It’s the Herald Sun feature that causes the most debate around AFL circles at the start and end of every season, and the latest edition of Mike Sheahan’s Top 50 has again raised eyebrows.

Three Kangaroos were named, with Ben Cunnington’s breakout year enough to see him named at 44 on the list.

Averaging 22 disposals and 6 clearances, the North on-baller had an outstanding year in which he played every game.

His efforts were highlighted with 13 Brownlow votes at last week’s count, and the 23-year-old is a big chance to claim his first Syd Barker Medal on Friday night.

Named alongside the likes of Brendon Goddard, Trent Cotchin, Tom Liberatore and Nathan Jones, Cunnington’s rise to prominence has been one of the highlights of the season.

While it’s no surprise to see the name Brent Harvey featured in the top 50, at 36 years old, it’s a remarkable achievement.

Coming in at number 46, the veteran boasted a career-high disposal average of over 25 a game, booted 29 goals for the season, and polled his highest Brownlow tally (15 votes) since 2008.

Unlucky not to be named in the All-Australian team, Harvey continues to get better with age.

Another player whose experience was vital this season was Nick Dal Santo, ranked 49 on the list in his first season as a Kangaroo.

Outside Sheahan’s top 50 at the start of the season, the former Saint illustrated exactly why he was recruited by averaging 25 disposals a game.

His trademark durability was on show too, playing all 25 matches.

1) Joel Selwood (GEEL)
2) Nathan Fyfe (FREM)
3) Lance Franklin (HAW)
4) Robbie Gray (PORT)
5) Gary Ablett (GC)
6) Josh Kennedy (SYD)
7) Jordan Lewis (HAW)
8) Jarryd Roughead (HAW)
9) Dyson Heppell (ESS)
10) Travis Boak (PORT)
11) Scott Pendlebury (COLL)
12) Eric Mackenzie (WCE)
13) Luke Hodge (HAW)
14) Luke Parker (SYD)
15) Matt Priddis (WCE)
16) Aaron Sandilands (FREM)
17) Sam Mitchell (HAW)
18) Shaun Burgoyne (PORT)
19) Rory Sloane (ADEL)
20) Tom Rockliff (BRIS)
21) Luke Breust (HAW)
22) Shane Mumford (GWS)
23) Patrick Dangerfield (ADEL)
24) Callan Ward (GWS)
25) Pearce Hanley (BRIS)
26) Nick Malceski (SYD)
27) Bryce Gibbs (CARL)
28) Daniel Talia (ADEL)
29) Cale Hooker (ESS)
30) Matthew Broadbent (PORT)
31) Nick Riewoldt (STK)
32) Alex Rance (RICH)
33) Dayne Beams (COLL)
34) Dustin Martin (RICH)
35) Tom Hawkins (GEEL)
36) David Mundy (FREM)
37) Brodie Smith (ADEL)
38) Grant Birchall (HAW)
39) Nick Smith (SYD)
40) Brendon Goddard (ESS)
41) Trent Cotchin (RICH)
42) Tom Liberatore (WB)
43) Nathan Jones (MELB)
44) Ben Cunnington (NMFC)
45) David Swallow (GC)
46) Brent Harvey (NMFC)
47) Sam Jacobs (ADEL)
48) Hayden Ballantyne (FREM)
49) Nick Dal Santo (NMFC)
50) Robert Murphy (WB)