Alex Docherty's Top 50 AFL Players Post-2017

Earlier this year, I wrote up my top 50 players ahead of the 2017 season, and for the second-year running here on Bulldogs Centre, I have named my top 50 AFL players of the year at the conclusion of the 2017 season.

As is so often the case anytime someone makes a list of their top 50 players in any given sport, building this list of top 50 wasn't easy and there were plenty of individuals who can consider themselves extremely unlucky.

So without further ado, I bring to you my Top 50 players in its entirety.

50. Neville Jetta – Melbourne

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 116

Career Goals: 24

I have got no doubt that this selection will raise a lot of arguments at this slot, but I have followed Neville Jetta's game closely all throughout the 2017 season and it is very rare to see a mid-sized player play the traditional role in negating the opposing small forward. Jetta has taken on some of the game's best small forwards and has consistently come out on top. He was named in the All-Australian squad of 40 but was stiff not to get selected, but did finish in the top five in Melbourne's best and fairest.

49. Shaun Higgins – North Melbourne

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 183

Career Goals: 196

In 2017, Shaun Higgins made the transformation into a very good half-forward to a very solid midfielder, boosting his averages in disposals (16 per game to 23 per game), tackles (3.5 per game to five per game), inside 50s (2.5 per game to 5.5 per game) and clearances (one per game to four per game), and with this improvement came his first-ever club best and fairest award, taking home North Melbourne's Syd Barker Medal ahead of Ben Cunnington and Ben Brown.

48. Adam Treloar – Collingwood

Pre-Season Ranking: 20

Career Games: 122

Career Goals: 74

Backed up a great first-year at Collingwood with an equally impressive 2017 season, averaging just under 30 disposals a game (seventh-highest average in the league) as well as maintaining his averages of six tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s per game. A lot of people will knock on his inefficiency by foot (Averaged four clangers per game in 2017) but not many players can say that they average 30 touches of the ball per game and a top-three finish in Collingwood's best and fairest highlights his talent.

47. Charlie Dixon – Port Adelaide

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 106

Career Goals: 173

Despite a shocking performance in front of the big sticks in the Elimination Final (kicking 3.6), there's no question that Charlie Dixon has greatly improved this year in comparison to his first season last year. The former Gold Coast Sun played every game for the Power in 2017 and was one goal shy of cracking the 50-goal mark, kicking 49.30 for the year – Imagine if he could kick straighter? Also second in the league for contested marking, averaging 2.5 marks per game and was second in Port's best and fairest.

46. Tom Lynch – Adelaide

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 106

Career Goals: 156

A very important piece of Adelaide's exciting forward structure, Tom Lynch is widely considered as the 'glue guy' in Adelaide's forward six, because of his work up the ground and his ability to get his fellow forwards involved in scoring on a consistent basis. Lynch is in the top 10 in the league for score involvements as well as averaging 20 disposals and seven marks per game and kicked a very solid return of 31.20 for the Crows in 2017. Very underrated player and deserves a spot in the top 50.

45. Jeff Garlett – Melbourne

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 167

Career Goals: 294

Small forward Jeff Garlett produced one of his best seasons since his early days at Carlton, where he kicked nearly 50 goals in the 2011 season. In 2017, Garlett played 21 games and kicked his highest return since 2013, kicking 42.28 from 11 disposals and 3.5 tackles per game. In a season which saw solid improvement from Demon players all across the board, Garlett led all Melbourne players in goals kicked and was one of three Demons named in the All-Australian squad of 40.

44. Matthew Kreuzer – Carlton

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 161

Career Goals: 84

Whilst I've never been a huge Matthew Kreuzer fan, it's hard not to acknowledge what a great year he has had after so many seasons that have been plagued by injury and indifferent form. Averaged a career-best 31 hitouts as well as career-highs in disposals (15 per game), tackles (five per game) and clearances (four per game). Capped off a fine year with a top-three finish in Carlton's best and fairest count, as well as a spot in the All-Australian squad of 40.

43. Luke Shuey – West Coast

Pre-Season Ranking: 36

Career Games: 157

Career Goals: 122

12 months on from winning his maiden best and fairest award at West Coast, Luke Shuey backed up his 2016 campaign with an equally superb 2017, finishing in the top three in the Eagles' best and fairest count this year, averaging 26 disposals, six tackles, six clearances, four marks and four inside 50s per game, and then there's his mammoth game in the Elimination Final, where he kicked his second and match-winning goal in extra-time on top of his 32 disposals, 11 tackles and five clearances.

42. Taylor Adams – Collingwood

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 97

Career Goals: 36

In a Collingwood midfield that is headlined by the likes of Pendlebury, Sidebottom and Treloar, I strongly feel that Taylor Adams still gets a little bit overlooked. However, this should change if he continues in the same vein in 2017. Adams averaged 29.5 disposals, six tackles, five marks, five clearances and four inside 50s per game and was a vote away from sharing Collingwood's best and fairest with Steele Sidebottom. He is a very consistent ball-winner and will only get better at 23 years of age.

41. Jake Lever – Adelaide/Melbourne

Pre-Season Ranking: N/A

Career Games: 56

Career Goals: 3

At only 21 years of age, Jake Lever is rapidly emerging as one of the game's best tall defenders today. Not only can he negate the opposing forwards so well, but he is amongst the game's best intercept defenders, leading the league in intercept possessions, averaging 9.5 per game and he is in the top-two in the league for intercept marks. Averages 16 disposals, six marks and 3.5 rebound 50s per game. His exit from Adelaide was far from harmonious, however Melbourne fans will be excited to see this young star in the red and blue in 2018.

40. Mitch Duncan – Geelong Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 159 Career Goals: 119

Undoubtedly, Mitch Duncan fails to get the overall recognition he deserves because of the fact that he plays alongside Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, but week in and week out, he quietly got the job done as a midfielder. Averages career-highs in disposals (29 disposals per game), marks (6.5 per game), tackles (five per game) and clearances (four per game). Finished second in Geelong's best and fairest count behind only Patrick Dangerfield, which shows how highly rated he is internally.

39. Jack Riewoldt – Richmond Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 225 Career Goals: 537

After a down year in 2016, which saw him kick less than 50 goals for the first time since 2009, Jack Riewoldt enjoyed a small return to form in 2017 as he kicked over 50 goals for seventh time in his career. He led the 2017 premiers in goals kicked with 54.37 for the year and averaged 13 disposals, six marks, three inside 50s and 2.5 tackles per game. Working with an abundance of small forwards, Riewoldt led everyone in the league for marks inside 50, averaging over three marks inside the arc per game.

38. Toby Greene – Greater Western Sydney Pre-Season Ranking: 26 Career Games: 117 Career Goals: 123

Say what you must about Toby Greene, but this kid has a hell of a lot of talent. But the huge problem is his lack of discipline. He missed six games this year, four of them were through suspensions because of silly brain fades. Despite this, he still managed to better his goal tally from last year from fewer games. In 2016 he kicked 44.27 from 23 games, this year he managed to snag 45.28 from 19 games, and just like last year, was named in the All-Australian squad of 40 in 2017. He is a star that will only get better once he starts pulling his head in.

37. Dylan Roberton – St. Kilda Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 124 Career Goals: 19

One of many players to enjoy a breakout year as the former Docker Dylan Roberton enjoyed a greatly improved season in defence. Roberton played every game for St. Kilda in 2017, averaging career-highs in disposals (23 per game), marks (six per game) and rebound 50s (five per game). A member of the All-Australian squad of 40 this season, Roberton sits in the top five in the league for rebound 50s and kicks.

36. Joel Selwood – Geelong Pre-Season Ranking: 12 Career Games: 249 Career Goals: 145

I agree that Joel Selwood is a top 50 player. I agree that Joel Selwood is a very important piece in Geelong's premiership puzzle, but I feel that his impact in games this year, at times, hasn't mirrored his impact in games in years gone by, which is why I have him this low. His Finals Series wasn't the greatest and his spot in the All-Australian team has question marks, but he still found a way to average 25 disposals, six clearances and five tackles per game across 21 games in 2017.

35. Steele Sidebottom – Collingwood Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 185 Career Goals: 139

Started off the season by recording 35 disposals and two goals against the Western Bulldogs and finished it off by claiming his maiden best and fairest win at Collingwood, beating Taylor Adams by a solitary vote. Sidebottom has been tremendously consistent for years and continued to show class in the Pies' on-ball brigade, averaging 27 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and 3.5 clearances per game. In my honest opinion, I thought he got a little bit overlooked at times this year, but he gets the recognition he thoroughly deserves here.

34. Elliot Yeo – West Coast Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 107 Career Goals: 45

The last couple of years has seen Yeo plagued with inconsistency, but 2017 was the year we finally saw the former Brisbane Lion breakthrough for a fantastic year playing largely in defence. He averaged 23 disposals, seven marks, three rebound 50s and 10 contested possessions per game – all of these being career-highs, and whilst his form began to wither a little bit in the second half of the year, Yeo was still rewarded accordingly with his first All-Australian selection and won the John Worsfold medal as West Coast's best and fairest.

33. Marc Murphy – Carlton Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 236 Career Goals: 168

Injuries and indifferent form have been key reasons as to why this former number one draft pick hasn't really starred in this Carlton side over the past few years, but in 2017, he reminded us why people did rate him so highly with a stunning 2017 campaign. The 30-year old Carlton captain played every game for the Blues for the first time since 2011 and averaged 30 disposals, six marks, four clearances, four inside 50s and four tackles per game, and whilst he didn't earn a spot in the All-Australian squad of 40, he did take home Carlton's best and fairest award.

32. Dayne Beams – Brisbane Lions Pre-Season Ranking: 38 Career Games: 147 Career Goals: 149

A great year from Beams in his first year as Brisbane captain. Largely free of injury, he played the most games in a season for the Lions since his arrival from Collingwood – playing 19 of a possible 22 games and averaged 27 disposals, five clearances, four tackles, four marks and a goal per game to finish in the top-two in Brisbane's best and fairest count. Unquestionably, he is a star of the game, and if he can get some luck with injury, he could very well be a top 20 player.

31. Seb Ross – St. Kilda Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 81 Career Goals: 13

Ross had a much-improved 2016 season which saw him average 26 disposals and four clearances per game, but backed it up with an even better 2017 season which saw him average 30 disposals, five clearances, four tackles and four inside 50s per game. Ross' is amongst one of the game's elite gut-runners and was rewarded well for putting together a fine year in which he was named in the All-Australian squad of 40, winning his maiden Trevor Barker Medal as St. Kilda's best and fairest and at 24, it could be the first of many to come.

30. Callan Ward – Greater Western Sydney Pre-Season Ranking: 37 Career Games: 192 Career Goals: 99

If Callan Ward was still playing for a Victorian club, he would be highly regarded as one of the game's best midfielders. For the third-straight year, the Giant's co-captain played every game for GWS, and averaged a career-high 27 disposals per game, as well as averaging six clearances, four tackles, four marks, four inside 50s to finish in the top-two in GWS' best and fairest count – one of the hardest midfielders in the game today.

29. Jack Macrae – Western Bulldogs Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 99 Career Goals: 21

Macrae backed up his 2016 season with an equally solid 2017 and is one player that gets overlooked way too easily for my liking. He played every game for the first time in his career this year and for the second-straight year he averaged 27 disposals per game along side a career-best six tackles per game as well as averages of four clearances, four marks and three inside 50s per game. He was rewarded for his consistency with a top-three finish in the Western Bulldogs' best and fairest count.

28. Jeremy Howe – Collingwood Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 141 Career Goals: 86

For such a long time in Jeremy Howe's career, I've always thought of him as a 'one-trick pony' who could only do spectacular grabs and that's about it. Not anymore as Howe has become one of the games most exceptional intercept defenders. In 2017, Howe achieved career high averages in disposals (21 per game), marks (nearly nine per game) and rebound 50s (four per game) and was named in the All-Australian squad of 40. Very unlucky not to get a spot in the team, but finished in the top five in Collingwood's best and fairest.

27. Sam Jacobs – Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 174 Career Goals: 45

Played a very important role as Adelaide's first-choice ruckman in 2017, averaging a career-high 40 hitouts per game this season, including a personal-best 74 hitouts in round eight. He also showed throughout the year his worth around the ground, averaging 14 disposals, four marks, three clearances and three tackles per game. Finished fourth in Adelaide's best and fairest and was named in the All-Australian squad of 40 but lost out to another star ruckman in Port Adelaide's Paddy Ryder.

26. Rory Sloane – Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: 14 Career Games: 165 Career Goals: 106

12 months ago, Rory Sloane was a top-10 player, and in the eyes of some, he's still highly considered as one. Season 2017 proved to be another solid year for him, averaging 24 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances, four inside 50s and nearly averaging a goal per game, but what has caused him to slide down as far as 26 is that he gets tagged out of games, he was kept under 20 disposals in six of the 22 home and away games that he played, and his Finals series was solid, averaging 20 disposals and just under seven clearances per game.

25. Clayton Oliver – Melbourne Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 35 Career Goals: 10

When was the last time you heard of a 20-year old lad average 30 disposals per game? Clayton Oliver had himself a 2017 season to remember and has set the stage for a stellar career ahead. As well as averaging 30 disposals, Oliver also averaged seven tackles, seven clearances and three inside 50s per game as well as averaging 15 contested possessions per game. People will complain that he handballs too much (22 handballs per game) and that he is a 'stager', but he's only very young in his career and I have no doubt he will blossom into a star of the game.

24. Nat Fyfe – Fremantle Pre-Season Ranking: 1 Career Games: 138 Career Goals: 121

It must be remembered that this man was a Brownlow Medallist two years ago. Last year a broken leg ruined his season, and this season, in amidst a Fremantle side that is an utter shambles, Fyfe's 2017 was solid, playing all but one game and averaging 26 disposals, six clearances, four marks, four tackles and almost a goal a game. His averages compared to his Brownlow year were unsurprisingly down, but his influences in games started to emerge as the season progressed. He'll be one to watch in 2018.

23. Dylan Shiel – Greater Western Sydney Pre-Season Ranking: 31 Career Games: 112 Career Goals: 58

Another big year from Dylan Shiel who is quickly gaining recognition as a complete midfielder – one that can win the ball both in contested spaces and on the outside. Shiel was incredibly consistent all year long, and averaged 25-plus disposals per game for the third-straight year, averaging 26, six clearances, four inside 50s and four tackles per game and managed to play every game with his dodgy shoulders and was rewarded accordingly with a spot in the All-Australian team.

22. Robbie Gray – Port Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: 16 Career Games: 178 Career Goals: 258

Season 2017 saw Robbie Gray make the change from gun midfielder to a starring role as a small forward and with this change in roles saw Gray kick a personal-best 47 goals for the season from averages of 19 disposals, four marks, three clearances and three inside 50s per game. Despite finishing just outside the top three in Port's best and fairest count, Gray was rewarded for his great year up forward with a spot in the All-Australian team and could seriously challenge for a 60-goal season in 2018.

21. Ben Brown - North Melbourne Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 77 Career Goals: 154

Perhaps the one bloke in this list that is very stiff not to be in the top 20, but Ben Brown has had a very outstanding year for a side that won only six games for the season. Brown kicked 63.20 from 15 disposals, five marks and two contested marks per game in a breakout year North this year, which included a bag of seven in their final game of the year against Brisbane and bags of six against Essendon and Gold Coast. Was the only Roo named in the All-Australian squad of 40 and must be considered very, very unlucky not to be named in the final squad given what he has produced in 2017.

20. Michael Hibberd – Melbourne Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 102 Career Goals: 12

Having spent the whole of 2016 on the sidelines for his involvement in Essendon's supplements scandal, Michael Hibberd requested a trade to Melbourne ahead of the 2017 season and despite missing the opening four games of the year with a minor achilles injury, he flourished as a key component in Melbourne's defensive six. He was top five in the league for rebound 50s, averaging a career-best of nearly seven rebound 50s per game along with 27 disposals (also a career-high) and five marks per game and was rewarded a spot in the All-Australian team.

19. Jeremy McGovern – West Coast Pre-Season Ranking: 23 Career Games: 79 Career Goals: 29

Season 2017 solidified Jeremy McGovern as an elite key defender as he notched his second-straight All-Australian slot in the back line with another stunning year which saw him play every game for the Eagles and was the league's best intercept mark, averaging nearly four intercept marks per game, along with averages of 16 disposals and eight marks per game. A top-two finish in West Coast's best and fairest count outlines how important he is to the West Coast line up.

18. Eddie Betts – Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: 9 Career Games: 277 Career Goals: 534

In comparison to 2016, Eddie Betts' campaign in 2017 was a bit less productive as he kicked 20 less goals than his 2016 goal tally of 75 goals, but regardless of that he still reigned supreme as the game's best small forward today as he led all small/mid-sized forwards in goals with 55 goals for the year and was fourth in the league in goal assists. In addition, he picked up his spot in the forward pocket in the All-Australian team for the third consecutive year.

17. Dayne Zorko – Brisbane Lions Pre-Season Ranking: 46 Career Games: 122 Career Goals: 135

It's so pleasing to see this man finally get some recognition in what he does on the footy field. Not only did he star in Brisbane's midfield, averaging 25 disposals, seven marks, five clearances, five inside 50s and four marks per game, he found himself kicking goals with such regularity, kicking 34 goals in 21 games and led all Lions for goals kicked for the second-straight year. Capped off a stunning year for the wooden-spooners with an All-Australian selection and third successive club best and fairest win.

16. Zach Merrett – Essendon Pre-Season Ranking: 45 Career Games: 81 Career Goals: 31

Broke through in 2016 when the Bombers had a depleted roster, but he flourished when Heppell, Watson and company came back into the fold this year, averaging 30 disposals per game for the second-straight year and also averaged five tackles, four clearances, four marks and four inside 50s per game and earned some recognition with a spot on the wing in the All-Australian team. It's incredible to think that this young lad is only 21 and has an eternity of brilliant football ahead of him.

15. Paddy Ryder – Port Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 210 Career Goals: 146

Proved to be the best ruckman in the land when he was named as the sole ruckman in the All-Australian side, and whilst some will complain that Sam Jacobs destroyed him in the ruck when the Power and the Crows had their last showdown, Ryder's influence across 22 games he played this year was very obvious. Averaged a career-best 37 hitouts per game as well as 12 disposals, four clearances, three marks and three inside 50s per game, but has shown he can be a very dangerous player anywhere around the ground.

14. Marcus Bontempelli – Western Bulldogs Pre-Season Ranking: 4 Career Games: 85 Career Goals: 78

It was an indifferent 2017 for 'The Bont'. His ability to be thrown anywhere on the ground and have an impact on the field was telling in a lot of games this year. He averaged 23 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s, four clearances and four marks per game but had one flaw in his game that stood out – his wayward kicking in front of goal, kicking 20.29 for the year. But it still didn't stop him from winning a second consecutive Charlie Sutton Medal as the Dogs' best and fairest and a spot in the All-Australian squad of 40.

13. Sam Docherty – Carlton Pre-Season Ranking: 44 Career Games: 92 Career Goals: 14

After a breakout 2016 campaign, Sam Docherty managed to better his game even further by averaging career-highs in disposals (28 per game), marks (nine per game) and nearly averaging six rebound 50s per game. He led the league in kicks and marks at the end of the regular season and was in the top three in the league for rebound 50s and was recognised for his efforts with a spot in the half-back line in the All-Australian team this year. There's talk of him pushing up to the midfield in 2018, but Docherty remains one of the more damaging half-back players at this present time.

12. Matt Crouch – Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 72 Career Goals: 17

Matt Crouch is one of those players that will have many casual AFL fans asking 'Where did he come from?' but the truth is that this young man has been steadily building his game over the past 24 months and exploded in 2017 by averaging 33 disposals per game, six clearances, five tackles, three inside 50s and three marks per game. Incredibly enough, Crouch never recorded anything less than 27 disposals in any of his 25 games this season and was deservedly awarded Adelaide's best and fairest as well as a spot on the All-Australian team – A budding star of the competition.

11. Joe Daniher – Essendon Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 93 Career Goals: 173

Joe Daniher is the kind of player that will bring people to the footy, he can take awesome grabs he can kick match-winning bags of goals and at 23 years of age he's already proven he is going to be a star in the AFL. Season 2017 saw Daniher go from 43 goals in 2016 to 65.39 this year from an average of 15 disposals, six marks and three inside 50s per game, and was rightfully recognised with a spot in the All-Australian team, as well as taking home Essendon's Crichton Medal as the Bombers' best and fairest. Very unlucky not to make the top 10, but there will be no doubt he will become a top 10 player sooner rather than later.

10. Josh Kelly – Greater Western Sydney Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 84 Career Goals: 53

Season 2017 catapulted young Josh Kelly into the elite bracket of midfielders, following a stunning season for the Giants, he would average career-highs of 29.5 disposals, six tackles, five inside 50s and five clearances per game and on top of this, he's also very dangerous around the goals, booting 19.24 for the year. Rightfully claimed his maiden club best and fairest win at GWS and a spot in the All-Australian side capped off a brilliant year for the 22-year old, who is only going to get better with age.

9. Rory Laird – Adelaide Pre-Season Ranking: 33 Career Games: 101 Career Goals: 9

Laird solidified himself as one of the game's premier small defenders, with his ability to lock down as well as provide the run and rebound that is required for a running defender. Started the year with a personal-best 40 disposals against GWS and went on to average just under a career-high 30 disposals, per game as well as six marks per game and a career-high four rebound-50s per game. Finally got his All-Australian selection after a couple of years of missing out and finished in the top three in Adelaide's best and fairest.

8. Michael Hurley – Essendon Pre-Season Ranking: 32 Career Games: 140 Career Goals: 108

After missing 12 months of action due to the WADA-imposed suspension, Michael Hurley did not skip a beat in his return to footy, as a key defender, he recorded absurd averages of 25.5 disposals, seven marks and seven rebound 50s per game to be given his second All-Australian selection at centre-half back, however missed out on a top-five placing in Essendon's best and fairest. Might've been soundly beaten in the Elimination Final thrashing to Sydney, but he still remains a very important piece in Essendon's plans going forward as he amongst the game's elite intercept defenders.

7. Josh Kennedy – Sydney Pre-Season Ranking: 5 Career Games: 204 Career Goals: 131

The numbers may be slightly down on last year, but hear this out. When was the last time somebody led a side from 0-6 to the finals in his first year as captain? Nobody has done what Josh Kennedy has done in 2017. Averaged 28 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s this season, but somehow, he still missed out on an All-Australian selection and he finished just outside the top three in Sydney's best and fairest. Ultra consistent and an super competitor who is amongst the game's top contested possession winners.

6. Tom Mitchell – Hawthorn Pre-Season Ranking: N/A Career Games: 87 Career Goals: 48

I said in one article at the start of the year that this move to Hawthorn will turn Tom Mitchell into an elite midfielder, and that is exactly what has happened here, but not even myself could have guessed he would have averaged the most disposals a game in the history of the league. He played every game for the Hawks and averaged an absurd 35 disposals per game – not surprisingly – a career high, as well as averaging six clearances, six tackles, five marks and three inside 50s per game and earned his maiden All-Australian selection and his maiden best and fairest win. Some might complain about how he earns his touches, but not many people consistently put up 30 disposals a night like this guy.

5. Josh Kennedy - West Coast Pre-Season Ranking: 8 Career Games: 207 Career Goals: 519

West Coast's Josh Kennedy has continued to stamp his place as one of the game's top key forwards today, kicking another 69 goals for the year, but imagine what could've been if he didn't miss those half a dozen games in the middle of the year. A calf injury meant his chances of a third-straight Coleman medal were in serious jeopardy, but upon his return, he was dominant up forward, kicking 30 goals between rounds 17-22, but ended up losing out to Buddy's bag of 10 in the final round, but was still rewarded with a third-straight selection in the All-Australian team.

4. Alex Rance – Richmond Pre-Season Ranking: 6 Career Games: 175 Career Goals: 9

I don't know how this man does it, but his ability to stop and prevent scoring opportunities from the opposition continues to astound me. Statistically, he was a little down on last year, averaging 16 disposals, five marks and four rebound 50s per game, but it's not about the statistics with Rance, watch the Grand Final again and you'll see him spoil just about everything in sight. The fact that he was named as All-Australian captain is a little puzzling, but there is no questioning how awesome he is in defence and any supporter would want this guy at their club in a heartbeat.

3. Lance Franklin – Sydney Pre-Season Ranking: 3 Career Games: 271 Career Goals: 860

You could just about lock Buddy in for a top three spot every year, such is his ability to kick goals and at this rate, you could just about lock him in for 1000 career goals. Booted 73 goals for the year and sealed his fourth Coleman Medal with a dominant 10-goal haul against Carlton in the final round of the home and away season. If you needed any reason why Buddy is ranked so high, that game should provide reason enough. Named All-Australian for seventh time in 2017 and finished in the top three in Sydney's best and fairest count.

2. Patrick Dangerfield – Geelong Pre-Season Ranking: 2 Career Games: 202 Career Goals: 232

Just when you thought Patrick Dangerfield couldn't pull off a better campaign than he did in 2016, he goes and pulls off a season in which he averaged 30 disposals and kicked 45 goals, which is an average of nearly two goals per game. Also averaged seven clearances, six tackles, five inside 50s and four marks per game and was named as Geelong's best and fairest for the second-straight year and was named in the All-Australian team for the fifth time in his career. As impressive as Dangerfield has been in 2017, there was one man who I think we all know had himself an even better year.

1. Dustin Martin – Richmond Pre-Season Ranking: 21 Career Games: 178 Career Goals: 187

You can love or hate Dustin Martin as a personality, but as an AFL player you must acknowledge what a year he has had. An AFL premiership, a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal, an All-Australian selection, a second-straight Jack Dyer medal as Richmond's best and fairest and an AFLPA MVP. - Dusty has pretty much done it all as a midfielder in 2017. Averaged 30 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and four marks per game, as well as slotting 37 goals for the year. The perfect blend of his brute strength and sublime talent has made him such a joy to watch all throughout 2017.