There is a new No.1 player in the AFL, according to Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes.

Cornes had Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos as the top player in the competition when he revealed his top-50 list at the start of the pre-season.

But the gun midfielder has been usurped by Western Bulldogs tall forward Sam Darcy, who has made a blistering start to the season.

Darcy, the son of Dogs great Luke, has kicked 12 goals from four matches and proven to be a nightmare match-up for opposition defenders.

Standing at 205cm, the 21-year-old is an obvious aerial threat but can also do stuff at ground level that is not normally seen from players his size.

Against Fremantle on Sunday, Darcy kicked five goals from 21 possessions and 11 marks in another brilliant display.

Cornes ranked Darcy at No.24 in his pre-season top 50, but has moved him all the way to the top.

“Sam Darcy is now the best player in the competition. He is the best footballer in the country right now,” Cornes said on SEN.

“I did a top 50 for Channel 7 in the pre-season and I think I had him in the 20s ... His development and improvement is mind-blowing.

“And he is only 21, what’s he going to be?

“I’ve never seen anything like it. As I said a few weeks ago, it’s Wayne Carey-esque and it’s going to be exciting to watch.”

North Melbourne great David King agreed with Cornes, highlighting how Darcy’s performance was ranked 25 by Champion Data.

For comparison’s sake, King said that a game ranked in the 17-18 range is great.

“The game stops when the ball goes in his area. He made Alex Pearce look like a B-grader and he was doing his best, I’m not having a go at him, Darcy just made him look like he couldn’t compete,” King said.

“He had a 25-rated game yesterday for a key forward. If you average 14 for the year you’re probably All Australian, he’s had a 25-rated game.

“Talls just don’t do this ... there was a handball he did back into the corridor inside 50 that should have set up a goal, but it was a point in the end. It was a 15m inboard handball, he’s kicking on his left like he is Darren Kappler and all of a sudden his goalkicking is pure.

While Cornes was full of praise for Darcy, he added that the young gun desperately needs help for the Dogs to compete.

“And is there any danger someone can help him. If you are playing alongside of him, you’ve got the best job in football,” he said.

“This is frightening, but they need someone to come along with him.

“If I’m Darcy, if I’m Western Bulldogs fans, if I’m Luke Beveridge, how upset would you be at Aaron Naughton’s lack of anything ... nine years they gave this guy and he just has to contribute and he’s been unable to contribute.

“Until they get some help for Darcy, it’s a lone hand.”