Stories
In the modern game, which players are most respected by their peers?
We asked the players to share their opinions via a survey for AFL.com.au’s Players’ Top 50.
More than half of the Players’ Top 50 has now been revealed, with numbers 30 through to 21 unveiled this morning.
North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey, who is due to play his 400th game this season, was voted in at number 26 – a remarkable feat considering 2015 will be his 20th AFL season. The 36-year-old averaged more than 25 possessions and a goal per game across his 22 matches in 2014.
Fellow veteran Chris Judd was voted in at number 28, despite being restricted to just 12 games due to injury last season.
Aside from Geelong key position duo Tom Hawkins (23) and Harry Taylor (25), all players voted between 21 and 30 were midfielders. Hawkins makes the list having missed selection in last year’s Top 50, along with Jordan Lewis (22), Luke Parker (27), Callan Ward (29).
Brisbane recruit Dayne Beams (21) fell just short of making the top 20, while Rory Sloane climbed 12 spots from last year, voted in at number 24.
PLAYERS’ TOP 50 SO FAR – 50 TO 21
50. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
49. Brett Deledio (Richmond)
48. Dane Swan (Collingwood)
47. Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
46. Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
45. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
44. Ryan Griffen (Greater Western Sydney)
43. Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles)
42. Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
41. Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn)
40. Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
39. Dustin Martin (Richmond)
38. Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
37. Pearce Hanley (Brisbane Lions)
36. Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
35. Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney)
34. Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
33. David Mundy (Fremantle)
32. Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
31. Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
30. Marc Murphy (Carlton)
29. Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney)
28. Chris Judd (Carlton)
27. Luke Parker (Sydney)
26. Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)
25. Harry Taylor (Geelong)
24. Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
23. Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
22. Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
21. Dayne Beams (Brisbane)