The Sydney Swans have the best playing list — by the numbers — in the AFL, but Port Adelaide and the Crows are right behind them…
AFL number crunchers Champion Data have released the list based on player stats, and it looks like this.
1. Sydney Swans – Five elite players (Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery, Tom Papley, Josh Kennedy and Dane Rampe).
The Swans also have 12 above average players.
2. Port Adelaide – Six elite players – (Robbie Gray, Paddy Ryder, Justin Westhoff, Charlie Dixon, Chad Wingard and Travis Boak).
The Power has 10 above average players, with Jack Watts and Steven Motlop in that category. New recruit Tom Rockliff was rated average last year, largely because of injury.
3. Adelaide – Six elite players (Brodie Smith, Rory Sloane, Rory Laird, Eddie Betts, Tom Lynch and Taylor Walker).
The Crows have five above average players.
4. GWS – Four elite players (Zac Williams, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron and Lachie Whitfield).
The Giants have 10 above average players.
5. Melbourne – Four elite players (Jake Lever, Christian Petracca, Jayden Hunt and Tom McDonald).
The Demons have eight above average players including Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn, Jack Viney and Nathan Jones.
6. Geelong – Four elite players (Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett, Sam Menegola and Daniel Menzel).
The Cats have seven above average players.
7. Western Bulldogs – One elite player (Jason Johannisen).
The Dogs have nine above average players and 12 average players. Marcus Bontempelli is only in the average category.
8. Richmond – Three elite players (Shane Edwards, Dustin Martin and Alex Rance).
The Tigers have nine above average players.
9. Hawthorn – Three elite players (Ben McEvoy, Luke Bruest and Cyril Rioli).
The Hawks have seven above average players.
10. Collingwood – Three elite players (Jeremy Howe, Scott Pendlebury and Jack Crisp).
11. Essendon – Two elite players (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Michael Hurley).
The Bombers have nine above average players.
12. West Coast – Six elite players (Jeremy McGovern, Elliot Yeo, Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui).
The Eagles have two above average players. Andrew Gaff is listed as an average player.
13. North Melbourne – One elite player (Todd Goldstein).
The Kangaroos have six above average players.
14. St Kilda – One elite player (Jack Sinclair).
The Saints have seven above average players.
15. Gold Coast – Two elite players (Aaron Hall and Tom Lynch).
The Suns have four above average players.
16. Brisbane Lions – Two elite players (Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko).
The Lions have four above average players, including Luke Hodge.
17. Fremantle – One elite player (Nat Fyfe).
The Dockers have five above average players.
18. Carlton – One elite player (Sam Docherty).
The Blues have five above average players.
It's here! @championdata's 2018 AFL list rankings were revealed by Huddo and the guys on #SENBreakfast this morning. Do you agree with where your club is ranked? | https://t.co/o9XdnkTNqh | #AFL pic.twitter.com/eKR1mORfSf
— SEN Footy (@SENfooty) January 31, 2018
