We're almost at the halfway mark of the 2017 season and the ladder is beginning to take some shape, although the top eight is far from being settled.

With just two games separating 4th and 14th, every result is crucial, and sides need their best 22 in each and every week to help them on their quest for finals football.

Some clubs haven't been afforded the same luxury as others, with injuries taking their toll across the competition.

While the Giants are in the middle of arguably their biggest injury crisis in their short history, they still haven't used the most players over the course of the season, with that achievement going to both Hawthorn and Sydney.

Both clubs have dropped off significantly in 2017 and their list shows, with 35 different players pulling on the boots so far this season.

Sydney have debuted six players this season, while the Hawks have blooded just three.

The Bulldogs, Richmond and Brisbane closely follow the top two sides, with 34 players taking the field for the three clubs in 2017.

The two South Australian sides are getting into a groove already this year, both using only 27 players each, two fewer then the next side.

Club Players Used
Sydney 35
Hawthorn 35
Western Bulldogs 34
Richmond 34
Brisbane 34
Essendon 33
GWS 33
Geelong 33
Melbourne 33
North Melbourne 32
Gold Coast 32
Carlton 32
St Kilda 31
West Coast 31
Collingwood 30
Fremantle 29
Port Adelaide 27
Adelaide 27

Source: AFL tables