SYDNEY Swans recruit Lance Franklin will move within striking distance of the top five in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, if he continues his great form against North Melbourne at the SCG on Sunday.

Franklin is back in the top 10 after a best-on-ground performance in the Swans' big win over Adelaide last weekend.

The four goals, three score-assists and 20 disposals that Franklin amassed against the Crows moved him from 11th to equal-eighth on the player ratings table.


His running points tally is 556, the same as former teammate Cyril Rioli, who also shot up the ratings table after a brilliant performance against Fremantle last Friday night.

Franklin and Rioli now have the current No. 5, Essendon skipper Jobe Watson, in their sights.

Watson's running points tally is 598.

Another big mover in recent times has been Port Adelaide swingman Justin Westhoff.

After an impressive start to the season, 'The Hoff' has climbed into the top 50 for the first time in his career.

When it comes to points earned this year, his total of 55.8 puts him eighth behind Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury (73.7), Geelong skipper Joel Selwood (69.4), Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett (67.6), North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey (63.1) and Essendon recruit Paul Chapman (62.1).

Ablett remains the best player in the competition. His running points tally 725.

There has been plenty of interest in how the first-year players are tracking.

St Kilda's Luke Dunstan (43.1 points) leads the way from North Melbourne's Luke McDonald (33.4), Collingwood's Tom Langdon (30.1), another one young Saint, Eli Templeton (27.2) and Greater Western Sydney's Josh Kelly (27).

Given Kelly has only played two games, his effort has been particularly impressive.

Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol