AFL 2024: Mick McGuane ranks every side’s midfield group 1-18

AFL analyst Mick McGuane has made his call on the AFL’s midfields from 1-18, but the fans have a different opinion. And the Blues top the readers’ poll. Have your say.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Darcy Parish of the Bombers handballs whilst being tackled during the round three AFL match between Essendon Bombers and St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium, on March 30, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Football starts in the midfield.

Each team’s engine room is vital to their overall success — or lack thereof.

So who has the best — and worst — midfield groups in the competition?

AFL analyst Mick McGuane has ranked them, based on who he would pick as the starting ruckman and three on-ballers.

In determining his rankings, Mick took into account how well the groups win the ball and generate scores from that, but also how well they defend stoppages and the pressure they collectively apply.

He also considered the ball use and decision making of each group when attacking with the ball, along with taking into account their strength as transition runners both ways.

Ruckman were ranked not only their hit outs but also their ability to impact around the ground.

Here are the rankings.

MICK’S HOT TAKES

GOOD

The decision not to suspend Zak Butters. It keeps the fabric of our great game alive and well. When the ball is in dispute, you should be able to approach the contest at any speed providing your focus is on winning the ball, which I thought was Butters’ primary objective. Common sense prevailed.

BAD

The lack of answers from AFL House about concussion payouts and how they impact the salary cap. Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy was the latest player to be medically retired from the game this week and will have his contract paid out. But we haven’t got categoric answers from the league over whether such payouts will need to be included in salary caps.

Mick’s Ugly this week is the decision by the AFL Tribunal to clear Charlie Cameron. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

UGLY

The AFL Tribunal’s decision to clear Charlie Cameron for his dangerous tackle. On face value, I did not think the tackle on Jake Lever warranted a suspension. But let’s hope everyone who fronts the tribunal in future does not play the ‘good bloke’ card, because this decision opens a can of worms. I’m all for taking exceptional and compelling circumstances into account, but how can the action itself be downgraded from medium to low impact on the back of a clean record and community work?

Originally published as AFL 2024: Mick McGuane ranks every side’s midfield group 1-18