AFL 2023: Mick McGuane ranks every midfield 1-18

Analyst Mick McGuane ranked Carlton’s midfield the fourth-best in the AFL, but readers clearly don’t agree. See who the fans rate and cast your vote on every team’s onballers.

Every midfield in the AFL ranked ahead of the 2023 season.

The game of AFL football starts and stops in the midfield.

Many of the best premiership teams over recent times have also featured some of the great midfield groups of the modern era.

It’s not just about the on-ballers who rack up the disposals, either.

The midfield group at each club takes in the ruckman and the wingmen, who also have vital roles to play both in offensive and defensive transition.

They didn’t make a preliminary final last year, but Melbourne has added some great talent to its midfield mix over the off-season and will be a powerful unit in 2023.

Reigning premier Geelong is down a few pegs in my rankings, with the retirement of Joel Selwood playing a factor.

In ranking the best midfields heading into the 2023 season, I assessed each team on strength at stoppages and a balance between contested and uncontested possessions, as well as looking for effective ball-users, good decision-makers and transition runners.

Ruckmen were also taken into account based on their stoppage influence, especially hit-outs to advantage and their ability to either get back to support their defenders or slide forward to be an aerial threat.

Agree? Disagree? Cast your votes and comment below to have your say.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Mick McGuane ranks every midfield 1-18