Who's next? Check out the rest of the AFL Players' Top 50 as they are revealed
FOR THE second year, in conjunction with the AFL Players' Association, we've surveyed the AFL players to find out who they think make up the game's top 50.
Players from all 18 clubs took part in the survey, with 105 players receiving at least one vote.
There are 14 players in this year's players' top 50 who did not feature in the list last season. Three of those retired last year (Dean Cox, Darren Glass and Lenny Hayes).
Fourteen of the top 20 players on the list are from last year's finalists.
Following are players 20-11, with the countdown continuing until Friday, March 27, when the AFL's No. 1 player – according to his peers – is revealed.
20. Aaron Sandilands
Fremantle
Ruck
Last year's ranking: 46 (+26)
Official AFL Player Rating: 78
Debut: 2003
Games: 216
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $490,000
The 211cm ruckman gets better with age and he continues to give his midfielders first use of the ball from stoppages. Many were writing him off in 2013 after a severe hamstring injury kept him out of the first half of the season. But a strong finals series that year preceded a return to dominance in 2014 and his fourth All Australian selection. The 32-year-old was No.1 in the AFL for hit-outs and hit-outs to advantage in 2014 and only Adelaide's Sam Jacobs took more marks as a specialist ruckman. Booted just eight goals in 2014 and has only twice reached double figures for goals in a season. The only ruckman in this year's players' top 50.
19. Tom Rockliff
Brisbane Lions
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: -
Official AFL Player Rating: 18
Debut: 2009
Games: 101
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $763,000
The heart and soul of the Lions, Rockliff is coming off his best season and has been rewarded with the captaincy for 2015. A ball magnet, the workaholic midfielder led the AFL in average disposals (32.7) last season and won his first All Australian selection and second Merrett-Murray Medal as the club's best and fairest. Rockliff is a clever footballer, runs hard all game, finds space well and wins his own ball. He may not have the most penetrating kick, but is one of the best at delivering into the forward 50.
18. Sam Mitchell
Hawthorn
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 10 (-8)
Official AFL Player Rating: 29
Debut: 2002
Games: 261
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $526,000
A hamstring tendon injury was the only thing that could slow the former skipper down last season, but not for long. Mitchell was sidelined from rounds eight to 15 but returned in excellent condition and only got better as the stakes got higher. A triple-premiership star, he averaged more than 31 disposals in Hawthorn's three finals – and racked up 33 touches in the Grand Final. The 32-year-old is the consummate professional, has elite skills on both sides of his body, reads the play better than most and his work around the clearances is top-shelf. Not just one of the Hawks' best, he remains among the competition's elite.
17. Steve Johnson
Geelong
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 30 (+13)
Official AFL Player Rating: 20
Debut: 2002
Games: 233
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $613,000
A foot injury has him in some doubt for round one but the Cats remain hopeful he will play a lead-up game to be ready for the season-opener against the Hawks on Easter Monday. The brilliant Johnson polled 25 and 19 votes in the past two Brownlow medal counts but has been off the pace in his club's best and fairest. Has exquisite skills and is always dangerous around goal. Sometimes has a mind of his own and can be unpredictable to teammates, opponents and fans alike, but that is part of his charm. This era's best midfielder/forward turns 32 in July.
The enigmatic, brilliant Steve Johnson is still a key part of the Cats' plans. Picture: AFL Media
16. Nick Riewoldt
St Kilda
Forward
Last year's ranking: 21 (+5)
Official AFL Player Rating: 136
Debut: 2001
Games: 281
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $516,000
The Saints forward is entering a record-breaking 10th season as captain and recently extended his contract until the end of 2016, ensuring he'll lead the club through at least two more crucial years of rebuilding. Riewoldt is getting on but his form hasn't trailed off; he won All Australian honours last year for the first time since 2009, took 21 more marks than any other player in the home-and-away season and ranked No.1 for uncontested marks and marks on the lead. His modified pre-season routine has kept his problematic knee under control and he remains one of the genuine superstars of the game.
15. Dyson Heppell
Essendon
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: -
Official AFL Player Rating: 66
Debut: 2011
Games: 84
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $606,000
Heppell emerged an elite player after a brilliant 2014 season in the midfield. He capped the year by winning his first club best and fairest and was named an All Australian. Despite close attention from opponents, particularly during Jobe Watson's injury-enforced layoff, Heppell was able to show his ball-winning talent at stoppages. He amassed 30 or more possessions in 10 games, and was Essendon's leading vote-getter in the Brownlow Medal. The 22-year-old is an influential player who, despite his relative inexperience, can be counted on during big moments in games, as his teammates have quickly learned. Minor knee surgery in the pre-season shouldn't dent his prospects in 2015.
14. Matt Priddis
West Coast
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 47 (+33)
Official AFL Player Rating: 23
Debut: 2006
Games: 173
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $611,000
Priddis' 2014 Brownlow Medal might have been a surprise to many but his worthiness should never be questioned. There are few players in the AFL who can match the work ethic and consistency of performance that Priddis delivers. He is a contested ball-winning machine in a midfield that relies heavily on him. He gathered more disposals than any other player in the AFL during the 2014 home and away season, was second in total contested possessions and third for tackles.
Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis' standing rose exponentially in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
13. Trent Cotchin
Richmond
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 9 (-4)
Official AFL Player Rating: 70
Debut: 2008
Games: 131
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $571,000
Cotchin spent more time in the forward line last season, when he played every game and won his third club best and fairest award. Is sometimes criticised for his tendency to kick short but topped the Tigers in contested possessions and clearances in 2014, and led strongly when the team needed him the most. His leadership has been another point of discussion but in his second year as captain he was more vocal and more demonstrative with his teammates. Ignored the lure of free agency by recently signing a five-year extension.
12. Jobe Watson
Essendon
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 5 (-7)
Official AFL Player Rating: 14
Debut: 2003
Games: 188
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $589,000
The Essendon captain had the first major injury of his career in 2014 – a rare hip complaint that ruled him out for eight games. But he returned for the end of the season, and in his first game back (round 21) gathered 30 disposals and kicked a goal against West Coast. For several years, Watson has been a lone hand in Essendon's midfield, although emerging players are helping ease his workload. Still, the 30-year-old remains the club's most important player. The 2012 Brownlow medallist has presence and elite endurance, no fear in contests, and has little trouble getting the ball out of tight confines into open space.
11. Josh Kennedy
Sydney Swans
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 18 (+7)
Official AFL Player Rating: 10
Debut: 2008
Games: 134
NAB AFL Fantasy value: $595,000
One of the game's most consistent inside midfielders, Kennedy finished second to Luke Parker in the Swans' best and fairest last year and earned All Australian honours for the second time. The strong-bodied Swan is at the coalface for his team, ranking No.2 in the AFL for clearances and averaging six tackles a game. The 26-year-old has been used almost exclusively as a midfielder in his five years with the Swans, but he could push forward at times in 2015 to take advantage of his 96kg frame and allow more players to rotate through on-ball roles.
Who's next? Check out the rest of the AFL Players' Top 50 as they are revealed
