Sheahan, whose ‘Top 50’ has long provided a point of discussion among footy fans, ranks the players he believes will be the best in the upcoming season.
The list is based on the opinion of one of football’s most knowledgeable and respected media experts.
It is due recognition for the young Lions ruckman who had a breakthrough season in 2011 and became widely regarded as one of the competition’s best young ruckmen.
Leuenberger was named at number 46, making him just the third current senior Lions player to have ever appeared inside Sheahan’s top 50 list - along with superstar team-mates Jonathan Brown and Simon Black.
Brown, who is a regular feature on the list, came in at number 16, while Black was among a wide selection of players who could be considered unlucky to have missed out in 2012.
Young midfielders Jack Redden and Tom Rockliff would no doubt have also been in the mix, but were ultimately overlooked for what is a supremely exclusive list.
A full list of the Lions’ representation in Mike Sheahan’s ‘Top 50’ since 2009 has been provided below:
2012 (pre-season)
Jonathan Brown (16)
Matthew Leuenberger (46)
2011 (post-season)
Nil
2011 (pre-season)
Jonathan Brown (12)
2010 (post-season)
Jonathan Brown (28)
2010 (pre-season)
Jonathan Brown (5)
Simon Black (26)
Luke Power (30)
Brendan Fevola (31)
Mitch Clark (40)
2009 (post-season)
Jonathan Brown (7)
Simon Black (22)
Mitch Clark (24)
Luke Power (26)
2009 (pre-season)
Jonathan Brown (7)
Simon Black (12)
Luke Power (30)
Daniel Bradshaw (34)
