With the 2024 season in the rear-view mirror, it's time to list the cream of the crop of AFL talent.
We've compiled a list of the top 50 players in the competition, assessing each candidate on a subjective mix of their 2024 production, career pedigree, and future projection.
Ranking an exclusive list of AFL stars has never been more difficult. Each team is littered with candidates on all lines and different players press their case for All-Australian recognition every week.
A plethora of genuine stars have not even made the cut inside the top 50, a handful of names have been included despite interrupted campaigns, while a few have been featured ahead of their time.
Here is the first edition (50-41) of our top 50 AFL players right now...
9. 42 - Nick Blakey
'The Lizard' plays on the edge, sometimes to great effect and sometimes to his detriment.
He is a difficult player to rank, given the statistical production looks meagre and he is susceptible to a costly error or two.
2024 saw him notch his first All-Australian blazer and it's easy to make the case as to why; he can shut down any opposing forward, tall or small, and he takes the game on like no other.
When he's on, it's hard to stop his aerial presence and explosion out of defensive 50. He can flip a passage of play in Sydney's favour in the blink of an eye, but when his bravery goes awry, it can look awful.
