WEST Coast’s return to form has coincided with the stunning rise of three key Eagles, while several veterans have rejuvenated their careers across the first nine rounds.

We’ve identified 17 players that have transformed themselves from ‘average’ to ‘elite’ talents.

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Finals Week 1

To do so, we’ve used the Official AFL Player Ratings. For reference, the AFL’s elite this year are averaging just above 20 ‘points’ per game in that metric - for example, Max Gawn (rank #2) is averaging 21.8 points. Speaking of the Demons star ...

Max Gawn (Melbourne)

Position: Ruckman

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +6

Not only has the big Dee returned to his All-Australian form of 2016, he’s arguably bettered it. Gawn, according to the AFL Player Ratings, is the second-most improved player in the AFL — behind Cat Brandon Parfitt — from last year to this year, ranking first for hitouts to advantage, second for ranking points and seventh for contested marks.

Josh Caddy (Richmond)

Position: Mid-forward

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +5.6

While Caddy isn’t winning as much of the ball as previous seasons, he’s hitting the scoreboard more often. With 17 goals from seven games, Caddy’s goal average of 2.4 per game is elite for his position and a career-high, while he sits 12th in the Coleman medal race and second on Richmond’s goalkicking ladder behind Jack Riewoldt.

Jake Melksham (Melbourne)

Position: General forward

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +5.4

Like Caddy, Melksham has found a way to impact the scoreboard more often, which has led to a career-best season. Not only is Melksham averaging career-high goals per game (1.3), he’s also bringing other Demons into the game, ranking first in the AFL for goal assists. The former Bomber had the best game of his career against Carlton — and the fifth-best game ever measured by the AFL Player Ratings (since 2010) — with five goals from 21 disposals, 15 score involvements and 14 contested possessions.

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James Sicily (Hawthorn)

Position: General defender

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +5.3

A full pre-season training with Hawthorn’s defensive group has paid dividends for Sicily, who’s now in All-Australian contention. Sicily has turned into one of Hawthorn’s most damaging weapons off half-back. Not only is he winning the ball off the opposition — he’s ranked sixth for both intercept possessions and intercept marks — he’s also giving ample drive out of defence, ranking third for average metres gained, fifth for average kicks and going at an impressive 83 per cent efficiency by foot.

Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)

Position: Midfielder

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +5

For years he’d been in Marcus Bontempelli’s shadow. But nine rounds into this season and it’s Macrae who’s genuinely in with a chance at the Brownlow Medal, such has been his dramatic rise to, genuinely, elite status. Macrae has been a SuperCoach owner’s best friend this season, sitting at No. 1 for Champion Data ranking points while also ranking inside the top 10 for disposals, inside 50s, tackles, contested possessions, uncontested possessions and clearances. Remarkably, Macrae has had 30-plus touches in all but one game so far this season.

Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)

Position: Ruckman

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +4.7

In the previous two seasons, Grundy catapulted himself into the top group of ruckmen in the competition. Nine rounds into this season and it’s between Grundy and Gawn for the All-Australian ruck spot, such has been the Pies big man’s improvement this season. This season, Grundy is averaging career-high disposals (21.6), tackles (4.9), hit-outs (37.0), inside 50s (2.9), contested possessions (12.9), clearances (5.2) and ranking points (123.7). A genuine star of the competition.

Collingwood's Brodie Grundy. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Jimmy Webster (St Kilda)

Position: General defender

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +4.7

While St Kilda as dropped down the ladder and its lack of A-graders have been questioned, Webster has quietly developed a reputation as a classy rebounding defender. In fact, Webster is ranked No. 1 in the AFL for average rebound 50s this season, while he’s also 13th for intercept possessions. The fact he’s lifted his disposal average from 18.8 last year to 24.6 this year highlights his improvement in what has been a horror start to the Saints’ season.

Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions)

Position: Key defender

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +4.4

Of all the promising young players at the Lions, Andrews looms as likely the club’s next captain, leading by example down back. Andrews is second in the competition for average spoils, while his offensive output has increased to average career-high disposals (16.3) and intercept possessions (6.8). In a young Brisbane side that concedes a lot of inside 50s, Andrews has been stellar against the odds.

Conor McKenna (Essendon)

Position: General defender

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +4.2

Throughout Essendon’s frustrating start to 2018, McKenna’s bold dash and dare off half-back has been a consistently pleasing sight for Bombers fans. McKenna, ranked first in the league for average running bounces, has been electric off half-back for his side, averaging career-high disposals (18.2), intercept possessions (5.5), metres gained (395.8) and, just as importantly, score involvements (5.5).

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Jack Darling (West Coast Eagles)

Position: Key forward

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +4.2

Since his mighty six-goal haul against Richmond, many AFL pundits have dubbed Darling as the best forward in the league at the moment. After nine rounds, Darling has booted 28 goals to sit second on the Coleman medal table, while he’s also the No. 1 contested mark player in the game, as well as ranking second for marks inside 50 and fifth for score involvements. Darling is the prototype mid-sized forward, as he’s just as strong and effective on the ground as he is in the air.

Mark LeCras (West Coast Eagles)

Position: General forward

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +4

Ten months ago, dual premiership Roo David King said LeCras “should never play again” after showing several poor defensive efforts by the Eagles’ veteran against Collingwood. Now LeCras is having his best season since 2010 — the year he won All-Australian honours and the Eagles’ best and fairest — averaging two goals and 15 disposals a game that has seen him return to the elite category. He might be playing for a few more years still.

Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)

Position: Wing

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +3.7

This might be the season Smith — a three-time premiership Hawk and one of the club’s most durable players — finally breaks through to earn All-Australian honours. While Smith hasn’t necessarily produced a big spike in disposal numbers this season, his ability to hit the scoreboard has been crucial for the Hawks. He’s booted 14 goals so far this season, including two or more goals in five of his nine games so far this season.

Isaac Smith of the Hawks. Source: AAP

Tom Phillips (Collingwood)

Position: Wing

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +3.6

Not only has Phillips finally cemented his spot in the Collingwood side, he’s produced elite numbers in the process. From his nine games to date, Phillips has had 28 or more touches on five occasions, including a whopping 38 against reigning premiers Richmond in Round 6. His outstanding tank allows him to win ample outside ball, so once he improves his inside game, he could be a genuine midfield force.

Andrew Gaff (West Coast Eagles)

Position: Wing

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +3.6

Not a bad time for Gaff — out of contract at season’s end — to jump into the elite category. His rise this season has been due to a change of role. So often pigeonholed as an outside wingman, Gaff has attended more centre bounces this season, which has led to career-high contested ball, clearance and ranking points averages this season.

Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)

Position: Key forward

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +3.1

Age hasn’t wearied 29-year-old Riewoldt. Not only is he consistently hitting the scoreboard — he’s averaging 2.7 goals per game — but his disposal output has increased to 14.3 per game, while he’s never applied more pressure, averaging 3.7 tackles and ranking seventh for tackles inside 50. Despite the increased focus on Riewoldt — Richmond’s only key forward inside 50 — he has continued to improve.

Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers. Source: AAP

Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)

Position: Midfielder

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +3.1

Parker isn’t accumulating more disposals this season, but his effectiveness has never been more important. He’s averaging 13 contested possessions (ranked ninth) and six clearances per game, while he’s also booted 11 goals from his nine outings to date.

Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

Position: Midfielder

Official AFL Ratings Points change from 2017 to 2018: +2.8

He was on the verge of elite status last year — and a strong start to 2018 has ensured Oliver now sits in that category. The young gun Demon is ranked among the top 10 players in the league for contested possessions, clearances, tackles and ranking points.