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The making of lists is the ultimate act in futility, with them always commented on for whom one leaves out, rather than whom one includes. Defying common sense, here are my top 10 players in the AFL as we head into the 2014 season
1. Gary Ablett Junior (Gold Coast Suns)
This genius midfielder will end his career regarded as one of the best ever, and would be a chance to make the greatest ever team.
It is outrageous how profoundly he can dominate games in the midfield and as he gets older and the young Gold Coast midfielders mature, one could see him being a destructive forward.
Similar to how effective Leigh Matthews was when he went forward in his career
2. Joel Selwood (Geelong)
A great player and arguably the best leader in the game.
He always rises to the occasion in the biggest matches, and excels when the game is at its toughest.
3. Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
The modern age is about players who are multi-faceted, with the ability to play in numerous positions.
Roughead is the best at this, being a key forward that can ruck, excel as a big onballer or even play as a key defender.
It will be interesting what role he plays in 2014, but if persisted with in the midfield, one could see him emulating Adam Goodes in that role.
4. Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Devastating player, built like a Mack truck, pace to burn as well as sublime skill, allowing him to get the ball in tight and then burst into space with his speed and power.
As dangerous as a forward, where the combination of his power overhead and natural goal sense makes him a nightmare match-up.
5. Scott Pendelbury (Collingwood)
Beautiful player who is all about time, in respect to his ability to be unhurried as if he is on a different clock to all others.
He has it all as a midfielder, and one can bank that 2014 will see him ascend to the ranks of being one of the game’s best leaders.
6. Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
A contested ball winning genius that has pace, strength, and very strong overhead. He is lethal in the midfield as well as deadly dangerous resting forward.
If he improves his skill by foot, he will ascend to the top of most lists.
7. Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
Fans will scoff at rating this youngster so highly, but I do so out of respect for his outrageous gifts as a forward as seen in his elite contested marking, full proof kicking for goal, completed by his ability on the ground.
He dominated the league as a boy in a team that finished bottom of the ladder, think of his upside when his body matures and he’s supported by a better team.
8. Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
Went from being in the best outside midfielder in the game to adding an inside aspect to his game.
Add it to his pace and game breaking kicking skill, and he belongs among the elite.
9. Scott Thompson (North Melbourne)
Having Thompson at 9 will raise a few eyeball, but it just highlights how underrated defenders are.
In the case of this key back, he spent 2013 fixing up all the great forwards in the league, regardless of their size, shape, pace or any other attribute.
10. Grant Birchall (Hawthorn)
I see this exceptional running defender as the most underrated player in the game.
As a defender, he is equally adept at marking smalls, mid size or talls, but it is how expertly he transitions defence into an attack that is his main strength.
In an age where half backs are surrogate midfielders, he devastates with his pace and long accurate kicking.
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