In 2016, Gold Coast vice-captain Tom Lynch cemented himself as one of the stars of the competition, booting 66 goals in a team that finished in the bottom four.

Although Lynch was the SUNS’ focal point up forward in 2014 and 2015, the Victorian took his game to another level this season, grabbing the attention of fans and media across the nation.

That includes Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson, who ranked Lynch as his number seven player in the competition for 2016 in his annual Top 50.

“Huge fan of his contested marking and if you think he’s too high then argue with Jonathan Brown. He said Lynch was the best player in the comp,” Robinson wrote.

“No.1 for contested marks, taking 62, second for marks inside 50 (3.5), and third for goals (3.0).”

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Patrick Dangerfield was Robinson’s number one player, with Lance Franklin the only key forward ahead of Lynch at number three. Coleman Medal winner Josh Kennedy was at number 12.

Fellow vice-captain Steven May was at number 40 in Robinson’s list, making him his ninth-best defender in the competition.

"Half-baked football fans will say, 'Yeah, OK, he’s not a bad player’. They’re wrong,” Robinson wrote.

"Rated elite for disposals, third for spoils and lost only 14 of his 71 defensive one-on-one contests."