Murphy Reid named the 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star

Murphy Reid is the 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star. Picture: AFL Photos

Murphy Reid is the 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star. Picture: AFL Photos

FREMANTLE’S Murphy Reid has been crowned the 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star, receiving the Ron Evans Medal at tonight’s Brownlow Medal count.

Reid won the award with 48 votes ahead of the Adelaide Crows’ Daniel Curtin (35 votes), the Brisbane Lions’ Levi Ashcroft (26 votes) and Melbourne’s Harvey Langford (20 votes).

The 19-year-old received the Ron Evans Medal and $20,000 thanks to Telstra, after polling a maximum five votes from nine of the 10-member All-Australian panel.

Reid was a standout for Fremantle this year and becomes the fourth Dockers player to win the award, alongside Caleb Serong (2020), Rhys Palmer (2008) and Paul Hasleby (2000).

The 182cm forward kicked 25 goals and averaged nearly 15 disposals and eight kicks in his first season, where he featured in every game for the Dockers, including the elimination final.

His debut performance in Round One saw him kick a remarkable four goals within a 10-minute window, though it wasn’t until Round Six when he received a Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination.

He was selected with pick 17 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft after playing community footy with South Melbourne Districts Junior Football Club. He also represented the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League and was Victoria Metro’s MVP in its 2024 title-winning National Championships campaign.

Telstra, a valued supporter of the AFL and its communities for more than 20 years, is proud to support young players with the Telstra Rising Star Award, recognising the best young AFL and AFLW player for the season.

Telstra Executive, Brent Smart said:

“The Rising Star program holds a special place in our hearts, as it celebrates the extraordinary talent and resilience of young players stepping into the elite level of the game,” Mr Smart said.

“The transition into the AFL for the first time comes with unique pressures, and we’re inspired by this year’s nominees who have risen to the challenge with determination and maturity.

“We’re delighted to congratulate Murphy Reid on being named the 2025 AFL Rising Star, he has delivered a standout season, showcasing exceptional skill, composure, and sportsmanship. We can’t wait to follow his journey as he continues to make his mark on the AFL.”

2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star voting:

1st place – Murphy Reid (Fremantle): 48 votes
2nd place – Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows): 35 votes
3rd place – Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions): 26 votes
4th place – Harvey Langford (Melbourne): 20 votes
5th place – Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats): 15 votes

Allocation of votes

Andrew Dillon (chair)
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
3. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
2. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
1. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)

Laura Kane
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
3. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
2. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
1. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)

Kane Cornes
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
3. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
2. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
1. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)

Eddie Betts
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
3. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
2. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
1. Archie Roberts (Essendon)

Nathan Buckley
5. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
4. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
3. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
2. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
1. Archie Roberts (Essendon)

Abbey Holmes
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
3. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
2. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
1. Archie Roberts (Essendon)

Jude Bolton
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
3. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
2. Archie Roberts (Essendon)
1. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)

Glen Jakovich
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
3. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
2. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
1. Archie Roberts (Essendon)

Matthew Pavlich
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
3. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
2. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
1. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)

Kevin Sheehan
5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
4. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
3. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
2. Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
1. Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)

2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star nominees: 

Round
Player
Total votes

OR/1
Sam Lalor (Richmond)
 

2
Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong Cats)
15

3
Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
20

4
Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
26

5
Archie Roberts (Essendon)
6

6
Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
48

7
Xavier Lindsay (Melbourne)
 

8
Hugo Garcia (St Kilda)
 

9
Nate Caddy (Essendon)
 

10
Cooper Lord (Carlton)
 

11
Angus Clarke (Essendon)
 

12
Ed Allan (West Coast Eagles)
 

13
Daniel Curtin (Adelaide Crows)
35

14
Tyrell Dewar (West Coast Eagles)
 

15
Finn O’Sullivan (North Melbourne)
 

16
Clay Hall (West Coast Eagles)
 

17
Isaac Kako (Essendon)
 

18
Luke Trainor (Richmond)
 

19
Ashton Moir (Carlton)
 

20
Joe Fonti (GWS GIANTS)
 

21
Ethan Read (Gold Coast SUNS)
 

22
Hugh Boxshall (St Kilda)
 

23
Harry Rowston (GWS GIANTS)
 

24
Matt Carroll (Carlton)
 

 

Ron Evans medallists: 1993 – Present 

Year
Player
Club
Votes
Recruited from

2025
Murphy Reid
FRE
48
Sandringham Dragons (VIC)

2024
Oliver Dempsey
GEEL
52
Old Carey (VIC)

2023
Harry Sheezel
NMFC
54
Sandringham Dragons (VIC)

2022
Nick Daicos
COLL
60
Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)

2021
Luke Jackson
MELB
51
East Fremantle (WA)

2020
Caleb Serong
FRE
48
Gippsland Power (VIC)

2019
Sam Walsh
CARL
54
Geelong Falcons (VIC)

2018
Jaidyn Stephenson
COLL
52 
Eastern Ranges (VIC)

2017
Andrew McGrath
ESS
51
Sandringham Dragons (VIC)

2016
Callum Mills
SYD
49
Sydney Swans Academy (NSW)

2015
Jesse Hogan
MELB
49
Claremont (WA)

2014
Lewis Taylor
BRIS
39
Geelong Falcons (VIC)

2013
Jaeger O’Meara
GCFC
44
Perth (WA)

2012
Daniel Talia
ADEL
43
Calder Cannons (VIC)

2011
Dyson Heppell
ESS
44
Gippsland Power (VIC)

2010
Daniel Hannebery
SYD
45
Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)

2009
Daniel Rich
BRIS
45
Subiaco (WA)

2008
Rhys Palmer
FRE
44
East Fremantle (WA)

2007
Joel Selwood
GEEL
44
Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)

2006
Danyle Pearce
PORT
43
Sturt (SA)

2005
Brett Deledio
RICH
43
Murray Bushrangers (VIC)

2004
Jared Rivers
MELB
45
North Adelaide (SA)

2003
Sam Mitchell
HAW
33
Eastern Ranges (VIC)

2002
Nick Riewoldt
STK
34
Southport (QLD)

2001
Justin Koschitzke
STK
31
Murray Bushrangers (VIC)

2000
Paul Hasleby
FRE
33
East Fremantle (WA)

1999
Adam Goodes
SYD
33
North Ballarat (VIC)

1998
Byron Pickett
NMFC
30
Port Adelaide (SA)

1997
Michael Wilson
PORT
27
Port Adelaide (SA)

1996
Ben Cousins
WCE
 –
East Fremantle (WA)

1995
Nick Holland
HAW
 –
North Adelaide (SA)

1994
Chris Scott
BRIS
 –
Eastern Ranges (VIC)

1993
Nathan Buckley
BRIS
 –
Port Adelaide (SA)