The midfield is arguably the most important position group in footy as they're tasked with being present at most contests and all stoppages while serving as the link between their defence and offence.
Without a strong ensemble of on-ballers, teams are destined to fall apart as middling play in this area results in catastrophic consequences to the outcome of a contest on a given day.
Not all midfields are alike as some prioritise a physical ball-winning style, while others emphasise a run-and-gun outside game and then there are sides that prefer a healthy balanceย of the two.
SEE ALSO: Every AFL club's midfield ranked: Part I
Each club has its own formula for constructing the ideal midfield but not all team's engine room can perform at the highest level.
With this in mind, let's have a look at the league's best midfield groups heading into 2022, starting from 12-7.
5. (8) Essendon
Essendon has managed to construct a midfield unit that perfectly compliments their coach's game plan.
Ben Rutton's run-and-gun mantra has worked thus far because he has a healthy combination ofย inside bulls to accumulate the Sherrin, while also boasting speedsters and other burst players who can swing through the middle and facilitate inside 50.
The Bombers are fourth in uncontested possessions per game and first in disposal efficiency. While these metrics are self-explanatory, the Dons also rank sixth for inside 50s which means that their efficient use of the ball isn't a result of creeping around the opposition, and instead they are capable of dismantling others with consistent quality looks inside 50.
Furthering the mythos of their quick-strikeย offence, Essendon was ranked second for centre clearances per game which infers that they're always a couple of touches away from pinching a close contest.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish are the Bombers standard-bearers, as their innate ability to find the footy in traffic often kickstarts offensive advancements given that they quickly move the ball into space where the team excels.
They are then bolstered by former pick one Andrew McGrath, young swingman Nikolas Cox and accumulator Dylan Shiel - a healthy balance of toughness, run and experience.
With another full of year of Rutten solely at the helm, the expectations for Essendon are already exceedingly high as they look to push forward into premiership contention for 2022 and beyond.
