We're officially two months back into the 2020 AFL season resumption and now have a real sense of which teams are serious about contention, and who might already have one eye on 2021. 

From a player's perspective we've also got a much better grasp on who's hot and who's not, and thanks to Stats Insider's Player Ratings, we can get an even better read on the competition's pecking order.

With the absolute intensity of the 20 consecutive days of footy spanning over four rounds, the league’s very best are shining brightest right now. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the league's most elite players, as well as some of the statistics underpinning their brilliance.

RELATED: Size Matters: The Types Of Forwards Scoring For And Against Your Club

1- LACHIE NEALE- BRISBANE

Brisbane's Brownlow medal favourite and prestigious ball-winner, Lachie Neale has been a revelation for the Lions since crossing from the Dockers at the end of 2018. 

Seemingly always in the right place at the right time, Neale's averaging 28.5 touches per game this season along with 13.1 contested possessions. He's at the heart of a brilliant Lion's midfield, while for the first time in his career is even averaging a goal a game. 

2- MAX GAWN- MELBOURNE

Our current 2nd highest-ranked player is one of the hardest to miss out on the field owing to his lanky build and distinctive beard. Max Gawn is an absolute star of the league and one of the modern greats where ruckmen are concerned. While his Demons have struggled this season, he's been exceptional averaging 31.6 hit-outs per game along with a career-high 5 marks per match. 

3- JACK MACRAE- WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Bulldog’s highest-ranked player, Jack Macrae possesses a very similar playing style to Lachie Neale when it comes to his ball-winning prowess, while there's only a slight difference presently separating he and Neale according to our rankings. 

Macrae is the ultimate team-first player, ranked top-3 at the Bulldogs in disposals, tackles and score involvements.

4- NAT FYFE- FREMANTLE

In at number 4 is Fremantle's two-time Brownlow medalist, Nat Fyfe. Fyfe remains a dominant threat on a largely mediocre team, averaging 1.3 goals per game while also working like a demon at ground level collecting 9 ground-ball gets per game which places him 5th in the league.

5- DUSTIN MARTIN- RICHMOND

Dual Norm Smith winner on premiership winning teams, the 2017 Brownlow medalist continues to be an absolute force for a suddenly very dangerous Tiger outfit. Dustin Martin is perhaps the league's very best player at moonlighting between midfield and the forward line, averaging 20 touches and a goal a game for a 4th straight season. 

6- MARCUS BONTEMPELLI- WESTERN BULLDOGS

The recently appointed Doggie's skipper, Marcus Bontempelli is currently ranked 6th according to our rankings. While his 18.8 touches per game is his lowest return since his rookie season, he has been deployed forward more frequently this season, particularly owing to the injury-enforced absence of young gun, Aaron Naughton. 

7- BRODIE GRUNDY- COLLINGWOOD

The reigning All- Australian ruckman, Brodie Grundy remains one of the competition's premier big men, leading the league with 35.2 hit-outs per game, while his career-high 2.7 inside 50s per match is testament to how expansive the young South Australian's game is. 

While Collingwood is still trying to reform it's forward structure, Grundy has been a reliably brilliant contributor throughout 2020. 

8- TOBY GREENE- GWS GIANTS 

The league's most controversial player, known for his Kung-Fu high kicks and ability to crawl under his opponent's skin,  Toby Greenedoes however continue to excel as one of the game's premier small forwards. He's the only player in the league averaging at least two goals and 15 possessions per game, while his 5.2 score involvements per match is the best figure at the improving Giants. 

9- PATRICK DANGERFIELD- GEELONG

For the always brilliant, and always classy Patrick Dangerfield, it's almost as though the game turns in slow motion when he is around. Dangerfield's 21.4 touches per game is once again leading the Cats, while his 5.6 score involvements per game ranks him 10th in the competition.

10- MICHAEL WALTERS- FREMANTLE

While still prevailing as one of the game's most deadly small forwards, averaging a goal a game for the 11th straight season, Michael Walters is also contributing positively in the midfield, averaging 20 touches per game for the second straight year. Walters in often grossly under-appreciated, but thankfully our ratings are fully aware of his brilliance.

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