SYDNEY Swans superstar Lance Franklin has leapt over Brownlow medallists Gary Ablett and Nat Fyfe as the AFL's best player, according to fans, underlining his remarkable return to the pinnacle of the game.      

Franklin, the Coleman Medal leader with 41 goals, was voted the AFL's best player by 23.8 per cent of supporters in the annual fans' survey conducted for AFL.com.au and the AFL Record.

The star goalkicker got the nod ahead of Geelong midfielder Patrick Dangerfield (22.26 per cent) in a tight  race, with the injured Fyfe (13.97) and Ablett (7.12 per cent) dropping off after each holding the title in the past two seasons.

Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell, Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein all received more than four per cent of the vote each.  

Franklin's return to his best form has been one of the stories of the season, after he stepped away from the game on the eve of last year's finals to seek treatment for a mental health condition. 

He spoke earlier this season about the decision to share his mental health battles and how it had instilled in him a strong sense of self-esteem.

The 29-year-old has since thrilled fans with his long goals, averaging his equal-most goals a game since 2008 and career-high inside 50s (5.64). 

Franklin was also the player fans would most want at their own club (21.74 per cent) with Fyfe (15.35 per cent) and Dangerfield (14.85 per cent) close behind. 

Richmond's Alex Rance, the best key defender in the game, received 5.96 per cent of the vote.