We are closing in on the Final 10 players in my Top 50 AFL players of the 2018 season. But before we get to them, we've got to go through some of the players who were unfortunate not to make it to the top 10, as we go through players 20-11.
If you have just started reading this, players ranked from 50-21 will be linked below for you to have a look, otherwise keep going to see who makes the last 20.
20. Jack Macrae – Western Bulldogs Pre-Season Ranking: 40 2018 Games: 19 2018 Goals: 8
Hard to dispute the fact that this man should've won the Bulldogs' best and fairest award this season, but those three matches he missed due to a hamstring injury proved to been decisive. Jack Macrae has averaged a career-high 32.8 disposals this season, along with a personal-best in clearances (6.1 per game), and solid numbers in tackles (5.3 per game), marks (5.8 per game) and inside 50s (4.4 per game). He was also named in the All-Australian squad of 40 for the first time in his career. 19. Dayne Beams – Brisbane/Collingwood Pre-Season Ranking: 28 2018 Games: 21 2018 Goals: 18
Season 2018 was a difficult one to describe for Dayne Beams. Suffered the loss of his father during the year, relinquished captaincy midway through the year and then proceeded to lift his game to another level. Averaged 29.1 disposals, 5.4 marks and 5.6 clearances per game this year and ultimately fell a vote short of being a best and fairest winner. Then caused shockwaves by announcing a trade back to Collingwood – which got done. Pies fans, get excited. 18. Patrick Dangerfield – Geelong Pre-Season Ranking: 1 2018 Games: 22 2018 Goals: 24 Whilst Dangerfield's 2019 season was still solid enough in its own right, his impact on games diminished just a smidge in comparison to his first couple of seasons at the Cattery, but then again, those were some extraordinary seasons. In 2019, he averaged 28.1 disposals, 5.5 clearances, five inside 50s, 4.6 tackles and 3.7 marks per game and kicked just 24 goals – all of those down on his numbers last year, but he still had moments all throughout the year and probably deserves a spot in the top 20. 17. Shaun Higgins – North Melbourne Pre-Season Ranking: N/A 2018 Games: 20 2018 Goals: 14 Shaun Higgins backed up a break through 2017, which saw him claim his first best and fairest with North Melbourne with an even better 2018 season, which saw him claim back-to-back best and fairests, as well as his first-ever All-Australian selection. Higgins averaged 27.4 disposals – a career-high – as well as 5.9 inside 50s, 5.1 clearances and 3.3 marks per game in what is his best season to date. 16. Callan Ward – GWS Pre-Season Ranking: 37 2018 Games: 24 2018 Goals: 8
In a year where GWS were hampered by injury, Callan Ward played every game and has been super consistent in his performances, he has been from the moment he stepped inside the four walls of the Giants. In 2019, he averaged 26.7 disposals, 6.7 clearances and nearly four tackles per game. A bit unlucky to finish second in the club's best and fairest award behind Lachie Whitfield, but he is one of the game's hardest players. 15. Alex Rance – Richmond Pre-Season Ranking: 4 2018 Games: 24 2018 Goals: 0
Although he wasn't as influential as he has been the past few years, Rance's year was still very solid and was rewarded with a fifth-straight All-Australian selection. His stats only tell part of the year, averaging 16 disposals, 5.5 marks and 3.5 rebound 50s per game in 2019, but he was at his best all throughout the season and was a key reason why the Tigers finished on top of the ladder. He got towelled up in the Preliminary Final, but it's not fair to judge him on just that particular game. 14. Jordan De Goey – Collingwood Pre-Season Ranking: N/A 2018 Games: 21 2018 Goals: 48
You'd have to say this young man is perhaps the most improved player of the AFL this year. Was in trouble at the start of the year, but since he came back into the Collingwood side, he has been causing a lot of headaches for the opposition defenders, kicking 48.22 in 2019 from averages of 16.1 disposals, 4.3 marks and 3.4 inside 50s per game. Should've had a spot in the All-Australian team this year, but there's no doubt he will break the 50-plus goal barrier next year, should he play every game. 13. Elliot Yeo – West Coast Pre-Season Ranking: N/A 2018 Games: 25 2018 Goals: 14
Elliot Yeo transformed himself from a versatile half-back flanker to a full-time midfielder this year and it helped the Eagles massively in capturing their fourth premiership. Yeo averaged 24.6 disposals, 5.1 marks, 6.7 tackles, 5.3 inside 50s and 4.3 clearances per game. Was named in the All-Australian squad of 40, but how he didn't make the final cut, I don't understand. Nevertheless, I'm sure it won't matter so much, as he is now a premiership player and also won the Eagles' best and fairest this year. 12. Stephen Coniglio – GWS Pre-Season Ranking: N/A 2018 Games: 23 2018 Goals: 24
After a 2017 season that was ruined with injury, Coniglio found himself back to his very best, playing all but one game and averaged 28 disposals, 5.5 clearances, five tackles and 4.7 marks per game, as well as averaging over a goal a game. He was shockingly left out of the All-Australian squad of 40, but I think his best footy is certainly capable of being amongst the game's elite. 11. Dustin Martin – Richmond
Pre-Season Ranking: 3 2018 Games: 23 2018 Goals: 31 It was always going to be hard for Dustin Martin to duplicate his 2017 season, and whilst it was still a very good year, I just don't think he made as much of an impact this year as he did last season, but that is being ultra picky. He still averaged 25.3 disposals, 5.9 inside 50s, 5.3 clearances and 3.7 marks per game this year, and averaged 1.3 goals per game, which included a bag of six and a bag of five early in the year. He was named an All-Australian for the third straight year.
Who has made my Top 10? Find out tomorrow morning!!!