The release of Stats Insider’s AFL Player Ratings caters to a veritable smorgasbord of league analysis.

While we’ve already taken a look at the leagues’ ten standout players - and plan to examine much more over the coming weeks - today we wanted to take a look at each club’s representation among the league’s elite.

With 628 players listed, we’ve drawn the ‘elite’ line at a convenient top 100, which effectively filters down the AFL workforce to the best 16%.

MORE: Explaining the Stats Insider AFL Player Ratings

Without further ado, lets go and see which clubs' playing ranks are making the most noise ahead of the 2020 season.

THE BEST OF THE BEST

It’s the GWS Giants and the West Coast Eagles who boast the league’s largest representation of top 100 players. Crucially for both clubs, there’s a very even spread of talent across all positions too. While the Giants don’t yet possess a top 20 player, they do have six in the 23-51 range which is precisely where we can find reigning Coleman Medalist, Jeremy Cameron (#30). 

Next up, and somewhat surprisingly, is Essendon, who come in with no less than eight elite players. While that numbers stands out like a sore thumb - especially for a club without a September win in 16 years - five of the contributors were ranked in the 73-99 range with only Zach Merrett (#24) and Michael Hurley (#38) ranked inside the top 50. 

The all-conquering Richmond have seven top 100 players, and, while the brilliant Dustin Martin (#6) comes out on top, the Tigers can claim to have three top 50 defenders, with all of Bachar Houli (#17), Dylan Grimes (#34) and Nick Vlastuin (#39) an indication of where so much of Richmond’s strength lies.

It’s good news for Collingwood fans. Not only does your club have the league’s number one player in Brodie Grundy, but the Pies have seven top 100 players in total, with all of them ranked within the top 50. Interestingly, Jordan De Goey (#40) is the only Magpie forward presently deemed 'elite,' speaking to many of the problems the Pies have had kicking big scores recently- despite so much talent everywhere else on the ground. 

Geelong’s top-tier player distribution follows a very similar pattern, while only boasting one elite forward in Tom Hawkins (#22), the Cats do have some serious talent in the form of Patrick Dangerfield (#2) and Tom Stewart (#11), with the latter actually grading out as the number one overall defender.

The Sydney Swans and Hawthorn - a couple of clubs who shared six premierships in eleven seasons, but have found life tough in recent years - each boast seven top 100 players, though only Jake Lloyd (#15) and James Sicily (#18) were top 25 representatives of either club. 

THE MID-RANGE

The Western Bulldogs enter season 2020 with plenty of expectations, however for now have to live with the fact they’ve just six top 100 players. While the Dogs are the only team in the league to have two top ten players in skipper, Marcus Bontempelli (#8) and midfield counterpart, Jack Macrae (#9), it’s a big drop-off until we find the next best Bulldog, Caleb Daniel (#57).

The Brisbane Lions were one of the league’s biggest surprises last season, and enter 2020 with six elite players on their list. Lachie Neale (#7) and Daniel Rich (#29) grade as the Lion’s best, however special mention goes to Harris Andrews (#33) who is actually the league's highest rated key defender.

North Melbourne looked to make great strides last season once Brad Scott was replaced by Rhyce Shaw in the coaching box, and North enter 2020 with five players in the top 100, with two-time club Best and Fairest winner, Ben Cunnington(#16) leading the way, followed by the evergreen Shaun Higgins (#44).

Port Adelaide, like the Roos, have five top 100 players, with Robbie Gray (#25) their only representative inside the top 50. While Melbourne have four elite players, it’s a massive gap from All-Australians Max Gawn (#4) and Clayton Oliver (#14) to their next best, Christian Salem (#87).

NEED SOME SUPPORT

The once great Carlton Football Club have just three players in our top 100, predictably led by the brilliant Patrick Cripps (#5), with a then significant drop to their 325-game veteran, Kade Simpson(#52).

Fremantle have a very similar profile to Melbourne, insofar as they have two very highly rated players, followed by a severe drop off to their next best. While it’s no surprise to see dual Brownlow Medalist Nat Fyfe(#3) and five-time leading Docker goalkicker, Michael Walters (#12) high on these ranks, it’s an almighty drop to Luke Ryan (#84). 

The Gold Coast Suns have three players in the top 100, however they’re the only team without a top 50 contribution. Former Bulldog, Jarrod Harbow (#59), is the first time we see a Gold Coast player on our list, with ruckman Jarrod Witts (#63) hot on his heels.

St Kilda have just two players in the top 100, with young gun and budding star Jade Gresham (#50) leading the way, closely followed by two-time Best and Fairest, reigning Trevor Barker Medalist, Seb Ross (#53)

Adelaide, along with St Kilda, are the least represented club in the top 100, with just two contributions. Both can however be found relatively high up the list with All-Australians Rory Laird (#19) and Matt Crouch(#47) inside the top 50. 

Here's the full count of top 100 players per club:

VIEW FULL RANKINGS: Stats Insider's AFL Player Ratings

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