We arrive at the second-to-last part of this year's Pre-Season Top 50 AFL players. This morning we run through the positions of 20-11, with a number of these players incredibly stiff to miss out on a spot in the illustrious top 10. If you have missed on any parts so far in this series, click below for the following parts: Part One: 50-41 Part Two: 40-31 Part Three: 30-21 20. Michael Hurley – Essendon Career Games: 140 Career Goals: 108 Making his return from a year-long suspension, Michael Hurley continued from where he left off in 2017. The 2015 season saw Hurley break out as a key defender in the back line, but last year saw him produce his best year yet, averaging 25 disposals, seven rebound 50s and seven marks per game. Hurley's ability to negate the defence, as well as his ability to provide the attack coming out of the defensive 50, makes him such a valuable player in the red and black.
19. Rory Laird – Adelaide Career Games: 101 Career Goals: 9 After two seasons of being named in the All-Australian squad of 40, Rory Laird was finally recognised for a standout year in defence in 2017. Laird's ability to gather up possessions at will from half-back is incredible, averaging nearly 30 disposals per game as a flanker, along with averages of six marks and four rebound 50s per game. He's often the one that generates the drive and the run off half-back and has become a renowned ball-magnet in the Crows' defensive half.
18. Gary Ablett – Geelong Career Games: 302
Career Goals: 386 This is probably the one player that will have many people thinking 'Where does Gaz go?' Some will argue that he's not worthy anymore. Some will look past his recent history at the Suns and give him an automatic spot in the top 10. Me personally? I think it's hard to ignore a spot in at least, the top 20. He still managed to win Gold Coast's best and fairest last year with only 14 games under the belt and averaged 33 disposals, seven clearances, six inside 50s and five tackles per game last year. Expect a big year in his return to the Cattery.
17. Tom Mitchell – Hawthorn Career Games: 87 Career Goals: 48 He made the move from Sydney to Hawthorn at the end of 2016 and emerged as the star that many believed he could become, and he did in stunning fashion, recording absurd numbers that read averages of 35 disposals, six clearances, six tackles and five marks per game. Unsurprisingly, Tom Mitchell ran away as the winner of Hawthorn's best and fairest and was rewarded with his first All-Australian selection. People will complain about how his touches don't hurt the opposition on the scoreboard, but his ability to get the ball and his tough approach has made him an elite midfielder.
16. Joe Daniher – Essendon Career Games: 93 Career Goals: 173 Standing at 200 centimetres and entering the prime years of his career, Joe Daniher is ready to monster opposition defenders. A lot of people ridiculed his inability to kick a match-winning bag of goals until last year, when he managed to kick 65 goals for the year from averages of 15 disposals, six marks and three inside 50s per game. He was rewarded accordingly with a spot in the All-Australian team, as well as his first of possibly many club best and fairests. He's ready to elevate himself into superstar status.
15. Rory Sloane – Adelaide Career Games: 165 Career Goals: 106 After stringing together multiple seasons that show both his class and his toughness towards the contest, 2018 looms as the biggest year in the football career of Rory Sloane. He finds himself in amongst a star group that is the Adelaide midfield, but is out-of-contract at the end of this season, and there's nothing to suggest he'll put pen to paper anytime soon. When not tagged by opposition, Sloane's blend of hardness and skill makes him one of the today's great midfielders. It's going to be interesting to see his year.
14. Matt Crouch – Adelaide Career Games: 72 Career Goals: 17 The 2017 Season was a career-year for Matt Crouch, having won Adelaide's best and fairest as well as a spot on the bench of the All-Australian team for such a stellar year in the Crows' midfield. Crouch played every game and averaged an amazing 33 disposals per game last year, along with six clearances and five tackles per game. His ability to stand up in a contested area, as well as his ability to find the ball so much during games, makes him one of the game's brightest stars today, and he's only going to get better.
13. Dayne Zorko – Brisbane Career Games: 122 Career Goals: 135 Dayne Zorko continues to shine in an underperforming Brisbane team and is building up quite the individual resume up North. Season 2017 saw Zorko claim his third straight club best and fairest, averaging career-highs in disposals, tackles and clearances, whilst still kicking 34 goals in 21 games for the Lions. Was finally recognised for his efforts at Brisbane with his first-ever All-Australian selection – named as a half-forward flank. I love his explosive pace and his ability to bust a game open with his speed and skills by foot.
12. Tom Lynch – Gold Coast Career Games: 121
Career Goals: 234 Another out-of-contract star to watch this year. Who knows where Tom Lynch will end up next year. The Suns desperately need him in this side as his ability to tear a game apart as a key forward doesn't come around enough. Although he kicked 44 goals last year – as opposed to 66 goals in 2016 – Lynch's aerobic capacity, his strong marking hands and accuracy towards goal are the key points to his game, and the Gold Coast Suns would be doing whatever it takes to keep him away from the Victorian clubs circling for his services.
11. Josh Kennedy – Sydney Career Games: 204 Career Goals: 131 In his first year as captain of the Sydney Swans, Josh Kennedy never looked more at home in terms of his performances, despite the Swans' rocky start to the year, Kennedy has always been a consistent contributor in the midfield and 2017 was no exception, averaging 28 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s per game. Incredibly stiff to get snubbed out of an All-Australian blazer last year, but Kennedy has proven that he is a born leader and there is no doubt that he will be ready for another big year at Sydney. Tomorrow here on Bulldogs Centre, we announce the final 10 - The top 10 players that Alex has picked will be announced tomorrow