SUNS spearhead Tom Lynch’s standing in the game continues to grow, with Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson ranking the back-to-back Gold Coast club champion the number four player in the AFL.

Only Brownlow medallists Nat Fyfe (Fremantle), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) and champion forward Lance Franklin (Sydney) are rated higher than the SUNS captain going into the 2017 season, however Robinson believes Lynch can take the mantle as the best player in the game by the end of the year.

“OK, Derm and Brownie, we hear ya. You guys reckon he’s the best player in the comp and do make a strong argument about his contested marking and athleticism. I don’t agree, but not by much. Just three spots in fact,” Robinson wrote.

Dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett has come in at number six in Robinson’s list, despite having his last two seasons disrupted by injury.

“What are we going to get from the player who Mick Malthouse didn’t rate as high or better or more team-oriented than James Clement? Reckon 600 touches and 40 goals and just maybe a third Brownlow,” Robinson wrote.

Full back Steven May has also snuck into Robinson’s list at No. 50, beating out the likes of Jack Viney, Dayne Zorko, Shane Mumford and Luke Hodge for the final spot.

View Robbo’s Full Top 50