ESSENDON captain Jobe Watson capped his rise from fringe player to superstar when he won the 2012 Brownlow Medal.
And the 28-year-old's standing in the game has been confirmed by the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero, in which Watson sat at No.6 after round four.
Official AFL Player ratings: full coverage
Official AFL Player ratings: full coverage
Champion Data's statistics show that since the start of the 2011 season Watson has reached 20 or more disposals in every game he has played, except the two cut short by hamstring injuries in 2011.
In that time he has averaged the seventh most disposals, fifth most contested possessions and third most clearances of any player.
Watson has also averaged the fourth most score involvements of any player.
"He's so strong around the contest and he's got such clean hands. He never fumbles the ball," St Kilda star Lenny Hayes told AFL.com.au.
The Official AFL Player Ratings will be launched on Thursday, May 9.
The ratings are the result of the most sophisticated, detailed and wide-ranging statistical system ever devised for AFL footy. Official AFL Player ratings will allow fans to determine where more than 650 listed players rank against each other.
A player's most recent 40 matches are used in the calculation of his rating.
If you are keen to find out exactly how the ratings work, you can read the initial FAQ here.
In the meantime, we are counting down to launch with a series of exclusive videos in which the top-rated players are discussed and analysed by those with a unique insight into their genius – their opponents.
On Monday star Carlton midfielder, Chris Judd, was revealed as No.10, then, on Tuesday, Sydney Swans dynamo Josh Kennedy was unveiled as No. 9.
Blues skipper Marc Murphy was next up at No.8 and Lance Franklin was No.7.
Watson is the fifth cab off the rank.
"One of the best inside players I've played against," West Coast ruckman Dean Cox said.
"His work rate around stoppages is phenomenal. He's clean and strong over the ball.
"Now he's added to his game and goes forward and kicks goals. He's turned into the complete package."
* The top 10 that we are counting down in the lead-up to the launch of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero, is how it stood after round four of this season.
