Ultimate Player Ratings: Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane rate and rank every player in the AFL

Collingwood boasts five stars in the 85-or-more bracket of our Ultimate Player Ratings. The Bombers, however, have just one – but it might be a different story this time next year.

It is footy’s greatest question mark ahead of the 2024 season.

And for Melbourne, it could be the difference between another year of frustration and a second flag that defines legacies.

Is Clayton Oliver’s best football behind him or will he get the help he needs to reclaim his position in the AFL’s elite?

The Herald Sun’s 2024 player ratings provoked plenty of strong opinion – were we too harsh on Nat Fyfe and Jake Stringer, was James Rowbottom’s kicking really that bad?

But as this masthead collates the ratings of every player and the cream rises to the top, Oliver’s rating of 77 also reinforces the talent at Melbourne if the Demons can find a way to return him to his brilliant best.

Criteria: Prediction of their 2024 performance based on their 2023 season, expected improvement and role in their side.

Melbourne already has five players in that upper echelon of 85 points or more without Oliver, downgraded given the clear issues about his professionalism, off-field behaviour and likely late start to the season.

Last year’s preliminary finalists all have at least four players who rate 85 or higher in the Herald Sun rankings.

Collingwood boasts five – Nick Daicos (94), Jordan De Goey (90), Darcy Moore (88), Josh Daicos (87) and Isaac Quaynor (85).

GWS has small forward Toby Greene (93), defensive beast Sam Taylor (90), midfield extractor Tom Green (89), half back Lachie Whitfield (86) and Stephen Coniglio (85).

The Demons boast Christian Petracca (92), Max Gawn (89), Jack Viney (88), Jake Lever (87) and Steven May (86) in the 85-or-more bracket as they make noises that Oliver’s return to football will be some time into the 2024 season.

Will the superstar Dee return to his best in 2024? (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

So the Demons will believe they have the talent with our without Oliver, still aware his return would provide a massive momentum boost for one of footy’s most talent-laden lists.

If Melbourne oozes talent, Essendon has only captain Zach Merrett on the list of players with at least 85 points (Kyle Langford was rated an 84, Mason Redman 83, Jordan Ridley 82).

Could this be the year when Essendon’s performance matches potential?

A scan through Essendon’s recent draft and trade history shows this list is stacked with high-end picks.

The Dons will go into 2024 with 12 listed players who were drafted within the top 10 picks and 18 players drafted within the top 20 picks.

Andy McGrath (pick 1), Jake Stringer (pick 5), Darcy Parish (pick 5), Will Setterfield (pick 5) Elijah Tsatas (pick 5), Dyson Heppell (pick 8), Peter Wright 8 (pick 8), Nik Cox (pick 8), Sam Weideman (pick 9), Archie Perkins (pick 9), Zach Reid (pick 10) and Nate Caddy (pick 10) are the early selections and if some are second-chance heroes or long in the tooth (Heppell) there is now a critical mass of talent.

So Essendon will start the season aware it is behind the elite contenders but believing it can come with a rush.

Originally published as Ultimate Player Ratings: Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane rate and rank every player in the AFL