THE talents of reigning Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Dangerfield have been recognised further, with the Geelong star crowned the competition’s best midfielder by Champion Data.

Dangerfield, who enjoyed a dominant maiden season with the Cats, was unsurprisingly ranked the best midfielder according to the stats guru’s Official AFL Player Ratings.

Having won the Brownlow with a record number of votes in 2016, Dangerfield held off competition from 2015 winner Nat Fyfe and Swans star Josh Kennedy to claim the honour.

Dangerfield received 35 Brownlow votes after averaging 31.8 disposals and a goal per game throughout last season. He also ranked inside the top 10 across the entire competition for clearances, contested possessions and inside 50s.

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Nat Fyfe ranks second for midfielders. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Fyfe retained his position in second from the year prior, despite playing only five games in 2016, while Kennedy rose into the top three from seventh after another strong year.

Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray and Western Bulldogs best and fairest winner Marcus Bontempelli round out the top five.

Gold Coast veteran Gary Ablett fell down the rankings, dropping from first to eighth after another campaign plagued by form and fitness issues.

There was only one change to the top 10 from the start of the 2016 season, with Sydney gun Luke Parker replacing West Coast’s Matt Priddis for the final position in an exclusive list.

The rankings are Champion Data’s measure of player quality for the 2017 AFL Prospectus, based on the Official AFL Player Ratings.

They are recognised as the best indication of a player’s performance, emphasising the quality of games played over the quantity.

CHAMPION DATA’S TOP 10 MIDFIELDERS

1. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)

Clearly the best midfielder in the competition following an outstanding year.

2. Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)

Would be capable of challenging Dangerfield for the mantle, provided he regains fitness.

3. Josh Kennedy (Sydney)

Another super consistent season saw Kennedy take the role as Sydney’s new skipper.

4. Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)

The prolific ball winner is also able to frequently get forward and impact on the scoreboard.

5. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

It’s hard to believe the classy youngster is still only 21, such has been his impact on the game.

6. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

The classy Collingwood skipper enjoyed another consistent campaign to average 28.6 disposals.

7. Rory Sloane (Adelaide)

The ever-reliable Sloane led from the front and by example in the Crows midfield last season.

8. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)

The former skipper has played only 35 games in the last three years to fall down the rankings.

9. Joel Selwood (Geelong)

Relished the opportunity to play alongside Dangerfield last season, averaging 28.3 disposals.

10. Luke Parker (Sydney)

Continued to improve last season, averaging 26.9 disposals and a goal per game with the Swans.