The initial squad for the 2025 Smithy's Team of the Year has been announced today, ahead of the VFL and VFLW awards night on Monday September 15.

40 players have been selected in the initial squad, with the final team to be announced on Monday night.

Emerging young Cat George Stevens' stellar season has been recognised with a selection in the squad.

Across 14 VFL appearances this year, Stevens was frequently among Geelong's best players, averaging 27.4 disposals and 5.9 tackles per game, and amassing 30 or more disposals on six different occasions.

04:33

George Stevens AFL Debut | Feature

Follow behind the scenes as George Stevens pulls on The Hoops and plays his first game of AFL Football. Proudly Presented by Ford

His work around stoppages was immense averaging 8.1 clearances per game, while also pushing forward to average 4.1 inside 50s per match.

The phenomenal season also saw Stevens earn his chance at the top level, making his AFL debut in Round 17 against Richmond.

The emerging on-baller made an impression right away, collecting 21 disposals, eight clearances, 14 score involvements and a goal on debut.

The 2025 Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year squad is listed below in alphabetical order by club then surname:
 
Kye Declase, Box Hill Hawks
13 matches this season, 16 goals
Averages 20.1 disposals, 6.4 marks, 4.0 inside 50s
 
Henry Hustwaite, Box Hill Hawks
14 matches this season, 1 goal
Averages 29.0 disposals, 9.4 clearances, 5.3 tackles
 
Ned Reeves, Box Hill Hawks
14 matches this season, 13 goals
Averages 15.4 disposals, 37.3 hitouts, 13.0 hitouts to advantage
 
Jai Serong, Box Hill Hawks
17 matches this season, 5 goals
Averages 21.4 disposals, 7.2 marks, 6.1 rebound 50s
 
Will McLachlan, Brisbane Lions
13 matches this season, 30 goals
Averages 12 disposals, 6.3 score involvements, 2.3 goals
 
Deven Robertson, Brisbane Lions
13 matches this season, 2 goals
Averages 26.2 disposals, 6.7 tackles, 6.3 clearances
 
Ethan Phillips, Carlton
18 matches this season, 0 goals
Averages 18.2 disposals, 9.4 marks, 8.9 intercepts
 
Riley Bonner, Casey Demons
18 matches this season, 3 goals
Averages 31.6 disposals, 6.4 rebound 50s, 4.4 inside 50s
 
Tom Campbell, Casey Demons
15 matches this season, 7 goals
Averages 17.5 disposals, 26.5 hitouts, 7.9 hitouts to advantage
 
Mitch Hardie, Casey Demons
16 matches this season, 26 goals
Averages 25.8 disposals, 8.7 score involvements, 4.2 inside 50s
 
Jack Bytel, Coburg
16 matches this season, 5 goals
Averages 30.1 disposals, 6.3 clearances, 5.9 inside 50

Flynn Gentile, Coburg
18 matches this season, 7 goals
Averages 25.2 disposals, 5.9 score involvements, 5.5 inside 50s
 
Mitch Podhajski, Coburg
18 matches this season, 54 goals
Averages 11.2 disposals, 4.9 marks, 3.0 goals
 
Donovan Toohey, Coburg
18 matches this season, 3 goals
Averages 29.9 disposals, 8.4 rebound 50s, 3.9 inside 50s
 
Joel Trudgeon, Coburg
18 matches this season, 9 goals
Averages 28.2 disposals, 7.9 tackles, 7.6 clearances
 
Sam Glover, Collingwood
16 matches this season, 4 goals
Averages 17.9 disposals, 8.0 intercepts, 5.7 marks
 
Brady Grey, Collingwood
15 matches this season, 5 goals
Averages 20.6 disposals, 5.9 inside 50s, 4.7 clearances
 
Liam McMahon, Essendon/Carlton
13 matches this season, 43 goals
Averages 8.9 disposals, 5.5 score involvements, 3.3 goals
 
Xavier O’Neill, Essendon
18 matches this season, 8 goals
Averages 25.6 disposals, 10.6 handball receives, 3.7 inside 50s
 
Cooper Craig-Peters, Footscray Bulldogs
15 matches this season, 2 goals
Averages 23.6 disposals, 7.3 clearances, 6.8 tackles
 
Billy Crofts, Footscray Bulldogs
18 matches this season, 4 goals
Averages 20.4 disposals, 6.0 clearances, 4.5 tackles
 
Ryan Gardner, Footscray Bulldogs
17 matches this season, 2 goals
Averages 17.4 disposals, 7.9 intercepts, 7.7 marks
 
Taine Barlow, Frankston
18 matches this season, 0 goals
Averages 16.0 disposals, 8.1 intercepts, 6.1 marks
 
Tom Blamires, Frankston
18 matches this season, 7 goals
Averages 24.0 disposals, 9.9 handball receives, 4.0 tackles
 
Corey Ellison, Frankston
18 matches this season, 50 goals
Averages 10.0 disposals, 6.3 score involvements, 2.8 goals
 
Will Hamill, Frankston
17 matches this season, 0 goals
Averages 20.5 disposals, 78.4% disposal efficiency, 3.4 rebound 50s
 
Jackson Voss, Frankston
15 matches this season, 4 goals
Averages 25.5 disposals, 7.7 intercepts, 6.8 rebounds 50s
 
George Stevens, Geelong Cats
14 matches this season, 3 goals
Averages 27.4 disposals, 8.1 clearances, 5.9 tackles
 
Max Gruzewski, GWS GIANTS
15 matches this season, 43 goals
Averages 12.9 disposals, 8.1 score involvements, 2.9 goals
 
Adam Tomlinson, North Melbourne
17 matches this season, 1 goal
Averages 22.2 disposals, 6.9 rebound 50s, 6.6 marks
 
Harvey Hooper, Port Melbourne
18 matches this season, 8 goals
Averages 24.2 disposals, 6.2 inside 50s, 5.8 clearances
 
Mutaz El Nour, Richmond
18 matches this season, 0 goals
Averages 17.2 disposals, 8.3 intercepts, 4.1 rebound 50s
 
Brayden Crossley, Southport Sharks
15 matches this season, 9 goals
Averages 16.4 disposals, 41.5 hitouts, 12.8 hitouts to advantage
 
Jacob Dawson, Southport Sharks
17 matches this season, 3 goals
Averages 34.5 disposals, 16.5 contested possessions, 9.3 clearances
 
Zac Foot, Southport Sharks
18 matches this season, 24 goals
Averages 23.8 disposals, 6.7 marks, 5.1 inside 50s
 
Dom Brew, Werribee
18 matches this season, 5 goals
Averages 28.9 disposals, 10.1 clearances, 9.5 tackles
 
Bior Malual, Werribee
16 matches this season, 6 goals
Averages 16.3 disposals, 77.3% disposal efficiency, 6.2 marks
 
Jack Riding, Werribee
17 matches this season, 10 goals
Averages 24.0 disposals, 5.6 inside 50s, 5.2 tackles
 
Brodie McLaughlin, Williamstown
18 matches this season, 67 goals
Averages 12.8 disposals, 8.6 score involvements, 3.7 goals
 
Luke Parks, Williamstown
18 matches this season, 0 goals
Averages 16.9 disposals, 10.4 marks, 8.4 intercepts