My Top 50 AFL Players ahead of the 2018 AFL season continues today, with a few premiership stars from the past couple of years featuring in this batch of 10 players today.
This is the second part, where I announce the players ranked 40-31
In case you missed the first part yesterday, click below to see who made 50-41. Part One: 50-41
40. Jack Macrae – Western Bulldogs Career Games: 99 Career Goals: 21
At 23 years of age, Jack Macrae has firmly established himself as one of the Western Bulldogs' most consistent midfielders. Four of his five season he has averaged 26-27 disposals per game, and has enhanced his ability to win contested possession with each season that has gone past. In 2017, he had not gone below 20 disposals a game in any of the 22 games that he played last year. Love the minimum-fuss approach to his game and his blend of class and toughness that he has as a midfielder.
39. Jake Lever – Melbourne Career Games: 56 Career Goals: 3
The Demons were forced to give up two first-round draft picks to acquire the talented Crow this past off-season, and Melbourne fans should be delighted to see him in action come round one. He was named last year's All-Australian squad for a reason – his ability to read the play and intercept mark is almost second to none. At 22 years of age, he can only get better with age and he can truly stamp his authority on the game as one of the best intercept-defenders in the game with an even better 2018.
38. Ben Brown – North Melbourne Career Games: 77 Career Goals: 154
Big Ben Brown broke out in his fourth season in the big-leagues, kicking 63 goals and thrived as the lone key forward in North Melbourne's forward half, with Jarrad Waite missing most of the year with injury. He was rewarded for a fine year with a spot in the All-Australian squad of 40 and ultimately missed out in favour of Joe Daniher. In a side where North are very light on star players, Brown is largely regarded as one of their most important players in this team.
37. Clayton Oliver – Melbourne Career Games: 35 Career Goals: 10
I don't think I can ever recall anyone having a better second-year in the AFL than Clayton Oliver. Averaged an outstanding 30 disposals per game, along with averages of seven tackles and six clearances per game across all 22 games for the Demons last year. That speaks incredible volumes about where this young man is heading as a player, and if that doesn't persuade you, maybe a club best and fairest award will. How many 20-year olds can say that they won a club best and fairest award?
36. Callan Ward – Greater Western Sydney Career Games: 192 Career Goals: 99
The Giants' co-captain has been ultra consistent in terms of his ability to win disposal since crossing over from the Western Bulldogs and season 2017 proved no different. After averaging a career-high 27 disposals last season, Ward finished in the top-three in the Giants' best and fairest count for the fifth time in six seasons at GWS. One of the toughest players I've seen in the modern era - he has never shied away from a contest and has been a terrific leader at the Giants since his arrival at the club.
35. Jason Johannisen – Western Bulldogs Career Games: 84 Career Goals: 28
The 2016 Norm Smith medallist had a great start to the 2017 season. His pace, ability to break the lines and skills make a very lethal weapon anywhere around the ground. By the midway point of the year, teams started paying much more attention to Johannisen and the aggressive attention that was received dipped his averages a little bit. He did manage to bounce back by the end of the year and still managed to finished second in the club's best and fairest last year. His best footy can be match-winning for sure.
34. Max Gawn – Melbourne Career Games: 74 Career Goals: 38
After establishing his place at the top of the ruck mountain in 2016, Max Gawn had his 2017 campaign disrupted with a major hamstring injury early in the season. Whilst he came back late midway through the year, there were times throughout the year that he struggled to live up to his 2016 form. With another full pre-season under his belt this year, and if he can avoid injury, Gawn can definitely get back to his best football in 2018.
33. Steele Sidebottom – Collingwood Career Games: 185 Career Goals: 139
For someone that averages really good numbers – 27 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s and 3.5 clearances per game in 2017 – Steele Sidebottom gets criminally underrated in this Collingwood midfield. 2017 saw him win his first club best and fairest after finishing in the top three in 2013 and 2014. Has been consistently a good kick for so long – he led the club in kicks and uncontested possessions last year and has proven to kick a goal or two, with 33 goals kicked in his past 42 games.
32. Jack Riewoldt – Richmond Career Games: 225 Career Goals: 537
Jack Riewoldt has always been known as an elite goal-kicker for the Tigers in years gone by, but in 2017, he played a more team-oriented role in the forward half of the ground, despite winning the club's goal-kicking award for the eight time in his career with 54.37 for the year. He thrived on making lesser-name players such as Dan Butler, Jason Castagna and Jacob Townsend look good and it payed off with massive dividends, as Richmond claimed their first premiership since 1980. Riewoldt's influence cannot be underestimated in this Richmond team.
31. Dylan Shiel – Greater Western Sydney Career Games: 112 Career Goals: 58
Dylan Shiel finally achieved some recognition for his ability to play consistently brilliant football, with a spot in the All-Australian team last year. His athleticism, strength and speed allows him to burst out of stoppages and become a vital piece in an elite on-ball brigade at Greater Western Sydney. Averaged at least 26 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s for the third straight season, which outlines his consistency.