The 2021 season has finally been and gone, with the Dees getting up in the big dance against the Dogs to break a 57-year drought and cap off an action-packed year.
With this,ย Zeroย Hangerย has collated a list of the top-50 players in the competition now the year is over, with the final part containing spots 10 through 1.
The top 50 AFL players after season 2021 (50-41)
The top 50 AFL players after season 2021 (40-31)
The top 50 AFL players after season 2021 (30-21)
The top 50 AFL players after season 2021 (20-11)
10. Darcy Parish
The Bombers midfielder was arguably the most improved player of the season, stepping up to the plate in a year when his side took an unexpected step towards the promised land.
Parish was excellent for Ben Rutten's side, consistently turning up to put on some scintillating displays after spending the bulk of his career to this date under the radar.
You would be hard-pressed to find a midfield-relevant stat - competition-wide - that Parish isn't at least top 20 in.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The 24-year-old finished first in the league for total centre clearances, fourth for total inside 50s, seventh for total handballs and eighth in total contested possessions - simply mind-blowing stats for someone who almost doubled his output of disposals from 2020 (326 to 701).
With Essendon boasting a fantastic crop of youngsters, Parish is set to be the focal point of a side that is very much on the up after years of mediocrity.
