Who are footy's top 50 A-listers? Few are better placed to make the call than those who go into battle with them every week. The votes are in, and now here's the third instalment of the AFL Players' Top 50, brought to you by Bailey.
Collectively, the fourth group of stars from the AFL players’ top 50 has claimed 10 club best and fairest awards, 12 premierships, two Norm Smith medals and one Coleman Medal. The players have been named All Australians a combined 15 times.
20 Travis Cloke
Collingwood
Forward
Official AFL Player Rating: 118
Debut: 2005
Games: 197
Strong, old-style forward who relishes a contest. Cloke enjoyed a tremendous 2013, finishing third in the Copeland Trophy and winning All Australian selection for the second time. He kicked a career-high seven goals against Richmond in round four and finished the year with 68, just two shy of winning the Coleman Medal. His 58 contested marks were the most in the AFL. Cloke appears to be at the peak of his powers.
19 Travis Boak
Port Adelaide
Midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 24
Debut: 2007
Games: 132
Terrific leader who plays a tough, no-nonsense brand of football. Boak was superb in 2013, his first season as club captain. He enjoyed his best year at AFL level and gained All Australian selection. Played all but one game in a season that cemented his position as one of the elite midfielders of the competition. He averaged more than 25 possessions a game for the first time, but it was his leadership that shone as he stood up at critical stages in games and often got his team over the line.
Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak cemented himself as an elite midfielder in 2013. Picture: AFL Media
18 Josh Kennedy
Sydney Swans
Midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 7
Debut: 2008
Games: 112
Has quietly established himself as one of the game’s best inside midfielders. Extraordinarily consistent, Kennedy played every game for the fourth consecutive year and averaged 27 disposals and five tackles. Experienced a minor dip in form late in the year, but bounced back superbly to share the club award for best finals player with Jarrad McVeigh. Finished top three in the best and fairest for the fourth successive year. A vital member of the Swans’ engine room.
17 Jarrad McVeigh
Sydney Swans
Defender/midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 17
Debut: 2004
Games: 220
Underrated leader who can play a variety of roles. McVeigh put the finishing touches on his rise to the AFL’s elite in 2013, picking up his second best and fairest award and earning All Australian honours for the first time. The co-captain demonstrated his ability by starting the year in tremendous form in the midfield and up forward, before slotting into defence
16 Daniel Hannebery
Sydney Swans
Midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 97
Debut: 2009
Games: 102
Hannebery took a sizeable leap forward from talented youngster to bona fide star in 2013, leading to his first All Australian selection. He missed one game late in the year due to a knee issue, but finished the season averaging better than 25 possessions and three marks and chipped in with 17 goals. He was equal sixth in the Brownlow Medal count, with an impressive 21 votes.
Dan Hannebery became one of the game's finest onballers in a breakout 2013. Picture: AFL Media
15 Kieren Jack
Sydney Swans
Midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 6
Debut: 2007
Games: 139
Jack is one of the most dangerous, hard-working midfielders in the game but he missed the opening round with a back complaint. In his first year sharing the leadership with Jarrad McVeigh, he played all 25 games and responded with just over 25 touches a game and 24 goals, leading to his first All Australian selection and runner-up in the best and fairest.
14 Jarryd Roughead
Hawthorn
Forward
Official AFL Player Rating: 16
Debut: 2005
Games: 185
Quiet but damaging key position player and a fan favourite. Coming off a career-best season in which he collected his first Coleman Medal, won All Australian selection and finished second in the best and fairest. Freed of the ruck duties he shared with David Hale in 2011 and 2012, Roughead settled in as the competition’s premier key forward, booting 72 goals. But he also displayed his versatility when occasionally used as a ruck-rover, winning 61 clearances for the year. Faces increased opposition scrutiny this year with Lance Franklin gone.
13 Luke Hodge
Hawthorn
Defender/midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 59
Debut: 2002
Games: 229
Tough, uncompromising player with super skills and excellent leadership qualities. Hodge played all but one game last season, leading his team to the premiership, finishing fifth in the best and fairest and winning the best clubman award. Playing mainly at half-back with bursts in the midfield, Hodge had a crucial hand in several wins, averaging just under 22 disposals and chipping in with 11 goals.
Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge led his side to a second flag in six seasons in 2013. Picture: AFL Media
12 Steve Johnson
Geelong
Midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 23
Debut: 2002
Games: 216
Super-talented and creative player who started out as a forward but is now a bona fide midfielder. Led Geelong for average possessions a game last year (29) and notched a career-high possession tally of 38 against Melbourne in round 16. Has had his problems with discipline, however, copping three suspensions during 2013, which likely kept him out of the All Australian team and might have cost him the Brownlow Medal.
11 Ryan Griffen
Western Bulldogs
Midfielder
Official AFL Player Rating: 8
Debut: 2005
Games: 184
Hard-running, skillful playmaker who took over as club captain late last year. Griffen took his game to sky-high levels in 2013 and capped off a wonderful season by winning the best and fairest for a second time. His hard work was recognised when he was named in the All Australian team. A genuine ball-winner, Griffen collected 30 or more disposals an incredible 11 times last year. He finished the season with the most kicks (304) and the most inside 50s (121) at the Bulldogs and also took out the club’s team-first award.
