Which modern AFL superstars are most respected by their peers?

In the lead-up to Round 1, aflplayers.com.au (in conjunction with afl.com.au) will reveal the top 50 players in the game, as voted by the players.

Returning to form in 2015, Dane Swan has catapulted 25 spots in this year’s Players’ Top 50.

After describing his 2014 season as “putrid”, the 32-year-old Swan was back to his best last season, polling 17 Brownlow Medal votes and finishing runner-up in the Magpies’ best and fairest award – the seventh time he’s finished in the top three in Copeland Trophy voting.

Lifting his disposal average from 25 in 2014 to 29 in 2015, Swan once again confirmed his status as one of the competition’s best ball-getters, rising to number 23 on this year’s Player’s Top 50.

He is joined in the 21 to 30 rank by Chad Wingard, Callan Ward and David Mundy – who all improved their standings from last season’s tally.

Wingard continued to build on his already compelling AFL career, with a second All-Australian selection and a runner-up placing in Port Adelaide’s best and fairest award after a 53-goal season.

Giants co-captain Callan Ward has been regarded as one of the toughest players in the competition for years, leading GWS in tackles and clearances in 2015, while David Mundy received his first All-Australian selection at year’s end.

Completing the third instalment of the Players’ Top 50 are Trent Cotchin, Aaron Sandilands, Nick Riewoldt, Jordan Lewis, Dayne Beams and Rory Sloane, who all slipped between four and nine spots from last year’s count.

Click here to see the players’ ranked 40 to 31