Adelaide: Rory Sloane

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Rory Sloane of the Crows avoids a tackle by Josh Gibson of the Hawks during the round two AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 1, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Crows midfielder has started the season in blistering form, and was a key component of their six-game winning streak to start the year. Having featured in all nine matches so far, Sloane leads the league in tackles with 8.6 a game, and is also averaging 26.3 disposals (14.8 of which are contested) and 6.9 clearances.

Hot on his heels: Rory Laird

Brisbane: Tom Rockliff

Brisbane's vice-captain on Thursday told Lions CEO Greg Swann he wanted to remain at the club next season, which is fantastic news for the club given his output already in 2017. Before missing their loss to Adelaide with a shoulder injury, Rockliff began the season averaging 30.1 disposals (15.1 contested), 10 clearances and 8.3 tackles a game, which sees him in the top 15 in all three categories.

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Hot on his heels: Dayne Beams

Carlton: Marc Murphy

The Blues skipper has led from the front all season, helping his younger teammates to a 3-6 record through nine games. The 29-year-old is recording a career-best 30.2 disposals a game as well as 18.7 uncontested possessions, which shows just how much space he's creating for himself.

Hot on his heels: Sam Docherty

Collingwood: Taylor Adams

Despite not starting their season how they would have like it, Adams has been a shining light for the Pies in 2017. The midfielder is collecting 30.4 disposals a game and has outshone teammates Adam Treloar and Scott Pendlebury in the engine room, which is an achievement in itself.

Hot on his heels: Jeremy Howe

Essendon: Joe Daniher

Joe Daniher during the round eight AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 13, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia.

We may have cheated a little on this one to be fair. Zach Merrett has been brilliant to start the year, but Daniher's past twoย matches have been something special. If he keeps this form up, not only will he be the best player on Essendon's list, but he could be one of the most exciting players in the league.

Hot on his heels: Zach Merrett

Fremantle: Lachie Neale

The Dockers midfielder has been a constant for Fremantle all season, and has been a big reason in their resurgence up the ladder. 28.8 disposals and 6.7 clearances a game has seen Neale lead from the front, and his side would have one less win if not for his brilliant final effort against the Tigers at the MCG a fortnight ago.

Hot on his heels: Brad Hill

Geelong:ย Patrick Dangerfield

If there's a better player in the game, we'd love to know about him. The Cat is averaging 29.5 disposals a game and has put his side on his back countless times this season, and has importantly made a big impact on the scoreboard. Dangerfield has 19 goals to his name, which sees him 17th on the goalkicking charts.

Hot on his heels:ย Joel Selwood

Gold Coast: Gary Ablett

The Suns champion was slammed earlier in the season for seemingly looking uninterested, but Ablett has been fantastic all year. Averaging 31.6 touches and 7.3 clearances a game, Ablett has once again been the standout for Gold Coast.

Hot on his heels: Steven May

GWS: Josh Kelly

It's almost as if North Melbourne will needย to up their offer for Kellyย if they want him next season. The 22-year-old has been one of the Giants' best all year, and that's saying something given they're one of the best sides in the competition. Almost every statistic is a career-high for Kelly this season, which means he's trending in the right direction.

Hot on his heels: Jeremy Cameron

Hawthorn: Tom Mitchell

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Tom Mitchell of the Hawks marks the ball during the 2017 AFL round 08 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Brisbane Lions at the University of Tasmania Stadium on May 13, 2017 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

As the competition's leading disposal winner with 35.9 a game, Tom Mitchell has been a fantastic inclusion for Hawthorn this season. His 5.6 clearances and 7.6 tackles a game compliment his other statistics well, and his 50 possession game last weekend was nothing short of extraordinary.

Hot on his heels: Ben McEvoy

Melbourne: Clayton Oliver

The 19-year-old is the youngest player on this list, but he certainly deserved to be here after the season's he's had to date. 30.4 disposals a game has seen Oliver lead the way for the Demons all season, and his 6.1 clearances and 7.2 tackles show just how influential he's been. The midfielder also leads the league in handballs per game with 22.2.

Hot on his heels: Jayden Hunt

North Melbourne: Robbie Tarrant

The North Melbourne key defender has picked up where he left off last season, and is on track for his second best and fairest medal in a row after starting 2017 in hot form. He's won most battles with the opposition's number one forward each week and has used the ball well himself, going at 81.3% efficiency from his 18.4 possessions a game.

Hot on his heels: Ben Cunnington

Port Adelaide: Robbie Gray

The small forward is relishing his new role closer to goal this year, and has had some amazing numbers already this season (his six goal, 30 disposal game against Fremantle springs to mind). His 23 goals for the season sees him sit in 10th place on the goalkicking leaderboard, and his 16.9 disposals and 2.9 clearances a game add another string to his bow.

Hot on his heels: Ollie Wines

Richmond: Dustin Martin

The out-of-contract star has put a big price tag on his head already this season, which is a testament to how good he's been. He started the season red hot over the opening rounds and is still impacting games in a way no other Tiger can, so Richmond would love nothing more than to keep their key man.

Hot on his heels: Alex Rance

St Kilda: Dylan Roberton

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Dylan Roberton of the Saints high fives fans after winning the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Etihad Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The rebounding defender has been one of the most improved players so far this season, and is now one of the Saints' biggest weapons off the half-back flank. His 5.3 rebound 50's a game places him inside the top 10 for that statistic, and his use of the ball is outstanding, going at 80.4% from his 25.4 disposals.

Hot on his heels: Jack Steven

Sydney: Lance Franklin

He was one of the better players for Sydney during their 0-6 start to the season, and Buddy has also impressed in the past three weeks, kicking 13 goals. His 27 for the season sees him in fifth place on the charts, and has the most disposals (17.8) per game between the players inside the top 10.

Hot on his heels: Zak Jones

West Coast: Elliot Yeo

The Eagles defender has been one of the best players across the competition so far this season, as he sits behind only Rory Sloane at the top of the AFL Coaches Association votes. His nine marks a game is the second best average in the league behind Sam Docherty, and his 24.8 disposals a game are a cornerstone to West Coast's attack from defence.

Hot on his heels: Luke Shuey

Western Bulldogs: Luke Dahlhaus

Dahlhaus leads the Bulldogs in disposals a game with 27.3, and has been one of their best all season long. With 3.2 clearances and 4.9 tackles a game, the midfielder has led his teammates in premiership defence.

Hot on his heels: Marcus Bontempelli