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) |