Numerous players have improved in season 2017, but the one who has upped his game the most might surprise you.
As Scott Lucas revealed on SEN’s The Run Home, via stats acquired from Champion Data, Gold Coast Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts has seen the biggest rise in his Official AFL Player Rating differential, going from a 3.2 in 2016 to 14.0 in 2017.
West Coast’s Elliot Yeo is second with a rise of 7.2, while red-hot Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin has seen a jump of 6.9 points, the third best in the competition.
Witts moved to the Suns for greater opportunity, after being nudged out of Collingwood’s main ruck role by Brodie Grundy. Even though he hasn’t played since Round 19 due to a season-ending shoulder surgery, Witts has taken the larger chance with both hands.
Yeo has starred in a new role across the half back line, while Martin has improved dramatically in all areas.
The three players who have seen the biggest dip in their ratings are Cyril Rioli, David Armitage and Matthew Boyd. However, that trio has played a combined 18 games this season, thanks to injury and form.
See the top 10 for both the biggest improvement and downfall below.
Biggest Rise in Official AFL Player Ratings
| Rank | Player | Club | 2016 | 2017 | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jarrod Witts | Gold Coast Suns | 3.2 | 14.0 | +10.8 |
| 2 | Elliot Yeo | West Coast Eagles | 8.0 | 15.2 | +7.2 |
| 3 | Dustin Martin | Richmond | 13.4 | 20.3 | +6.9 |
| 4 | Jack Sinclair | St Kilda | 7.5 | 14.0 | +6.5 |
| 5 | Dom Sheed | West Coast Eagles | 4.9 | 11.0 | +6.1 |
| 6 | Ben McEvoy | Hawthorn | 9.6 | 15.5 | +5.9 |
| 7 | Alex Neal-Bullen | Melbourne | 5.0 | 10.4 | +5.4 |
| 8 | Dayne Beams | Brisbane Lions | 8.4 | 13.3 | +4.9 |
| 9 | Will Hoskin-Elliot | Collingwood | 5.2 | 10.1 | +4.9 |
| 10 | Matthew Kreuzer | Carlton | 9.0 | 13.8 | +4.8 |
Biggest Fall in Official AFL Player Ratings
| Rank | Player | Club | 2016 | 2017 | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyril Rioli | Hawthorn | 15.5 | 7.3 | -8.2 |
| 2 | David Armitage | St Kilda | 12.4 | 6.2 | -6.2 |
| 3 | Matthew Boyd | Western Bulldogs | 12.1 | 6.8 | -5.3 |
| 4 | Max Gawn | Melbourne | 16.9 | 11.7 | -5.2 |
| 5 | Alex Fasolo | Collingwood | 12.7 | 7.7 | -5.0 |
| 6 | Josh Gibson | Hawthorn | 11.4 | 6.5 | -4.9 |
| 7 | Dean Kent | Melbourne | 10.4 | 5.8 | -4.6 |
| 8 | James Aish | Collingwood | 10.2 | 5.6 | -4.6 |
| 9 | Robbie Gray | Port Adelaide | 18.0 | 13.9 | -4.1 |
| 10 | Nick Haynes | GWS Giants | 12.5 | 8.6 | -3.9 |