20. Sam Mitchell
West Coast
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 6
Official AFL Player Rating: 23
Debut: 2002
Games: 307
AFL Fantasy value: $602,000
After securing his fifth Hawthorn champion award – second only to Leigh Matthews' eight – Mitchell stunned the football world with his bombshell trade to West Coast. Despite turning 34 in October, Mitchell remains one of the AFL's finest midfielders and is coming off a campaign where he averaged nearly 30 disposals. The newly-crowned 2012 Brownlow medallist's classy distribution by hand and foot, combined with his razor-sharp football smarts, will be invaluable to the developing Eagles engine room.
19. Eddie Betts
Adelaide
Forward
Last year's ranking: 32
Official AFL Player Rating: 28
Debut: 2005
Games: 253
AFL Fantasy value: $482,000
The most prolific goalkicking small forward in the game, who vies with Cyril Rioli for the title of best small forward overall, has enjoyed a career surge since leaving Carlton to return to his native Adelaide at the end of 2013. In three seasons as a Crow, electrifying Eddie has kicked 189 goals, including a career-high 75 last year to finish equal-third in the Coleman Medal and lead Adelaide's goalkicking for a third successive season.
18. Cyril Rioli
Hawthorn
Forward
Last year's ranking: 17
Official AFL Player Rating: 9
Debut: 2008
Games: 178
AFL Fantasy value: $512,000
With renewed confidence in his once-dodgy hamstrings, Rioli is at the peak of his powers. The little master enjoyed a career year in 2015, but then stepped up again last season as Alastair Clarkson leaned heavily on his trio of star small forwards to create havoc in a remodeled and undersized attack. Rioli booted a career-high 47 goals – at a remarkable 75 per accuracy – and terrorised defences with his relentless pressure at ground level. From 21 games, Rioli was only kept goalless twice on the way to earning his third All Australian jumper.
17. Max Gawn
Melbourne
Ruck
Last year's ranking: -
Official AFL Player Rating: 13
Debut: 2011
Games: 61
AFL Fantasy value: $642,000
16. Robbie Gray
Port Adelaide
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 10
Official AFL Player Rating: 3
Debut: 2007
Games: 155
AFL Fantasy value: $526,000
Smart, consistent midfielder/forward who perhaps hasn't received the level of kudos he has deserved after winning the Power's past three best and fairest awards. Gray slides in the view of his fellow players after missing three games through injury last year. Despite the setbacks he maintained his excellence while teammates battled, averaging 26.3 possessions (including 13.6 contested) and contributing 25 goals with his typical cleverness around the sticks.
