The Geelong Falcons have proven to be one of the more elite state league sides in producing future stars of the AFL, earning the label of a 'footy factory'.

Boasting a golden alumni class of Brownlow Medals, premiership captains, Norm Smith Medals, Coleman Medals, MVPs and a bevy of flags and best and fairest honours.

Since their inception in 1992, the Falcons have continued to see graduates join the top flight and make a renowned name for themselves.

25 Nov 2001: Luke Hodge shows his relief at being taken No1 by Hawthorn, in the 2001 AFL National Draft today, held at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. He is congratulated by his former Geelong Falcons teammate James Bartel. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Mark Dadswell/ALLSPORT

Looking through the decades of talent to come from the Kardinia Park and the greater Geelong area, we select the best side of AFL players to have represented the Falcons.

Defenders

An accumulative backline of former Falcons is one to be very wary of, with fierce defenders and hard-hitting backmen among the best to ever represent Geelong in the TAC Cup and NAB League level.

Four-time premiership Hawk Luke Hodge and Cats triple champion Matthew Scarlett lead the way for the defenders, with the pair combining for a seriously stacked honours list.

Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell joins the Falcons' best defensive ranks and was originally overlooked at the National Draft, joining Collingwood as a rookie selection ahead of the 2002 season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Nick Maxwell and Mick Malthouse the coach of the Magpies hold up the Premiership Cup after the Magpies won the AFL Grand Final Replay match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 2, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Former hard-nosed Saint Steven Baker, retired premiership Eagle Will Schofield, luckless ex-Lion and St Kilda defender Matt Maguire and recently retired triple-club backman Lachie Henderson also featured for the Falcons ahead of their AFL careers.

Current Falcons alumni in the AFL include All-Australian defender Jasper Pittard, Crows key-tall Tom Doedee, Lion Darcy Gardiner and Cats emerging star Jack Henry.

Midfielders

When it comes to producing talent in the engine room, the Geelong footy factory is almost unparalleled, with Brownlow medallists, premiership captains and a plethora of best and fairest winners leading the way.

As expected, many of those plaudits are dominated by Cats players from this century, with the likes of Gary Ablett Jnr, Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Ling and Patrick Dangerfield all hailing from the Falcons system.

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The Falcons have also called home to four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis, four-time Trevor Barker medallist Jack Steven and former three-club onballers Brent Moloney and Chris Heffernan.

Joining Dangerfield in still featuring at AFL level following their days at Kardinia Park as teenagers, Port great Travis Boak, Roos ball-magnet Ben Cunnington, current Cat Shaun Higgins, emerging Blues star Sam Walsh, Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams and Bombers star Darcy Parish headline the upper echelon.

Darcy Parish - Geelong Falcons (Photo by Daniel Smith/AFL Media/Getty Images)

For the ruckmen, former Fitzroy and Port Adelaide tall Matt Primus leads the charge, while Docker Sean Darcy looks to be setting his sights on the throne as the Falcon's best alumni ruck.

Forwards

The Falcons' attack has always boasted sharp teeth, with their history of spearheads headlined by towering duo Jonathan Brown and Scott Lucas.

The pair combine for over 1000 goals, both adding premierships to the Falcons' champions board and multiple best and fairests at their respective clubs.

Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown (Image: standard.net.au)

Swans premiership forward Amon Buchanan featured with the Falcons and was a Rookie Draft recruit to Sydney, playing a total of 134 games between his time with the Bloods and Lions.

Former premiership Cat Allen Christensen is another notable retiree to have featured for Geelong at both the TAC Cup and AFL level, sharing his time between Kardinia Park and Brisbane for 133 career games.

Some Falcons circling in current AFL attacks are Cats duo Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus, Essendon pressure forward Devon Smith and Blues key-forward Charlie Curnow.

The 'best of the Geelong Falcons' side:

FB: Steven Baker, Matthew Scarlett, Matt Maguire
HB: Luke Hodge, Nick Maxwell, Chris Heffernan
C:ย Travis Boak, Gary Ablett Jnr, Cameron Ling
HF:ย Patrick Dangerfield, Jonathan Brown, Brent Moloney
FF:ย Amon Buchanan, Scott Lucas, Gary Rohan
FO:ย Matt Primus, Jimmy Bartel, Jordan Lewis
INC:ย Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins, Darcy Parish, Sam Walsh, Taylor Adams (sub)