Which young star could break out in the AFL finals

The buzz around the AFL scene in 2025 is deafening, and it’s not just about the seasoned legends looking to carve their names deeper into the sport’s history. Fans, commentators, and insiders alike are fixated on the rising stars who have the potential to ignite the roar of stadiums and shift the narrative of the AFL finals. The atmosphere is electric with anticipation as young talent from every corner of the league prepares to seize their moment on the grand stage. These emerging athletes aren’t just hopefuls; they’re future champions potentially ready to transform games into unforgettable battles of skill and passion. With so many promising players primed to break out, the 2025 AFL finals become more than just a competition—they’ll be a showcase for the next superstar, a game changer that could define a new era of Aussie Rules football.

Several names are already securing headlines, each bringing their own unique blend of athleticism and hunger that promises an intense finals series. Amongst them, a few players stand out because of their remarkable trajectories and readiness to raise the stakes. From Will Ashcroft’s polished midfield prowess to Riley Thilthorpe’s powerful key forward presence, the finals will be a proving ground for the league’s brightest young prospects. The excitement isn’t just limited to individual performances; it’s about how these talents will influence team dynamics heading into the most pressure-packed matches of the year. Expect stories of resilience, breakout moments, and athletic feats that could turn these young guns into household names.

For those intrigued by the heartbeat of AFL—the passion, the speed, the strategic masterstrokes—the finals offer a window into the sport’s future. These are not seasons of quiet maturity but a collision of rising ambition and raw talent. This period in the AFL calendar always heralds dramatic transformations, and 2025 promises to be no different. As we dissect the potential breakout players ready to ascend during the finals, the focus sharpens. Who will clutch the ball in the dying minutes? Who will serve as the game changer that lifts their side to glory? The answers to these questions are closer than ever.

Potential Rising Stars Ready to Shine in the AFL 2025 Finals

The AFL finals are the ultimate testing ground where emerging athletes demonstrate their worth under the glaring spotlight. This phase of the season often accelerates the transformation from promising prospect to breakout player. Among the candidates with strong 2025 breakout potential, certain young talents have already laid the groundwork through impressive displays during the regular season — their momentum setting them up to shine even brighter when it counts the most.

Will Ashcroft of the Brisbane Lions is a standout rising star. Despite an already impressive resume capped with a Norm Smith Medal, Ashcroft’s 2025 season is widely anticipated as the calendar for his first truly full campaign at the elite level. His technical poise in the midfield, combined with a keen game sense, positions him as a formidable game changer and possible next superstar of the league. The challenge now is to turn glimpses of brilliance into consistent game-winning performances on the grand stage.

Similarly, Riley Thilthorpe of the Adelaide Crows brings the physicality and goal-scoring prowess to disrupt opposition backlines repeatedly. At 22 years old and with a frame that rivals the toughest key forwards in the competition, Thilthorpe’s ability to consistently impose himself is critical for Adelaide, especially as they transition from the era of veterans like Taylor Walker. His breakout potential will be under sharp focus during the finals, where every mark and goal carries amplified significance.

Meanwhile, emerging athletes such as Jesse Motlop (Carlton) and Lachie Schultz (Collingwood) offer the unpredictability and flair that finals football thrives on. Motlop’s contract year adds another dimension to his motivation, aiming to seize his role as a key forward in Carlton’s rise. Schultz, entering his prime, is known for his dual-threat capacity: strong defensive pressure and sneaky goal-scoring capabilities. His career-best 33 goals before transitioning to Collingwood illustrate his readiness to explode as an influential finals player.

Other young talents deserving mention include Nate Caddy of Essendon, whose contested marking ability makes him a dangerous weapon inside the forward 50. There’s also Fremantle’s key forward Josh Treacy, whose 45-goal season in 2024 hinted at something special, promising an even bigger impact as he continues to develop alongside dynamic linemates like Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson.

• Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) – Elite disposals and clutch Grand Final performances highlight his rising star status.
• Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide Crows) – Physical key forward with over two goals per game, possibly the Crows’ future champion.
• Jesse Motlop (Carlton) – Contract year poised for breakout with a combination of speed and goal sense.
• Lachie Schultz (Collingwood) – Balanced defensive and offensive threat stepping into his playing prime.
• Nate Caddy (Essendon) – Contested marking prowess and goal-kicking potential enhance Bombers’ forward line.

These young talents are positioned to become cornerstone players for their clubs in tightly contested AFL finals. Their development and performance could define not only their careers but the fortunes of their teams in an often brutal competition.

How Key Young Athletes Could Become the Game Changer of the Finals

Breakout players who grasp the moment during the AFL finals can shift momentum and alter the course of a match with a single game-changing act. Young hubs of energy and skill have a youthful edge that blends fearlessness with raw talent, which can lead to electric moments on the field. For clubs, the right emerging athlete stepping up during the finals can be the difference that pushes them from contender to champion.

Lachie Schultz will be one player to watch closely. After moving to Collingwood and experiencing some health setbacks with the team, Schultz entering this finals series in prime form could offer something rare. His ability to apply relentless pressure and his knack for sneaky goals from the forward line make him not just a goalscorer but a strategic weapon capable of breaking opposition structures down.

Harley Reid for West Coast is another young talent expected to flourish. Recognised for elite contested possession rates and as a prodigious ball winner, Reid’s challenge is to sustain his top-level performance throughout the finals. Emerging as the spine of a rejuvenated West Coast midfield, his control and decision-making under pressure could well dictate the pace of games.

From a defensive standpoint, players like Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda) and Matt Roberts (Sydney Swans) might not always grab the headlines but their vital roles as lockdown defenders and rebounding agents could turn games in subtle but irrevocable ways. Phillipou’s late-season surge showed his capability to have a big impact, especially when finals pressure intensifies and every possession counts.

• Lachie Schultz (Collingwood) – Defensive pressure and goal sneaking.
• Harley Reid (West Coast) – Elite contested possessions, midfield engine.
• Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda) – Versatile impact in midfield and forward roles.
• Matt Roberts (Sydney Swans) – Rebounding defender with growing influence.

With the AFL finals testing character and skill alike, these players represent the sort of unheralded game changers who often swing momentum in crucial matches. The fluid 360-degree play of AFL demands that these rising stars adapt quickly and with composure, and their success could redefine finals outcomes.

Their journey from promising AFL prospects to breakout players at the highest stakes is a thrilling storyline currently unfolding in front of fans everywhere.

Team Dynamics and the Role of Young Talent in 2025 AFL Finals

It’s not just about individual brilliance — young stars must fit within complex team strategies to truly shine in the finals. The interplay between emerging athletes and established veterans shapes how successful clubs navigate the brutal pressure of finals footy. Coaches increasingly rely on the fresh legs and fearless mindset of young talents to inject energy and unpredictability when games reach fever pitch tension.

Clubs such as the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants demonstrate the importance of blending youth with experience. The Bulldogs’ resurgence, highlighted by their second-half surge in recent matches, owes much to a balanced mix of hard-working young talent alongside seasoned campaigners. Rising players like Sam Darcy are positioned to play major roles alongside stars in games that matter most. As explained further in this analysis of the Dogs and GWS second half surge, youth contributions are no mere add-ons but critical components of championship aspirations.

Similarly, the Brisbane Lions vs West Coast showdown not only pits teams against each other but also their emergent athlete powerhouses. The contest highlights how players like Will Ashcroft and Harley Reid represent new pillars in squad builds designed to sustain success beyond the finals stage. Such matches are proving grounds where these AFL prospects flex their muscles amid fierce competition, outlined in commentary at Lions and Eagles Showdown.

• Western Bulldogs: Leveraging Sam Darcy’s forward threat within a strong forward line.
• Greater Western Sydney Giants: Developing Aaron Cadman’s key forward potential alongside Jesse Hogan.
• Brisbane Lions: Banking on Will Ashcroft’s midfield dominance.
• West Coast Eagles: Relying on Harley Reid’s contested ball-winning.
• Fremantle Dockers: Balancing Josh Treacy’s scoring power with Luke Jackson’s versatility.

Understanding these dynamics also reveals why finals matches are an intense chess match where young players must simultaneously develop their own capabilities while complementing their teammates. It is this intricate balance that elevates the AFL finals to a showcase of not only talent but teamwork and coaching brilliance.

Why 2025 Could Be the Year for Breakout Players in the AFL Finals

The combination of exhaustion, pressure, and heightened stakes during the AFL finals makes it the perfect arena for young talents to rise. It’s during these games — when the margins for error slim to zero — that breakout players transform from promising athletes into genuine game changers. The 2025 finals reflect a confluence of factors encouraging this shift.

Firstly, many of the young athletes entering their third or fourth seasons now carry several years of AFL-level intensity behind them. This maturation process is critical. Players like Shannon Neale of Geelong and Paul Curtis of North Melbourne have transitioned from promising rookies to dependable contributors. Neale is tasked with filling the shoes of retired legend Tom Hawkins, while Curtis balances goal-scoring duties amid a rebuilding North Melbourne. These roles press on their shoulders the hopes of their clubs and offer them a platform to emerge dramatically.

Secondly, off-season developments such as team list changes and player retirements open pathways for greater responsibility. For instance, Richmond’s Tom Brown finds himself positioned for a coming-of-age campaign with senior defenders retiring or moving on. Likewise, Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe stands at the threshold of greater leadership inside a young forward group. These shifts create natural openings for breakout moments.

• Increased game experience for younger athletes entering prime age
• Team restructuring providing fresh opportunities
• Elevated confidence from prior seasonal performance peaks
• Pressure playing as a development catalyst
• Heightened media and fan attention boosting player motivation

This pivotal phase in their careers coincides perfectly with the intense motivation generated by finals pressure, making 2025 a trending year for young stars ready for their breakthrough. They’re armed with the experience and the hunger necessary to turn potential into impact, changing the course of the Grand Final and future seasons.