Amixture of bewilderment and sheer disgust was plastered on the face of an ESPN colleague after I had casually noted Richmond livewire Shai Bolton was not a top three player in the AFL.

"You're crazy," he snapped, while furiously tapping away at his keyboard in search of stats that would substantiate his argument.

On Monday mornings at ESPN Australia headquarters, football debates and hypotheticals provide as much energy as the 9:30 a.m. coffee run. We question, we discuss, we wonder, and, most enjoyably, we debate; doing so as if our lives are at stake.

After Bolton's epic four-goal, five-behind, 17-disposal match-winning performance against Port Adelaide in Round 21 last year, opinions and hot takes were flying around the office. It seemed everyone had already crowned him the next ... well, insert literally any AFL legend!

But I dug my heels in, refusing to be a prisoner of the moment. Surely Bolton hadn't just leapfrogged two dozen (maybe more?!) established stars, regardless of how spellbindingly-brilliant his game on the weekend had been. I wasn't looking to be provocative with my claim, but I'd clearly struck a nerve with this particular colleague. And mind you, this was no Tigers fanatic.

As the conversation petered out and a number of keen observers meandered back to their desks, I began to wonder where exactly Bolton would rank? Top 30? Top 20? Top 10?! All of a sudden, my mind was constructing something which half resembled an ordered list. At that moment, this bold idea was born. Who are the best players in the AFL and how would you go about ranking them?

For this exercise, I'm looking at the 50 best players heading into season 2023. Not the most valuable. Not the most exciting. Not the most eye-catching. But the BEST. Imagine every player is lined up in the schoolyard and you can take your pick of the crop. Then the second selection, and third, and so on. Except you aren't picking a team, you simply want the best player available.

Of course, a player's body of work impacts their ranking but I want to hammer home the fact this is not a legacy piece. Instead, I've used the last two seasons as a gauge of where a particular player is at in their career. There's also no projection here. As much as I believe Chad Warner is a future top three player, he's obviously not there yet, and will be ranked accordingly.

There are over 800 players in the AFL. These are the 50 best, in order.

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50. GEORGE HEWETT

Club: Carlton
Position: Midfield

I'm not sure there were many footy fans who had Hewett as a top 100 player heading into 2022, let alone top 50. The Blues snagged the recruit of the year by signing the former Swan and freeing him from his lock-down duties, allowing him to provide steady support to skipper Patrick Cripps and young gun Sam Walsh in the midfield. Hewett posted career-best numbers across the board, ranking 11th in the league for disposals and seventh for clearances. He was also the safest ball user of any midfielder in the game, turning it over just once every nine disposals. I bet you wouldn't have picked that, huh? With such impressive numbers, you could certainly make the case Hewett deserves to be higher on the list. However, he only played 15 games last year and as impressed as I've been, we don't have a huge body of work from him just yet. On the flip side, if Hewett is able to replicate his 2022 form this season, he'll be surging up these rankings.

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49. JACK CRISP

Club: Collingwood
Position: Midfield

As one of the great runners and line-breakers in the league, Crisp offers a totally different package to the average AFL midfielder. He's never afraid to take on the game with his pace, run-and-carry and dare, and with more time in the midfield last year was able to enjoy career-highs in most statistical categories. The most notable of those was inside 50s, where he finished the season with the second-most in the league. At the halfway point of the year, Crisp was firmly in the All-Australian discussions, however his form did tail off in the back half, which probably cost him a blazer and a higher rank here. One aspect of Crisp's game that generally goes unnoticed is his elite pressure. Last season, he was the No. 3-ranked player in the league for pressure acts (26.8 per game). Crisp's insane durability also has to be factored in, given he is currently riding a league-longest streak of 188 consecutive games played. That's eight and a half seasons!

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48. NAT FYFE

Club: Fremantle
Position: Mid-forward

It's a damn shame that injuries have derailed Fyfe's hall-of-fame career. It's also made ranking him amongst his contemporaries a near impossible task! At his best, Fyfe is still a top 20 player in the game, but there's just so many unanswered questions surrounding the former Dockers skipper that it would be unfair to stick him there purely on legacy and his resume. Is he finally over the injuries? Are his midfield days over? Can he be a successful forward? I really hope the answer to all three is 'yes' and we see Fyfe back on a footy field doing what he does best. His set shot kicking has been a bit iffy at times -- having kicked 12.25 over the last two years -- but he's always had exceptional hands, particularly for a midfielder. Fyfe has taken 299 contested marks in his career, which ranks 39th all-time and is the most of any non-ruck or key position player since the statistic was recorded. It holds him in good stead if he is to play exclusively as a forward in 2023, and I have no doubt he can still provide valuable midfield support to the younger brigade, when required.

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47. AARON NAUGHTON

Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Key forward

One of the more dynamic and dangerous key forwards in the competition, and yet some remain adamant that Naughton is an even better key defender. But when he's kicked 47 and then 51 goals over the last two years, it feels impossible to remove him from the forward line, no matter how tempting it may be for Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. Naughton is one of the league's best marking threats, having plucked the second-most of anyone inside the forward 50m arc over the last two years. He's also taken the third-most contested marks inside 50m in that period. That's half the job, right? Naughton's mobility also makes him far more dangerous than the average key forward, given he can still impact the play when the ball hits the deck. At just 23 years of age, he has a ridiculous amount of unearthed potential, and with a little more consistency, is more than capable of joining the ultra elite group of key position players in the AFL.

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46. ZAC BAILEY

Club: Brisbane
Position: Mid-forward

Great goalkicking midfielders and/or productive high half-forwards are like gold dust and the Lions have one of the best in the business with Bailey. The 23-year-old livewire spends the majority of his time forward of centre but over the last two seasons has also proven to be a real asset in the midfield, capable of sparking his side at a stoppage or with his outside run. Here's one for you; how many players have kicked 30 goals in each of the last two seasons? 25. Now how many have done that and averaged 17 or more disposals per game? Just the one: Bailey. Add in four inside 50s, a couple of clearances and tackles per game and you've got yourself a very, very nice player. Some might even go so far as to say he's one of the most underrated players going around (yep, I'm one of them). Bailey is definitely someone to keep an eye on in 2023 as the Lions look for a deep September run.

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45. LANCE FRANKLIN

Club: Sydney
Position: Key forward

What can you say about this man that hasn't already been said? Franklin is an undoubted member of the AFL's post-2000 Mount Rushmore and continues to prove that he can never, ever be written off. The Swans spearhead joined the 1,000 goals club last year and ended the season with another haul of 52 - the 13th time in his illustrious career he's reached a half century of majors. Even at age 36, you can bet your last dollar that his name will feature prominently when asking defenders who keeps them up at night. Franklin will still burn you on the lead as well as at ground level and is more than capable of winning any game off his own boot. There's an argument to be made that 'Buddy' deserves a higher ranking but we've got to be fair here, his production has dropped off around 30-35% over the past three seasons and last year's finals campaign, which yielded just two goals and an average of 7.5 disposals from three games, left a lot to be desired.

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44. MAX GAWN

Club: Melbourne
Position: Ruck

No doubt the first of many 'controversies' on this list. I want to make it crystal clear that if this was a ranking of the 'most valuable' players, then Gawn is pushing for the top 10. But in the 'best players' category, sorry, it's just not happening. You guessed it, I'm a skeptic of the ruck position. But with that said, there's no denying Gawn has set and continued to re-raise the benchmark for what we now expect from all rucks. The 31-year-old is a six-time All-Australian, two-time club best and fairest, premiership captain and later this year should play game No. 200. Of course, we all know he ranks in the top three for just about every ruck category, but it's the other things he does which make him a top 50 player in the league. Last season, Gawn took the second-most contested marks, had more clearances than any non-midfielder, kicked 13 goals and was the only ruck to rank top 50 in score involvements. It's just a shame his ball use (particularly around goal) often lets him down.

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43. BAYLEY FRITSCH

Club: Melbourne
Position: General forward

If it's goals you're after, few provide as many as Fritsch. In fact, no non-key forward has kicked more than Fritsch's 114 over the last two years. It's been a meteoric rise for the 26-year-old, who has gone from a relatively unknown VFL player to a three-time club leading goal kicker and premiership player. Fritsch booted six goals in that 2021 Grand Final triumph over the Bulldogs, the most by any player in the 'Big Dance' since Darren Jarman in 1997. He is one of the league's real sharpshooters, rarely missing from a set shot or open play. So why doesn't he rank higher? While it's a tad unfair to call Fritsch a one-trick pony, especially when his trick happens to be the most difficult and sought after quality in the sport, some of the game's other premier small and mid-sized forwards bring a little more to the table. Last year, Toby Greene averaged seven more disposals per game and Isaac Heeney took twice as many contested marks. Fritsch also doesn't crack the top 10 among general forwards for either score involvements or score assists.

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42. BAILEY SMITH

Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfield

At various points of 2021 and early last season, Smith looked as if he was on a trajectory to becoming a top 20 player in the league. However, injury and a dip in form has halted his rise up the rankings. It's hardly a concern, though, given he's still just 22 years old and certainly has the potential to get there one day. Smith's greatest asset is his stamina and running power. There's an argument to be made he's already the league's second-fittest player (behind Ed Langdon), spending more minutes and covering more turf than literally any other midfielder (Langdon is classified as a winger). But Smith's running gifts extend beyond endurance. He also possesses elite acceleration and top speed, allowing him to break lines for the Bulldogs and launch attacking thrusts. No surprise he ranked No. 2 last season for inside 50s. Smith kicked just six goals in 2022 as he transitioned from the wing to a more traditional midfield role, but we mustn't forget he booted 17 the year before, proving he is very much capable of hitting the scoreboard on a far more regular basis. One aspect of his game he must work on is his ball use, having led the competition in turnovers last year with 6.71 per game.

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41. LUKE PARKER

Club: Sydney
Position: Midfield

One of the great midfielders of the modern era and still with plenty left in the tank, despite the fact he's already amassed 260 physically-demanding games. Parker's career arc has been relatively flat, but that's not a knock on him, rather it highlights his consistency over the journey. He continues to be the heartbeat of the Swans and the main catalyst behind the club's enviable high standards, never afraid to put his head over the ball or do the dirty work. Last year's campaign, which resulted in a trip to the Grand Final, saw Parker lead his team in disposals, clearances and contested possessions, while also averaging six tackles and four inside 50s per game. He's never had trouble hitting the scoreboard -- his goal tally has reached double figures in nine of the last 10 seasons -- something which gives him an edge over some of the league's other midfielders. Last year, Parker kicked 14 majors, including a bag of five against the Giants in Round 1 which netted him three Brownlow Medal votes.

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40. SCOTT PENDLEBURY

Club: Collingwood
Position: Midfield

He's well and truly over the hump, having played 358 games, but I bet there's not a single person who will disagree with the smooth-moving Pendlebury making the top 50. And nor should there be. The long-time Collingwood skipper, who stood down from his post this off-season, is one of the most revered and respected figures in the league. He also still happens to be one of the best players. Pendlebury's game was never built on explosiveness or pure speed, instead it was about football smarts, reading the game, elite decision making and executing the basics time and time again. That's why we haven't seen, and won't see, his production drop off drastically, like some of the game's other veterans. In fact, one could argue Pendlebury was still the Magpies' best player last year, a season which very nearly landed the black and white army in a Grand Final. I'd be shocked if he wasn't universally considered a top 50 player until the day he hangs up the boots for good.

READ: The enduring magnetism of Scott Pendlebury

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39. NOAH ANDERSON

Club: Gold Coast
Position: Midfield

The average Victorian-based footy fan might not be overly familiar with Anderson. If that's you, please get familiar with him! Anderson is one of the brightest young stars in the AFL and his game is developing at breakneck speed. He's played just three seasons but each year we've seen a giant leap and right now he's on a trajectory to becoming a top 15-20 player by the end of 2023. No joke. Last year, Anderson upped his disposal numbers to 26 per game, to go along with six clearances and six inside 50s (the third-most in the league). His contested ball, marking, rebounding from defensive 50 and tackling numbers all continue to rise. I love how Anderson plays with speed and is always looking to kick rather than handball, doing so at the rare midfielder rate of 2.25-1. It makes sense, given he's one of the best kickers going around, hitting targets by foot 70% of the time, a ridiculously high number for a midfielder. Anderson always seems to lift in the clutch moments, playing his best footy late in games. Do I need to remind you of his match-winning after-the-siren goal against the Tigers last year?

WATCH: Is Anderson the most underrated player in the Top 50?

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38. DARCY PARISH

Club: Essendon
Position: Midfield

I'm convinced that if Parish's numbers were even just 10% lower he'd receive far less (unjust) criticism. The commentary around Parish reminds me a lot of when Tom Mitchell was racking up 50-disposal games and subsequently getting crushed for "low impact," when if he'd had, say, 44 touches, he'd probably have received a heap of praise for it. Crazy, I know. Parish has transformed himself into a top tier midfielder and one of the best accumulators in the competition, averaging 32 disposals per contest since his breakout performance on Anzac Day in 2021. Last year, Parish was in a select club with only Clayton Oliver, Lachie Neale, Patrick Cripps, Touk Miller, Rory Laird and Tom Mitchell as the only players to average 13 contested and 13 uncontested possessions per game. In 2021, he was the league's best centre clearance player, and while he only managed 16 games last year, he again excelled at the contest, winning the ball in 50-50 situations and spreading to all parts of the ground. Just remember, it's not easy to find the footy. Those who do it better than 99.5% of players in the sport deserve credit for it.

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37. JOSH DUNKLEY

Club: Brisbane
Position: Mid-forward

When you consider Dunkley was more often than not played out of his preferred position by Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, his output seems even more impressive. The 26-year-old is a contested beast, and now he's at the Lions, he should receive greater midfield opportunity and can finally show just how damaging he can be. But like I mentioned in the introduction; no forecasting is allowed here. Even if I expect Dunkley to be challenging for the top 20 by season's end, we're basing this ranking off what we've seen thus far. As a midfielder, he ranks elite in a host of categories, including disposals, contested possessions, ground ball gets, clearances, tackles, pressure acts and goals. Dunkley is a great ball user and the ultimate team man, unafraid of the dirty work -- ranking top 10 in both tackling and smothers since 2019 -- that others often shy away from. Last year, he was one of just 12 players in the league to average seven score involvements per game. One other interesting note (and I don't think this counts as a spoiler), Dunkley is the only player on this list who will play at a new club in 2023.

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36. HARRY MCKAY

Club: Carlton
Position: Key forward

When a down year still yields 45 goals in 19 games, an average of 2.37 per contest, you're, quite simply, one of the best forwards in the league. And if the Coleman Medal is any indicator (of course it is!), McKay was the best forward 12 months prior, leading the competition with 58 majors, again, from only 19 appearances. His 103 goals over the last two seasons is the equal fifth-most in that time. There's no denying that Charlie Curnow's epic 2022 season took a little of the spotlight away from McKay but he continued to be a steady presence in the Blues' forward line. He was held goalless just once and was a multiple goal kicker on 14 occasions. It's also worth remembering McKay is just 25 years of age! I don't think we're close to seeing the best of him yet, and early signs of Carlton's pre-season suggest he could be in for a monster in 2023. Who knows, we may finally get to see him line up alongside his brother, Ben...

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35. HUGH MCCLUGGAGE

Club: Brisbane
Position: Midfield

Lions fans knew early on that they'd secured a jet with McCluggage -- who was famously drafted third in 2016 behind Andrew McGrath and Tim Taranto -- but over the last two years he's developed his game further than anyone could have hoped. The 24-year-old splits his time almost 50-50 between the wing and pure midfield and is one of the great link players in the competition, doing most of his damage on the outside with 16 uncontested possessions per game over the last two seasons. While his shooting for goal has at times been a little underwhelming -- he's kicked 43.61 since the beginning of 2020 -- his ball use going inside 50 is as good as it gets. In fact, the Lions score a goal from 26% of McCluggage's forward 50 entries, the highest rate of any of the top 50 players for inside 50s over the last two seasons. He also ranked 13th in 2022 for score involvements, the eighth-highest rated midfielder in the category.

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34. TAYLOR WALKER

Club: Adelaide
Position: Key forward

I've got to be honest, I was totally convinced Walker's career was finished about two or three years back. He looked a shell of himself and his production had fallen off a cliff. How he's managed to not only resurrect his career, but re-establish himself as one of the competition's premier forwards -- all during a time where he became embroiled in an off-field racism controversy -- is something that deserves a huge amount of credit. I don't reckon many non-Crows fans will believe some of these numbers. Over the last two years, Walker has booted 95 goals from just 35 games. That average of 2.7 per outing ranks him fourth in the league. Last year, only Tom Hawkins, Christian Petracca and Jeremy Cameron averaged more score involvements per game, while nobody launched a higher percentage of their team's scores than Walker. It highlights just how much of a potent attacking force he really is. You'd also be hard pressed to find a more reliable set shot for goal, particularly on or outside the 50m arc. At age 32, Walker's winning more contested ball and taking more contested marks than ever before. Let's hope he can keep it going.

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33. TOM LIBERATORE

Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfield

Ask anyone to list the best dozen inside midfielders in the league and I'd be shocked if Liberatore's name is mentioned. Despite the colourful tattoos and retro moustache, 'Libba' flies totally under the radar and has done so for the bulk of his career. Forget top dozen inside midfielders, you can easily make the case Liberatore deserves to be considered among the top six. He is the fire starter for the Bulldogs and arguably the team's most valuable player, doing his best work at stoppages by feeding the ball out to some of his more highly-praised teammates. Over the last two seasons, he has averaged 7.5 clearances per game (top five in the league), and ranks 'elite' with Champion Data in contested possession, tackles, ground ball gets and score involvements. In 2022, he ranked eighth in the league for pressure acts. Yes, I know Brownlow votes aren't everything, but the fact Liberatore has polled just 14 -- seven of them coming last year -- since the Bulldogs won the flag in 2016 is downright criminal.

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32. CONNOR ROZEE

Club: Port Adelaide
Position: Mid-forward

The Rozee vs. Sam Walsh debate raged on during the pair's debut season, but by the end of year three the consensus seemed to be that Carlton's top pick was the clear-cut superior selection. Walsh still has his nose in front, no doubt, but Rozee clawed back some serious ground last year, after finally being offered minutes and excelling in Port's midfield. Rozee is a clever, elusive, highly skilled player who kicks goals (aka the dream midfielder) and his positional switch was the main driver behind the Power turning its season around, improving from the horrific 0-5 start to finish a respectable 10-12. So impressive was Rozee from Round 5 onwards -- averaging 26 disposals, four clearances, four inside 50s, four tackles and just about a goal per game -- that he was awarded an All-Australian blazer. That's now one selection each for both Rozee and Walsh, if you're counting. With more time in the midfield, and some further development as a player, I expect Rozee to begin pushing himself towards the top 20.

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31. DARCY MOORE

Club: Collingwood
Position: Key defender

One of the premier defenders in the league, the athletic Moore continues to be as solid as a rock for Collingwood. Not only can Moore play the ultra lock-down role -- he ranks No. 2 for fewest one-on-one contest losses over the last five years -- but when freed up he is as damaging as just about any defender in the game. I love the way he is always prepared to back himself, either taking the game on with ball in hand or leaving his opponent to provide relief for a teammate. In no way is this a knock on former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley, but Moore is perfectly suited to Craig McRae's style of play and is thriving under the new regime. Last season, Moore had the third-most intercept possessions and the fourth-most one-percenters. However, his marking, contested marking and raw disposal numbers did tail off compared to 2021, the main reason he didn't secure a top 30 ranking here.

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30. CHARLIE CAMERON

Club: Brisbane
Position: General forward

Electric. There's really no better way to describe Cameron, who, at this point, is practically a walking highlight reel. His unmatched speed, silky skills and elite finishing inside 50m allow him to flip games on their head in the space of minutes. And he often does just that. Like many great small forwards, Cameron only needs a handful of touches to leave his stamp on a game. Since the beginning of 2021, 163 of his 400 kicks (or 41%) resulted in a score. Last year, Cameron was also the league's best pressure player, laying more tackles than anyone else inside forward 50. He now has back-to-back years with 50+ goals (it's crazy neither of those seasons have yielded All-Australian selection), one of only two general forwards in the game to achieve the feat. Cameron also deserves credit for his unselfishness, contributing 35 direct goal assists for his Lions teammates over the last two years.

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29. JORDAN DE GOEY

Club: Collingwood
Position: Mid-forward

Perhaps the biggest tease in the AFL over the last three or four seasons. Of course, I should know, after prematurely jumping aboard the De Goey hype train in 2019. But the dynamic Pie has developed into a far more settled and consistent player -- last year's preliminary final against Sydney notwithstanding -- over the last two 18 months. De Goey has the enviable quality of being as effective forward as he is in the middle and is capable of winning any game off his own boot. Here's a crazy stat for you, only three players in the league have averaged 20 disposals and a goal per game over the last two years: Dustin Martin, Marcus Bontempelli and De Goey. Fair company! Last year, De Goey upped his defensive pressure immensely, and had a career-best campaign in contested possessions and clearances as he spent more time around the ball. I'm sure he has another gear to reach but that slow burn with De Goey looks like it's about to pay some serious dividends for the Magpies as the club looks for another deep September run.

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28. CALLUM MILLS

Club: Sydney
Position: Midfield

I have a feeling this will be the most controversial player ranking of all, as many see Mills as a no-doubt top-10er. Me? I just don't think it's that clear cut. Don't get me wrong, Mills is a tremendous player but what he's lauded for most -- his work-rate and two-way running -- is just a tad overhyped. There are at least four others who play a very similar role and have stronger numbers over a greater period of time (keep reading, I'll prove it), they just don't get a fraction of the credit. But enough of that -- ranking in the top 30 is some achievement, so let's celebrate Mills. He won the club's best and fairest and earned All-Australian selection last season with averages of 24 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s and four clearances per game. Not too shabby, by any means. The umpires also took note, awarding him 21 Brownlow votes, good enough for seventh place. He's such a valuable asset for the Swans, given his ability to control games in the midfield and then seamlessly drop back into defence when required.

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27. SAM TAYLOR

Club: GWS
Position: Key defender

Last season, Taylor saw his reputation skyrocket, providing the steadiest of defensive hands for a team that ultimately won just six games. By season's end he felt like the unanimous choice for the All-Australian full back position. No surprise, he got it. So what was it that made him so great? The rock-solid Taylor became the No. 1 intercept man in the league, averaging 9.5 per game (the next best had 8.5), and took more marks than any other defender. He defended the most leads in the competition (80) yet conceded a mark just 56% of the time, the third lowest rate of anyone. Taylor also ranked second in the league in spoils and gave away just 12 free kicks for the entire season, while also managing to draw 31 of them. That's a phenomenal effort for a full back! With respect to the dynamic Toby Greene, Taylor is proving to be the most valuable Giant. And at just 23 years of age, we know he's not even close to reaching his potential. Scary stuff.

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26. ISAAC HEENEY

Club: Sydney
Position: General forward

It feels like yesterday Heeney was being billed as one of the future stars of the AFL. It's crazy to think he's now gearing up for season No. 9 with the Swans! Heeney has well and truly lived up to the hype and continues to develop his game each and every year. Even with a lean finals campaign, 2022 was clearly his best season yet. Heeney averaged two goals and 16 disposals (with an even split between contested and uncontested ball) per game as well as ranking second in the league for tackles inside 50, numbers which led to him being awarded a maiden All-Australian blazer. There might not be a better mid-sized marking threat in the entire league than sticky-hands Heeney, who can pluck the ball when in a pack or take it on the lead at full tilt. He also rates higher than most forwards in the finishing department, having kicked 85.49 over the last two seasons. And with an ability to push up the ground when required, Heeney's just about the complete football player.

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25. ANDREW BRAYSHAW

Club: Fremantle
Position: Midfield

If this list was constructed at the beginning of last year, Brayshaw's not on it. That in itself highlights just how exceptional the young Docker was in 2022, providing a much-needed spark in a year where former skipper Nat Fyfe just couldn't get on the park. Brayshaw averaged a tick under 30 disposals, six tackles and four clearances (all career highs) per game last year, while also adding 12 goals. He works as hard as any midfielder in the game, always pushing into defence to give his backline a chop out. Some of his last-gasp tackles in 2022 were borderline heroic. If you find yourself at a Dockers game this season, just lock your eyes on No. 8 and watch him put in a shift. As much as we should marvel at as his work-rate and on-field skills, his maturity for a 23-year-old might be his greatest asset. He looks a certain future skipper of the Dockers and I don't think anyone would be surprised if he's pushing for the top 15 come season's end.

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24. SAM WALSH

Club: Carlton
Position: Midfield

Has there been a player in modern AFL history burst onto the scene with as much instantly recognizable star-power as the No. 1 draft pick from 2018? Maybe Chris Judd or Nat Fyfe. Perhaps Chad Warner. But I promise you there's not many! Walsh was already considered an A-grader before the end of his sophomore season, and each year he continues to elevate his game. He is without question one of the hardest-working midfielders in the competition, constantly running and spreading all over the ground to always provide his teammates with an option. It's no surprise he ranked No. 3 in disposals last year with 32.1 per game. In tight, he's equally as effective, able to win clearances and set up attacking thrusts from stoppages. It's a real shame his 2023 season is set to be hampered by a persistent back injury, as another leap was certainly on the cards. Even still, he's a clear top 25 player, and only rising.

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23. JACK MACRAE

Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfield

Even with three All-Australian blazers proudly hanging in his wardrobe, Macrae somehow remains criminally underrated. It's not just by fans and the media, but umpires, too. How Macrae hasn't polled 16 Brownlow votes in any of the past three seasons actually defies belief. In that stretch, he's led the league in disposals and ranks top five in clearances. Macrae has been an absolute constant in the Bulldogs engine room for close to a decade now and each and every game you know what you're getting; fast hands in-tight at stoppages to set up teammates on the outside as well as the ability to become that outside player and drive the ball forward. He's a sneaky great ball user, too. I must admit, I always find myself laughing when commentators seem surprised by his elite passing, particularly when going inside 50m. He just doesn't miss targets, or make mistakes, for that matter. Give this man some respect, please.

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22. ZACH MERRETT

Club: Essendon
Position: Midfield

You could almost copy and paste the Macrae entry right here and just change the name references to Merrett, another highly underrated and super consistent midfielder who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Without any shadow of a doubt, Merrett is one of the best dozen midfielders in the AFL. Don't @ me. Everyone knows he's a ball magnet but nobody ever talks about his ball use. Like Macrae, he rarely fails to hit a target inside 50m. You might also be surprised to hear Merrett averaged the fifth-most kicks of any midfielder last year, so enough of the 'cheap handballs' narrative. If you're still not convinced, go back and watch his efforts between rounds 16 and 20 last season where he polled a staggering 14 of a possible 15 Brownlow votes with some truly exceptional performances. The pick of the bunch had to be his 38 disposal, 10 tackle, eight clearance and one goal game against the Kangaroos. I'm thrilled Merrett has been appointed Essendon skipper for 2023. It's very well deserved.

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21. CHAD WARNER

Club: Sydney
Position: Midfield

I mentioned Warner in my introduction and that no forecasting was taking place when devising this list. So yes, I truly believe he is already amongst the top 25 players in the AFL, with just 39 games to his name. And at age 21, he is easily the youngest player on this entire list. Warner produced a masterpiece in last year's Grand Final demolition at the hands of Geelong -- 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances, six tackles and two goals -- to cap off a phenomenal third season at the Swans (in reality his second, having played just two senior games in year one). Warner is already averaging 23 disposals and nearly a goal per game as well as over four clearances, tackles and inside 50s, playing a brand of football that's drawing comparisons to the likes of prime Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield. Last year, he had more metres gained than any other midfielder and was the fourth-highest rated mid for score involvements. No other player in recent history has come close to this type of production so early into their career. If Warner stays healthy, I'll be utterly stunned if he isn't a unanimous top three player by the end of 2024.

WATCH: Will Warner be a top three player in 18 months' time?

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20. STEVEN MAY

Club: Melbourne
Position: Key defender

Is May the best pure defender in the game? Champion Data's numbers would suggest he is. May just doesn't get beaten in one-on-one contests, using his size and strength to unsettle forwards. He rarely gives away free kicks and is always able to get his hands, or at worst, a fist, on the ball, snuffing out opposition attacks in the nick of time. Last year, May lost just 11% of his one-on-one contests, the lowest rate of any defender in the game. His masterpiece performance might well have been his effort on Sydney spearhead Lance Franklin in their qualifying final, holding him to just two kicks and no score, albeit in a loss. But May does a whole lot more than just lock down the league's best key forwards. He had the second-most rebound 50s and eighth-most intercept possessions last season, as well as averaging a shade under 20 disposals per game. Very impressive numbers for a full back. Plenty of Demons fans would argue May's the club's most important player, and with that list, that's certainly saying something.

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19. OLLIE WINES

Club: Port Adelaide
Position: Midfield

When I shared my initial ranked list (yes, there have since been plenty of tweaks!) with a few colleagues, I was quite surprised with how little pushback I received. But the one player ranking most seemed to have an issue with was Wines being in the top 20. For me, it only strengthened his case to be there. Do I need to remind everyone that we're just 18 months removed from him winning a Brownlow Medal with the equal-most votes (36) in the single 3-2-1 era? Sure, 2022 was a down year for the Power but Wines continued to play at a high level, averaging 28 disposals, five clearances, five inside 50s and four tackles per game. He remains one of the top inside-midfielders in the league, but also has an underrated ability to find the ball in space, averaging 16 uncontested possessions per game over the last two years. There's no reason he can't replicate his sublime 2021 form this season, but even last year's version of Wines is good enough to be a top 20 player in this league.

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18. TOM STEWART

Club: Geelong
Position: General defender

Champion Data class Stewart as a 'general defender' but you feel 'the general' would be a far more appropriate title for him. Stewart is the heartbeat of Geelong's backline and one of the main reasons Chris Scott's side continues to be ranked as the best defence -- it conceded just 66 points per game last season -- in the competition. His rise from South Barwon to Geelong is well documented but it's even more remarkable now he's become a premiership player, four-time All-Australian, club best and fairest winner and the undisputed best mid-sized defender in the game. Some would argue he is the best defender in the game. Stewart doesn't get beaten in one-on-one situations. In fact, he has been out-marked in just seven of his last 196 one-on-one contests. That miniscule 3.6% loss rate is easily the best of any defender in the league. Stewart is also used as a distributor and attack launcher for the Cats, averaging a shade under 24 disposals, 18 kicks and six rebound 50s per game since the beginning of 2021.

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17. JACK STEELE

Club: St Kilda
Position: Midfield

I've got a little confession. In the early days of Steele's career, I just couldn't see him developing into a fully fledged A-grader. Boy, was I wrong. Not only is he every bit a star of the AFL but also an underrated candidate for best skipper. In many ways, Steele is the prototype midfielder. A ball winner and clearance getter, first and foremost, a great link man between defence and attack, but someone who is also willing and able to do the dirty work. Steele's one of the best midfielders in the competition when the opposition possesses the ball, always providing elite defensive pressure. He and Sam Berry were the only two players to rank top five in both tackles and pressure acts last season. It's even more impressive when you consider Steele's numbers dipped a little in 2022, but backing up a ridiculous 2021 -- where he finished tied-fifth in the Brownlow Medal -- was always going to prove difficult. Don't forget, he's still only 27 years old, so there's absolutely no reason to believe his slight regression will be anything of a trend. I expect him to hit the ground running in 2023 and quickly get back to his best.

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16. PATRICK DANGERFIELD

Club: Geelong
Position: Mid-forward

Dangerfield was one of the most difficult players to rank. He was initially in the top 10, then he dropped out of the top 20. Eventually, I settled with him at No. 16 and am comfortable knowing who ranks ahead and behind him. Dangerfield's list of accomplishments are as long as anyone in the game, but he doesn't make this list (nor achieve a top 20 ranking) through legacy. The 32-year-old no longer brings his devastating game week-in, week-out -- mainly because he doesn't have to anymore -- but when he needs it, it's there. Take a look at his last two games; a clear best-on-ground performance in a preliminary final rout of Brisbane and a Grand Final display which was worthy of a Norm Smith Medal (sorry, Isaac Smith). It's all the proof anyone needs that he's still undoubtedly one of the best players in the AFL. Whether he's playing as a midfielder or in the forward line, Dangerfield is still fully capable of producing the same output as literally anyone else on this list. If you're playing a Grand Final tomorrow, and have first crack at drafting anyone in the league, there aren't many you're picking ahead of him ... if any.

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15. DUSTIN MARTIN

Club: Richmond
Position: Mid-forward

Another player who felt impossible to rank. Like Dangerfield, some would argue Martin is still amongst the best players in the league, while others believe his best days are long behind him. Those who are in the first camp, let it be known that I'm on record as saying peak Martin was the greatest player I've ever seen. And those in the second camp, I want to share some numbers with you. Through last year's injury interrupted season, Martin averaged 18 disposals and 1.3 goals per game, playing predominantly in the forward line. Most of us would consider it a clear down year for the three-time Norm Smith medallist but if anyone else had that type of output -- admittedly, over a full season and not the nine games Martin managed -- they wouldn't just be in All-Australian general forward discussions, they'd have the blazer. You see, Martin's bar was set so high throughout his stellar career that we'll always unfairly compare him to what he once was. But let me tell you, if 2022 'Dusty' is what we get from here on out, that's still easily good enough to be a top 20 player in the AFL.

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14. RORY LAIRD

Club: Adelaide
Position: Midfield

33-8-8. That's not prime LeBron James' per-game averages, but Laird's numbers from an ultra impressive, yet totally underrated 2022 -- the story of his career, right? It was evident early on that Laird was much more than a rebounding half-back, and he has flourished ever since receiving his first midfield opportunity in 2020. Averaging 32 disposals over his last 50 outings, Laird is one of the game's most prolific and consistent ball winners. In fact, only once in the last two seasons has he dipped below the 25 disposal mark. That game? 24 against the Saints in Round 10 last year. But, contrary to what many believe, Laird does so much more than rack up touches. Last season, he was the only player in the league to average eight tackles and eight clearances and ranked fifth overall for contested possessions. Laird and Clayton Oliver were the only two players who averaged 15 contested and 15 uncontested possessions in 2022. He is, without question, the most underappreciated player in the AFL, as evidenced by the fact he failed to receive a single best-on-ground in last year's Brownlow Medal. Now where's that shaking my head emoji...

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13. TOM HAWKINS

Club: Geelong
Position: Key forward

I really don't think Hawkins gets enough credit for the level of quality he's produced over the past decade and change. Would you believe me if I told you that no player has booted more goals than him since the beginning of 2012? What's more impressive is that in no way whatsoever does he appear to be slowing down, playing more minutes than anyone else in the competition last year en route to another premiership. His 2022 campaign produced 67 goals, including three in the Grand Final, to take his career tally to 732. Hawkins' set shot kicking, particularly from long range, continues to be a hallmark of his game, and one-on-one he seems to have a physical edge over literally any defender who stands alongside him. That last-second shove before taking a chest mark is borderline unguardable. Hawkins remains the AFL's king in score involvements (8.7 per game), and ranked No. 2 last year in direct goal assists, highlighting just how selfless he is. He will go down in history as one of the league's all-time great key forwards.

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12. JAMES SICILY

Club: Hawthorn
Position: Key defender

Let me preface this entry by making it clear Sicily's ranking is not a wild overreaction to what was, quite frankly, an objectively mortifying snub from last year's All-Australian team. I mean, seriously; that was embarrassing. No matter what metric you lean on when determining what makes a great defender, Sicily's name is going to appear towards the summit almost every single time. He has the versatility -- able to play small, tall as well as float in the backline -- and has some of the most exquisite foot skills you'll ever see. No surprise he had the fourth-most kicks of anyone last year, as well as the most rebound 50s. Combine that with the fact he's the No. 1-ranked marker in the game, No. 2-ranked interceptor, No. 3-ranked for metres gained, has an off-the-charts footy IQ and an unmatched appetite for the contest (how can you not love watching him play!) and, at least in my mind, you've got the best defender in the competition. I cannot wait to see how he goes as captain!

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11. TOBY GREENE

Club: GWS
Position: General forward

If this was a measure of footy IQ and on-field intelligence, Greene would be top of the list. Even still, he's flirting with the top 10. I'm going to be honest, the Giants skipper is my favourite player in the league to watch (narrowly edging out Sicily). He reads the game better than anyone else and has the skills to match. Technically, he's a small or general forward, but his supreme aerial ability combined with a 1980s-esque swagger means he plays so much bigger than that. In reality, he's a key forward trapped inside a small's body. When Greene's one-out in the forward 50m, you just feel sorry for his opponent as it seems like he wins those contests at least 80% of the time. His finishing rarely lets him down, either. No non-key forward averages more goals per game than Greene over the last two years. He also ranks higher than many of his fellow small forwards given his ability to be equally as damaging in the midfield when deployed there, something I believe the Giants have significantly underutilized in recent times.

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10. CHARLIE CURNOW

Club: Carlton
Position: Key forward

The potential was always evident and Curnow well and truly delivered on it in a breakout 2022. Carlton's dynamic forward snagged 64 goals -- crazy when you consider he was sharing the forward line with a guy who kicked a league-best 58 goals the previous season -- to not only land the Coleman Medal and stake his claim as the best young forward in the AFL, but leave me looking a total fool (yes, I floated the idea of a Curnow trade back in 2020). Curnow has that Jeremy Cameron-esque ability (anyone seen him yet?) to dominate on the lead as well as at ground level, making him a nightmare one-on-one match-up for any defender, especially when you consider only four players took more contested marks than him last year. Curnow really is one of only a handful of players (okay, maybe two handfuls) who can literally take the game away from you in the space of 15 minutes. At just 26 years of age, he already leads the league in shots at goal per game and it's safe to say he hasn't yet hit his peak. As the Blues continue to improve and provide him with greater opportunity, a monster 2023 season could well be on the cards.

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9. TOM LYNCH

Club: Richmond
Position: Key forward

Some are sure to view Lynch's ranking ahead of Curnow as rather controversial. So if you're one of them, I've got two questions for you. I'll even answer them. Who was the only player to average three goals per game last year? Lynch. And who led the league in contested marks? Also Lynch. I'm not sure what it is but the Richmond spearhead always seems to be forgotten when we debate the great forwards in the AFL. Is it because he's not the flashiest player going around? Perhaps. But Lynch really is the ultimate, efficient key forward; mark the ball, turn around and bang it through at a higher clip than just about anyone else (last year, 70% of his shots resulted in six points). Something else which was glossed over was the fact he played four games fewer than Curnow and still only lost out on the Coleman Medal by four goals. Lynch ended the season as arguably the most in-form player in the competition, booting 24 majors in his final five games. It all bodes well for a career-best 2023, and the bookmakers agree, installing him as the pre-season favourite for this year's Coleman.

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8. SHAI BOLTON

Club: Richmond
Position: Mid-forward

Here he is! The man who inspired this daunting (and at times regrettable!) project. At age 24, Bolton is the youngest player in the top 20 and I'd argue he has more upside than anyone on the entire list not named Chad Warner. Bolton hasn't just taken the torch from Dustin Martin as Richmond's dynamic mid-forward threat, he's ensuring the flame will continue to burn brightly for years to come. Last year, he earned All-Australian selection for a season in which he tallied 43 goals, 41 behinds and averaged over 17 disposals and four inside 50s per game -- just outrageous numbers. Imagine if he was converting even 60% of his shots! Bolton is the ultimate match-winner and his elusiveness, speed, skill and the fact he's also a constant aerial threat make him an impossible match-up, either in the midfield or when he pushes into the forward-line. A touch more consistency this season and fewer frees against (he gave away the fourth-most of any player last year) and he's almost certainly climbing into the top five. Who knows, maybe even the top three! Don't count him out for the Brownlow Medal, either...

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7. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI

Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Mid-forward

I know what you're thinking, Bontempelli at No. 7? That's too low. Move him up. Look, I get it, but he only misses out on a higher rank after somewhat of a down 2022, a year where several others really bolstered their own standing in the game. Bontempelli continues to be one of the best goal-kicking midfielders in the AFL, booting 55 majors over the past two seasons. The sheer volume of his disposals might not stack up with some of the game's other elite players, but I'm not docking him ranking value for that, because his impact is every bit on par. We've seen Bontempelli dominate games of football with only 20-25 touches of the Sherrin, and he still finds a way to average five clearances, inside 50s and tackles, as well as a goal assist and contested mark per game. Last year, he had the fifth-most score involvements in the league. My slight knock on 'the Bont' is that he's prone to having too many quiet quarters (at least compared to those ranked above him on this list), but enough with the negatives, a top seven rank should be celebrated. And would I be surprised if he's once again a consensus top five player by season's end. Not at all.

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6. TOUK MILLER

Club: Gold Coast
Position: Midfield

From lock-down midfielder to one of the game's ultra elite, it's been an incredible rise for Miller over the last two years. And had the Suns not fallen away in the back half of last season, something which has become a worrying trend, he very well may have won the Brownlow Medal. Still, Miller finished third -- behind winner Patrick Cripps and pre-count favourite Lachie Neale -- but will be sure to give the award a shake again in 2023 if he maintains his ridiculous numbers of 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances and six tackles per contest. He manages all of that while working as hard as any midfielder on the defensive side of the ball (and yes, that includes Callum Mills). In fact, Lions recruit Josh Dunkley told ESPN in 2021 that Miller is the most difficult player to match up on in the midfield, given his speed, endurance and ability to lay bone-crunching tackles. It's pleasing to see the super-likable Miller finally receiving his plaudits and continuing to shine now he's reached the point in his career where opposing coaches are doing everything they can to try and limit his influence.

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5. JEREMY CAMERON

Club: Geelong
Position: Key forward

Spoiler alert! Cameron is the highest-ranked non-midfielder on this list. But I bet you knew that already, right?! I really don't think anyone is going to debate me here and say he isn't the best forward in the game. Some might even believe he deserves to be ranked higher. So what is it that makes Cameron so dangerous? It's his ability to play as both a traditional lead, mark and set-shot key forward as well as a hybrid small, winning the ball at ground level and using his size, speed, skill and craftiness to outfox defenders. He ranks elite amongst key forwards in just about every imaginable category; goals, score involvements, disposals, marks, contested possessions and inside 50s. When you add in the fact Cameron's one of the best kicks for goal (either from a set shot or on the run from open play) in the game and has a willingness to work up the ground and provide the bail out option for his defenders, he's a no-doubt top five player. The star Cat now has a premiership medal to go along with his Coleman Medal and trio of All-Australian blazers. I think there's plenty more awards coming his way, too.

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4. LACHIE NEALE

Club: Brisbane
Position: Midfield

From this point on, each player has a legitimate claim to hold top spot. Unfortunately, that means one of them has to be ranked fourth. And what's even more unfortunate is that it's one of my favourites (yes, we're allowed to have our favourites!) in Neale. I've had a few dud calls over the past couple of years but picking Neale to win the 2020 Brownlow Medal at the beginning of the season feels like it makes up for them all. He could have easily added a second 'Charlie' to his resume after a remarkable 2022, where he ranked top two in disposals, contested possessions and clearances, as well as top 10 in score involvements. He orchestrates all of Brisbane's play out of the middle and at stoppages, tackles hard and is constantly working up and down the ground. In fact, there's really no weakness to his game. With respect to Scott Pendlebury, Neale has the best balance of any player in the league, particularly around stoppages, and a crazy ability to weave his way out of traffic before finding a target. I'm expecting another epic season from the three-time All Australian, as he hunts a piece of silverware that's missing from his trophy cabinet ... a premiership medallion.

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3. CLAYTON OLIVER

Club: Melbourne
Position: Midfield

Elite? Check. Consistent? Check. What are the two most valuable things a player can do in football? Kick goals and win the ball. The unassuming Oliver does the second of those better than anyone else in the game. Period. Over the last two years, he leads the competition in disposals (over 32 per game) and, amazingly, has tallied at least 28 touches in 83% of his games in that stretch. Did I mention Oliver was also the No. 1-ranked player last year in clearances, contested possessions and ground ball gets?! I love watching him at the contest and am convinced he's the best in-tight ball user I've ever seen. Often at the bottom of a pack or having to deal with two opponents hanging off him, he never fails to hit a target with his lightning-quick hands, setting up more attacking thrusts from midfield than any other player. An aspect of Oliver's game which I believe is completely underrated is his pressure. He averages six tackles per game for his career and last season ranked fourth in the league for pressure acts. If Oliver can somehow find a way to hit the scoreboard with a little more frequency -- he kicked just five goals in 2022 -- there's a real argument he could and should be at the summit of this list.

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2. PATRICK CRIPPS

Club: Carlton
Position: Midfield

Win the Brownlow Medal and still fall short of top billing. Stiff, I know! You've got to hand it to Cripps. After a down couple of years in 2020 and 2021, some were beginning to wonder if Carlton's skipper was still the best player on his team, forget the competition! What he produced last season put that question to rest and catapulted him back up the player rankings. Cripps never had trouble winning the ball at the contest -- consistently ranking as a top five player in clearances and contested possessions -- but last year he became a much more complete footballer. He enjoyed a career best goalkicking season with 20 majors and found more uncontested ball than ever before (13 per game). Nobody puts their team on their back quite like Cripps. At times he looks like a man vs. boys; good luck bringing him down as he charges forward from a contest. After the Blues' heartbreaking pre-finals exit last season, I'm expecting a hungry and determined Cripps to hit the ground running this year and finally lead his side into September. It's actually crazy that of Cripps' 159 games, zero have been finals.

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1. CHRISTIAN PETRACCA

Club: Melbourne
Position: Mid-forward

Ladies and gentleman, the best player in the AFL! I had absolutely no hesitation in making that declaration following Petracca's 2021 Grand Final heroics. Was it premature? Not at all. In my mind, he's the league's most complete player. I've referenced others on this list as difficult match-ups but Petracca is the most difficult. If he's in the midfield, he'll destroy you at the contest, breaking tackles with ease and always searching for his trademark burst play. When he pushes forward, he hits the scoreboard and sets up scoring chances better than literally any other midfielder (he ranked No. 1 for direct goal assists and No. 2 in the league for score involvements last season, behind only Tom Hawkins). Over the past 24 months, Petracca has averaged 28 disposals, 12 combined clearances and inside 50s, 500m gained and a goal per game. For context, peak Dustin Martin (2017-18), when his standing as the best player in the game wasn't even a debate, was 27, 12, 460m and 1.4 goals per game. Pretty similar, hey? Petracca kicked 19.31 last season but 29.19 the year before. If he's able to mesh that 2021 goalkicking form with his 2022 production, then just like it was with Martin, few will argue Petracca's not No. 1.

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So there you have it. The 50 best AFL players heading into season 2023.

By now, I'm sure you're fully aware of the types of players I rate higher than others. Midfielders and mid-forwards made up 64% of the list, followed by key forwards at 16%. Key defenders and general forwards had 8% each, while just one ruck and general defender were featured.

The average age of the players selected (at the time of publishing) is 27.3 years. The youngest player in the entire list was Chad Warner (21), the oldest was Lance Franklin (36). There were 12 players aged 30+ who made the top 50, while the majority (54%) fell in the 25-29 age bracket, including the entire top seven.

Which teams fared the best? Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne, Sydney and Western Bulldogs each had five players, while reigning premier Geelong and Collingwood both had four selected. Richmond was next best with three players. Only two teams weren't represented on the list; North Melbourne and West Coast.

So go ahead, mock and ridicule me. Tell me why it's egregious and how I got it catastrophically wrong. But just remember this: you can't squeeze 85 players into a list of 50. And you certainly can't fit 21 into the top 10. It's not easy!

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