Who makes up the “elite” of the AFL as its top-10 best players?

The Advertiser’s Sports editor-at-large Michelangelo Rucci has predicted a new prince to take the AFL throne with the reveal of his top 10 AFL players for 2019. Who is your No.1? Vote now

• Top 50 AFL Players: 11-20
• Top 50 AFL players: 21-30
• Top 50 AFL players: 31-50
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Hail the new crowned prince of Australian football - Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps.

A new AFL season begins with a new No. 1, the 24-year-old ballwinner who carries the hopes of every Blues fan and should command the admiration of every AFL fanatic.

Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell’s pre-season setback with injury puts the Hawthorn star out of the rankings, for now. The dominance of fellow Brownlow Medallists Dustin Martin (Richmond), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) and Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) is now to be challenged by the promise Cripps developed last season and has reinforced with his pre-season work this year.

Strong, creative and now with more than 100 games of senior experience - the resume Patrick Cripps is about to become loaded with more gloss and tributes. A new star has risen to the AFL’s grandest throne.

The first 10 players on the AFL Top 50 list should be of players who make the fans eagerly come to the gates, hand over their money and leave the ground feeling they have been delivered a show.

These are the game’s elite, a tag that is often overused in Australian football.

By definition, “elite” refers to a very small sub-group - the creme de la creme.

In a league of 800 players, the elite - that top one per cent of the competition - is the top-10. Here are the players certain to offer entertainment in AFL Season 2019.

TOP 50

1-10

1. PATRICK CRIPPS (Carlton)

A new prince is ready to be crowned as the AFL’s finest player. The Blues’ 24-year-old midfielder starts his sixth AFL season appearing capable of imposing himself on matches - even while carrying the heavy demands at Carlton - as the true superstars do.

Carlton’s Patrick Cripps runs with the ball against the Essendon Bombers at Ikon Park. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn thanks the fans after losing the 2018 second preliminary against the West Coast Eagle. Picture: Daniel Carson/Getty

2. MAX GAWN (Melbourne)

It is the time of the ruckman, particularly the one who can be effective in field positions - and Gawn has his strengths as an adaptive ruckman, a go-to forward (who does need to clear up those set shots) and a road block in defence.

3. DUSTIN MARTIN (Richmond)

Set extraordinary levels in 2017 as a Brownlow Medallist and premiership hero at Richmond, suffered with injury particularly late in the season last year and still one of the most dynamic players to watch.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin snaps a goal against Melbourne at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton. . Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt celebrates a goal during the preliminary final against the Collingwood Magpies. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty

4. JACK RIEWOLDT (Richmond)

How opinions have changed of Richmond key forwards as Riewoldt has emerged more and more as a team player - and a player the Tigers need for their team game. He could become even more of a torment to defenders now that Richmond can work a new tandem in attack with the arrival of Tom Lynch from Gold Coast.

5. BRODIE GRUNDY (Collingwood)

As with Gawn, the Magpies have a ruckman who is assertive outside the ruck contests. The South Australian draftee’s influence of field play is a major part of his game. The ruck work, particularly in delivering hit-outs to advantage, is developing to a major match-defining strength.

Magpie ruckman Brodie Grundy against the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in the second semi-final at the MCG. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP

Sydney's Lance Franklin rides home a goal against the GWS Giants at Spotless Stadium. Picture. Phil Hillyard

6. LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney)

Still the best power forward in the game - and holding up against incredible demands on his 32-year-old body. No player delivers more goals to his team than ‘Buddy” - and no key forward is more concerning to defenders as he moves around the forward half of the field waiting to break apart a contest.

7. JEREMY McGOVERN (West Coast)

An interesting year looms for the Eagles’ intercept defender. Do the rule changes - with the 6-6-6 starting positions - make it more difficult for McGovern to cut apart plays inside-50? Or do the Eagles take advantage of McGovern’s marking strength to play him in attack?

Eagles Jeremy McGovern prepares to kick against the Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium. Picture: Richard Wainwright/AAP

Melbourne's Clayton Oliver runs through the middle against Richmond at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton. Picture: Michael Klein

8. CLAYTON OLIVER (Melbourne)

Outstanding season in 2018 when the Gawn-Oliver tandem - and Oliver’s effective ball use - became a key force in driving the Demons back to AFL finals action for the first time in 12 years. Oliver does like to use his hands for disposals far more than his feet.

9. RORY LAIRD (Adelaide)

Here is football’s classic “diamond in the rough” as a rookie-listed defender who has graduated to claim consecutive All-Australian honours. So superb in his reading of the play at half-back, his one-on-one work and his attitude to his football.

Adelaide’s Rory laird fires out the handball against the GWS Giants at the Adelaide Oval. Picture Sarah Reed

Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield celebrates a goal during the second qualifying final against the Richmond Tigers at MCG. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty

10. PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Geelong)

Forward or midfield? The Brownlow Medallist is still a delight to watch for his determination and will power whatever role he is assigned by Geelong coach Chris Scott. His season will be defined by how “Danger” channels his energy to gain the maximum result.

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