AFL statisticians Champion Data have released their elite player rankings for the 2022 season, with a number of the league's top echelon of players failing to make the cut.
Each year the ratings bring with them contentious calls, for both those selected and those that are overlooked among the AFL's best bracket of stars.
Champion Data configure the ratings relevant to their direct position (general forwards and defenders, key forwards and defenders, midfielders, mid-forwards, rucks and wings), while players are required to have played at least 10 matches last season.
The ratings are also understood to measure ball-winning ability and disposal usage, with those that gain more contested touches and use it more accurately gaining a higher rating.
The Western Bulldogs lead the way heading into 2022, with eight players rated as elite, while Port Adelaide followed with six of their own selections.
All 18 clubs registered at least one player, with Suns, Giants, Kangaroos, Tigers and Saints having just the sole selections.
Reigning premiers Melbourne managed just the three selections, with Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jake Lever making the cut.
2021 Brownlow medalist Ollie Wines failed to make the elite ratings, headlining a long list of AFL stars that were not selected.
Among those to miss an elite rating: Carlton pair Sam Walsh and Harry McKay, St Kilda midfielder Jack Steele, Demons ruckman Max Gawn, Bombers ball magnet Zach Merrett and Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield.
ADELAIDE
Jordan Dawson (general defender), Taylor Walker (key forward), Paul Seedsman (wing)
BRISBANE LIONS
Daniel Rich (general defender), Lincoln McCarthy (general forward), Harris Andrews (key defender), Dayne Zorko (midfielder), Hugh McCluggage (wing)
CARLTON
Adam Saad (general defender), Zac Williams (general defender), Jacob Weitering (key defender)
COLLINGWOOD
Jack Crisp (general defender), Jamie Elliott (general forward), Darcy Moore (key defender), Brodie Grundy (ruck)
ESSENDON
Nick Hind (general defender), Darcy Parish (midfielder), Jake Stringer (mid-forward)
FREMANTLE
Sam Switkowski (general forward), Sean Darcy (ruck)
GEELONG
Tom Stewart (general defender), Tom Hawkins (key forward), Sam Menegola (wing)
GOLD COAST
Touk Miller (midfielder)
GWS GIANTS
Toby Greene (general forward)
HAWTHORN
Jack Scrimshaw (general defender), Luke Breust (general defender), Dylan Moore (general forward), Chad Wingard (mid-forward)
MELBOURNE
Jake Lever (key defender), Clayton Oliver (midfielder), Christian Petracca (midfielder)
NORTH MELBOURNE
Aaron Hall (general defender)
PORT ADELAIDE
Zak Butters (general forward), Robbie Gray (general forward), Aliir Aliir (key defender), Jeremy Finlayson (key forward), Charlie Dixon (key forward), Karl Amon (wing)
RICHMOND
Dustin Martin (mid-forward)
ST KILDA
Jack Sinclair (general defender)
SYDNEY
Isaac Heeney (general forward), Lance Franklin (key forward), Tom Hickey (ruck)
WEST COAST
Liam Ryan (general forward), Nic Naitanui (ruck)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Bailey Dale (general defender), Caleb Daniel (general defender), Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder), Tom Liberatore (midfielder), Jack Macrae (midfielder), Adam Treloar (mid-forward), Bailey Smith (wing)
List viaย The Herald Sunย
