Champion Data has released their ranking of the top 10 best players in the competition ahead of the 2019 season.
Surprisingly, reigning Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell is not among them.
The Hawthorn midfielder isn’t even in the top 20 as he sits all the way down at 28.
Right at the top sits Patrick Dangerfield. The Geelong star averaged 28 disposals, 4.6 tackles and kicked 24 goals in 2018.
Dangerfield spent more time up forward last season, with the Cats learning to balance their star-studded group including Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan and Tim Kelly.
In second is Richmond’s Dustin Martin, with Lance Franklin and Nathan Fyfe rounding out the top four.
From there, things turn for the unexpected with Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver in fifth, Jack Riewoldt sixth and Tom Hawkins in seventh.
West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern is the highest ranked defender in eighth, while two Lions round out the top 10 - Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale.
The full top 10:
- Patrick Dangerfield
- Dustin Martin
- Lance Franklin
- Nathan Fyfe
- Clayton Oliver
- Jack Riewoldt
- Tom Hawkins
- Jeremy McGovern
- Dayne Zorko
- Lachie Neale