2023 AFL Player Ratings For Round 18

Stats Insider's AFL Player Ratings have been updated as we head into a pivotal Round 18 of the 2023 AFL season.

Every week we make it our business to answer the question that is consistently asked on social media: who is the best player in the AFL?

Check out Stats Insider's latest AFL Player Ratings, sorted by position, and their overall standing across the competition.

*Please note, we have recalibrated our player ratings to ensure there are no ties going forward, by using decimal points not displayed on site. In addition, Collingwood's Nick Daicos' position has shifted from general defender to midfielder, which impacts his overall standing.

MORE: 2023 AFL Player Ratings

AFL Player Ratings: Key Defenders

1. Darcy Moore (Collingwood)

2. Harris Andrews (Brisbane)

3. Steven May (Melbourne)

4. Sam Taylor (GWS)

5. Jacob Weitering (Carlton)

The top three key defenders stayed the same following Round 17. The big mover was Sam Taylor, who re-entered the top five after playing his best game since returning in Round 14 in the GWS win over Hawthorn.

AFL Player Ratings: General Defenders

1. Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)

2. Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

3. James Sicily (Hawthorn)

4. Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)

5. Tom Stewart (Geelong)

Jack Sinclair climbed to the top of our general defender ratings with Collingwood's Nick Daicos receiving a positional change to a midfielder. Port Adelaide's Dan Houston moved into fourth after a standout performance in Port Adelaide's Round 17 victory over Gold Coast.

AFL Player Ratings: Midfielders

1. Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

2. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

3. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

4. Lachie Neale (Brisbane)

5. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

Christian Petracca moved into outright first after his match-winning four-goal effort in Melbourne's triumph over St Kilda in Round 17.

Clayton Oliver moves down to second, with Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli trailing the Demon pair in third. Brisbane on-baller Lachie Neale is in fourth, while Collingwood's Nick Daicos moves straight into the top five following his positional change from general defender to midfielder.

AFL Player Ratings: Rucks

1. Tim English (Western Bulldogs)

2. Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast)

3. Max Gawn (Melbourne)

4. Sean Darcy (Fremantle)

5. Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)

Tim English recaptured top ruck position despite the Western Bulldogs going down to Collingwood in Round 17. Jarrod Witts moves to second, while Max Gawn, Sean Darcy and Rowan Marshall round out the top five.

AFL Player Ratings: Key Forwards

1. Charlie Curnow (Carlton)

2. Taylor Walker (Adelaide)

3. Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)

4. Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

5. Joe Daniher (Brisbane)

After a three-goal performance in Carlton's win over Fremantle in Round 17, Charlie Curnow has become the number one key forward in the AFL. Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker has slipped into second place following the Crows loss to the Bombers.

Two Geelong players, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, occupy third and fourth place, while Brisbane's Joe Daniher moved into the top five ahead of Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson.

AFL Player Ratings: General Forwards

1. Toby Greene (GWS)

2. Dustin Martin (Richmond)

3. Isaac Heeney (Sydney)

4. Mitch Owens (St Kilda)

5. Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)

The major change in the general forwards this week saw Dustin Martin jump to second following a 29-disposal game in Richmond's Round 17 win over Sydney. Dusty sits only behind Toby Greene, who has maintained his position at the top.

AFL Player Ratings: Overall

1. Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

2. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

3. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

4. Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)

5. Lachie Neale (Brisbane) 

6. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

7. Zach Merrett (Essendon)

8. Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

9. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)

10. Darcy Moore (Collingwood)

How We Rank Every AFL Player

Ranking every player in the AFL is a challenging task that requires a meticulous and data-driven approach.

At Stats Insider, we take on this demanding challenge with a systematic methodology designed to provide the most accurate AFL player ratings. Our process involves a comprehensive analysis that takes into consideration a range of factors, including match reports, coaches votes, and AFL media votes. By utilising this thorough approach, we are able to identify players who have made significant contributions in each game.

To ensure the utmost precision in evaluating every AFL player, we employ a distinct scoring methodology similar to AFL SuperCoach. This methodology allows us to assess players' performances on the field effectively.

Our primary objective is to deliver the most precise player ratings in the AFL. We are committed to recognising the deserving accolades of each player, irrespective of their fame as superstars or their status as underrated contributors. Through our diligent efforts, we aim to provide every player in the league with the recognition they truly deserve.

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)