Invariably, your average sit-at-home punter is going to favour midfielders because they’re largely the closest to the ball for the bulk of the game.

It's much the same for the umpires, who generally choose a mid to win the Brownlow Medal each year!

But in a year where we’ve discovered a prodigious Port forward line and the coaches have hammered home the mantra of ‘team defence’, a smart tipster will cast their net beyond the centre square when compiling their top ten.

That’s what I've tried to do here.

So without further adieu, here’s my crystal ball to the John Cahill Medal top ten.

1. Travis Boak
Unbelievable season from the skipper. Boak made my best players in almost every game this year and missed just one (Round 13) through injury. The great thing about his performance is that he's stood up when it mattered with performances befitting a captain of this club. There were many times when I would simply look to his facial expression at the start of some of those tight last quarters and knew he was in for a blinder, such is his focus and determination. Deserves a second John Cahill Medal to sit nicely alongside his All-Australian selection.

2. Chad Wingard
I’d expect a single figure vote separation between Chad and Boaky at the end of the night – that’s how close their form has been! Wingard was definitely the big game player this year, but I think there will be a few matches where his influence was slightly less than Boak’s, playing as a forward. While I’ve got him second in 2013, he’ll probably win a few best and fairests in what promises to be a long and successful career at Alberton.

3. Justin Westhoff
I’ve loved watching the 'Hoff this year and feel as though it’s been the first season punters have truly appreciated his around-the-ground performance. Now that he’s seen as a utility, rather than a forward, there’s a real understanding of the critical role he plays for the Power. A slightly leaner patch midway through the season will hurt him but his impressive start (one that should see him lead the Brownlow count after five rounds) and solid finish will do him no harm.

4. Kane Cornes
He’s played some of his best footy in 2013, and probably bettered the performance that won him this award last year. His work around the ball and running with players has been as good as ever, but he’s added a pressure and tackling dimension that has been so important to the team. A narrow fourth and a smoky to push higher depending on how the coaches rate his efforts.

5. Angus Monfries
Could well take the ‘Mr Consistent’ tag from Cornes in future seasons if this year is anything to go by. He melded into the whole-team efforts of Rounds 1 to 5, but his consistency shone through when higher-quality opponents started taking the four points from the Power. His seven-goal game against Geelong in Round 20 was incredible and a true indication of what he can do - it was the highlight of a definite purple patch near the end of the year.

6. Jay Schulz
The heart of this team had another consistent year and topped the goal kicking once again. He was kept quiet in a couple of games but I think his ability to work up the ground will keep him in good stead, as will playing every match this season - a rarity for the big forward.

7. Hamish Hartlett/Brad Ebert
A tie for these two. Both have had good years but struggled in some points. I felt Brad had a quiet start to the year but probably still did enough in the early games to draw approval from the coaches. His second half of the season was exceptional and he was probably the best on ground against Collingwood in the elimination final.

Hartlett had a blinding start but fell away after drawing a tag in the middle part of the year. He will also be hurt by a late two-game suspension. Nevertheless his superboot has drawn both praise and awe from the football world and his damaging performances should be highly-rated by the coaching panel.

Both Hartlett and Ebert are a chance to make the top five.

9. Alipate Carlile
I should probably put Bobby higher, because I know he’s done some fantastic jobs this year. The issue is that most of those jobs are often done where the ball isn’t! The thing I’ve loved about Carlile in 2013 has been his more aggressive running to provide support out of defence. We saw it several times this season and hopefully it becomes the norm for him going forward. It was definitely the right call to sign him for four years.

10. Matt Lobbe
'Lobbes' scrapes in at number ten. The Prince Harry lookalike could ruck his way into Port Adelaide royalty in future years if he continues his late-season form. After struggling through the first few games, Lobbe's second half of the season was masterful. He set the third-highest number of hitouts in a VFL/AFL game in Round 20 and his aggressive tackling and pressure has been a massive win for the Power throughout the year.

Honourable mentions: Robbie Gray, Matt Broadbent, Tom Jonas and Cam O’Shea

All really impressive seasons from these guys and I wouldn't be surprised if any or all of them actually crack the top ten.

Robbie Gray was initially in my top ten, but I've seen him more as a slow burner with a handful of standout games, as opposed to a player who was really damaging all year. Keeping in mind he returned from an ACL, his honourable mention is by no means a reflection on his year - it's been very, very good and I can't wait to see him back fit and firing in 2014 with a full pre-season under his belt.

'Brogsy' Broadbent had a really good finish to the year, but I think he struggled to crack the best players in the early part of the season. I can't fault his second half though - it was great to see him back to his best running off half-back.

Tommy Jonas and Cam O'Shea are very unlucky to miss my top ten, both have been rocks in defence and have probably surprised a lot of people with their impressive and consistent form. I see Cam as a guy who will poll at the lower end of the 1-5 vote spectrum on a consistent basis, while Tommy will be hurt by his suspension and quieter finish to the year.

The future is definitely a bright one if the names above carry their form into 2014. I'm excited already!