With our picks for the best defensive groups that never overlapped in the AFL era in the books, it is now time to shift our focus to the opposite end of the field.
When we think about the game's greatest highlights, it is usually the men in the goal square that acted as architects.
When we as fans cast our minds back to the first numbers we ever had stitched onto our replica jumpers, it was usually the full forward's digits that we selected.
They are the men that keep both the scoreboard and the turnstiles ticking.
With the AFL era now 32 years old (1990 to the present day), we here at Zero Hanger have decided to select a group of club greats on each line whose careers never overlapped.
As with our group of defenders, here are the ground rules for selection:
1. Three players must be selected from each club.
2. Even if they have played for multiple clubs, no player can be selected on the list of two teams.
3. All players must have played at least a portion of their careers from 1990 onwards.
4. As mentioned, no player can have played an in-season match with any of their colleagues during their time at their selected club.
For example, should Jason Dunstall be selected for Hawthorn, then all of his forward line friends from 1985 to 1998 will fail our criteria.
With that in mind, here is our best stab.
Let us know how we have gone and which clubs you feel have fared best.
Gold Coast
Charlie Dixon – 2011-2015 (65 games and 94 goals)
When many picture Charlie Dixon you can wager safely that the majority see him with inked arms, a beard and in a Port Adelaide jumper, not clean cut, unneedled and clad in Gold Coast gear.
Despite the prevailing mental image and his prowess in Port's forward 50, Dixon has made the grade as a Sun on our list.
Although he never led the club's goalkicking charts in a single season, Dixon can lay claim to kicking the first goal in the Gold Coast's history.
That and being the winner of the 2015 QClash medal …
Aaron Young – 2018-2019 (24 games and 21 goals)
Now this is where things get a little bit tricky.
Had Aaron Young and Charlie Dixon been selected on Port Adelaide's portion of this list, then they would have been ineligible due to playing the 2016 and 2017 seasons together.
However, as their careers as Suns never overlapped, they meet our criteria.
As the king of the substitute vest, having started in the lime garment on 21 occasions, Young's selection understandably comes with little fanfare.
Izak Rankine – 2020-Present (12 games and 12 goals)
With an average of a goal a game from his 12 appearances for the Suns last season, Izak Rankine had many chins wagging.
After some spectacular finishes on goal, as well as his penchant for goatees and peroxide blonde hair, some even likened him to Jason Akermanis.
We are uncertain whether Rankine will reach ‘Aker's' heights, but it is guaranteed to be fun watching him try.
