Australian rules football is a unique sport that rewards both height and agility. The tallest players typically play in the ruck, where they tap the ball to teammates at centre bounces, or at key forward and key back positions where they compete in aerial marking contests. The AFL has featured some extraordinarily tall athletes who combined their height with the running and ball-handling skills unique to the sport.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest Australian rules football player ever is Aaron Sandilands at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest Australian rules football players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Australian rules football Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Sandilands | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) | Australia |
| 2 | Max Gawn | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | Australia |
| 3 | Tim English | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | Australia |
| 4 | Sean Darcy | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | Australia |
| 5 | Brodie Grundy | 6 ft 8 in (204 cm) | Australia |
| 6 | Peter Wright | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | Australia |
| 7 | Charlie Curnow | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Australia |
| 8 | Joe Daniher | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Australia |
| 9 | Mason Cox | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) | United States/Australia |
| 10 | Jeremy Cameron | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Australia |
1. Aaron Sandilands — 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
Country: Australia
Aaron Sandilands is the tallest player in AFL history at 6 ft 11 in and played 271 games for the Fremantle Dockers. The dominant ruckman was a four-time All-Australian selection and one of the most feared ruck players of his era. Sandilands used his extraordinary height to dominate tap work and provide first-use possession to his midfielders.
2. Max Gawn — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: Australia
Max Gawn captained the Melbourne Demons to their first AFL premiership in 57 years in 2021 and is one of the tallest successful captains in AFL history. The ruckman has been named All-Australian multiple times and is known for his athleticism despite his enormous frame. Gawn combines his 6 ft 10 in height with exceptional tap work and goal-kicking ability.
3. Tim English — 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Country: Australia
Tim English is one of the tallest active AFL players and plays for the Western Bulldogs. The young ruckman has been named an emerging All-Australian and has developed into one of the most versatile tall players in the competition. English can play ruck, forward, and even spend time in the midfield due to his exceptional running ability.
4. Sean Darcy — 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Country: Australia
Sean Darcy plays for the Fremantle Dockers and is one of the tallest and most physically imposing ruckmen in the AFL. The young ruckman has been named an All-Australian and carries on Fremantle’s tradition of dominant tall ruckmen following Aaron Sandilands. Darcy uses his height and strength to dominate hit-outs and around-ground contests.
5. Brodie Grundy — 6 ft 8 in (204 cm)
Country: Australia
Brodie Grundy has been named All-Australian multiple times and was one of the dominant ruckmen in the AFL for Collingwood before moving to Melbourne. The tall ruckman has won the Collingwood best and fairest award and is known for his exceptional tap work and ground-level play. Grundy combines his height with elite endurance.
6. Peter Wright — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: Australia
Peter Wright won the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s leading goal-kicker and has been one of the tallest key forwards in recent AFL history. The Essendon and Gold Coast forward uses his height and marking ability to take contested marks inside the forward 50. Wright proved that tall forwards remain a crucial part of AFL strategy.
7. Charlie Curnow — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Australia
Charlie Curnow won the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s leading goal-kicker and has been one of the most exciting key forwards in the competition. The Carlton spearhead combines his height with exceptional athleticism and marking ability. Curnow has overcome serious knee injuries to become one of the premier forwards in the AFL.
8. Joe Daniher — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Australia
Joe Daniher has been one of the most talented key forwards in the AFL and played for both Essendon and Brisbane. The son of former AFL player Anthony Daniher, Joe was named an All-Australian and was a member of the Brisbane Lions premiership team. Daniher combines his height with a spectacular marking ability and powerful kicking.
9. Mason Cox — 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
Country: United States/Australia
Mason Cox shares the record as the tallest AFL player alongside Aaron Sandilands at 6 ft 11 in. The American-born key forward played college basketball in the United States before being recruited to Collingwood through the AFL’s international rookie programme. Cox famously kicked three goals in the 2018 preliminary final to send Collingwood to the Grand Final.
10. Jeremy Cameron — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Australia
Jeremy Cameron won the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s leading goal-kicker and was a member of the Geelong Cats premiership team. The tall key forward was named All-Australian and has kicked over 400 AFL goals. Cameron is known for his athletic marking, long-range goal kicking, and ability to perform in big moments.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these Australian rules football giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in AFL is most valuable for ruckmen in centre bounces, for key forwards in taking contested marks, and for key defenders in spoiling and intercepting. The tallest AFL players combined their height with the athletic demands unique to Australian football, including running up to 15 km per game and possessing the agility to change direction at speed. These giants of AFL proved that in the biggest sport in Australia, being big is a genuine advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest AFL player ever?
Aaron Sandilands and Mason Cox share the record as the tallest AFL players at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm). Sandilands was a four-time All-Australian ruckman, while Cox was a key forward recruited from American basketball.
Does height help in AFL?
Height is very valuable in AFL for specific positions. Ruckmen need height to compete in centre bounces and around-ground contests. Key forwards use height for contested marking, and key defenders use height for spoiling and intercepting. However, shorter players with speed and agility dominate the midfield.
What is the average height of an AFL player?
The average AFL player is approximately 6 ft 1 in (186 cm). Ruckmen average around 6 ft 7 in, key forwards and backs average around 6 ft 4 in, while midfielders average around 5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 1 in.