David King groups every AFL team's best 23s into tier lists

David King has grouped each AFL list into tiers ahead of the 2025 season.

Taking a Stawell Gift approach, King has handicapped the best 23s of the 18 AFL clubs as if they’re in a race - Off Scratch, Off 3 Metres, Off 5 Metres, Off 8 Metres and then two clubs not even in the conversation.

“Just lists, not about how they’ll perform or whether you like them or dislike them,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“This is like the old Stawell Gift style, off scratch.

“It’s the best 23 that the coach has to work with on a weekly basis.”

Off Scratch

Top tier

Fremantle
Brisbane
GWS Giants

“Then I feel there’s a little gap.”

Off 3 Metres

Down a rung

Hawthorn
Collingwood
Carlton
Geelong

Off 5 Metres

Good average list

Sydney
Gold Coast
Essendon
Adelaide
Melbourne

Off 8 Metres

Two rungs below AFL average

Western Bulldogs
St Kilda
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide

Not in the conversation

Richmond
West Coast