Ranking the top 10 midfielders in the AFL

As we near the opening round of 2022, we take a look at the premier midfielders in the competition. Here is our top 10 list of the best midfielders in the league for this upcoming season, with All-Australians, Brownlow winners and Norm Smith medallists scattered throughout. RANKING THE TOP 10 RUCKMEN IN THE AFL RANKING THE TOP 10 FORWARDS IN THE AFL Darcy Parish The Bombers' Darcy Parish had a breakout season in 2021, where he was awarded the ANZAC Day Medal and broke his way into the All-Australian side for the first time. The top 10 draft pick averaged 30.5 disposals over his 2021 campaign and truly showed his worth, with Essendon swooping on his signature with a new contract extension. [player_widget player_id='darcy-parish' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] Teammate Zach Merrett deserves an honourable mention, as the two combined to make Essendon's midfield competitive against the best sides. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Jack Steele Newly appointed St Kilda captain Jack Steele has broken his was into our top ten midfielders in the competition and deservedly so. In 2021, Steele averaged 29.1 disposals and became a nearly unstoppable force for the Saints. With St Kilda coming off a less than impressive year, Steele was their shining light showing week after week why he's so highly rated within the group. [player_widget player_id='jack-steele' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] The former Giant is a robust two-way onballer too, leading the AFL for tackles last season as he continues to stamp his authority on the game. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Dustin Martin Martin is a cult figure of the AFL, and rightly so. However, a less than ideal injury to his kidney saw a premature ending to his 2021 season. Martin's absence largely affected the Tigers' form for the remainder of the year. A three-time Norm Smith Medal winner is one of the best players across the league in a one-on-one situation, giving him a massive advantage when he pushes forward. [player_widget player_id='dustin-martin' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] The 2022 season presents the opportunity for 'Dusty' to get back to his fittest, and tear the competition apart once again. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Touk Miller Gold Coast's Touk Miller is one of the most valuable players in the competition. With a young midfield group around him, Miller has stood tall and carried his side through difficult challenges. The newly-appointed Suns co-captain claimed All-Australian and best and fairest honours last season, which is a testament to his leadership on and off the field. [player_widget player_id='touk-miller' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] After averaging an elite 31.8 disposals in 2021, Touk Miller has asserted himself as one of the best in midfield. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Nat Fyfe Despite having to overcome injuries across the past season, Nat Fyfe is still highly regarded as one of the competition's best midfielders. Standing at 191cm tall, Fyfe is responsible for changing footy expert's opinion of what a modern midfielder looks like. With an average of 24.1 disposals in 2021, even a slow season for Nat Fyfe is above average. [player_widget player_id='nathan-fyfe' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] After a difficult off-season where his shoulder surgery resulted in complications, Fyfe is looking forward to getting back to his best in the engine room. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Christian Petracca Christian Petracca is the competition's most dynamic showman. At 26-years-old, Petracca is in the prime of his AFL career, averaging 29.2 disposals and 1.2 goals per game. Along with Clayton Oliver and Max gawn, Petracca is one of the driving forces that resulted in Melbourne's 2021 premiership glory. [player_widget player_id='christian-petracca' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] After one of the best individual performances in the 2021 grand final that saw him awarded with the Norm Smith Medal, there is plenty of excitement around what Petracca can produce in 2022. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Sam Walsh Sam Walsh is one of the most exciting midfielders in the AFL. At just 21-years of age, the Blues gun is one of the youngest A-Graders in the competition, averaging 29.8 disposals in 2021. Walsh has stood up in the Blues midfield whilst captain Patrick Cripps fights through injuries troubles. With the addition of Adam Cerra and a fit Cripps, Walsh could have the support around him to continue his meteoric growth. [player_widget player_id='sam-walsh' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] There is no question why all footy fans are looking forward to watching Sam Walsh level up again. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Ollie Wines Ollie Wines is coming off a career-best season where he was crowned as the 2021 Brownlow medallist. The 27-year-old has been a consistent force in Port Adelaide's midfield, averaging 32.4 disposals and 6.4 score involvements across 2021. After an injury-interrupted season back in 2019, Wines has slowly been building towards reaching his full potential. [player_widget player_id='oliver-wines' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] As he was finally able to play consistent football in 2021, Wines proved just why he is one of the premier midfielders in the competition. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Marcus Bontempelli Bontempelli is one of the best midfielders of the past few seasons. Since the Dogs' resurgence in 2016, the Bont is one of the key reasons for their ongoing success. In 2021, Bontempelli captained his side to their grand final loss against the Dees. He averaged 544.3 meters gained and 7.4 score involvements across the 2021 season, making him one of the most impactful midfielders across the ground. [player_widget player_id='marcus-bontempelli' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] Some of the 'Bont's success can be credited to his teammates around him, including Jack Macrae. Bontempelli is the modern midfielder, using his height and size as an advantage in the middle. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE Clayton Oliver The 24-year-old had an outstanding season in 2021 after finishing third in the Brownlow count, with Oliver a pivotal part in breaking the Demons' 57-year premiership drought. Oliver averaged 31.6 disposals, 17.4 contested possessions and 7.4 clearances in 2021, cementing himself as the competition's most prolific contested ball beast. The combination of Oliver, Petracca and Gawn in the Melbourne midfield is a threat to any opposition side. [player_widget player_id='clayton-oliver' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] His incredible power and breakaway strength makes him one of the toughest opponents to stop. Oliver is undoubtedly one of the best players across the AFL. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE AFL SEASON GUIDE

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	COLL	19	15	4	60	135
2	ADEL	19	14	5	56	146
3	BL	19	13	5	54	110.8
4	GEEL	19	13	6	52	134.2
5	HAW	19	13	6	52	119.9
6	GWS	19	13	6	52	118.4
7	FRE	19	13	6	52	111.7
8	GC	18	12	6	48	119.5

Ranking the top 10 midfielders in the AFL

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