Either through necessity or creativity, some coaches look for positional changes to turn a game or season.

Utilising defenders in attack, or rebounders through the midfield, role switches can be unearthed, adding a whole new perspective to what the player is capable of.

Some moves in 2025 resulted in All-Australian blazers, while others caused oppositional distress. We take you through some of the best positional changes of 2025…

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera 

Half-Back to Midfield

This would be at the top of most lists for season 2025 as the star Saint emerged as one of the game’s most exciting players.

Wanganeen-Milera’s switch from half-back to the midfield proved to be one of Ross Lyon’s best masterstrokes, exposing the 22-year-old to his incredible potential, especially in the front half of the ground.

A major uptick in disposals saw Wanganeen-Milera gather 29.9 touches on average, whilst also kicking 17 goals from 23 outings. Notably, his four-goal and 34-possession performance against Melbourne will go down in footy folklore for multiple reasons. One of those being his ability to determine the outcome of a match.

Despite the efforts of the opposition, he never dipped under 20 possessions for the year, and has added a string to his bow that not many, if any, can contend with.

The progression from half-back to the midfield has been a common move among some of the game’s best, but Wanganeen-Milera could be the pick of the bunch.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Max Hall of the Saints celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 04 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 6, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 06: Max Hall of the Saints celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 04 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 6, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda will also be pleased with Max Hall’s integration into the midfield after beginning his career as a crafty forward.

He began 2025 inside 50, but his quick feet, clean hands and football nous saw him elevate into the on-ball brigade to good effect, seeing an increase in possession count but still maintaining his scoreboard impact.