Champion Data's list of 'elite' player rankings has been revealed at the midway point of the 2023 AFL season, with some surprising inclusions and exclusions arising from the list.
According to the AFL statisticians, the Western Bulldogs have the most elite players in the competition, with Bailey Dale (general defender), Caleb Daniel (mid-forward), Jack Macrae (mid-forward), Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder), Tim English (ruck) and Tom Liberatore (midfielder) seen to be in the top echelon.
Sydney and Collingwood trail the Dogs with five selections each, while West Coast is the only side without an elite player in 2023.
Among the surprising inclusions are Gold Coast's Nick Holman and North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein, while Richmond champion Dustin Martin has edged out new teammates Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper for an elite ranking.
Others to miss out on a selection were 2022 All-Australians Tom Stewart, Steven May, Brayden Maynard, Touk Miller, Callum Mills, Patrick Cripps, Max Gawn, Lachie Neale, Tyson Stengle, Mark Blicavs and Andrew Brayshaw.
Champion Data's rankings from the opening 11 rounds of the year are decided through its AFL Player Ratings system, with a player's position a relevant factor in being ranked as elite.
Players are also assessed on how and where they win the ball as well as how they use the ball in the ratings, with players also needing to have played in at least six matches in 2023 by Round 11.
Izak Rankine (general forward)
Charlie Cameron (general forward)
Joe Daniher (key forward)
Adam Saad (general defender)
Charlie Curnow (key forward)
Darcy Moore (key defender)
Jordan De Goey (midfielder)
Josh Daicos (wing)
Nick Daicos (general defender)
Steele Sidebottom (wing)
Jake Stringer (general forward)
Kyle Langford (general forward)
Mason Redman (general defender)
Nic Martin (wing)
Caleb Serong (midfielder)
Hayden Young (general defender)
Jeremy Cameron (key forward)
Tom Hawkins (key forward)
Jarrod Witts (ruck)
Nick Holman (general forward)
Brent Daniels (general forward)
Jack Buckley (key defender)
Sam Taylor (key defender)
Toby Greene (general forward)
James Sicily (key defender)
Christian Petracca (midfielder)
Clayton Oliver (midfielder)
Todd Goldstein (ruck)
Connor Rozee (midfielder)
Dan Houston (general defender)
Zak Butters (midfielder)
Dustin Martin (general forward)
Nick Vlastuin (general defender)
Shai Bolton (mid-forward)
Callum Wilkie (key defender)
Jack Sinclair (general defender)
Mason Wood (wing)
Mitch Owens (key forward)
Errol Gulden (wing)
Isaac Heeney (general forward)
Jake Lloyd (general defender)
Nick Blakey (general defender)
Tom Papley (general forward)
N/A
Bailey Dale (general defender)
Caleb Daniel (mid-forward)
Jack Macrae (mid-forward)
Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder)
Tim English (ruck)
Tom Liberatore (midfielder)
