'thanks for all the development and all the help'.' Premiership-winning coach Alastair Clarkson was another big name absentee, as he was busy preparing North Melbourne for their clash against Carlton on Saturday Yet even mentors from Hawthorn's famous forward line haven't been able to reach him. 'It's almost like he's parted ways with everyone there,' Hodge said. Rioli didn't attend Hawthorn's centenary match in May either. But he was spotted later that month, smiling at TIO Stadium as Gold Coast played Hawthorn during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The moment was broadcast live as Rioli stood to cheer a Suns goal. 'He had a fair smile on his face when Gold Coast kicked that goal,' Hodge noted on commentary. At full-time, Hodge made his way to the stands for a brief chat with his former teammate. 'It was just good to see him looking happy,' he said. Rioli's cousin, Daniel, now plays for the Suns and spoke after the game. 'I didn't see him or have had any contact with him yet,' Daniel said. 'But it's good to see him out here still watching the footy. I love him.' Hawthorn fans clearly feel the same way. 'Where is Cyril? We miss you a lot!' one fan wrote. Another added: 'Cyril will never come back. It's sad.' There is still a sense of deep respect and reverence for Rioli's brilliance. From his six-goal, 12-tackle performance in 2011, to his match-winning birthday goal against Sydney in 2016, Rioli created moments that will never be forgotten. But as the club's stars gathered for one more toast to greatness, the absence of their most electric player couldn't be ignored.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BT reveals the HUGE problem with AFL bringing back State of Origin: 'a load of nonsense'
AFL great Brian Taylor has raised major concerns over the league's proposed revival of State of Origin, calling plans to stage the game in February 'a load of nonsense'. With talks gaining traction between the AFL and the Western Australian government to stage a marquee State of Origin match in 2026, debate has flared over the format, timing, and purpose of the event. The proposed clash would see Victoria face Western Australia at Optus Stadium during the pre-season, reviving a once fierce rivalry dormant for over two decades. WA deputy premier and sports minister Rita Saffioti confirmed early-stage discussions, saying, 'It's not a done deal. But I know the AFL was very keen, and we're very keen.' 'There's some good discussions happening at the moment,' she added. 'We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state.' State of Origin has not been officially played since 1999, when Victoria defeated South Australia by 54 points at the MCG. While one-off matches have been held since - including the 2008 Hall of Fame tribute and the 2020 bushfire relief match - the true competitive spirit of Origin has faded. Taylor, who represented Victoria in a 1986 Origin match, did not hold back on Triple M. 'What are we trying to do here with State of Origin football, playing it in February?' he asked. 'Do you know how hot it is in Perth in Feb?' He argued the timing is illogical given players are not in top form early in the year. 'How many players are in form on the 6th of February? How are you picking the team? On the year before?' According to Taylor, true Origin footy is about selecting players based on current form, not reputation. 'It's about players playing well, like the All Australian - to achieve the status of getting selected in the side,' he said. 'I think this game is not going to work if it's in Feb.' Brian Taylor believes AFL players would engage more if financial incentives were included in the match structure He instead proposed using one of the three in-season byes to stage a proper Origin round. 'Let's put one of those byes aside for a State of Origin weekend when the players have reached top form.' Taylor also said financial incentives could boost player motivation. 'Let's give the players all of the gate, so a player could get $10,000 to $20,000 each per game,' he said. 'Then they'll absolutely want to play.' Former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna echoed doubts about the format. 'You're probably still thinking of State of Origin in the 80s and 90s when it was South Australia vs Victoria and they were playing for keeps,' Montagna said. 'Now it's more of an exhibition game.' He said while fans may enjoy seeing stars like Christian Petracca and Toby Greene in the same team, it wouldn't replicate the ferocity of past decades. Taylor agreed: 'Why do we need an exhibition game of our own game in our own country? People see 20 games a year.' 'It can't be before they've even completed their pre-season. What a load of nonsense.' Despite the pushback, Saffioti said many players are excited at the prospect of wearing their state colours again. The plan would revive the historic Victoria–WA rivalry, last contested in 1992 when the Vics won by 67 points. WA last played Origin football in 1998 against South Australia in Adelaide. The rivalry between the states dates back to 1908, when the Jubilee Australasian Football Carnival featured teams from all six states plus New Zealand. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon acknowledged the interest, stating in February: 'I can't rule it in and I can't rule it out.' 'There seems to be a bit of a groundswell for it,' he said. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said he 'can't rule it in or out' but acknowledged player interest was growing Saffioti believes the February timing makes sense. 'Pre-season is a good time to do it, as opposed to in-season ... the clubs are already playing pre-season games,' she said. 'And we saw the Indigenous All Stars, we had some incredible players out there ... it makes a bit of sense to do it during February.' The AFL's State of Origin officially began in 1977 and flourished in the '80s and early '90s before declining due to injury concerns and club opposition. Whether it returns in a genuine form or becomes another one-off exhibition remains to be seen.
