One percenters: Daniel Talia (93) AFL rank (16th): The reigning club champion reads the game so well that he's a nightmare for key forwards. Talia is the leader of the Crows’ defence.

Tackles: Patrick Dangerfield (106) AFL rank (eq. 16th): As one of the strongest midfielders in the League it's little surprise he's the club's most prolific tackler.

Contested possessions Patrick Dangerfield (285) AFL rank (third): Winning the hard ball is Dangerfield's bread and butter. His strength and explosiveness makes him one of the best.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Tom Lynch (7.4) AFL rank (eq. 15th): A hard runner, Lynch has proven himself one of the clubs most valuable players in 2015, pushing high up the ground to link attack and defence.

Score assists (total): Tom Lynch (39) AFL rank (first) - Harry Thring

One percenters: Justin Clarke (125) AFL rank (seventh): Another solid season for the dour defender, Clarke has taken the opposition's best forward most of the year and done an admirable job.

Tackles: Mitch Robinson (116) AFL rank (seventh): Started the year as a half-forward and has been an absolute terrier since moving into the midfield. Robinson hits hard and has racked up 67 tackles in the past six matches.

Contested possessions Dayne Beams (213) AFL rank (20th): Worth every cent since moving from Collingwood and was on the cusp of the AFL's top-10 in this category before being cut down by shoulder surgery.

Score involvement: Allen Christensen (6.2) AFL rank (59th): With his good vision, decision-making and foot skills, it's little wonder the ever-improving Christensen tops the Lions in this category and score assists.

Score assists: Allen Christensen (30) AFL rank (equal sixth). - Michael Whiting

One-percenters: Sam Rowe (122), AFL rank (eighth): Handles himself well in the one-on-one contests against key forwards, often managing to spoil. Great competitor. 

Tackles: Patrick Cripps (89), AFL rank (41st): Big-bodied youngster who thrives on the contest. Just refuses to be beaten.

Contested possessions: Patrick Cripps (229), AFL rank (14th): Has shown composure and skill beyond his years in only his second season at AFL level.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Marc Murphy (5.6), AFL rank (eq 105th): Creative and generally uses the ball to his team’s advantage. The Blues’ best player in a disappointing season.

Score assists (total): Tom Bell (20), AFL rank (eq 53rd): Uses his big body to crash through and create opportunities. Handy around goal and has shown he can kick a bag. - Howard Kotton

One-percenters: Nathan Brown (137), AFL rank (equal-third): The key backman is the consummate team man, always prepared to sacrifice his own game for the benefit of his team.

Tackles: Scott Pendlebury (102), AFL rank (24th): The Pies skipper is one of the smoothest movers in the AFL – he is also one of the hardest and most conscientious workers.

Contested possessions: Dane Swan (232), AFL rank (12th): After being hampered by injuries last year, the 2011 Brownlow medallist is free of discomfort and back to his prolific best.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Dane Swan (7.6), AFL rank (equal-eighth)

Score assists (total): Scott Pendlebury (31), AFL rank (fifth) – Ben Collins

Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan are leading the young Magpies by example. Picture: AFL Media

One-percenters: Michael Hurley (86), AFL rank (21st): Hurley's tireless efforts in defence, his smart spoiling and intercept marking, and effort to close down opposition forwards make him Essendon's best defender.

Tackles: Ben Howlett (104), AFL rank (19th): The hard-at-it Essendon midfielder is his club's leading tackler, and has been one of the best in the competition over the last few years. His highest tally for this year was 12 tackles in round one against the Swans.

Contested possessions: Dyson Heppell (204), AFL rank (24th): Despite being down on form this year compared to his best and fairest season in 2014, Heppell remains Essendon's best midfielder and is at his peak when he is digging out disposals and starting the play.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Brendon Goddard (5.8 per game), AFL rank (88th): Goddard is perhaps Essendon's best ball user, making him the ideal player to set up a scoring opportunity down the line. He can kick on both feet, weights his passes nicely, and hits targets.

Score assists (total): Ben Howlett (16), AFL rank (94th): As well as working tirelessly in his midfield role, Howlett has also crept forward at stages this year. His selflessness in passing off the ball when teammates are in better spots, and his doggedness around goal, have made him a solid contributor. - Callum Twomey

One percenters: Luke McPharlin (69) AFL rank (equal 31st): His ability to read the play and either nullify his direct opponent one-on-one or drop off and support another teammate by impacting a contest is second to none.

Tackles: David Mundy (108) AFL rank (13th): He must be in the minds of the All Australian selectors. Mundy’s ball use is lauded but he is a brutal tackler at stoppages and in contested situations.

Contested possessions Nat Fyfe (311) AFL rank (first): He's the Brownlow medal favourite because of his ability to win contested football. His strength to stand up in traffic is incredible.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Nat Fyfe (8.2) AFL rank (equal third): Whether it's by winning contested possessions, clearances, taking contested marks or kicking goals it is no surprise Fyfe is number one for score involvements at the Dockers.

Score assists (total): Matthew Pavlich (26) AFL rank (equal 16th): Pavlich's ranking could be even higher if his ability to bring the ball to ground when outnumbered in aerial contests went on the stats sheet. - Alex Malcolm

The fancy and the tough stuff - Nat Fyfe does it all. Picture: AFL Media

One-percenters: Harry Taylor (75), AFL rank (equal-27th): Taylor's ability to deny his opponent the ball – through spoiling or intercept marking – makes him one of the competition's premier defenders.

Tackles: Mark Blicavs (107), AFL rank (14th): A breakout season for Blicavs has seen him thrive as a midfielder and improve his tackling skills, and ability to pressure the opposition, out of sight.

Contested possessions: Joel Selwood (236), AFL rank (11th): The Geelong skipper relishes winning the hard ball and there is no surprise that he ranks highly in this category.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Joel Selwood (7.2), AFL rank (equal-21st): Selwood has won 50 more clearances than any other Geelong player this season, so most of the Cats' forward forays start with him.

Score assists (total): Darcy Lang (22). AFL rank (eq. 28th). Lang has been a key influence up forward, playing every game in his second year at the Cats. He's an agile player and clever around goal. – Ben Guthrie

One percenters: Steven May (136) AFL rank (fifth): Despite missing four games, May has stamped himself as one of the best key defenders in the league. He is quick and often leads his man to the ball.

Tackles: Michael Rischitelli (111) AFL rank (ninth): Whether he's playing midfield or the occasional stint at half-forward, the stand-in skipper has a defensive work-rate that's been hard to match.

Contested possessions Michael Rischitelli (183) AFL rank (33rd): With so many injuries to its core midfield, Rischitelli's experience and strong body has held the Suns together for large parts of the year.

Score involvement: Gary Ablett (6.7) AFL rank (40th): He played just six games – and a couple of those under injury duress – but Ablett again showed why he's so central to the Suns' scoring with his elite ball use.

Score assists: Touk Miller (23) AFL rank (equal 24th): Miller has exceeded expectations in his first season, not only with his work-rate, but his vision that has opened up so many scoring opportunities via both hand and foot. - Michael Whiting

Michael Rischitelli is enjoying a career rejuvenation this season. Picture: AFL Media

One percenters: Phil Davis (96) AFL rank (15th) The co-captain has been a rock down back and leads the side despite only playing 12 games this season.

Tackles: Adam Treloar (97) AFL rank (29th) Known as a classy midfielder, Treloar is also a great inside player and puts enormous pressure on the opposition.

Contested possessions Callan Ward (212) AFL rank (21st) The Giants' barometer in the middle of the ground, Ward sets the standard for toughness and loves the contest.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Dylan Shiel (7.6) AFL rank (equal eighth) The silky midfielder will be up there in the Brownlow early on, and it was a massive blow for GWS when a knee injury ended his year in round 15.

Score assists (total): Toby Greene (28) AFL rank (equal 10th) Skills and decision-making often let him down but Greene has been a valuable player for the Giants though the midfield and as a small forward. - Adam Curley

One percenters: Josh Gibson (129) AFL rank (sixth): Another stellar season. On top of blocking, spoiling and his selfless work for teammates, Gibson has taken the most marks in the competition this season and spends more time on the ground per game than any other player.

Tackles: Liam Shiels (125) AFL rank (fourth): Will go close to breaking his best season tally for tackles (150 in 2011). With 15 games in 2015, Shiels averages the most tackles per match in the AFL (8.33), carrying on from 2014 where he was again Hawthorn’s most prolific tackler. 

Contested possessions Sam Mitchell (194) AFL rank (29th): The Brownlow smokey could be set to add best and fairest number five to his name after another season of brilliance. As important to the Hawks as ever, Mitchell is not only winning the footy in tight, he ranks second in the AFL for uncontested possessions (365) and sixth for total possessions (550).

Score involvements (ave. per game): Jarryd Roughead (8.5) AFL rank (second): With 34 majors this season, Roughead’s own goal tally is down on recent seasons (75 in 2014, 72 in 2013), but he remains a major component of Hawthorn’s scoring prowess. The 28-year-old is also averaging more disposals per game (18.4) than in any other season in his 11-year career.

Score assists (total): Cyril Rioli (34) AFL rank (second) All the talk might be that Cyril’s doing more with less, but a close look at his numbers say the Hawk hero is keeping on keeping on. His 2015 disposal average (15) is about the same as his entire career, as are his marks, tackles and goal assist numbers. Rioli is averaging more goals per game (1.8) in his career, and with 32 goals so far he is on track to beat his season best 39 goals in 2012. Add to that his creation of scores for the Hawks and you can put to bed any talk of who is the best small forward in the League. - Andrew Lowther

Josh Gibson is only too happy to get down and dirty. Picture:  AFL Media

One percenters: Tom McDonald (139) AFL rank (second): McDonald's concentration and effort is never questioned. Apart from a flat patch in the middle of the season, he has been very good at putting constant pressure on opponents.

Tackles: Angus Brayshaw (92) AFL rank equal (36th): Brayshaw has defended and attacked with equal intent in 2015. His tackling has been exceptional, even causing him to be injured in Darwin when he hit a West Coast player hard. Great prospect. 

Contested possessions: Nathan Jones (195) AFL rank (28th): The skipper burrows in relentlessly to win the ball and never stops trying. Has developed a more team-oriented game in 2015 but remains a superstar.

Score involvements (6.3): Jesse Hogan (107) AFL rank equal (54th): Impressive return from a big key forward who just loves to compete. Hogan has kicked 39 goals in his first season on the ground and shapes as a future match winner.

Score assists (total): Angus Brayshaw (19) AFL rank equal (61st): A great debut season from Brayshaw who has created opportunities for teammates with his ball use.

One-percenters: Scott Thompson (82), AFL rank (equal-23rd): The 2013 All Australian full-back remains the leader of North's defence. Although he has become one of the Roos' chief rebounders, fierce defensive pressure is still the cornerstone of his game.

Tackles: Andrew Swallow (127), AFL rank (third): The emergence of fellow inside midfielders Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell means the Roos skipper can fly under the radar at times, but he continues to provide North's midfield with much of its inside grunt and defensive pressure.

Contested possessions: Ben Cunnington (282), AFL rank (fifth): North's reigning best-and-fairest winner has continued to lead the way for the Roos at stoppages in 2015, burrowing in fearlessly to dish off the ball to teammates.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Todd Goldstein (7.4), AFL rank (equal-15th): The Roos ruckman has imposed himself around the ground this season like never before, setting up scores with his marking and ground-level play as well as his deft ruck work.

Score assists (total): Shaun Higgins, Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite (22), AFL rank (equal-28th): North likes to spread the scoring load on its forward line and recruits Higgins and Waite have fitted in seamlessly. Higgins' impact in his first season at Arden Street has been widely lauded, but the Roos will be particularly pleased that aerial targets Petrie and Waite work so hard to set their teammates up. - Nick Bowen

One percenters: Jack Hombsch (137) AFL rank (eq. third): A season of huge improvement for Hombsch, who epitomises team-first football. He's held the backline together this year.

Tackles: Hamish Hartlett (109) AFL rank (12th): Although spending time across half-back this season, Hartlett's work through the midfield is superb. He's aggressive, smart and skillful.

Contested possessions Robbie Gray (249) AFL rank (seventh): He's been one of the club's most consistent on-ballers in 2015. Gray is fearless and elusive, allowing him to win possession and evade traffic.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Chad Wingard (7.2) AFL rank (eq. 21st): At his best Wingard is one of the very elite in the AFL. He's so smart and has the skills to create space for teammates.

Score assists (total): Robbie Gray (29) AFL rank (eq. eigth): Wins so much possession from stoppages, where he's able to get free and put a teammate into a scoring position. - Harry Thring

One-percenters: Alex Rance (154). AFL rank (first): It's no wonder the All Australian full back's signature was so sought after with his never-say-die attitude making him a huge asset to Richmond's defence.

Tackles: Shaun Grigg (85). AFL rank (51st): The Tigers aren't a high tackling side, but the former Blue is having a career-best season when it comes to wrapping up opponents.

Contested possessions: Trent Cotchin (240). AFL rank (10th): Again, the skipper leads the Tigers in this area and is on track to surpass his previous best of 273 with an average of over 12 per game.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Brett Deledio (8.0). AFL rank (sixth): The move to place Deledio in the forward line more in recent years has paid off, with the 28-year-old also their second highest goal-scorer. 

Score assists (total): Jack Riewoldt (27). AFL rank (eq. 14th): Much has been made about Riewoldt's selflessness around goal and it shows here with his willingness to share things around.  – Jennifer Phelan

Alex Rance leads the league for one-percenters. Picture: AFL Media

One-percenters: Sean Dempster (98), AFL rank (equal-13th): The ever-reliable defender flies under the radar but he's loved at the Saints, where he's unmatched for unglamorous team acts like spoils, smothers and shepherds.

Tackles: Jack Steven (131), AFL rank (second): A lightning-quick midfielder who can gobble up space and run down opponents like few others. Has shrugged off injury concerns to get back to his best this season.

Contested possessions: David Armitage (241), AFL rank (ninth): Dropped bulk to emulate ball-magnet Jordan Lewis but the best-and-fairest favourite is still a bull at the contest, like his Hawks counterpart. Relishes the tough stuff in tight.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna (7.1), AFL rank (equal-23rd): The champs are both highly-skilled and excellent decision makers, making them two players the Saints want to see with ball in hand setting up attacks.

Score assists (total): Jack Steven (30), AFL rank (equal-sixth): Steven's delivered the ball inside 50 more than any other Saint and regularly bursts away from stoppages to find targets in an open forward line. – Travis King 

One percenters: Ted Richards (117) AFL rank (11th) The old-fashioned defender has been as reliable as ever for the Swans, despite often giving away plenty of size to opponents.

Tackles: Kieren Jack (117) AFL rank (sixth) There's no surprise that the co-captain leads the way with his rugby league background and fierce attack on the opposition making him a tackling machine.

Contested possessions Josh Kennedy (310) AFL rank (second) Another brilliant year from the clearance king. Kennedy keeps finding a way to win the footy especially at stoppages.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Lance Franklin (7.8) AFL rank (seventh) The three-time Coleman medallist gets plenty of attention for kicking goals himself, but probably doesn't get the credit he deserves for ability to set up teammates.

Score assists (total): Kieren Jack (33) AFL rank (third) Jack has had another solid season in the midfield, while spending more time forward at times in a bid to help the Swans forward pressure. - Adam Curley 

Keiren Jack is big on score assists and score celebration assists. Picture: AFL Media

One percenters: Will Schofield (115) AFL rank (10th): He has stood tall in defence in the face of a huge injury toll. Schofield is the number one spoiler at West Coast and one of the best in the competition this season.

Tackles: Matt Priddis (139) AFL rank (first): If he is not finding the football at stoppages or in contested situations then the Brownlow Medallist is the first to tackle the ball carrier and hold them up.

Contested possessions: Matt Priddis (284) AFL rank (4th): His hands in close and his strength to absorb a tackle and release a handball is the reason why he is one of the best midfielders in the AFL.

Score involvements (ave. per game): Josh Kennedy (8.9) AFL rank (first): He leads the Coleman medal race comfortably but he is also very unselfish and brings other forwards into the game.

Score assists (total): Matt Priddis (32) AFL rank (first): There's not too much Priddis can't do. He has been knocked for the quality of his ball use in the past but the score assist numbers tell you he is very effective with ball in hand. - Alex Malcolm

One percenters: Michael Talia (82) AFL rank (equal 23rd): The developing key defender has been in and out of the side this season, but you can't fault his commitment.

Tackles: Liam Picken (121) AFL rank (fifth): Reinvented as an attacking midfielder in 2015, the 29-year-old hasn't lost any of his defensive instincts.

Contested possessions: Luke Dahlhaus (217) AFL rank (18th): The relentless midfielder/forward is always at the bottom of packs and is in All Australian form this season.

Score involvements (6.8): Jake Stringer (15) AFL rank (equal 34th): The dynamic 21-year-old has kicked 44 goals himself, but he doesn't mind helping his teammates get in on the act.

Score assists: Mitch Wallis (25) AFL rank (equal 20th): Like Picken, the 23-year-old has shed a defensive mindset under Luke Beveridge and become one of the Dogs' most attacking and important midfielders. – Ryan Davidson