Cloke was the leading target inside 50 through the 2013 season, taking 25 more marks than any other player. He finished with 68 goals, and was runner-up in the Coleman Medal behind Jarryd Roughead. But his inability to consistently convert in front of goal has dented his value. In terms of goalkicking accuracy, Cloke finished with 68.51 at 57.1 per cent accuracy. This compares to Roughead, who finished the year with 72.34 and a goalkicking accuracy of 67.9 per cent, while Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron, with 62.27, was even better at 69.7 per cent. Brian Taylor, Collingwood's 1986 Coleman medallist and 3AW's leading commentator, disputed Cloke's status. ''I certainly consider him elite. For a big tall to kick 70 goals in today's competition, that's about as good as you are going to get from a big man. Most sides that had a 70 goalkicker I reckon would be playing finals footy,'' he said. ''The one thing that I would say about Travis Cloke is that he works very hard and when he gets the footy, not unlike [Nick] Riewoldt, he is knackered. That has got to have an effect on his set shots. Travis Cloke is a prolific runner for his size and a hard worker.''

The Magpies' four elite players were Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams and Ben Reid. Luke Ball, and Steele Sidebottom joined Cloke as above average. Another key marking forward, Geelong's Tom Hawkins, was rated only as average - lower than many would have expected. Despite battling a back injury in 2013, he was the fourth most used target inside 50 in the league. But Hawkins suffered defensively because of his mobility issues. James Kelly was ranked above average, despite the Cats winning all 14 matches in which the classy midfielder had more than 20 disposals. Carlton has been warned Judd's career is on the wane, with reborn defenders Andrew Walker and Kade Simpson considered elite.

Judd was not considered elite for his stoppage work but his quality was recognised, ranking No.1 at the club in scores from stoppages and sixth in the league. Of his clearances, 38 per cent led to a score - the fifth-highest percentage of the top-50 clearance players. The Blues had 10 players listed as above average. While the statistical analysis is expected to have Judd remain in that category this season, skipper Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Kreuzer and Lachie Henderson are tipped to become elite. Champion Data says the Blues ''are playing for now'' and ''if a flag isn't won in the next two years it could get ugly''. The Blues are tipped to finish 11th. Essendon had nine players considered above average, with Dyson Heppell and Jake Carlisle expected to join the gold-plated bracket. With a dozen players aged between 25 and 30, Champion Data believes the Bombers need to win a flag in the next three years. ''We're not convinced the kids recruited in recent years will become great players,'' it said. Hawthorn had the highest number of elite players - six - and is expected to continue to flourish despite losing Lance Franklin. The Hawks have three elite forwards in Roughead, Cyril Rioli and Jack Gunston - the most of any team.

Richmond has only three elite players, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Alex Rance, despite making the finals last year and having six considered elite in 2012. Jack Riewoldt was elite heading into 2013 but is now above average, while Bachar Houli and Ivan Maric slipped and Shane Tuck retired. North Melbourne, with nine above average players, including Nick Dal Santo, Jack Ziebell and Brent Harvey, and a deep midfield, is tipped to finish in the top four. What is clear from the statistics is that a team requires at least five players to be considered elite if it is to progress deep into the finals. Grand finalist Fremantle and preliminary finalists Geelong and Sydney had five apiece. Champion Data's 2014 prospectus is available at championdata.com.au for $39.95 IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN

Those in the top 10% for their position Adelaide Patrick Dangerfield (midfielder/forward) Rory Sloane (mid) Brisbane

Tom Rockliff (mid) Pearce Hanley (defender) Carlton Andrew Walker (def) Kade Simpson (def)

Collingwood Scott Pendlebury (mid) Dane Swan (mid) Dayne Beams (mid) Ben Reid (def)

Essendon Jobe Watson (mid) Michael Hibberd (def) Fremantle Michael Barlow (mid)

Matthew Pavlich (for) Michael Johnson (def) Chris Mayne (for) Michael Walters (for) Geelong

Joel Selwood (mid) Steve Johnson (mid) Jimmy Bartel (def) Corey Enright (def) Harry Taylor (def)

Gold Coast Gary Ablett (mid) GWS Heath Shaw (def) Hawthorn

Sam Mitchell (mid) Jarryd Roughead (for) Luke Hodge (def) Grant Birchall (def) Cyril Rioli (for)

Jack Gunston (for) Melbourne No elite North Melbourne Todd Goldstein (ruck)

Drew Petrie (for) Scott Thompson (def) Port Adelaide Angus Monfries (for) Richmond

Trent Cotchin (mid) Brett Deledio (mid) Alex Rance (def) St Kilda Leigh Montagna (mid)

Nick Riewoldt (for) Sydney Josh Kennedy (mid) Kieren Jack (mid) Jarrad McVeigh (def)

Lance Franklin (for) Adam Goodes (for) West Coast Dean Cox (ruck) Western Bulldogs

Ryan Griffen (mid) Will Minson (ruck) Matthew Boyd (mid) Robert Murphy (def) SOURCE: CHAMPION DATA 2014 AFL PROSPECTUS

