The time has come for the Pre-Season Top 50 to be announced. With just less than a week before the AFL season commences, several media outlets have produced their top 50 AFL players. The AFL website put up their top 50 players voted by the players themselves, Michelangelo Rucci did his about a week ago and Mark Robinson has only just released his. I've only done top 50's over the past couple of years, but it's always a lot of fun. Like most media experts, I will usually do one in the start of the season and one at the end of the season, and as always, it has been done in five parts. This year's going to be no different, as I release the players who I've ranked 50-41 this morning.
For those wondering what I've based my list on for this year's 2018 Pre-Season top 50, I have based it on a combination of recent achievements, recent form (2016 and 2017 form) and projected 2018 form, with perhaps a pinch of bias in there as well. As always, there were so many players I wanted to put in there, but I just didn't have the room for.
So we'll get started with this year's Pre-Season Top 50 as I announce the players from 50-41. 50. Jake Carlisle – St. Kilda Career Games: 107 Career Goals: 59 After a sluggish start to 2017, the former Bomber has been fantastic down back for the Saints, playing every game and averaging solid numbers of 14 disposals, six marks and two rebound 50s per game. Over the past number of years, St. Kilda have been crying out for a key defender and despite coming back from a 12-month suspension, Jake Carlisle has been an excellent contributor coming out of the back line so far as a Saint.
49. Dane Rampe – Sydney Career Games: 115 Career Goals: 6 After an All-Australian season in 2016, Rampe started the 2017 season horribly, breaking an arm in a freak accident whilst going on a run. As a result, it was a key reason to why Sydney started the year so badly. When Rampe found his way back onto the Sydney side in round nine, Sydney only lost only three games from 16 and his influence in the back-line was a key reason to the Swans' resurgence.
48. Tom Liberatore – Western Bulldogs Career Games: 116 Career Goals: 39
In the eyes of many, Tom Liberatore personified a premiership hangover. Season 2017 was a hugely disappointing one for the 2014 Charles Sutton Medal winner. So poor was his year, he was even sent back to the VFL side for a stint in the twos. His tackling numbers were okay, otherwise his numbers were either career-lows or were close to his first year. Has had a terrific Summer and is raring to prove the doubters wrong in 2018.
47. Shaun Burgoyne – Hawthorn Career Games: 341 Career Goals: 276 At 35 years of age – going on 36 in October – and with 341 games experience with both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, you would be forgiven if you'd thought that the man collectively known as 'Silk' would be winding his career down, but there is reason he's given that nickname. Even at such an age, Shaun Burgoyne is still remarkably skilled and with his versatility, shapes as one of Hawthorn's most important players. Set to break the 350-game barrier this year and may even push for more – he's that evergreen.
46. Jack Steven – St. Kilda Career Games: 154 Career Goals: 94 Despite averaging similar numbers in 2016 last season, Jack Steven struggled to have the same impact in games as he did a couple of years ago. He played all but two games last year, so it suggests opposition teams put the work into nullifying his influence When he's in form, he has the capacity to both break the lines as a midfielder, win clearances at will in close and can give you a goal or two. Three club best and fairests at the Saints will back his talent up a fair bit. Will be exciting to
45. Ollie Wines – Port Adelaide Career Games: 107 Career Goals: 52 It's hard to remember that this young man is only 23 years of age. But judging from what he's produced, you'd think he'd be in his late-20s. Averaged 27 disposals, six clearances and five tackles last year and is emerging as one of the game's best contested possession winners. Was Port Adelaide's leading vote-getter in the Brownlow Medal and also led all Port players in disposals, contested possessions and clearances. A very valuable piece in Port's midfield.
44. Steven May – Gold Coast Career Games: 106 Career Goals: 18 One of the two co-captains of the Gold Coast Suns is a very vital piece in their plans going forward. Averaged 19 disposals, seven marks and four rebound 50s last year in a 2017 campaign that saw him over come two separate hamstring injuries and constant attack from the opposition. At his best, May can be amongst the best intercept defenders in the game and has a good kick on him and can drive off half-back really well for someone his size. A very important figure in 2018.
43. Luke Shuey – West Coast Career Games: 157 Career Goals: 122 After a breakthrough 2016 campaign which saw him claim his first club best and fairest, Shuey backed it up with an equally impressive 2017 season. Led the club in clearances and inside 50s and was second in disposals. I love his ability to clear the congestion as well as his skill with the ball. With the retirements of Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell, has taken the role as the number one midfielder in the league, but with that, will come the extra attention that rival clubs will put into him.
42. Lachie Neale – Fremantle
Career Games: 113 Career Goals: 57 Won the Doig Medal in 2016 as Fremantle's best and fairest and in 2017, he backed up his phenomenal year with another stunning year, once again leading the club in disposals and clearances to finish only behind Bradley Hill in the club best and fairest. Averaged 27 disposals, seven clearances and four tackles and overcame a spate of injuries in the pre-season to perform strongly throughout the year. Love his approach to the game, looking forward to another big 2018.
41. Michael Hibberd – Melbourne Career Games: 102 Career Goals: 12 After missing the first month of footy with an achilles injury, Michael Hibberd became one of the recruits of the year. After being acquired from Essendon in the 2016 off-season – more than 12 months away from the game with suspension – Hibberd starred in Melbourne's defensive half, second in the league for rebound 50s (averaging under seven per game) and a career-best 27 disposals per game to be rewarded with his first All-Australian selection. Another season could see Hibberd in amongst the discussion as today's best elite rebounding defenders.
Tuesday Will See Alex Reveal The Second Part Of His Top 50, Going Through Players 40-31