The debate over who the best player in the AFL is rages on week-in-week-out and will forever more as the answer remains subjective rather than objective.
However, in 2026, Zero Hanger has used our fan-driven Player Rater system to determine where footballers rank across the league in the eyes of the devoted.
The ratings are done through the AFL Player Rater and are based on performance and consistency and look to provide real-time rankings of where each player sits.
So how does your club's best 10 players stack up when compared to the rest?
At the halfway mark of the season, we have delved into how you, the fans, have rated players' opening 12-13 games at all 18 clubs, with the analysis below.
Geelong currently has the most players in the overall top 10, with Jeremy Cameron (fourth), Tom Stewart (fifth) and Patrick Dangerfield (10th).
Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Sydney and Western Bulldogs all have one player inside the top 10.
Ladder leaders Fremantle and Sydney are tied with the most players inside the top 50 with six-apiece making the cut from their respective talent-laden squads.
Rankings are as of start of the day June 11, 2026.
1Adelaide
Last year's minor premiers have had a slow start to 2026, but seem to be finding their feet as the season continues.
The surprise for the Crows' top ranked players would be where skipper Jordan Dawson is placed at 30th overall in the league. Widely regarded as one of the best and most impactful players in the competition, Dawson should be expected to climb up the overall rankings in future weeks.
Another surprisingly low ranking belongs to gun defender Josh Worrell who sits in 118th.
Top 10 (overall standing)
- Riley Thilthorpe (21)
- Jordan Dawson (30)
- Izak Rankine (53)
- Wayne Milera (94)
- Taylor Walker (104)
- Rory Laird (108)
- Josh Rachele (115)
- Josh Worrell (118)
- Alex Neal-Bullen (133)
- Ben Keays (144)
