AFL 2022: Champion Data analysis reveals every elite player at every club at the season halfway point
How many elite players does your club have? Check out the full guide to who has secured that tag in 2022 and who has lost it.
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It’s full steam ahead now to September, and as the reigning premiers desperately attempt to get their season back on track, you might be surprised how few “elite” players the Demons have in their midst.
The Tiger train, however, has very few actual passengers with more than a handful pulling their weight as Punt Road remains a force.
Four teams — including one inside the top eight — are considered to have no elite players in their midst.
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The Champion Data analysis of the first 13 rounds is based upon AFL Player Ratings, which measure how the ball is won, where on the ground the ball is won and what the player does with it.
Last year’s status was determined based on players that had played 10 or more games and all players are rated according to their relevant position.
If a player wins the ball in a contest, use the ball well or are in particularly dangerous areas of the ground are rated more highly.
So who makes it from your team at the halfway point? It might not be the names you think!
ADELAIDE
Elite players: 2 — Jordan Dawson (general defender, at Sydney), Taylor Walker (key forward)
Who was elite in 2021? Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker
The Crows’ elite pairing from last season have carried their consistent ability to deliver into the first half of this season.
Walker, 32, returned to AFL in Round 4 after serving a ban for a racist comment, and has kicked 21 goals in his eight outings so far this year, prompting new contract talks that are set to be finalised shortly.
Dawson has been another standout in the first half of the year out of the backline, after his trade from Sydney at the end of last season.
The South Australian looks right at home and has maintained his form beautifully, averaging more than 24 touches a game and eight marks.
BRISBANE LIONS
Elite players: 2 — Charlie Cameron (general forward), Lachie Neale (midfielder)
Who was elite in 2021? Harris Andrews (key defender, now above average), Lincoln McCarthy (general forward, now above average), Hugh McCluggage (wing in 2021, now above average midfielder), Daniel Rich (general defender, now above average), Dayne Zorko (midfielder in 2021, now above average general defender)
The Lions might have dropped in their total tally of elite players but it hasn’t hampered them as an overall outfit as they occupy top spot of the ladder at the halfway point.
Neale, who battled injuries last year and was rated above average by Champion Data, has rocketed to not only elite status but Brownlow Medal favouritism.
Top in the league for contested possessions, ground balls and clearances — the numbers speak for themselves.
As for Charlie, his 31-goal tally — including at least one in every game — has him firmly in contention for All-Australian selection, with his pressure also a key asset.
CARLTON
Elite players: 3 — Patrick Cripps (midfielder), George Hewett (midfielder), Adam Saad (general defender)
Who was elite in 2021? Adam Saad, Jacob Weitering (key defender, now above average), Zac Williams (general defender, now above average)
What a return to form it’s been for the skipper. Cripps, who notched his 150th game last week, admitted in the lead-up to the milestone that he had listened to the criticism surrounding his form in recent years and was determined to change the narrative, working “really hard on my body and mindset to come out really refreshed and determined”.
It’s worked.
Cripps is having a significant impact in the middle and pushing forward, booting goals in all but one game so far this season.
He’s got former Swan George Hewett also delivering alongside him in the centre with speedster Adam Saad backing up his 2021 elite form yet again.
COLLINGWOOD
Elite players: 1 — Jack Crisp (midfielder)
Who was elite in 2021? Jack Crisp (2021 general defender), Jamie Elliott (general forward, now above average), Brodie Grundy (ruck, now above average), Darcy Moore (key defender, now above average)
Jack Crisp is the sole Pie in elite standing so far this season, another to continue his standing in the category from 2021.
But it’s been with a difference, moving into elite status as a midfielder rather than a defender.
Crisp has evolved from role player to reliable star and also contributing to the scoreboard, averaging 26.5 touches and is second in the competition for pressure acts. Just an all-out contributor.
The Magpies’ three other 2021 elites are still right in the mix, all still above average in their respective positions.
FREMANTLE
Elite players: 1 — Sam Switkowski (general forward)
Who was elite in 2021? Sam Switkowski, Sean Darcy (ruck, now above average)
It’s with heavy hearts that Sam Switkowski is anointed as the only elite Docker, given news this week of his back fracture that could see him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The goalsneak — who missed the entirety of 2020 after a stress fracture in his back — has backed up his 2021 elite form with pressure and flair that had him in the All-Australian conversation.
A real shame, though the Dockers have shown they have plenty of contributors with Michael Frederick and Matt Taberner both back this week.
Big man Sean Darcy remains above average for rucks this season after his elite 2021.
GEELONG
Elite players: 3 — Jeremy Cameron (key forward), Tom Hawkins (key forward), Tom Stewart (general defender)
Who was elite in 2021? Tom Hawkins, Tom Stewart
It’s the pillars at both ends of the ground that have the Cats humming this season.
Former Giant Jeremy Cameron — who was rated as above average last season — is working seamlessly alongside fellow elite key forward Tom Hawkins, with the pair combining for 75 goals so far this year.
All-Australian defender Tom Stewart only continues to go from strength to strength, labelled the game’s best backman by his coach just a few weeks ago.
He sits inside the competition’s top five for marks as he sweeps across with his trademark intercepts, for which he is fourth.
GOLD COAST
Elite players: 2 — Touk Miller (midfielder), Jarrod Witts (ruck)
Who was elite in 2021? Touk Miller
Miller has starred in the middle off the back of a best and fairest year, but it’s the resurgence of Jarrod Witts to become arguably the game’s most dominant ruck that has everyone talking.
He’s the No. 1 big man in the game for hitouts and is a SuperCoach beast, well and truly worthy of his new-found elite status off the back of an unrated 2021 due to an ACL injury.
Witts is the third-best in the game for hitouts to advantage, with a career-high 37.7 per cent going to his speedy mates. Leading the club with flying colours.
GWS GIANTS
Elite players: 2 — Isaac Cumming (general defender), Harry Perryman (wing)
Who was elite in 2021? Toby Greene (general forward, now above average), Sam Taylor (key defender, now above average)
Neither Isaac Cumming or Harry Perryman were elite last season, with both advancing on what was deemed to be an above average season in an AFL player ratings sense.
But with Perryman — who was last week hospitalised after a brutal collision — now rated as a full-time wingman, he has elevated his game and his standing.
The switch-up from defence to the middle has seen the Giant go a little under the radar, with hopes being that he isn’t sidelined too long with those broken ribs.
Cumming has thrived down back with Harry Himmelberg now back there with him, while last year’s elites Toby Greene and Sam Taylor continue to contribute.
HAWTHORN
Elite players: 3 — Mitch Lewis (key forward), Dylan Moore (general forward), James Sicily (key defender)
Who was elite in 2021? Dylan Moore, Luke Breust (general forward, now above average), Jack Scrimshaw (general defender, now above average), Chad Wingard (2021 mid-forward, now above average general forward)
Dylan Moore is the only elite 2021 Hawk to maintain his status, but it’s the return of James Sicily that has turned heads this season.
The 27-year-old — who has been standing in for sidelined skipper Ben McEvoy — is ranked the best in the competition for rebound 50s, marks and intercepts.
Need we say more? He’s been a force, and could well earn himself his first All-Australian blazer this year.
Mitch Lewis has kicked 27 goals, with three or more in seven games.
MELBOURNE
Elite players: 1 — Clayton Oliver (midfielder)
Who was elite in 2021? Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca (midfielder, now above average), Jake Lever (key defender, now below average)
He was the best and fairest player in a premiership year — no mean feat — and Oliver is now the sole elite-rated Demon in the reigning premiership side.
Fellow midfielder Christian Petracca remains in the above average tier but previously-elite defender Jake Lever is the biggest slider from the 2021 elites, having to below average after slipping in AFL player ratings points.
Oliver, 24, leads the AFL Coaches’ Association votes and is firmly in the conversation for this year’s Brownlow Medal. A blistering performer who will be rallying to drag his side back to life after the bye.
RICHMOND
Elite players: 4 — Tom Lynch (key forward), Marlion Pickett (wing), Jayden Short (general defender), Nick Vlastuin (general defender)
Who was elite in 2021? Dustin Martin (mid-forward, now above average)
Being without Dustin Martin for a portion of this season forced Tigers coach Damien Hardwick to switch up the magnets and the sharing of the load has resulted in more players being crowned as elite.
Tom Lynch’s first half of 2022 has delivered 31 goals and has him ranked top for contested marks per game and he’s right up there for the Coleman Medal.
Jayden Short’s move into the middle in Martin’s absence proved a revelation, earning him plaudits as the top player for metres gained in the game and his versatility.
Look out September — these Tigers aren’t going anywhere.
ST KILDA
Elite players: 1 — Jack Sinclair (general defender)
Who was elite in 2021? Jack Sinclair
Sinclair’s shift to the backline has delivered a career-best season with his speed off halfback one of the Saints’ key assets in their top eight charge, sitting inside the game’s top players for metres gained.
But the flying mullet recently told the Herald Sun that being thrown into All-Australian talk will take some getting used to.
“It’s nice to get a bit of recognition, but I wouldn’t mind flying under the radar,” he said.
“You never know. You play well and that stuff takes care of itself, but I’m just happy the team is in some good form and we are getting some good wins on the board.”
WEST COAST
Elite players: 1 — Jeremy McGovern (key defender)
Who was elite in 2021? Liam Ryan (general forward, now average)
Four-time All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern is the Eagles’ sole elite-rated player for AFL player ratings, stepping into the status from an “above average” 2021.
Liam Ryan was the lone elite player in the category in 2021, but has slipped to average under the rating system.
In what has been a horror year for the Eagles, McGovern has been stoic down back with his intercepting ability still a prime asset.
But with possible broken ribs from the Cats contest, the defender could find himself sidelined.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Elite players: 3 — Marcus Bontempelli (mid-forward), Bailey Dale (general defender), Tim English (ruck)
Who was elite in 2021? Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale, Caleb Daniel (general defender, now above average), Tom Liberatore (2021 midfielder, now above average mid-forward), Jack Macrae (midfielder, now above average), Bailey Smith (2021 wing, now above average mid-forward), Adam Treloar (2021 mid-forward, now average midfielder)
The Western Bulldogs’ list of elite players has been trimmed from seven to just a trio of contributors, led by the skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
His role as a mid-forward is one of the most formidable in the competition, fuelled further by his ability to combine with now-elite tapman Tim English and above average midfielders like Jack Macrae.
He is also in the top few players in the game for goal assists.
Bailey Dale has gone back-to-back so far this year, capitalising on what has been a stellar 18 months with a new five-year deal this week.
Last year’s elite stars Caleb Daniel, Tom Liberatore, Macrae and Bailey Smith all remain above average while former Pie Adam Treloar has slipped to average as a mid-forward.
TEAMS WITHOUT AN ELITE PLAYER SO FAR IN 2022
ESSENDON
Who was elite in 2021? Nick Hind (general defender, now above average), Darcy Parish (midfielder, now above average)
NORTH MELBOURNE
Who was elite in 2021? Aaron Hall (general defender, now above average)
PORT ADELAIDE
Who was elite in 2021? Karl Amon (wing, now above average), Aliir Aliir (key defender, now average), Zak Butters (2021 forward, now above average mid-forward)
SYDNEY
Who was elite in 2021? Lance Franklin (key forward, now above average), Isaac Heeney (2021 general forward, now above average mid-forward)
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