Often regarded as the best players in the competition, the AFL's top midfielders are placed in the upper echelon of football talent.

The most likely position to win the AFL's esteemed awards, from Brownlows, to Norm Smith's, to club best and fairests, midfielders clean up as they roam the full field. Regularly running farther than other players, the best midfielders have incredible endurance as they accumulate touches of the football again and again.

In recent times, the ability for midfielders to hit the scoreboard has become a key part of the best midfielders' game, whilst influential touches are seen as greater than amassing a pile of possessions for little impact.

With onballers typically the best player on each team, there are plenty of players to choose from when determining a top 10. So, before we delve into the 10 best midfielders, here is a group of players unlucky not to be rewarded with a spot on the list...

Snubs:

Andrew Brayshaw

Chad Warner

Errol Gulden

Harley Reid

Jai Newcombe

Jordan Dawson

Luke Davies-Uniacke

Matt Rowell

Max Holmes

Noah Anderson

Tom Green

Tom Liberatore

Will Ashcroft

*Positions based on Champion Data's 'midfielder' qualifications.

6. Christian Petracca

Despite missing half the year after his life-threatening spleen injury, Petracca remains one of the league's premier midfielders. Melbourne's capitulation on-field could be addressed in several areas, but missing the 2021 Norm Smith medallist is certainly a large contributor.

When referring to quality over quantity, Petracca's 2024 season illustrates it perfectly. Petracca averaged 23.4 disposals, far less than anyone previously listed, but still recorded 7.9 score involvements per game, alongside 5.3 inside 50s and 1.1 goals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 09: Christian Petracca of the Demons celebrates after scoring a goal during the round nine AFL match between Carlton Blues and Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 09, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

A five-goal haul to go with 21 disposals and two goal assists single-handedly kept the Demons alive in the contest against Carlton in Round 9, highlighting the influence Petracca has at Melbourne.

In Petracca's 13 games for the year, the Demons held a 7-6 record, but without him, won just four more. Whilst it may take time for Petracca to be back to full health and hold good terms with the club, a fit and firing 28-year-old could rejuvenate the Demons back into finals contention in 2025.