The AFL’s latest survey puts that theory to the test, with every player in the league asked to rank their counterparts; the aim, to find the top 50-ranked players in the land.
As the countdown continues into the final 20, North has already had its share of nominations.
At 35, Brent Harvey hasn’t lost any fans and is still regarded as one of the game’s best. Coming in at number 49, he’s easily the most experienced player on the list with over 360 games to his name (Matthew Pavlich has played 292).
With over 24 disposals and a goal in 2013, the evergreen Harvey is showing no signs of slowing down.
After being named at full-back in last year’s All-Australian team, Scott Thompson is perhaps a little low on the rankings, at 45, though he’ll only continue to gain respect by doing what he does best – negating opponents.
Injury has done little to stop Andrew Swallow’s reputation. He came in at number 33 after a stellar season in which he registered 14 Brownlow Medal votes in just 17 games.
When you consider the players around him, Jimmy Bartel, Brett Deledio and Adam Goodes, it’s a true sign of how far the North captain has come since he was a late inclusion into the Round 1 side in 2009.
With the top 20 yet to be revealed, will there be a spot for stars like Drew Petrie and Jack Ziebell?
50. Leigh Montagna - St Kilda
49. Brent Harvey - North Melbourne
48. Dayne Beams - Collingwood
47. Matt Priddis - West Coast
46. Aaron Sandilands - Fremantle
45. Scott Thompson - North Melbourne
44. Steven Motlop - Geelong
43. Lenny Hayes - St Kilda
42. Luke McPharlin - Fremantle
41. Jack Steven - St Kilda
40. Darren Glass - West Coast
39. Cyril Rioli - Hawthorn
38. Adam Goodes - Sydney
37. Brendan Goddard - Essendon
36. Rory Sloane - Adelaide
35. Dean Cox - West Coast
34. Chad Wingard - Port Adelaide
33. Andrew Swallow - North Melbourne
32. Nic Naitanui - West Coast
31. Jimmy Bartel - Geelong
30. Brett Deledio - Richmond
29. Matthew Pavlich - Fremantle
28. Corey Enright - Geelong
27. Josh Kennedy - West Coast
26. Marc Murphy - Carlton
25. David Mundy - Fremantle
24. Harry Taylor - Geelong
23. Jeremy Cameron - GWS
22. Chris Judd - Carlton
21. Nick Riewoldt - St Kilda
