Rory Sloane continues to earn the respect of his peers and has jumped 19 spots into No.11 in the AFL Players' Top 50 countdown.

Sloane enjoyed a career-best season in 2016 on his way to his first All Australian selection and his second Crows Club Champion award.

The courageous midfielder had his fingerprints all over his side's sensational four-point victory against Sydney at Adelaide Oval in Round Four, and he never looked back from there.

Sloane v the Swans: round four, 2016

24 possessions10 tackles
Six inside 50sTwo Brownlow votes

Sloane was again at the top of his game when he went against former teammate Patrick Dangerfield for the first time in Round Eight, collecting 28 touches, 11 tackles and going inside 50 seven times.

He assumed even more midfield responsibility and attended 62 per cent of centre bounces last year, more than double his attendance rate over his previous seven seasons.

It is now clear Sloane is the heart and soul of the Crows.

Although he stands only 183cm, this tenacious fighter has earned the respect of not just his teammates, but the entire competition and his fellow players.

He is the best pressure player among offensive players in the competition and has the second-highest amount of pressure points.

At 26, Sloane – last year's All-Australian vice-captain - is hitting his prime years and carrying his footy club along for the ride.

Every player in the competition was asked to rank the best 50 players in the League, with the results collated and ready for reveal in the lead-up to Round One.

Sloane is the third Crow to feature in this year’s AFL Players’ Top 50, joining teammates Eddie Betts and Taylor Walker in the countdown.

Stats: Champion Data Prospectus

11. Rory Sloane

Adelaide
Midfielder
Last year's ranking 30
Official AFL Player Rating: 8
Debut: 2009
Games: 141
AFL Fantasy value: $639,000

The tough, tenacious, inside mid produced a stellar season to win his second Malcolm Blight Medal and claim All Australian honours for the first time. He averaged over 25 disposals a game (inside the top 50) and seven tackles (inside the top 10). He also polled 24 votes in the Brownlow Medal (fourth overall) but was inelgible for that award.