A mix of established stars and emerging talents have dominated Community Bank Strathmore Premier Division this season.
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.
In the final instalment of our three-part series analysing the stars of the men's senior divisions, we unveil the top-10 performers of 2026.
Players needed to have featured in at least seven games to qualify, with match winners from eight clubs securing a position.
10. Rory Atkins (Maribyrnong Park, averaging 124 ranking points)
Maribyrnong Park's headline ex-AFL recruit has not disappointed this season after returning to his junior club. After a 141-game career at the elite level, Atkins is averaging 28 possessions, six marks, five inside 50s, and eight score involvements. He has 12 goals from 10 games and has featured in the best players on seven occasions. Atkins is yet to hit 40 touches in a game in 2026, returning 38 touches against Aberfeldie and Strathmore.
Image credit: Maribyrnong Park FC
9. Liam Mercieca (Essendon Doutta Stars, 124)
The big man has played a leading role in the Stars' rise in the top flight in 2026 and has been a model of consistency. Mercieca has been named in the best 10 times from 14 games and has nine goals. He is averaging 21 possessions, 12 clearances, five inside 50s, and 31 hit outs. His best performance (in terms of ranking points) was 179 against Deer Park.
8. Mark Galea (Deer Park, 124)
The clever forward continues to be influential averaging 27 possessions, six inside 50s, and eight score involvements this season. Galea has 12 goals from nine games and has featured in the best six times. His season-best performance was a 38-possession haul against Maribyrnong Park.
7. Jack Middleton (Aberfeldie, 126)
The star big man has been a key contributor for a new-look Abers outfit under Leigh Tudor this season. Middleton is averaging 16 possessions, five clearances, four score involvements, and almost 35 hit outs from his eight games this season, earning four mentions in the best players.
6. Ned Gentile (Airport West, 129.8)
The skipper continues to lead from the front despite the Eagles' struggles in 2026. Gentile is averaging 28 disposals, seven clearances, six inside 50s, and seven score involvements. He has bagged 19 goals from 12 games, and has seven mentions in the best. Gentile returned 45 possessions and 202 ranking points against Pascoe Vale.
5. Matt Hanson (Airport West, 130.2)
The four-time Werribee VFL best-and-fairest winner continues to rack up possessions in a difficult campaign for his club. Hanson is averaging 27 possessions, nine clearances, six inside 50s, and five tackles. He has been named in the best 10 times from 13 matches and kicked eight goals. Hanson enjoyed a busy outing against Pascoe Vale with 40 possessions and 202 ranking points.
4. Kwame McHarg (Deer Park, 130.6)
McHarg is among the most decorated players in the history of the Western league and is now a game-changing force in the EDFL. While he has only played seven games in 2026 (and had six mentions in the best), the Lions star is averaging a competition-best 36.6 possessions, along with seven marks, six clearances, and six inside 50s. McHarg helped himself to 46 touches against Aberfeldie and 45 against Pascoe Vale.
3. Jack Brown (Keilor, 132.5)
The midfielder returned to the Blues full-time this season after a stint in the VFL and has given Mick McGuane's Blues a tremendous boost. Brown has been in the best eight times from 13 games and has contributed 10 goals. He is also averaging 29 possessions, eight clearances, six inside 50s, six tackles, and eight score involvements. His best performance came against Hillside in Round 8, when he had 41 touches and 206 ranking points.
2. Mahmoud Taha (Pascoe Vale, 138.9)
The Essendon VFL-listed gun and former Calder Cannon has been prolific in the midfield for the Panthers. Taha has 14 goals to his name from as many games and boasts 10 mentions in the best. He is averaging 31 possessions, eight clearances, five inside 50s, seven tackles, and eight score involvements and has only logged fewer than 100 ranking points once in 2026 while ranking elite in 12 of Premier Data's 19 key stats.
1. Liam Cavanagh (Strathmore, 151.4)
Last year's Reynolds Medal runner-up has a strong case for the competition's most influential player and has marshalled the Mores' defence for several seasons. Cavanagh ranks elite in 13 of Premier Data's 19 key stats and is averaging 32 possessions, 13 intercepts, eight marks, and six score involvements. He has topped 100 ranking points in 13 of his 14 games, logging 195 against Hillside and 194 against Keilor. Cavanagh has been named in the best seven times this year and could add another premiership to his resume in September.
