Champion Data names the AFL’s best player at every age

Published by

Stephen Marson

Throughout the 2016 AFL season, Champion Data devised a new formula to measure just how good a player is, and have now launched their new Relative Ratings.

The ratings take into account how a player performs in relation to those at the same age as them, and compares them to all other players at that age from 2010 onwards.

Each player's output over the course of the 2016 season is determined through the relative ratings, and their age is decided on December 31st of that season, meaning despite Marcus Bontempelli being 20 on Grand Final day, he will be grouped with 21-year-olds.

Patrick Dangerfield - who led the AFL in relative ratings in 2016 - had a rating of +77%, meaning he averaged 77% more AFL Player Rating points than any other 26-year-old midfielder since 2010.

The following lists shows the top player in each age group for relative ratings across the 2016 season.

19-year-olds

Callum Mills (Sydney) +39%

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Callum Mills of the Swans handpasses the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 19 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The Rising Star winner has a stellar 2016 season, collecting 18.6 disposals a game, and was rated above average for disposals and contested possessions, while also winning the third-most intercept possessions of any general defender.

Notables: Jade Gresham (St Kilda) +38%, Jacob Weitering (Carlton) +37%

20-year-olds

Peter Wright (Gold Coast) +65%

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Peter Wright of the Suns attempts a mark during the round 23 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Port Adelaide Power at Metricon Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Wright kicked 27 goals from 17 games in 2016, but his kicking and scoring accuracy both rated elite across the competition, while his shot at goal rating was among the best in the league.

Notables: Harris Andrews (Brisbane) +50%

21-year-olds

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) +68%

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The Bulldogs midfielder was instrumental in the club's premiership season, rating above average in almost every key midfield category.

Notables: Patrick Cripps (Carlton) +45%, Zach Merrett (Essendon) +43%

22-year-olds

Zac Williams (GWS) +74%

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Zac Williams of the Giants argues with an umpires call during the round 11 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Simonds Stadium on June 4, 2016 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Williams is one of the most underrated players in the competition, and was ranked No.1 for general defenders for AFL Player Ratings points last season. His ball use is elite for a defender, and also finds himself in that category for contested possessions and groundball-gets.

Notables: Allir Allir (Sydney) +37%

23-year-olds

Sam Docherty (Carlton) +61%

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Sam Docherty of the Blues is tackled by Josh Kennedy of the Eagles during the 2016 AFL Round 17 match between the Carlton Blues and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 17, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The Carlton defender had a brilliant campaign last season, rating elite for AFL Player Rating points, disposals, metres gained, uncontested possessions, intercept marks and intercept possessions, and was the only defender in the AFL to rank elite in all of those categories.

Notables: Toby Greene (GWS) +59%

24-year-olds

Tom McDonald (Melbourne) +62%

Tom McDonald fights off Brandon Ellis during the round five AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 24, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.

McDonald averaged the most AFL Player Rating points of any key defender in 2016, and his kick rating was at +6.7% making him elite in that category.

Notables: Steven May (Gold Coast) +52%, Jeremy McGovern (West Coast) +51%

25-year-olds

Max Gawn (Melbourne) +74%

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Max Gawn of the Demons and Andrew Phillips of the Blues compete in a ruck contest during the 2016 AFL Round 22 match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 21, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The Melbourne big man rated elite for disposals, intercept marks and hitouts in 2016, and was the only ruckman to do so.

Notables: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) +66%

26-year-olds

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) +77%

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats celebrates during the 2016 AFL Second Qualifying Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 09, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The 2016 Brownlow Medalist averaged 31.8 disposals a game with 16.2 contested possessions a game, just over seven more than the competition average. Dangerfield also broke the season record for metres gained per game with 620.

Notables: Nic Naitanui (West Coast) +68%

27-year-olds

Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) +53%

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Cyril Rioli of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2016 AFL Second Qualifying Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 09, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Rioli had a shot at goal rating of +21.5% in 2016, which saw him record the highest percentage of any player with more than 50 shots at goal across a season since 2010. Rioli found himself in the elite category for kicking, forward 50 marks, pressure and goals.

Notables: Alex Rance (Richmond) +49%

28-year-olds

Josh P. Kennedy (Sydney) & Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) +53%

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Josh Kennedy of the Swans looks upfield during the First AFL Semi Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Adelaide Crows at the Sydney Cricket Ground on September 17, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The pair had fantastic 2016 seasons, as Kennedy averaged 31.5 disposals and 7.6 clearances a game, while Gray had 26.3 disposals and 6.1 clearances per game.

Notables: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) +49%

29-year-olds

Lance Franklin (Sydney) +44%

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 01, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Buddy bagged a total of 80 goals in 2016, and rated above average in all but one key area among all key forwards (contested marking). His 8.7 score involvements a game saw him rank No.1.

Notables: Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn) +26%, Josh J. Kennedy (West Coast) +24%

30+ year-olds

Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide) +32%

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Justin Westhoff of the Power celebrates with Jay Schulz of the Power during the round one AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on March 27, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Westhoff was one of three players to record averages of 16 disposals, six marks and one goal a game, as he rated elite in AFL Player Rating points, disposals and tackles.

Notables: Heath Shaw (GWS) +31%, Josh Gibson (Hawthorn) +30%, Kade Simpson (Carlton) +30%

Published by

Stephen Marson

7 years ago