Former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder Nick Dal Santo's distinguished 15-year career came to an end last season after playing 322 games, competing in three grand finals and playing in countless finals.

Given his honour role, plus the fact he only retired at the end of last season, Dal Santo should know plenty about the players set to take the competition by storm in 2017.

Speaking on SEN Radio on Monday morning, the 33-year-old, named his top 10 players ahead of the 2017 season.

Surpsingly, reigning Brownlow Medalist, Patrick Dangerfield, did not top the list, with a returning star instead taking the number one spot.

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1. Nat Fyfe

"He proved himself over the weekend for Fremantle, when he is up and going there is no no-one better in the league than Nathan Fyfe," Dal Santo said of Fyfe.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Nat Fyfe of the Dockers handballs to Lachie Neale during the Round 4 AFL match between North Melbourne v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
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