Mike's Top 50

[Ricochet]

Mike Sheahan delivers his Top 50 Players for the 2014 AFL Season.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mikes-top-50-2014


50. CYRIL RIOLI
HAWTHORN HAWKS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $476,700

MIKE SAYS:
I've invested too much time and emotion into this bloke to leave him out at 24 and fresh off a premiership. He might be spasmodic, but his best is better than that of the rest.



49. JACK DARLING
WEST COAST EAGLES
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $413,300

MIKE SAYS:
He's a huge talent. Has 68 games and 119 goals to his name at 21. Can become a West Coast great with his hard running, strength overhead and ability to kick long goals.



48. DYSON HEPPELL
ESSENDON BOMBERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $491,400

MIKE SAYS:
Preparing for just his fourth year in the AFL system and already has two top three placings in the club championship. Talented, brave and mature for his years (22 in May).



47. GRANT BIRCHALL
HAWTHORN HAWKS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 44
Supercoach Price: $496,400

MIKE SAYS:
He's a 193cm half-back with licence to run and a radar-like left-foot. Missed seven games with a knee injury and still finished seventh in the club championship.



46. LACHIE HENDERSON
CARLTON BLUES
Position: Forward/Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $449,400

MIKE SAYS:
Might be Carlton's most valuable player. Played efficiently and productively back and forward last year (26 goals) to earn third place in the best and fairest.



45. DUSTIN MARTIN
RICHMOND TIGERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 36
Supercoach Price: $549,200

MIKE SAYS:
Still has a long way to go to fulfil his destiny, but was runner-up in the best and fairest last year. Powerful and highly skilled. Perhaps the most important player in yellow and black.



44. JACK ZIEBELL
NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $513,600

MIKE SAYS:
He has been a work in progress for quite a while, but, at 23 and with 80 games to his name, 2014 might be his year. Has all the attributes of a dynamic midfielder, including an ability to kick goals.



43. PEARCE HANLEY
BRISBANE LIONS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 34
Supercoach Price: $516,200

MIKE SAYS:
Imagine him in a good team. He complements his great pace with nimble footwork and a huge sense of adventure. Love watching him play.



42. MARC MURPHY
CARLTON BLUES
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $498,300

MIKE SAYS:
Endured a torrid 2013 as an injury-prone first-year captain. Hasn't become the player most of us expected him to be, but has had a much better prep this year.



41. DANIEL WELLS
NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 43
Supercoach Price: $518,500

MIKE SAYS:
Tied in the best and fairest last year, a reflection of his growing self-belief and sense of responsibility. Led the inside 50s at North and kicked 25 goals.

[Vinny]

Wasn't this extremely shower last time? ???

[RaisyDaisy]

Surprised to see Darling get a run, but at the end of the day this is just one guys opinion, and it always amuses me as to how fired up people get about it, like what Mike Sheahan says is correct and gospel lol

[Ricochet]

40. STEELE SIDEBOTTOM
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $555,300

MIKE SAYS:
He's the genuine article, this bloke. Smart, perfectly equipped for the modern game, reliable and productive, and plays every week.



39. TOM LIBERATORE
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 31
Supercoach Price: $576,200

MIKE SAYS:
Second in the competition last year for contested possessions (G. Ablett was third), best ballwinner and tackler at the Bulldogs. At 21, he has an exciting future.



38. DAVID ZAHARAKIS
ESSENDON BOMBERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $458,700

MIKE SAYS:
He's a best and fairest winner (2011) who loves the big stage (Anzac Day). Injuries have interrupted his career, but he's a special talent with a thirst for goals.



37. DAN HANNEBERY
SYDNEY SWANS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 11
Supercoach Price: $514,200

MIKE SAYS:
Elevated himself to elite level during the past 18 months. Might have won the Norm Smith in 2012 and finished fourth in the club championship last year.



36. BRENDON GODDARD
ESSENDON BOMBERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 42
Supercoach Price: $572,200

MIKE SAYS:
Club champion in his first year with the Bombers. As much as he loved the Saints, he seemed a more mature, responsible player in red and black and justified the club's huge investment in him.



35 TOM HAWKINS
GEELONG CATS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $359,500

MIKE SAYS:
Played as a virtual cripple in 2013 yet still kicked 49 goals. In 2012 form, he is a star. At 25, he is a mature, hardened footballer with a hunger to atone for a lost year.



34. MATTHEW LEUENBERGER
BRISBANE LIONS
Position: Ruck
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $523,500

MIKE SAYS:
Brisbane's most important player. Ready to flourish after an achilles injury ruined his 2012 season. Tall, athletic, nimble, and getting better over his head.



33. MICHAEL JOHNSON
FREMANTLE DOCKERS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 24
Supercoach Price: $468,800

MIKE SAYS:
All-Australian in 2013 for the first time, and deservedly so. Top three in the best and fairest for the past two years. He's cool, has good hands and led the Dockers for rebounds from defence.



32. JOSH GIBSON
HAWTHORN HAWKS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 48
Supercoach Price: $424,800

MIKE SAYS:
You don't fluke best and fairest status in a premiership year. Gibson is a smart, diligent, confident player who knows when to defend and when to counter-attack, and uses the ball efficiently.



31. RORY SLOANE
ADELAIDE CROWS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 23
Supercoach Price: $577,100

MIKE SAYS:
Adelaide's best and fairest in 2013 and caught the umpires' eye, too, with 15 Brownlow votes. Super work ethic, as brave as they come and the consummate team man.

[Nige]

Tom Hawkins at 35, I've seen enough.  :P

Surprised to see Darling get a run, but at the end of the day this is just one guys opinion, and it always amuses me as to how fired up people get about it, like what Mike Sheahan says is correct and gospel lol

I do agree with this though...

[Ricochet]

30 MATTHEW PAVLICH
FREMANTLE DOCKERS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $437,500

MIKE SAYS:
Restricted to 12 games (25 goals) in 2013 and age seemed to be catching up on him. Looks in great nick this year after a solid prep. Still looks capable of a 60-goal season.



29 CHAD WINGARD
PORT ADELAIDE POWER
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 20
Supercoach Price: $531,800

MIKE SAYS:
One of the most spectacular discoveries of 2013. Port Adelaide's best and fairest and All Australian at 20. He's an exquisite talent and devastating in front of goal.



28 JOSH KENNEDY
WEST COAST EAGLES
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: 15
Supercoach Price: $485,200

MIKE SAYS:
Led the Eagles for marks - general and contested - and goals (60) and finished third in the best and fairest. Works hard, has good hands and kicks more efficiently than he should with all the indecision in his approach.



27 NICK RIEWOLDT
ST KILDA SAINTS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: 25
Supercoach Price: $567,100

MIKE SAYS:
Led the competition for marks in 2013, second for marks inside 50. Another 50-goal return. Showed his frustration at times, but seems determined to lead a revival at St Kilda under the new Alan Richardson regime.



26 TRAVIS BOAK
PORT ADELAIDE POWER
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 17
Supercoach Price: $575,100

MIKE SAYS:
Vindicated the faith of his teammates and coaches with a superb first season as captain. Led Port for hardball and loose ball gets and inside 50s and kicked 20 goals. Has graduated to elite level.



25 STEVEN MOTLOP
GEELONG CATS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: 19
Supercoach Price: $441,800

MIKE SAYS:
Born to be a star and he's well on the way. All Australian nominee in 2013 for his 44 goals and exhilarating pace and daring in the midfield. He's a jet.



24. JEREMY CAMERON
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: 27
Supercoach Price: $392,000

MIKE SAYS:
Universally seen as an emerging superstar. All Australian at 20 and has 91 goals from 37 games at a club that has won three games in two years. Kicked seven goals against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 18.



23 STEVE JOHNSON
GEELONG CATS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 21
Supercoach Price: $625,000

MIKE SAYS:
Polled 25 votes in the Brownlow last year, averaging 29 possessions from his 19 games. One of the greats of the modern game and precious few are more enjoyable to watch.



22. SCOTT THOMPSON
NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 14
Supercoach Price: $529,400

MIKE SAYS:
Shared the best and fairest with Daniel Wells despite missing three games. Played on the big guns each week. Knows when to defend and when to back his judgment. Averaged 19 disposals.



21. TRENT COTCHIN
RICHMOND TIGERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 33
Supercoach Price: $572,000

MIKE SAYS:
Strong numbers in 2013, but seemed flat for much of the season. Perhaps his knee was a bigger problem than we thought. Great attitude, works hard.. needs to kick more goals.

[Ricochet]

20 LUKE HODGE
HAWTHORN HAWKS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 29
Supercoach Price: $521,600

MIKE SAYS:
Turns 30 this year, yet he's still an imposing figure in brown and gold. An inspiration in big games; reports of his imminent demise in 2012 have proved unfounded.



19 DAVID MUNDY
FREMANTLE DOCKERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 16
Supercoach Price: $559,500

MIKE SAYS:
Runner-up in the Freo best and fairest and excellent in the GF. He's a 192cm, 91kg midfielder with agility and poise. Freo's leading clearance player last year.



18 SAM MITCHELL
HAWTHORN HAWKS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 9
Supercoach Price:

MIKE SAYS:
A modern Hawthorn great. Top three in best and fairest in all of past six seasons. A champion of the centresquare and brilliant distributor by hand and feet.



17 LANCE FRANKLIN
SYDNEY SWANS
Position: Forward
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $487,700

MIKE SAYS:
Perhaps the toughest of all to mark. Has been No. 1 yet missed out on the end-of-season 50 last year. You could argue he's not what he was, yet he is only 27 and thrives at the SCG.



16 DAYNE BEAMS
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: n/a
Supercoach Price: $497,200

MIKE SAYS:
Super player who lives in the shadow of two or three of his teammates. Smart, skilful, effective. A torn quad cost him dearly last year, yet he managed 28 possessions in his eight appearances.



15 KIEREN JACK
SYDNEY SWANS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 6
Supercoach Price: $589,400

MIKE SAYS:
We all have favourites and he's one of mine. Led the inside 50s at the Swans last year, third for kicks, fifth for goals (24). Not bad for an original rookie and one-time run-with player.



14 JARRAD MCVEIGH
SYDNEY SWANS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 5
Supercoach Price: $572,500

MIKE SAYS:
Decisive winner of the Sydney best and fairest last year. Big-game player and superb leader on and off the field. Good skills, excellent decision-maker.



13 JOBE WATSON
ESSENDON BOMBERS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 18
Supercoach Price: $601,300

MIKE SAYS:
Runner-up in the best and fairest in 2013 despite a broken collarbone and the crushing pressure of the supplements scandal. The most important player in red and black.



12 HARRY TAYLOR
GEELONG CATS
Position: Defender
2013 Post-season Ranking: 10
Supercoach Price: $507,000

MIKE SAYS:
All-Australian and runner-up in the best and fairest last year. Outstanding key defender and handy forward (15 goals). Reads the play brilliantly, great overhead, relishes contests against the big names.



11. JOSH KENNEDY
SYDNEY SWANS
Position: Midfielder
2013 Post-season Ranking: 26
Supercoach Price: $568,600

MIKE SAYS:
Slipped back a little in 2013 after a stellar three-year run with the Swans yet still finished third in club championship. Seems to be freer in his action this year and has few peers as an inside midfielder.

[kilbluff1985]

going to predict Rocky at number 10

[Bill Manspeaker]

wonder where he would've had Jack Steven before he was injured

[RaisyDaisy]

LOL @ Motlop at 25

The kid will get better and better, but 25th best player in the league as of today? LOL not even Top 50

[Vinny]

LOL @ Motlop at 25

The kid will get better and better, but 25th best player in the league as of today? LOL not even Top 50

Mark my words, the kid will destroy this year. ;)

Probably not 25 though haha, 50 for sure IMO.

[C.Judd3Votes]

How did Sandiland break top 10??

[Mailman the 2nd]

How did Sandiland break top 10??

Why does Cyril Rioli do nothing most of the year but still get into every top 50?

Why does a man described as having a "torrid year" get 43rd top player?

Why does Lance Franklin get in the top 20?

There's heaps of questions and flaws with one guys opinion, it doesn't really matter

[kilbluff1985]

how the hell is Rockliff not in the top 50 wtf

[Grazz]

To be honest last thing i care about is this blokes opinion. Hasnt been close to right for years.