Gold Coast SUNS forward Tom Lynch is now the third highest ranked forward in the game.

After a brilliant start to 2016, his form has seen him rise to No. 40 overall in the AFL Player Ratings, only outranked as a key forward by Swan Lance Franklin (ranked 13) and Hawk Jarryd Roughhead (ranked 16).

Four rounds into the season, Lynch has moved ahead of last year's Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy (ranked 41), premiership Hawk Jack Gunston (44) and Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt (45).

READ: Lynch second in AFLCA vote

Lynch is leading this year's Coleman Medal race with 18 goals. Franklin and North Melbourne's Jarrad Waite trail him on 16.

One of Gold Coast's three vice-captains, Lynch started the year ranked at No.58 overall and his ranking as a key forward has improved from seventh to third.

The AFL Player Ratings take into account a player's past 40 games.