Unpredictability has become the norm in Community Bank Strathmore Division One - and it is no different when we look at the men who have been keeping the statisticians busy in 2026.
Premier Data has been tracking every kick, mark, and handball (and everything else) in 2026, so we thought it was time to rank the division's elite based on ranking points.
However, the list includes just one player from each of West Coburg and Oak Park, who occupy the top two spots on the ladder.
Avondale Heights, who sit sixth, have four players in the top 10, while seventh-placed Taylors Lakes have two of the top three. Remarkably, players from those two clubs fill the top-five positions.
Players needed to have featured in at least seven of the 13 games to qualify, and many of them could feature prominently in what shapes as an engrossing finals series.
This is the second of a three-part series analysing the stars of the senior men's competitions. The Premier Division list will be released next Thursday.
10. Muhammad Saad (West Coburg, averaging 126.5 ranking points)
Saad returned to the Burgers over the off-season to boost their pursuit of an elusive flag and has been outstanding. He has 14 goals from 11 games and seven mentions in the best, and is the only player from the ladder leader to feature in this list. Saad is averaging 27 possessions, seven clearances, seven inside 50s, and eight score involvements. Expect the goalkicking midfielder to be prominent in this year's finals series, with West Coburg a game clear on top of the ladder.
9. Haidyn Shade (Moonee Valley, 127)
The Valley described Shade as a "genuine game-breaker" when it announced his arrival last off-season, and he has been a key factor in the club's rise up the ladder. The star midfielder has made an immediate mark on the division since crossing from Strathmore, averaging almost 27 touches, six clearances, five inside 50s, nine tackles, and seven score involvements. Shade has six mentions in the best from his nine games.
8. Bailey Williamson (Avondale Heights, 127.5)
Intriguingly, the vice-captain has featured in the Heights' best just twice from 13 games this season, but he continues to rack up big numbers. The defender is averaging 30 possessions, six marks, seven rebound 50s, and almost nine intercept possessions. Williamson had 47 possessions against Rupertswood in Round 4 and has logged more than 100 ranking points each week. He was named at half-back in the 2025 team of the year and will be difficult to ignore this season.
7. Josh Hotchkin (Oak Park, 127.7)
There is no shortage of quality rucks in Division One, and the Kangaroos gun is among the best. Hotchkin is averaging 18 possessions, six marks, and 46 hit outs in 2026. The former VFL player, who returned to the club last season after a stint at Aberfeldie, has topped 100 ranking points in nine of his 10 appearances and will have a big say in Oak Park's fortunes later this year.
6. Jackson Cardillo (Rupertswood, 129.6)
The prime mover has been a standout in an encouraging return to Division One for the Sharks, named in the best on 11 occasions from 13 matches, underlining his consistency. Cardillo is averaging almost 30 disposals, seven clearances, five inside 50s, and seven tackles. He racked up 45 possessions and 166 ranking points against premiership contender West Coburg in round 12 and is always busy in the midfield.
5. Brad Robb (Avondale Heights, 131)
A seasoned campaigner at the Heights, Robb has been named in the best seven times from 11 outings this season while also contributing 17 goals. The midfielder ranks elite in 14 of Premier Data's 19 key stats and is averaging 30 possessions, five clearances, four inside 50s, seven tackles, and seven score involvements.
4. Marcus Zipf (Avondale Heights, 140.3)
The VFL-listed tall brings aerial ability and athleticism and has made his mark in seven appearances for the Heights this year. Zipf, a 201cm Queenslander who arrived at the club over summer, has been in the best three times and is averaging 36 hit outs. He ranks elite in contested possessions, contested marks, forward-50 tackles, and goal involvements. Zipf returned 230 ranking points against East Keilor and 193 against St Albans.
3. Brandon Coletta (Taylors Lakes, 143.4)
It has been a lean season for the Lions, who have a 3-10 record after being rated as a finals contender. However, versatile star Coletta has stood tall after arriving at the club over the off-season, named in the best nine times from 12 appearances. Capable of dominating in defence and attack, he is averaging 22 possessions, 12 marks, and six rebound 50s mainly as a backman. Coletta has been named in the Division One team of the year the past two seasons and earned the honour in Premier Division in 2023. An elite talent.
2. Blake Cochrane (Avondale Heights, 151.2)
The big-name recruit from the Southern league has played all 13 matches this season and been a model of consistency. Cochrane is averaging a competition-best 38 disposals in 2026 and has logged 40 touches or more six times, with 29 his lowest output. He is second in the division for contested possessions, averaging 16.7, while he also ranks elite for marks, clearances, inside 50s, and score involvements.
1. Lachlan Rayner (Taylors Lakes, 160.9)
The champion big man has dominated this season despite his team's struggles. Rayner has nine mentions in the best from 10 games and has also hit the scoreboard with 16 goals, including nine in the past three weeks. The brother of Brisbane Lions star Cam is ranked elite in 13 of Premier Data's 19 key stats and is averaging almost 26 possessions, 12 clearances, five inside 50s, and six score involvements. Rayner also leads the division in contested possessions and provides nothing but myriad headaches for opposition coaches.
