AFL coaching great Mick Malthouse has listed the five players in the AFL he thinks are most influential, as reported in theĀ Herald Sun.

The triple premiership coach, who holds the record for most VFL/AFL games in the big chair has emphasised the importance of ruckman and key forwards, leaving out star midfielders like Dustin Martin, Tom Mitchell and Jack Macrae.

In no order, these were Mick's picks for the AFL's five most influential players:

2. Tom McDonald

According to Malthouse, Tom McDonald's return to the Demons side has been the catalyst for their good form, noting that he frees up Jesse Hogan who can play as a "floating tall."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Tom McDonald of the Demons in action during the 2018 AFL round nine match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)