Sydney Swans star midfielders Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy have been recognised by their peers as being among the best 10 players in the competition.

Parker was voted in at number 9 and Kennedy number 7 in the annual AFL Players top 50.

Dan Hannebery is the only other Swan voted into the top 50 so far coming in at number 13.

See below the reasons behind the selection of both Parker and Kennedy inside the top 10 of this years countdown.

Luke Parker
Sydney Swans
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 18
Official AFL Player Rating: 11
Debut: 2011
Games: 127
AFL Fantasy value: $663,000

Coming off a career-best season where he played every game and won his first All-Australian honour, the tough inside midfielder is poised for another strong year. Parker is not only prolific though the middle but also impacts on the scoreboard, having booted 26 goals in 2016 along with an average of over 25 disposals a game. Will run out as vice-captain this year, and remains an important and reliable part of the Swans' midfield brigade.

Josh Kennedy 
Sydney Swans
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 13
Official AFL Player Rating: 2
Debut: 2008
Games: 183
AFL Fantasy value: $653,000

Outsiders might have been surprised by Sydney's captaincy change, but Josh Kennedy is already proving to be the leader John Longmire knew he had. Kennedy took over the job from Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack in December, and the Swans' coaching staff and players have raved about his impact over the pre-season. He's quietly spoken, but when the contested ball beast speaks, teammates take notice. Longmire told AFL.com.au the 28-year-old had no hesitation accepting the club's recommendation that he be the first sole skipper of the Swans since Stuart Maxfield in 2005. That came as no shock to the coach, who has seen the midfielder welcome every challenge he's faced, and carve out an almost peerless list of achievements in his seven seasons in Sydney.

Kennedy has won three best and fairest awards and never finished off the podium as a Swan, been named All Australian three times, and won last year's inaugural Gary Ayres medal for player of the finals, all after moving from Hawthorn where he struggled to play regular senior footy. His continued class has also been recognised by his fellow players, who have voted him the League's seventh best player - up six spots in this year's AFL Players' Top 50.