AFL 2023: Champion Data analysis reveals every elite player at the halfway point of the year
Champion Data have revealed the elite-rated players in 2023, and Patrick Cripps and Max Gawn couldn’t even make the ‘above average’ ranking. See the other big names who didn’t cut it here.
Which club has the most “elite” players this season?
Is it the ladder leading Magpies or perhaps reigning premiers Geelong?
Champion Data analysis has the Western Bulldogs coming out on top as the team with the most elite-rated players by position, closely followed by the Magpies and, despite their ladder slide in 2023, the Sydney Swans.
Three clubs, including one inside the top eight, are considered to have only one elite-rated player each, while one club has none.
Champion Data’s analysis of the first 11 rounds is based upon its AFL Player Ratings, which measure how the ball is won, where on the ground the footy is won and what the player does with the ball.
If a player wins the ball in a contest, in a dangerous area on the ground and uses the ball well, they are rated more highly.
The ratings are determined according to each player’s relevant position and then ranked as elite, above average, average, below average or poor.
Players must have played a minimum of six games in 2023, while last year’s ratings were based on a minimum of 11 matches.
So, who are the elite players at your club?
ADELAIDE
Elite players 2023: Izak Rankine (general forward).
Elite players 2022: Jordan Dawson (general defender), Reilly O’Brien (ruck), Taylor Walker (key forward).
Above average 2023: Brodie Smith (general defender), Chayce Jones (wing), Jordan Dawson (midfielder), Josh Rachele (mid-forward), Luke Pedlar (general forward), Nick Murray (key defender), Riley Thilthorpe (key forward), Rory Sloane (wing), Taylor Walker (key forward), Tom Doedee (general defender).
Star recruit Izak Rankine carries his elite rating from the Gold Coast to Adelaide, but he sits alone as the Crows only elite-rated player.
The Crows had three players with an elite rating last year, two of which – Jordan Dawson and Taylor Walker – are considered “above average” this year, while Reilly O’Brien has an average rating.
BRISBANE LIONS
Elite players 2023: Charlie Cameron (general forward), Joe Daniher (key forward).
Elite players 2022: Charlie Cameron (general forward), Daniel Rich (general defender), Lachie Neale (midfielder).
Above average 2023: Cam Rayner (general forward), Daniel Rich (general defender), Dayne Zorko (mid-forward), Harris Andrews (key defender), Josh Dunkley (midfielder), Lachie Neale (midfielder), Oscar McInerney (ruck), Zac Bailey (mid-forward).
Brisbane might be on target for a top-four finish this season, but the number of elite-rated players in the Lions’ den has actually fallen this year, according to Champion Data.
The Lions had three elite-rated players last season, but this has slipped to two so far in 2023.
Star small forward Charlie Cameron retains his rating and is joined by key forward Joe Daniher, while midfield star Lachie Neale and veteran Daniel Rich were rated in the above average category.
CARLTON
Elite players 2023: Adam Saad (general defender), Charlie Curnow (key forward).
Elite players 2022: Adam Saad (general defender), Charlie Curnow (key forward), Patrick Cripps (midfielder).
Above average 2023: Adam Cerra (midfielder), Blake Acres (wing), Jacob Weitering (key defender), Lewis Young (key defender), Matthew Owies (general forward), Sam Docherty (general defender).
The number of elite-rated Carlton players has slipped from three to two in 2023.
Star half back Adam Saad and spearhead Charlie Curnow have retained their elite-rating from last season, while skipper Patrick Cripps drops out of the elite bracket.
Cripps has an “average” midfield rating so far this year, according to Champion Data’s analysis.
COLLINGWOOD
Elite players 2023: Darcy Moore (key defender), Jordan De Goey (midfielder), Josh Daicos (wing), Nick Daicos (general defender), Steele Sidebottom (wing).
Elite players 2022: Brayden Maynard (general defender), Darcy Moore (key defender), Jack Crisp (midfielder), Jeremy Howe (key defender), Josh Daicos (wing), Steele Sidebottom (wing).
Above average players 2023: Beau McCreery (general forward), Brody Mihocek (key forward), Scott Pendlebury (midfielder), Taylor Adams (mid-forward).
The ladder-leading Magpies boast the equal-second highest number of elite-rated players so far in season 2023.
But this number has dropped from six last season.
Skipper and star defender Darcy Moore, Josh Daicos and Steele Sidebottom retain their elite rating from last year and are joined by Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos in 2023.
Jack Crisp (rated average), Jeremy Howe (not qualified due to injury) and Brayden Maynard (rated average) slipped out of the elite category.
ESSENDON
Elite players 2023: Jake Stringer (general forward), Kyle Langford (general forward), Mason Redman (general defender), Nic Martin (wing).
Elite players 2022: Zach Merrett (midfielder).
Above average players 2023: Andrew McGrath (general defender), Archie Perkins (general forward), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (key defender), Darcy Parish (midfielder), Dylan Shiel (midfielder), Jordan Ridley (general defender), Jye Caldwell (mid-forward), Zach Merrett (midfielder).
See Essendon’s number of elite-rated players fly up, up under new coach Brad Scott this season.
The Bombers had one elite-rated player – Zach Merrett in 2022 – but now boast four, which puts them equal-third in the competition.
Match-winner Jake Stringer, Kyle Langford, Mason Redman and Nic Martin have all earned an elite-rating so far in season 2023, but Merrett has slipped to above average.
FREMANTLE
Elite players 2023: Caleb Serong (midfielder), Hayden Young (general defender).
Elite players 2022: Sam Switkowski (general forward).
Above average players 2023: Bailey Banfield (general forward), Brennan Cox (key defender), James Aish (wing), Lachie Schultz (general forward), Luke Ryan (general defender), Michael Frederick (general forward), Sam Switkowski (general forward), Sean Darcy (ruck).
Forward Sam Switkowski was the only Docker to have an elite rating for season 2022, but the number has doubled in 2023.
Caleb Serong and Hayden Young have earned elite ratings, but Switkowski has lost his, slipping to the above average category.
GEELONG
Elite players 2023: Jeremy Cameron (key forward), Tom Hawkins (key forward).
Elite players 2022: Jeremy Cameron (key forward), Max Holmes (wing), Tom Hawkins (key forward), Tom Stewart (general defender), Tyson Stengle (general forward).
Above average players 2023: Gryan Miers (general forward), Isaac Smith (wing), Mark Blicavs (ruck), Max Holmes (midfielder), Patrick Dangerfield (midfielder), Tom Stewart (general defender).
The Cats boasted five elite-rated players in their premiership-winning season in 2022, but that number has taken a tumble along with their ladder standing this year.
Star forwards Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins retained their elite rating, but Max Holmes, Tom Stewart and Tyson Stengle all slipped.
Holmes and Stewart were rated as above average, while Stengle was rated as average.
GOLD COAST
Elite players 2023: Jarrod Witts (ruck), Nick Holman (general forward).
Elite players 2022: Izak Rankine (midfielder), Jarrod Witts (ruck), Touk Miller (midfielder).
Above average players 2023: Ben Ainsworth (general forward), Charlie Ballard (key defender), Jack Lukosius (key forward), Matt Rowell (midfielder), Noah Anderson (midfielder), Touk Miller (midfielder), Wil Powell (general defender).
Gold Coast had three elite-rated players last season, but lost Izak Rankine to the Crows.
That has left two so far in season 2023. Ruckman Jarrod Witts has retained his elite-rating and is joined by forward Nick Holman.
Midfielder Touk Miller, the Suns’ other elite-rated player last season, has slipped to the above average category.
GWS GIANTS
Elite players 2023: Brent Daniels (general forward), Jack Buckley (key defender), Sam Taylor (key defender), Toby Greene (general forward).
Elite players 2022: Harry Himmelberg (key forward), Lachie Whitfield (wing), Sam Taylor (key defender), Stephen Coniglio (mid-forward), Toby Greene (general forward).
Above average players 2023: Callan Ward (mid-forward), Connor Idun (general defender), Finn Callaghan (wing), Harry Himmelberg (key forward), Josh Kelly (midfielder), Lachie Whitfield (general defender), Matt Flynn (ruck), Nick Haynes (general defender), Stephen Coniglio (midfielder), Tom Green (midfielder).
The Giants had the equal-second highest number of elite-rated players for season 2022 with five and have fallen only one short of that figure so far this year.
Skipper and star forward Toby Greene and defender Sam Taylor have retained their elite status and are joined by Brent Daniels and Jack Buckley in 2023.
The Giants other elite-rated players from 2022 – Harry Himmelberg, Lachie Whitfield and Stephen Coniglio – have been rated as above average so far this season.
HAWTHORN
Elite players 2023: James Sicily (key defender).
Elite players 2022: Dylan Moore (general forward), Jack Scrimshaw (general defender), James Sicily (key defender), Luke Breust (general forward).
Above average players 2023: Karl Amon (wing), Tyler Brockman (general forward), Dylan Moore (general forward).
The Hawks had four elite-rated players for season 2022, but only one this year.
Captain and star defender James Sicily is the only Hawk owning and elite status s far in 2023.
Of the other three elite-rated players from 2022, forward Dylan Moore is rated in the above average category, veteran Luke Breust has slipped to average and defender Jack Scrimshaw has not met the minimum game qualification for a rating.
MELBOURNE
Elite players 2023: Christian Petracca (midfielder), Clayton Oliver (midfielder).
Elite players 2022: Bayley Fritsch (general forward), Christian Petracca (midfielder), Clayton Oliver (midfielder).
Above average players 2023: Alex Neal-Bullen (general forward), Angus Brayshaw (general defender), Bayley Fritsch (general forward), Jack Viney (midfielder), Lachie Hunter (wing), Steven May (key defender), Tom McDonald (key forward), Trent Rivers (general defender).
The Demons have slipped from three elite-rated players in 2022 to two this season.
Star midfielders Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca have retained their top status, while forward Bayley Fritsch has slipped to an above average rating.
Skipper and star ruckman Max Gawn has an average rating this year, according to Champion Data.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Elite players 2023: Todd Goldstein (ruck).
Elite players 2022: Aaron Hall (general defender).
Above average players 2023: Cameron Zurhaar (general forward), Harry Sheezel (general defender), Jack Ziebell (general defender), Liam Shiels (wing), Luke Davies-Uniacke (midfielder), Nick Larkey (key forward).
The Kangaroos had one elite player in 2022 and still have just one this season.
Defender Aaron Hall was the top Roo last year, but ruckman Todd Goldstein is the only player with an elite status in 2023.
Hall has not met the minimum qualification for matches played for Champion Data’s ratings.
RICHMOND
Elite players 2023: Dustin Martin (general forward), Nick Vlastuin (general defender), Shai Bolton (mid-forward).
Elite players 2022: Marlion Pickett (wing), Nick Vlastuin (general defender), Shai Bolton (mid-forward), Tom Lynch (key forward).
Above average players 2023: Daniel Rioli (general defender), Liam Baker (general defender), Marlion Pickett (wing), Nathan Broad (key defender), Noah Balta (key defender), Toby Nankervis (ruck).
Richmond had four elite-rated players in 2022 with that number slipping by one this season.
Triple Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, Nick Vlastuin and Shai Bolton have all retained their elite status from last year.
The other player from the 2022 elite crew – Marlion Pickett – holds an above average rating in 2023.
PORT ADELAIDE
Elite players 2023: Connor Rozee (midfielder), Dan Houston (general defender), Zak Butters (midfielder).
Elite players 2022: Charlie Dixon (key forward), Connor Rozee (mid-forward), Karl Amon (wing), Zak Butters (mid-forward).
Above average players 2023: Charlie Dixon (key forward), Darcy Byrne-Jones (general forward), Jeremy Finlayson (key forward), Sam Powell-Pepper (general forward).
Port Adelaide’s contingent of elite players has slipped by one in 2023.
Midfield stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters have retained their elite status and have been joined by defender Dan Houston.
Of the other elite players from last season, forward Charlie Dixon holds an above average rating, while Karl Amon is now at the Hawks.
ST KILDA
Elite players 2023: Callum Wilkie (key defender), Jack Sinclair (general defender), Mason Wood (wing), Mitch Owens (key forward).
Elite players 2022: Daniel McKenzie (wing), Jack Sinclair (general defender).
Above average players 2023: Brad Hill (mid-forward), Jack Higgins (general forward), Rowan Marshall (ruck).
St Kilda’s number of elite-rated players has doubled under new coach Ross Lyon this season.
Star half-back Jack Sinclair retains his elite rating, while he is joined by Callum Wilkie, re-energised wingman Mason Wood and forward Mitch Owens in 2023.
An elite wingman last year, injuries have prevented Daniel McKenzie taking to the field so far this season.
SYDNEY
Elite players 2023: Errol Gulden (wing), Isaac Heeney (general forward), Jake Lloyd (general defender), Nick Blakey (general defender), Tom Papley (general forward).
Elite players 2022: Isaac Heeney (general forward), Nick Blakey (general defender), Tom Papley (general forward).
Above average players 2023: Chad Warner (midfielder), Hayden McLean (key forward), Justin McInerney (wing), Luke Parker (midfielder), Oliver Florent (general defender), Robbie Fox (key defender).
They might have slipped from grand finalists to 11th on the ladder after a shaky start to the season, but the Swans still boast the equal-second most elite-rated players in the league.
Up from three last season, the Swans sit alongside Collingwood with five elite-rated players this year.
Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley retain their elite rating from last season, while they are joined in 2023 by Errol Gulden and Jake Lloyd.
WEST COAST
Elite players 2023: None.
Elite players 2022: Jamie Cripps (general forward), Tom Barrass (key defender).
Above average players 2023: Jayden Hunt (wing), Oscar Allen (key forward), Shannon Hurn (general defender), Tom Barrass (key defender).
Decimated by injury this season, the Eagles are the only team not to have an elite rated player, according to Champion Data’s analysis.
The Eagles boasted two last season, but Jamie Cripps does not meet the qualification with only three games played this season and Tom Barrass’ rating has slipped to above average.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Elite players 2023: Bailey Dale (general defender), Caleb Daniel (mid-forward), Jack Macrae (mid-forward), Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder), Tim English (ruck), Tom Liberatore (midfielder).
Elite players 2022: Bailey Dale (general defender), Ed Richards (general defender), Josh Dunkley (mid-forward), Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder), Tim English (ruck), Tom Liberatore (midfielder).
Above average players 2023: Bailey Smith (mid-forward), Ed Richards (general defender), Jason Johannisen (general defender).
The Bulldogs boast the most elite-rated players in the competition, equalling their elite crop from 2022.
Four players – skipper Marcus Bontempelli, defender Bailey Dale, ruckman Tim English and midfielder Tom Liberatore held their elite rating from last season.
In a new role in 2023, Caleb Daniel enters the elite fold as a mid-forward.
Jack Macrae is also rated an elite mid-forward.
More Coverage
‘Smart business’: Why did Essendon trade away pick 9?
Essendon just gave up a top-10 draft pick for a host of late and future selections. What are the Bombers up to – and how does a teenage goalsneak fit into their plans? Find out here.
Trade live: AFL legend calls for more brutal trade rules
With big names in limbo, Nathan Buckley has declared clubs should be able to trade players without their consent. Meanwhile, Essendon has made a big move. FOLLOW LIVE.