Murphy Reid’s outstanding debut season was recognised at the AFL’s night of nights on Monday, with the 19-year-old crowned the 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star.
Reid finished with 48 votes, ahead of Dan Curtin in second place (35 votes) and Levi Ashcroft (26 votes) in third.
Reid becomes the fourth player on Fremantle’s current AFL list to win the award.
Co-vice captain Caleb Serong won the honour in 2020, Luke Jackson claimed the gong as a Melbourne player in 2021, while Jaeger O’Meara took out the award as a Gold Coast Sun in 2013.
Reid joins Paul Hasleby (2000), Rhys Palmer (2008) and Serong (2020) as the only players to win the Rising Star after being drafted by Fremantle.
Speaking to the Club at the end of the season, Reid said playing AFL football had been a dream come true.
“I had a pretty open mind coming over here … it’s definitely exceeded my expectations of being an AFL footballer,” Reid said.
“I didn’t really grow up playing too much high forward or half forward, so just being able to play my role for the team every week was a highlight.
“Winning against the Dogs and getting into finals … everyone at that point had sort of written us off as a team after the loss to Brisbane.
“Getting that win and coming out in that second quarter and kicking seven goals, playing the way we did was pretty cool and shows what this group can do.”
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene with four goals on debut against Geelong in Round 1 and went on to play every game in season 2025 – kicking 25 goals and averaging 14.5 disposals.
Stephen Hill and Nick Suban (in 2009) were the last Fremantle players to not miss a game in their debut seasons.
Reid ended the season with 21 goal assists and 132 score involvements (ranked fourth in the AFL) - numbers that compare to the early career of Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli.
Fremantle fans rejoiced in June when Reid extended his contract, putting pen to paper on a two-year extension to see him remain in purple until at least 2029.
Reid said the embrace from the Freo family had made him feel right at home after relocating from Victoria when selected with pick No.17 in the 2024 National Draft.
Heading into the Draft, Reid had won Vic Metro’s MVP and All Australian selection in the AFL National Championships, plus back-to-back premierships with the Sandringham Dragons.
“I’ve definitely been made to feel at home over here with everyone involved,” Reid said.
“The staff, the players, the fans, my host family as well - they’ve all made me feel at home.
“My parents and my family have been great as well.”
Last month Reid was awarded the AFL Players’ Best First-Year Player and he was also named in the forward line of the AFLPA’s 22under22 team.
2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star voting
1) Murphy Reid - 48 votes
2) Dan Curtin - 35 votes
3) Levi Ashcroft - 26 votes
4) Harvey Langford - 20 votes
5) Connor O'Sullivan - 15 votes
