In his former role as the Herald Sun’s chief football writer, Mike Sheahan’s bi-annual top 50 players in the competition became a must-read for supporters and players alike. It created discussion – and sometimes controversy.
During this time, if you asked any player lucky enough to be listed, where they ranked each year, and what their highest ranking was, they would be able to tell you.
After a two year hiatus, Sheahan’s list returns – exclusively to 1116 SEN – and its sure to create plenty of debate.
Last Friday we unveiled those ranked 11-20. Today, its finally the cream of the crop – the top 10, including the coveted No.1 player for 2017.
So who will take the crown?
10. Scott PENDLEBURY (Collingwood)
Age: 29
Height: 191cm
Weight: 89kg
Games: 236
2016 stats (22 games): 28.6 disposals, 12.6 contested possessions, 3.5 marks, 4.7 clearances, 4.0 inside-50s, 5.6 tackles
9. Eddie BETTS (Adelaide)
Age: 30
Height: 172cm
Weight: 73kg
Games: 253
2016 stats (24 games): 13.3 disposals, 6.8 contested possessions, 3.3 marks, 2.0 inside-50s, 3.5 tackles, 3.1 goals
8. Tom LYNCH (Gold Coast)
Age: 24
Height: 199cm
Weight: 97kg
Games: 102
2016 stats (22 games): 15.4 disposals, 8.1 contested possessions, 7.0 marks, 2.5 inside-50s, 1.7 tackles, 3.0 goals
7. Josh KENNEDY (Sydney Swans)
Age: 29
Height: 188cm
Weight: 94kg
Games: 183
2016 stats (25 games): 31.5 disposals, 17.0 contested possessions, 2.7 marks, 7.6 clearances, 4.8 inside-50s, 5.6 tackles
6. Joel SELWOOD (Geelong)
Age: 29
Height: 183cm
Weight: 84kg
Games: 228
2016 stats (24 games): 28.3 disposals, 13.7 contested possessions, 3.5 marks, 6.5 clearances, 4.9 inside-50s, 5.8 tackles
5. Nat FYFE (Fremantle)
Age: 26
Height: 190cm
Weight: 91kg
Games: 117
2016 stats (5 games): 23.4 disposals, 14.2 contested possessions, 4.2 marks, 5.4 clearances, 2.8 inside-50s, 5.2 tackles
4. Alex RANCE (Richmond)
Age: 27
Height: 194cm
Weight: 96kg
Games: 150
2016 stats (20 games): 18.6 disposals, 7.6 contested possessions, 7.8 marks, 3.4 rebound-50s, 2.1 tackles
3. Marcus BONTEMPELLI (Western Bulldogs)
Age: 21
Height: 193cm
Weight: 92kg
Games: 63
2016 stats (26 games): 24.3 disposals, 11.0 contested possessions, 3.8 marks, 4.2 clearances, 4.3 inside-50s, 4.7 tackles
2. Paddy DANGERFIELD (Geelong)
Age: 27
Height: 189cm
Weight: 92kg
Games: 178
2016 stats (24 games): 31.8 disposals, 16.2 contested possessions, 5.1 marks, 6.8 clearances, 8.1 inside-50s, 4.5 tackles
1. Lance FRANKLIN (Sydney Swans)
Age: 30
Height: 195cm
Weight: 111kg
Games: 247
2016 stats (26 games): 17.6 disposals, 6.8 contested possessions, 6.0 marks, 4.5 inside-50s, 2.6 tackles, 3.1 goals
The full top 50 list...
1. Lance FRANKLIN (Sydney Swans)
2. Paddy DANGERFIELD (Geelong)
3. Marcus BONTEMPELLI (Western Bulldogs)
4. Alex RANCE (Richmond)
5. Nat FYFE (Fremantle)
6. Joel SELWOOD (Geelong)
7. Josh KENNEDY (Sydney Swans)
8. Tom LYNCH (Gold Coast)
9. Eddie BETTS (Adelaide)
10. Scott PENDLEBURY (Collingwood)
11. Cyril RIOLI (Hawthorn)
12. Gary ABLETT (Gold Coast)
13. Jarryd ROUGHEAD (Hawthorn)
14. Aaron SANDILANDS (Fremantle)
15. Dustin MARTIN (Richmond)
16. Rory SLOANE (Adelaide)
17. Sam MITCHELL (West Coast)
18. Luke PARKER (Sydney Swans)
19. Robbie GRAY (Port Adelaide)
20. Max GAWN (Melbourne)
21. Jobe WATSON (Essendon)
22. Dan HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans)
23. Josh KENNEDY (West Coast)
24. Nick RIEWOLDT (St Kilda)
25. Dale MORRIS (Western Bulldogs)
26. Callan WARD (GWS Giants)
27. Zach MERRETT (Essendon)
28. Jack STEVEN (St Kilda)
29. Josh KELLY (GWS Giants)
30. Dyson HEPPELL (Essendon)
31. Jeremy CAMERON (GWS Giants)
32. Easton WOOD (Western Bulldogs)
33. Dylan SHIEL (GWS Giants)
34. Luke SHUEY (West Coast)
35. Jon PATTON (GWS Giants)
36. Adam TRELOAR (Collingwood)
37. Patrick CRIPPS (Carlton)
38. Rory LOBB (GWS Giants)
39. Taylor WALKER (Adelaide)
40. Dayne BEAMS (Brisbane Lions)
41. Steele SIDEBOTTOM (Collingwood)
42. Lachie NEALE (Fremantle)
43. Liam PICKEN (Western Bulldogs)
44. Todd GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne)
45. Heath SHAW (GWS Giants)
46. Steven MAY (Gold Coast)
47. Darcy MOORE (Collingwood)
48. Jack VINEY (Melbourne)
49. Toby GREENE (GWS Giants)
50. Christian PETRACCA (Melbourne)