Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd has listed his top seven improvers of the 2018 AFL season.

Lloyd told Sportsday on Monday night his selections didn't include top-end talent, meaning he looked towards players who elevated themselves to another level.

In keeping with Collingwood's impressive 2018 resurgence, three of Lloyd's top five play for the Pies.

Lloydy's top 7

7. Alex Sexton (Gold Coast)

"27 goals he's kicked this year, including six a couple of weeks ago."

6. James Harmes (Melbourne)

"What a season he's having for Melbourne."

5. Chris Mayne (Collingwood)

"Had his best game in the AFL in years, Chris Mayne. Suddenly finding a lot of the ball, fantastic story."

4. Majak Daw (North Melbourne)

"To see Majak, what he did against the Crows, he marked everything, he had 10 intercept marks. He's gone from being a stopper to their most dangerous defender."

3. Mason Cox (Collingwood)

"Big Mason Cox. He's become, not Jack Riewoldt, but he's important to their structure like Riewoldt."

2. Jake Melksham (Melbourne)

"At Essendon he was a player that lacked confidence, he was a dominant junior footballer, he's lost his way but Goodwin's just put that much faith in him, he's playing in the right spot."

1. Tom Phillips (Collingwood)

"I've gone for a man who I hope is in the All-Australian squad, and that's Tom Phillips... he's had a super year."