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.
27-year-olds
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) +53%
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%
