AFL 2023: Champion Data breaks down each club’s list to rank its depth across every position
The latest list analysis is in, but it’s not great viewing for Bombers fans. Only wooden spooners North Melbourne rank lower than them in this key category.
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How strong is the depth at your club?
We asked Champion Data to help break down the top-level positional talent and depth across each line for every club in the AFL.
Based on the Herald Sun SuperCoach points from season 2022, the players have been ranked according to their position – for example ruck, wing or key forward – and each club’s number of top-10, top-30 and top-50 players then curated.
They must have played a minimum of 10 matches to qualify for a position rank.
After just missing out on a place in the finals this year, Carlton has emerged as the team with the highest number (seven) of players with a top-10 ranking, just ahead of premier Geelong (six) and the GWS Giants (six).
North Melbourne had the least number of top-10 ranked players by position (one), while the Brisbane Lions had the most players overall with a top-30 ranking with 17.
But the Kangaroos did not have the worst depth in the competition with 12 players owning a top-30 ranking, while West Coast had the lowest with eight.
The clubs have been listed in ladder order from 2022.
1. GEELONG
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 6 | Top 11-30 players: 9 | Top 31-50 players: 3
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Forwards: Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional rank): Tom Stewart (4, general defender), Tom Hawkins (1, key forward), Brad Close (4, general forward), Jeremy Cameron (4, key forward), Tyson Stengle (5, general forward), Mark Blicavs (6, ruck)
Unsurprisingly, after a campaign which finished with the ultimate prize, Geelong boasts a strong level of top-end talent. The Cats had the second-highest number of players owning a top-10 positional ranking with six and 15 overall in the top-30 – the equal-second highest in the competition.
2. MELBOURNE
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 10 | Top 31-50 players: 4
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 0
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Forwards: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional rank): Steven May (2, key defender), Clayton Oliver (1, midfield), Max Gawn (1, ruck), Ed Langdon (6, wing)
The year after their breakthrough premiership win, the Demons had four players finish the season with a top-10 positional ranking, including two – midfielder Clayton Oliver and ruckman Max Gawn – with a No. 1 ranking. Overall, the Demons have 14 players with a top-30 ranking – the equal third-highest in the competition.
3. SYDNEY
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 5 | Top 11-30 players: 9 | Top 31-50 players: 6
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 4
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Forwards: Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Top 10 players (positional rank): Isaac Heeney (1, general forward), Tom Papley (3, general forward), Sam Reid (9, key forward), Callum Mills (7, midfield), Errol Gulden (9, mid-forward)
Sydney is one of five teams to have five players with a top-10 positional ranking, the equal third-highest for the competition, headlined by Isaac Heeney, who is tops as a general forward. The Swans have 14 players overall with a top-30 ranking.
4. COLLINGWOOD
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 5 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 11
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 6
Forwards: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 4
Top 10 players (positional rank): Jeremy Howe (8, key defender), Darcy Moore (9, key defender), Patrick Lipinski (7, mid-forward), Josh Daicos (8, wing), Steele Sidebottom (9, wing)
Collingwood has five players with a top-10 positional ranking, with Patrick Lipinski coming out on top with a No. 7 ranking as a mid-forward. The only other team without a player ranked inside the top five of their position is North Melbourne. The depth beyond that declines with the Magpies only having nine players overall with a top-30 positional ranking. Scott Pendlebury (32), best-and-fairest Jack Crisp (33) and Jordan De Goey (47) were ranked outside of the top-30 as midfielders.
5. FREMANTLE
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 8 | Top 31-50 players: 6
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional rank): Luke Ryan (10, general defender), Sam Switkowski (8, general forward), Sean Darcy (5, ruck), James Aish (10, wing)
Ruckman Sean Darcy heads the list of the four Dockers players finishing the season with a top-10 positional ranking. Beyond that, the Dockers have 12 players overall ranked inside the top-30 for their position.
6. BRISBANE LIONS
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 13 | Top 31-50 players: 6
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 0
Top 10 players (positional rank): Charlie Cameron (7, general forward), Josh Dunkley (1, mid-forward), Lachie Neale (3, midfield), Jarrod Berry (7, wing), Dayne Zorko (10, mid-forward)
Brisbane has four players with a top-10 positional ranking, headlined by star recruit and former Western Bulldog Josh Dunkley, who is ranked No. 1 as a mid-forward and Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale (No. 3 as a midfielder). But the Lions’ depth beyond that is strong, boasting more players with a top-30 positional ranking than any other team in the league. Overall, the Lions have 17 players in the top-30 – two more than the next best, Carlton and Geelong.
7. RICHMOND
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 5 | Top 11-30 players: 7 | Top 31-50 players: 8
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 6
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 0
Top 10 players: Nick Vlastuin (8, general defender), Tom Lynch (2, key forward), Tim Taranto (5, mid-forward), Toby Nankervis (7, ruck), Shai Bolton (8, mid-forward)
Spearhead Tom Lynch headlines the five Tigers with a top-10 positional ranking, while key recruit Tim Taranto comes in at No. 5 as a mid-forward ahead of Shai Bolton. The Tigers have 12 players overall ranked in the top-30 for their position.
8. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 5 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 9
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 4
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 5
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional ranking): Bailey Dale (7, general defender), Rory Lobb (8, key forward), Tim English (3, ruck), Marcus Bontempelli (5, midfield), Jack Macrae (6, midfield)
Ruckman Tim English leads the five Bulldogs with a top-10 positional ranking ahead of skipper Marcus Bontempelli, who comes in at No. 5 as a midfielder. But the Bulldogs have only nine players overall with a ranking in the top-30 for their position. Bailey Smith comes in at No. 27 as a midfielder.
9. CARLTON
Rankings by positions
Top 10 players: 7 | Top 11-30 players: 8 | Top 31-50 players: 4
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Forwards: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional rank): Sam Docherty (3, general defender), Adam Saad (6, general defender), Charlie Curnow (6, key forward), Harry McKay (10, key forward), Blake Acres (5, wing), George Hewett (9, midfield), Patrick Cripps (10, midfield)
After a season when they just missed out on a place in the finals, Carlton has emerged as the team with the most players boasting a top-10 positional ranking. The Blues have seven players with a positional rank in the top 10, with former skipper Sam Docherty ranked the highest as a general defender. Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow is ranked sixth as a key forward, while Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps is ranked 10th among midfielders. The Blues have 15 players with a top-30 positional ranking – the equal second-highest in the league.
10. ST KILDA
Rankings by positions
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 10 | Top 31-50 players: 4
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 6 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Forwards: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional rank): Jack Sinclair (1, general defender), Callum Wilkie (10, key defender), Jade Gresham (6, mid-forward), Rowan Marshall (9, ruck)
All-Australian defender Jack Sinclair heads the Saints’ list of players with a top-10 positional ranking, sitting at No. 1 among general defenders. While the Saints had four with a top-10 ranking, they had 14 players overall with a top-30 ranking for their position.
11. PORT ADELAIDE
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 5 | Top 11-30 players: 9 | Top 31-50 players: 8
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 5
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 7 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Forwards: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Top 10 players (positional rank): Dan Houston (9, general defender), Charlie Dixon (5, key forward), Sam Powell-Pepper (10, general forward), Zak Butters (3, mid-forward), Connor Rozee (4, mid-forward)
Zak Butters headlines the five Port Adelaide players with a positional ranking in the top-10, coming in at No. 3 as a mid-forward. The Power have 14 players overall with a top-30 ranking for their position.
12. GOLD COAST
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 9
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top-10 players (positional rank): Ben Ainsworth (9, general forward), Brandon Ellis (2, wing), Jarrod Witts (2, ruck), Touk Miller (4, midfielder)
Brandon Ellis and Jarrod Witts top the four Gold Coast players owning a top-10 ranking, sitting at No. 2 as a wingman and ruckman, respectively. But the Suns have only nine players with a top-30 ranking overall – the equal second-lowest in the competition.
13. HAWTHORN
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 6 | Top 31-50 players: 4
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 0
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Top 10 players (positional rank): James Sicily (1, key defender), Dylan Moore (2, general forward), Karl Amon (1, wing)
As Hawthorn embarks on a significant rebuild under new coach Sam Mitchell, the Hawks have three players with a top-10 positional ranking – the equal third-lowest in the league. Beyond that, the Hawks have nine players with a top-30 ranking – the equal second lowest in the competition.
14. ADELAIDE
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 5 | Top 31-50 players: 10
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Forwards: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 4
Top 10 players (positional rank): Jordan Dawson (2, general defender), Taylor Walker (3, key forward), Rory Laird (2, midfielder), Reilly O’Brien (4, ruck)
The Crows have four players with a top-10 positional ranking, headlined by Jordan Dawson as a general defender and Rory Laird as the second-ranked midfielder. But the depth drops away beyond that with the Crows only having nine players with a top-30 positional ranking – the equal second-lowest in the competition.
15. ESSENDON
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 12 | Top 31-50 players: 7
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 6 | Top 31-50 players: 0
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Forwards: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 5
Top 10 players (positional rank): Jordan Ridley (4, key defender), Zach Merrett (8, midfielder)
Essendon has the second-lowest number of players owning a top-10 positional ranking with Jordan Ridley and Zach Merrett the only two to make the grade. But there is depth beyond there with the Bombers having 14 players with a top-30 positional ranking, which is the equal third-highest in the league – one of four clubs with this number.
16. GWS GIANTS
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 6 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 4
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 0
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 3
Forwards: Top 10 players: 2 | Top 11-30 players: 0 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Top 10 players (positional rank): Sam Taylor (5, key defender), Harry Himmelberg (6, key defender), Toby Greene (6, general forward), Jesse Hogan (7, key forward), Stephen Coniglio (2, mid-forward), Lachie Whitfield (3, wing)
It might have been a challenging season for the Giants in 2022, but new coach Adam Kingsley has some top-line talent to work with. GWS has six players boasting a top-10 positional ranking – the equal second-highest in the league alongside premier Geelong. But the Giants’ depth beyond that drops off with the team only having 10 players overall with a top-30 positional ranking.
17. WEST COAST
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 4 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 3
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 3 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 1 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Forwards: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 2 | Top 31-50 players: 1
Top 10 players (positional rank): Tom Barrass (3, key defender), Shannon Hurn (5, general defender), Jeremy McGovern (7, key defender), Andrew Gaff (4, wing)
West Coast has four players with a top-10 ranking, but the team’s depth after that drops away. The Eagles have only eight players with a positional ranking in the top-30, which is the lowest in the competition.
18. NORTH MELBOURNE
Rankings by position
Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 11 | Top 31-50 players: 6
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Defenders: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Midfielders (including rucks, mid-forwards): Top 10 players: 1 | Top 11-30 players: 4 | Top 31-50 players: 4
Forwards: Top 10 players: 0 | Top 11-30 players: 3 | Top 31-50 players: 2
Top 10 players (positional rank): Todd Goldstein (8, ruck)
North Melbourne is the only team in the competition to have just one player with a top-10 positional ranking – veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein. But the Kangaroos’ depth is not the worst in the competition, having 12 players with a top-30 positional ranking – four more than the Eagles.
Originally published as AFL 2023: Champion Data breaks down each club’s list to rank its depth across every position
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