The Albury Tigers dynamo narrowly takes the honour ahead of North Albury star Dan Leslie, who was last year’s No.1.

The list takes into account preseason injuries and operations, last year’s form, age and the scope for improvement.

Agree with Brett Kohlhagen's ratings? Click here and have your say

01: CHRIS HYDE

Hyde was chased hard by Ovens and Murray clubs after being cut by Richmond and it’s easy to see why.

He’s a gun.

The midfielder stands above the pack purely through his goalkicking prowess after he drifted forward and hit the mark on 40-plus occasions last season.

Described yesterday by Richmond legend Matthew Richardson as the “best baulker” he played with in the AFL, the left-footer slices through packs with ease whether at half-back, through the midfield or up forward.

02: DANIEL LESLIE

The champion forward drops a place after being struck down by osteitis pubis last year. Looks to have made a full recovery after playing for Greater Western Sydney with Hopper fans desperate to see him back at his brilliant best inside 50m. Towering mark, but deceptively quick on the lead. The player most opposition coaches would love to have on their list.

03: SHAUN DALY

Future leader with his no-nonsense approach. Has been a sensation since arriving at the Albury Sportsground two years ago with his clearance work unrivalled in

the Ovens and Murray. Showed his versatility by spending time in the ruck last season. Great mark off one step.

04: JAMIE ALLAN

Makes Robert de Castella look like a couch potato. Covers more territory than any other player in the O and M with the Morris medal winner hitting career best form in the second-half of last season. Impossible to stop with Peder Whelan dominating the ruck.

05: MICHAEL STEVENS

Stamped himself as a genuine champion by playing a stunning grand final last year. The 2009 Morris Medallist is a ball magnet, as brave as they come and possibly

the league’s best pass by foot. Desperately wants a Pigeon premiership and will be do everything in his power to make that happen.

06: ANDY HILL

Says little, but gets the job done. Hill is undoubtedly a victim of his own ability as he is the first player thrown around the park in a bid to spark the Hawks into top gear. The ultimate professional.

07: MATT SPENCER

The recruit of the season. The big key position player is just out of WAFL and AFL ranks and looks capable of dragging the Saints from the doldrums with help from Joel Coombes. Lets hope he is allowed to settle in attack.

08: MARK DOOLAN

Boasts a record second to none at Birallee Park. His enormous tank gets him to contest after contest and will be the fi rst player opposition teams attempt to shut down especially with Nick Georgiadis missing in action. Another statistic machine.

09: LUKE MORGAN

Joins the Magpies after playing in back-to-back VFL grand finals with the Northern Bullants. Enough said. Classy midfielder who is going to cause plenty of damage

before the season is out.

10: JOEL MACKIE

Tough, classy, brilliant — there’s not much that hasn’t been said about Joel Mackie. Looked like winning last year’s Morris Medal after 12 rounds but faded with injury and form. Not the type to enjoy playing support roles, expect this fan favourite to hit 2011 head-on.

11: DANIEL BOYLE

Elevated to co-captain and has a point to prove. At his best with his aggressive running off half-back and it’s difficult to see injuries stopping him this year with the Magpies up and about. Will lead from the front.

12: XAVIER LESLIE

The classy on-baller is still the heart and soul of Yarrawonga’s midfi eld. Leslie has just about seen it all during his glowing career but is showing no signs of slowing down, finishing second in the Pigeon’s B&F last season with a number of strong performances coming in the finals.

13: MATT PENDERGAST

You name it, the little general has done it. The Ovens and Murray inter-league coach is coming off a blinder of a season and will again be prominent in the Panther engine room with Kade Stevens. Set for huge numbers again.

14: DANIEL MAHER

Oddly underrated. Maher doesn’t twirl around opponents like Chris Hyde or possess the brute strength of Joel Mackie, but racks up possessions and uses it with extreme efficiency. Maher is an integral part of both the Albury midfield and the Tigers’ assistant coaching panel.

15: CHRIS VARSAMAKIS

‘Vars’ looks all class. The Tiger recruit has been slaying opposition teams in practice matches and looks deadly alongside Shaun Daly and Chris Hyde in the centre

square. Won’t be intimidated.

16: DREW BARNES

Will 2011 be his year? The tough Pigeon coach came to the league with huge wraps from Nathalia and hasn’t been able to deliver due to ongoing injury problems. The combination of a big pre-season, extra responsibility that comes with coaching and a shift to defence will do the trick.

17: JOEL SMITH

The 2001 Hawthorn best-and-fairest winner will be desperate to finish his career with a flag. Smith may be turning 34 this year, but his poise in defence shapes as a

huge factor in whether Yarrawonga can end Albury’s golden run. Will be eased into the season.

18: MARCUS McMILLAN

The gap between McMillan’s best and worst is probably still too great, but the big Pigeon forward is virtually unstoppable in full flight. Played some blinders last season and will be hell-bent on making up for a disappointing grand final day. Brilliant in full flight.

19: CHAZ SARGEANT

Like Panther teammate Luke Garland, Sargeant’s class came to the fore for GWS last month against North Melbourne. Kevin Sheedy has spoken in glowing terms of

the youngster and will be keeping close tabs on the star water polo player this season. Knows how to kick a goal.

20: DALE WHELAN

Whelan doesn’t deserve this ranking on last year’s performance, but he showed his class late with a handful of sensational performances. The talented Magpie forward has great hands and a good leap and only needs an injury-free run to take the competition by storm. Worth the punt.

21:

22:

23:

24:

25:

26:

27:

28:

29:

30:

31:

32:

33:

34:

35:

36:

37:

38:

39:

40: