Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell and electric Melbourne forward-mid Kysaiah Pickett have charged into Kane Cornes’ top-50 AFL players list.
Rowell and Pickett were nowhere to be seen in the Channel 7 expert’s top-50 players last year but, on the back of exceptional seasons, have landed at No.11 and 12 respectively.
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Rowell capped off his All-Australian year with a Brownlow Medal and a Suns best-and-fairest award. The dynamic Pickett was also a first-time All-Australian in 2025 and third in Melbourne’s B&F.
It is a similar story with hulking forward Riley Thilthorpe, who is on the list for the first time, coming in at 16, after a maiden All-Australian blazer.
“Thilthorpe and (Bulldogs forward) Sam Darcy are the kind of players you’d hand pick to build a team around,” Cornes told 7NEWS.com.au.
“(Thilthorpe) is a big contested mark and he’s coming into his absolute prime.
“If he had a stronger final series last year, I might have had him even higher.
“But Adelaide can build a team around him in the next five years.”
But the list isn’t just about emerging superstars, with veteran Hawk Jack Gunston recognised as well after sensationally winding back the clock in 2025.
Gunston, 34, comes in at 27, following on from Cornes’ nod to feisty 37-year-old Dayne Zorko, who landed at 47 following his exceptional 2025 off half-back.
Meanwhile, Zorko’s highly decorated teammate Lachie Neale was a notable slider after his tumultuous summer, dropping from No.7 last year to 30 this year.
“(Neale’s slide) is probably due to a bit of injury and a bit of age,” Cornes told this masthead.
“He just wasn’t able to reach the heights that he’s been able to get to previously.
“His best moments are still very good but I think last year he just wasn’t as good as what he’s been previously.”
Sydney star Chad Warner has also fallen out of the top 10 after failing to live up to his 2024 heroics.
Cornes had Warner at 10 last year, but this year he’s slipped to 23.
“Chad Warner’s probably a bit similar to Horne-Francis (who has dropped from 20 to 39),” Cornes said.
“He just wasn’t as strong as he was in 2024 and (like Horne-Francis) it’s a bit because of the way the Swans use him (mixing it between the midfield and forward line).
“But Chad’s still a great player and I’m confident he’s going to be back in the top 10.
“People love the way he plays and any club would pay good money to have him.”
Kane’s top-50 AFL players: 30-11
30. Lachie Neale
29. Nick Blakey
28. Zach Merrett
27. Jack Gunston
26. Hayden Young
25. Jai Newcombe
24. Nick Larkey
23. Chad Warner
22. Finn Callaghan
21. Izak Rankine
20. Max Holmes
19. Jordan Dawson
18. Sam Taylor
17. Caleb Serong
16. Riley Thilthorpe
15. Errol Gulden
14. Max Gawn
13. Ed Richards
12. Kysaiah Pickett
11. Matt Rowell
Click here to see Kane’s 2025 top-50 players
AFL expert Kane Cornes will reveal his top-10 players, Monday and Tuesday, on the 6pm 7NEWS.
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