Tom Mitchell changed the definition of midfield endurance in 2018 when he made 54 disposals against Collingwood. On that particular night, he seemed nearly invincible as he navigated through traffic, dispersed with pinpoint precision, and impacted each route. His extraordinary ability to control the pace of that game remained unmatched until 2025, when a young Harry Sheezel equaled it against Richmond. Sheezel’s performance, which was only 20 years old, felt remarkably similar to Mitchell’s, serving as a reminder of how unexpectedly generational genius can recur.
Disposals have significance that goes beyond their numerical value. They stand for control, the way a player slows down a game to keep teammates engaged and opponents stunned. Disposals subtly add up to victory, while goals generate cheers of joy. In addition to being a personal victory, Gary Ablett Jr.’s 53 touches for Gold Coast in 2012 served as a symbolic declaration of leadership, providing perseverance and vision to a team in need of expansion.
Whether high disposal counts should be praised as much as goal bags has been a topic of discussion among AFL fans in recent years. The dispute frequently boils down to perception: goals are the obvious fireworks, whereas disposals are the constant pulse of a competition. The significance, however, becomes very evident when a player achieves the coveted status of 50+ touches—no one can control a game like that without tactical mastery and sheer willpower.
Record Holders – Most Disposals in an AFL Game
| Player | Team | Disposals | Opponent | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Mitchell | Hawthorn | 54 | Collingwood | 2018 | 20 kicks, 34 handballs – Round 1 epic |
| Harry Sheezel | North Melbourne | 54 | Richmond | 2025 | Equalled all-time record at age 20 |
| Greg Williams | Sydney Swans | 53 | St Kilda | 1989 | One of the earliest modern benchmarks |
| Gary Ablett Jr | Gold Coast | 53 | Collingwood | 2012 | Carried an expansion team on his back |
| Barry Price | Collingwood | 52 | Fitzroy | 1971 | Possession dominance before the stats era |
| Scott Thompson | Adelaide | 51 | Gold Coast | 2011 | Engine-room brilliance for the Crows |
| Lachie Neale | Brisbane Lions | 51 | Richmond | 2019 | Brownlow medallist form |
| John Greening | Collingwood | 50 | Geelong | 1971 | Trailblazer for high-possession mids |
| Tony Shaw | Collingwood | 50 | Brisbane Bears | 1991 | Future captain’s statement game |
Reference: AFL Tables – Records
Sports codes compared Harry Sheezel’s record-tying performance. Analysts compared it to Steve Smith facing down 400 balls in cricket or Russell Westbrook stacking triple-doubles. The more general analogy is compelling: accumulation, when done with flair and consistency, becomes art. Sheezel’s poise revealed not only talent but also fortitude, a highly effective capacity to flourish in the spotlight.
Admiration is heightened by the historical background. In a time when endurance meant survival and interchange benches could not offer rest, Barry Price recorded 52 touches in 1971. Greg Williams’ 53 disposals in 1989 demonstrated how handball became a weapon and changed AFL tactics. Mitchell’s 2018 night sounded like a midfield machine running at full capacity, but Sheezel’s 2025 performance was especially inventive in the way it combined youthful vigor with contemporary system efficiency.
Many players say that playing these kinds of games is a surreal experience. Later, Mitchell acknowledged that it was only after the siren that he realized the extent. “I felt like the ball kept finding me,” Sheezel said candidly. Because of their modesty, fans are more moved by these tales and perceive grounded genius rather than haughtiness.
The myth is also shaped by fans. Memes about Sheezel were all over social media; some joked that he had cloned himself, while others referred to him as the AFL’s next generational star. Discussions comparing his achievement to Nick Daicos’s quick ascent surfaced on Reddit threads. A statistical milestone becomes a shared national moment as a result of the online discourse’s cultural weight.
These records serve as beacons of guidance for young football players. Aspiring midfielders now discuss their goal of “chasing 40 disposals” at suburban ovals. Mitchell and Sheezel’s games serve as case studies for coaches looking to improve their positioning, discipline, and bravery. The record itself serves as a teaching tool, demonstrating how seemingly insignificant actions—rapid handballs, persistent effort, and tackling pressure—add up to enormous results.
AFL’s fixation on disposals is a cultural reflection of society’s acceptance of productivity measures. The AFL celebrates accumulation in the same way that businesses value output and governments monitor efficiency. Skeptics point out that handballs under pressure inflate numbers, so sometimes the criticism is valid. Reaching 54 disposals, however, is not merely a statistical coincidence; rather, it is an incredibly uncommon manifestation of dominance.
It’s also emotionally significant. While Hawthorn supporters continue to glow when they think back on Mitchell’s unrelenting night, Collingwood supporters still remember his 2018 destruction of their team with dread. Sheezel’s 2025 record-tying game against Richmond gave North Melbourne supporters hope and a markedly better indication of what the team’s future might bring. These are chapters in the collective psyche of teams and their communities, not just statistics.
Even famous people had something to say. Andrew Bogut, a former NBA player, wrote on X that Sheezel’s style of play reminded him of point guards setting the pace. AFL legends like Luke Hodge commented that disposal records frequently conceal how physically taxing they are, while cricketer David Warner praised his endurance. These records become larger than life through clever collaborations between players, supporters, and the media, contributing to the AFL’s continuous cultural narrative.
Who will turn 54? is the question that hangs over the future. Often referred to as a football savant, Nick Daicos appears destined to challenge the number. Sheezel may even surpass it, especially as he develops into a leader. However, the record is more about aspiration than inevitable outcomes, encouraging the next generation to strive for consistency, durability, and inventiveness.
