The Essendon skipper is still one of the most dominant midfielders in the competition, and one who can dominate a game through his stoppage work. He played only 15 games in 2014 after requiring hip surgery in the middle of the season, and the club missed his leadership, strength and smarts in the midfield. Although Watson will be 30 by the time next season starts, the Brownlow medallist remains a big, strong and tough midfielder who is hard to stop.

KEY 2014 STATS: 15 games. Averaged 10 disposals per turnover last season – the second best rate of the top 200 ball winners (behind Scott Pendlebury).

 

Heppell has had a remarkable rise in his young career. He burst onto the scene and won the NAB AFL Rising Star in his debut season in 2011, and has continued his ascent ever since, last year winning his first best and fairest and being named in the All Australian side. Heppell averaged 28 disposals and five clearances a game, and stood up in Watson's injury-enforced absence. Despite being heavily tagged by the opposition, Heppell's ability to break free and set up the play makes him an extremely valuable member of Essendon's side.

KEY 2014 STATS: 22 games. When he was in at the centre bounce, the Bombers won a clearance +13.7% more often than the opposition – the second best success rate of the top 50 attendees.