We've compiled a list of every major stat winner of every VFL/AFL season since 1965, culminating in the current leaderboard, which sees just two current players squeeze into.
Stat titles are a rare feat in the history of Australian Rules Football when compared to sports like the NBA, where three titles is an accomplishment held by too many players to count.
Number one on the AFL leaderboard will surprise many, but with 11 titles, he holds three more than the next best and may hold the number one ranking for many years more.
Tackling legends from the '60s, '70s, and the first half of the '80s are unfortunately undermined on the final leaderboard, with this stat only entering the equation in 1987. From here onwards, we get the full catalogue of disposals, goals, marks, hit-outs and tackles.
Modern day stats, ie; clearances, score involvements, intercepts have become the most relevant indicators of performance in today's game, but have only entered the statistical landscape in the last 30 years and thus, don't make the cut of major stats here.
This piece works in totals as opposed to averages and includes finals. In this way, we celebrate a season's longevity and accumulation in the biggest games.
Just six players on the leaderboard have topped the league in multiple categories, some in the same year.
On the contrary, a plethora of notable names don't feature at all. Here is a list of just a few legends without any statistical titles in their careers.
- Dustin Martin
- Scott Pendlebury
- Nat Fyfe
- Patrick Dangerfield
- Gary Ablett Jr.
- Joel Selwood
- Adam Goodes
- Michael Voss
- Chris Judd
- James Hird
- Craig Bradley
- Dermott Brereton
- Mark Riccuito
Current champions who still have time to make their mark include Patrick Cripps, Christian Petracca, Marcus Bontempelli and Zach Merrett, while we can expect the likes of Nick Daicos, Harry Sheezel, Zak Butters and Errol Gulden to stake their claim as early as this season.
LEADERBOARD
11 - Gary Dempsey (Footscray/North Melbourne)
8 - Tony Liberatore (Footscray/Western Bulldogs)
7 - Justin Madden (Carlton)
6 - Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
6 - Jason Dunstall (Hawthorn)
5 - Lance Franklin (Hawthorn/Sydney)
5 - Brett Kirk (Sydney)
5 - Kevin Bartlett (Richmond)
4 - Dane Swan (Collingwood)
4 - Simon Black (Brisbane)
4 - Tony Lockett (St Kilda/Sydney)
4 - Greg Williams (Geelong/Sydney/Carlton)
4 - Garry Wilson (Fitzroy)
4 - Peter Hudson (Hawthorn)
3 - Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
3 - Max Gawn (Melbourne)
3 - Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)
3 - Barry Hall (Sydney/Western Bulldogs)
3 - Matthew Lloyd (Essendon)
3 - Brett Ratten (Carlton)
3 - Robert Harvey (St Kilda)
3 - Wayne Carey (North Melbourne)
3 - Stewart Loewe (St Kilda)
3 - Simon Madden (Essendon)
3 - Doug Wade (Geelong/North Melbourne)
3 - Fred Way (South Melbourne)
2023
Disposals: Stephen Coniglio (707) - GWS
Goals: Charlie Curnow (81) - Carlton
Marks: Jacob Weitering (208) - Carlton
Hit-outs: Reilly O'Brien (888) - Adelaide
Tackles: Matt Rowell (190) - Gold Coast
2022
Disposals: Clayton Oliver (753) - Melbourne
Goals: Tom Hawkins (67) - Geelong
Marks: James Sicily (190) - Hawthorn
Hit-outs: Jarrod Witts (833) - Gold Coast
Tackles: Sam Berry (171) - Adelaide
2021
Disposals: Jack Macrae (880) - Western Bulldogs
Goals: Tom Hawkins (62) - Geelong
Marks: Harris Andrews (181) - Brisbane
Hit-outs: Max Gawn (804) - Melbourne
Tackles: Jack Steele (185) - St Kilda
2020
Disposals: Lachie Neale (511) - Brisbane
Goals: Tom Hawkins (49) - Geelong
Marks: Tom Stewart (125) - Geelong
Hit-outs: Brodie Grundy (593) - Collingwood
Tackles: Hugh Greenwood (117) - Gold Coast
2019
Disposals: Adam Treloar (789) - Collingwood
Goals: Jeremy Cameron (76) - GWS
Marks: Brad Sheppard (188) - West Coast
Hit-outs: Brodie Grundy (1022) - Collingwood
Tackles: Elliot Yeo (169) - West Coast
2018
Disposals: Tom Mitchell (848) - Hawthorn
Goals: Jack Riewoldt (70) - Richmond
Marks: Shannon Hurn (196) - West Coast
Hit-outs: Max Gawn (1119) - Melbourne
Tackles: Devon Smith (186) - Essendon
2017
Disposals: Matt Crouch (825) - Adelaide
Goals: Lance Franklin (73) - Sydney
Marks: Sam Docherty (199) - Carlton
Hit-outs: Sam Jacobs (996) - Adelaide
Tackles: Rory Sloane (187) - Adelaide
2016
Disposals: Dan Hannebery (802) - Sydney
Goals: Josh Kennedy (82) - West Coast
Marks: Nick Riewoldt (222) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Max Gawn (928) - Melbourne
Tackles: Matt Priddis (188) - West Coast
2015
Disposals: Sam Mitchell (748) - Hawthorn
Goals: Josh Kennedy (80) - West Coast
Marks: Josh Gibson (207) - Hawthorn
Hit-outs: Todd Goldstein (1058) - North Melbourne
Tackles: Matt Priddis (176) - West Coast
2014
Disposals: Jordan Lewis (668) - Hawthorn
Goals: Lance Franklin (79) - Sydney
Marks: Nick Riewoldt (191) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Aaron Sandilands (890) - Fremantle
Tackles: Tom Liberatore (173) - Western Bulldogs
2013
Disposals: Dane Swan (717) - Collingwood
Goals: Jarryd Roughead (72) - Hawthorn
Marks: Nick Riewoldt (202) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Will Minson (860) - Western Bulldogs
Tackles: Ryan O'Keefe (164) - Sydney
2012
Disposals: Dayne Beams (741) - Collingwood
Goals: Matthew Pavlich, Lance Franklin (69) - Fremantle, Hawthorn
Marks: Luke McPharlin (171) - Fremantle
Hit-outs: Sam Jacobs (743) - Adelaide
Tackles: Andrew Swallow (164) - North Melbourne
2011
Disposals: Dane Swan (760) - Collingwood
Goals: Lance Franklin (82) - Hawthorn
Marks: Travis Cloke (192) - Collingwood
Hit-outs: Todd Goldstein (741) - North Melbourne
Tackles: Scott Selwood (202) - West Coast
2010
Disposals: Dane Swan (820) - Collingwood
Goals: Barry Hall (80) - Western Bulldogs
Marks: Brian Lake (240) - Western Bulldogs
Hit-outs: Aaron Sandilands (732) - Fremantle
Tackles: Andrew Swallow (183) - North Melbourne
2009
Disposals: Dane Swan (769) - Collingwood
Goals: Brendan Fevola (89) - Carlton
Marks: Nick Riewoldt (231) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Darren Jolly (682) - Collingwood
Tackles: Brett Kirk (170) - Sydney
2008
Disposals: Joel Corey (730) - Geelong
Goals: Lance Franklin (113) - Hawthorn
Marks: Nick Riewoldt (240) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Aaron Sandilands (646) - Fremantle
Tackles: Brett Kirk (151) - Sydney
2007
Disposals: Kane Cornes (696) - Port Adelaide
Goals: Jonathan Brown (77) - Brisbane
Marks: Matthew Pavlich (203) - Fremantle
Hit-outs: Brendon Lade (517) - Port Adelaide
Tackles: Brett Kirk (149) - Sydney
2006
Disposals: Scott West (708) - Western Bulldogs
Goals: Brendan Fevola (84) - Carlton
Marks: Barry Hall (216) - Sydney
Hit-outs: Darren Jolly (605) - Sydney
Tackles: James McDonald (143) - Melbourne
2005
Disposals: Scott West (637) - Western Bulldogs
Goals: Barry Hall (80) - Sydney
Marks: Warren Tredrea (220) - Port Adelaide
Hit-outs: Dean Cox (595) - West Coast
Tackles: Brett Kirk (136) - Sydney
2004
Disposals: Nigel Lappin (630) - Brisbane
Goals: Fraser Gehrig (103) - St Kilda
Marks: Nick Riewoldt (256) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Peter Everitt (628) - Hawthorn
Tackles: Lenny Hayes (129) - St Kilda
2003
Disposals: Nathan Buckley (650) - Collingwood
Goals: Matthew Lloyd (93) - Essendon
Marks: Chris Tarrant (219) - Collingwood
Hit-outs: Matthew Clarke (537) - Adelaide
Tackles: Brett Kirk (140) - Sydney
2002
Disposals: Simon Black (582) - Brisbane
Goals: David Neitz (82) - Melbourne
Marks: Warren Tredrea (195) - Port Adelaide
Hit-outs: Jeff White (561) - Melbourne
Tackles: Simon Black (115) - Brisbane
2001
Disposals: Simon Black (622) - Brisbane
Goals: Matthew Lloyd (105) - Essendon
Marks: Matthew Richardson (182) - Richmond
Hit-outs: Peter Everitt (569) - St Kilda
Tackles: Simon Black (119) - Brisbane
2000
Disposals: Brett Ratten (695) - Carlton
Goals: Matthew Lloyd (109) - Essendon
Marks: Lance Whitnall (208) - Carlton
Hit-outs: Jeff White (499) - Melbourne
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (99) - Western Bulldogs
1999
Disposals: Brett Ratten (670) - Carlton
Goals: Scott Cummings (95) - West Coast
Marks: Lance Whitnall (191) - Carlton
Hit-outs: Matthew Allan (716) - Carlton
Tackles: Brett Ratten (99) - Carlton
1998
Disposals: Robert Harvey (735) - St Kilda
Goals: Tony Lockett (109) - Sydney
Marks: Wayne Carey (193) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Shaun Rehn (566) - Adelaide
Tackles: Nigel Smart (80) - Adelaide
1997
Disposals: Robert Harvey (756) - St Kilda
Goals: Tony Modra (84) - Adelaide
Marks: Stewart Loewe (192) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Paul Salmon (352) - Hawthorn
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (95) - Western Bulldogs*
1996
Disposals: Robert Harvey (597) - St Kilda
Goals: Tony Lockett (121) - Sydney
Marks: Wayne Carey (200) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Matthew Clarke (454) - Brisbane
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (111) - Footscray
1995
Disposals: Liam Pickering (629) - Geelong
Goals: Gary Ablett (122) - Geelong
Marks: Wayne Carey (187) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (354) - Carlton
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (116) - Footscray
1994
Disposals: Greg Williams (642) - Carlton
Goals: Gary Ablett (129) - Geelong
Marks: David Schwartz (173) - Melbourne
Hit-outs: Shaun Rehn (401) - Adelaide
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (142) - Footscray
1993
Disposals: Greg Williams (664) - Carlton
Goals: Tony Modra (129) - Adelaide
Marks: Stewart Loewe (184) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (363) - Hawthorn
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (115) - Footscray
1992
Disposals: Chris McDermott (720) - Adelaide
Goals: Jason Dunstall (145) - Hawthorn
Marks: Jason Dunstall (199) - Hawthorn
Hit-outs: Scott Wynd (411) - Footscray
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (136) - Footscray
1991
Disposals: Barry Mitchell (689) - Sydney
Goals: Tony Lockett (127) - St Kilda
Marks: Jim Stynes (214) - Melbourne
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (419) - Carlton
Tackles: John Platten (65) - Hawthorn
1990*
Disposals: Tony Shaw (736) - Collingwood
Goals: John Longmire (98) - North Melbourne
Marks: Stewart Loewe (225) - St Kilda
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (346) - Carlton
Tackles: Tony Liberatore (82) - Footscray
1989
Disposals: Paul Couch (700) - Geelong
Goals: Jason Dunstall (138) - Hawthorn
Marks: Jason Dunstall (207) - Hawthorn
Hit-outs: Simon Madden (350) - Essendon
Tackles: Robert DiPierdomenico (70) - Hawthorn
1988
Disposals: Barry Mitchell (616) - Sydney
Goals: Jason Dunstall (132) - Hawthorn
Marks: Jason Dunstall (185) - Hawthorn
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (380) - Carlton
Tackles: Robert DiPierdomenico (66) - Hawthorn
1987
Disposals: John Platten (633) - Hawthorn
Goals: Tony Lockett (117) - St Kilda
Marks: Stephen Kernahan (177) - Carlton
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (415) - Carlton
*Tackles: Michael Tuck (73) - Hawthorn
1986
Disposals: Greg Williams (690) - Sydney
Goals: Brian Taylor (100) - Collingwood
Marks: Gary Buckenara (179) - Hawthorn
Hit-outs: Justin Madden (477) - Carlton
1985
Disposals: Greg Williams (675) - Geelong
Goals: Simon Beasley (105) - Footscray
Marks: Stephen Wallis (178) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Andrew Purser (402) - Footscray
1984
Disposals: Tony Shaw (676) - Collingwood
Goals: Bernie Quinlan (105) - Fitzroy
Marks: Peter Moore (162) - Melbourne
Hit-outs: Mark Lee (711) - Richmond
1983
Disposals: Terry Wallace (765) - Hawthorn
Goals: Bernie Quinlan (116) - Fitzroy
Marks: Simon Madden (179) - Essendon
Hit-outs: Simon Madden (812) - Essendon
1982
Disposals: Terry Wallace (635) - Hawthorn
Goals: Malcolm Blight (103) - North Melbourne
Marks: Gary Dempsey (175) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Gary Dempsey (952) - North Melbourne
1981
Disposals: Peter Featherby (662) - Geelong
Goals: Michael Roach (86) - Richmond
Marks: Barry Round (179) - South Melbourne
Hit-outs: Gary Dempsey (688) - North Melbourne
1980
Disposals: Garry Wilson (631) - Fitzroy
Goals: Michael Roach (112) - Richmond
Marks: Gary Dempsey (232) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Rod Blake (693) - Geelong
1979
Disposals: Garry Wilson (690) - Fitzroy
Goals: Kelvin Templeton (91) - Footscray
Marks: Gary Dempsey (245) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Gary Dempsey (587) - North Melbourne
1978
Disposals: Garry Wilson (646) - Fitzroy
Goals: Kelvin Templeton (118) - Footscray
Marks: Graham Teasdale (181) - South Melbourne
Hit-outs: Don Scott (438) - Hawthorn
1977
Disposals: Kevin Bartlett (665) - Richmond
Goals: Peter Hudson (110) - Hawthorn
Marks: Gary Dempsey (185) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Don Scott (443) - Hawthorn
1976
Disposals: Garry Wilson (598) - Fitzroy
Goals: Larry Donohue (105) - Geelong
Marks: Gary Dempsey (207) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Peter Jones (435) - Carlton
1975
Disposals: Barry Davis (609) - North Melbourne
Goals: Leigh Matthews (68) - Hawthorn
Marks: Gary Dempsey (206) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Brian Roberts (240) - Richmond/South Melbourne
1974
Disposals: Kevin Bartlett (647) - Richmond
Goals: Doug Wade (103) - North Melbourne
Marks: Greg Parke (197) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Barry Goodingham (58) - North Melbourne
1973
Disposals: Kevin Bartlett (672) - Richmond
Goals: Peter McKenna (86) - Collingwood
Marks: Gary Dempsey (230) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Len Thompson (457) - Collingwood
1972
Disposals: Wayne Richardson (630) - Collingwood
Goals: Peter McKenna (130) - Collingwood
Marks: Gary Dempsey (217) - Footscray
Hit-outs: Len Thompson (476) - Collingwood
1971
Disposals: Wayne Richardson (755) - Collingwood
Goals: Peter Hudson (150) - Hawthorn
Marks: Alex Ruscuklic (216) - Fitrzoy
Hit-outs: Fred Way (462) - South Melbourne
1970
Disposals: Kevin Bartlett (599) - Richmond
Goals: Peter Hudson (146) - Hawthorn
Marks: Greg Parke (238) - Melbourne
Hit-outs: Fred Way (403) - South Melbourne
1969
Disposals: Kevin Bartlett (594) - Richmond
Goals: Doug Wade (127) - Geelong
Marks: Mike Green (224) - Richmond
Hit-outs: Fred Way (401) - South Melbourne
1968
Disposals: Bill Goggin (591) - Geelong
Goals: Peter Hudson (125) - Hawthorn
Marks: Denis Marshall (151) - Geelong
Hit-outs: Michael Patterson (536) - Richmond
1967
Disposals: Bill Goggin (624) - Geelong
Goals: Doug Wade (96) - Geelong
Marks: Bernie McCarthy (136) - North Melbourne
Hit-outs: Brian Mynott (527) - St Kilda
1966
Disposals: Ian Stewart (504) - St Kilda
Goals: Ted Fordham (76) - Essendon
Marks: Ian Stewart (134) - St Kilda
*Hit-outs: John Nicholls (597) - Carlton
1965
Disposals: John Birt (484) - Essendon
Goals: John Peck (56) - Hawthorn
Marks: Ken Fraser (136) - Essendon
