The best AFL player drafted from each TAC Cup/NAB League club since 2000

Victoria arguably has the largest crop of Australian Rules football players, given the sport's dominance in the state. Club captains, premiership players and endless stars have risen from the Coates Talent League (formerly known as the TAC Cup and the NAB League) ranks to forge a long-lasting legacy. Taking a look back on the best players to come from the Talent League, we've named the greatest player each club has produced for the AFL since the century began. Here's who we've selected, along with a few honourable mentions for each club... Bendigo Pioneers Dustin Martin Hard to go past one of the best players to grace the football field. The Richmond champion secured three Norm Smith Medals in three premierships as well as a Brownlow Medal (2017), a pair of best and fairests (2016, 2017) and four All-Australians (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). Martin has rivalled some of the game's greatest players due to his freakish match-winning abilities and capacity to stand up when it matters most. The Tigers star called time on his illustrious career at the end of 2024 despite rumours he'll join Gold Coast and Damien Hardwick. [caption id="attachment_156697" align="alignnone" width="650"] Dustin Martin moved back to Victoria after a stint in New South Wales and played in the under 18s for Bendigo. Credit: Daily Telegraph.[/caption] However, Martin was in close company as the best Bendigo Pioneers graduate, with Geelong champion Joel Selwood also hailing from the talent pathway club. Selwood was a four-time premiership player, six-time All-Australian, Rising Star winner and three-time best and fairest recipient. He also has captained the most games (245) of any player in football history. Calder Cannons Dane Swan Having slipped to Pick 58, the Pies would be licking their lips by finding this diamond in the rough. Swan took a while to get his career going, which was almost derailed by a lack of professionalism and off-field antics. However, the champion midfielder would quickly turn his footballing around, claiming five All-Australians, a Brownlow Medal, three best and fairests, a league MVP and an AFLCA Player of the Year award. http://gty.im/72574430 But more significantly, Swan was a part of the Collingwood premiership team in 2010. The amusing midfielder led the crop from the Calder Cannons, which also produced Eddie Betts and Joe Daniher. Dandenong Stingrays Matthew Boyd Initially taken as a rookie in 2001 by the Western Bulldogs, Boyd more than exceeded expectations. A stalwart of the Bulldogs, Boyd was a premiership player in the drought-breaking flag in 2016, as well as an All-Australian on three occasions. He added three best and fairests during his time at the Kennel and sits comfortably among the club's greats. [caption id="attachment_8146" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Matthew Boyd of the Bulldogs celebrates the win on the podium during the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Boyd's efforts were closely followed by Melbourne legend Nathan Jones. The Demons midfielder was the face of the club's resurgence but didn't get to reap the rewards when they won the 2021 premiership. Jones was a three-time best and fairest winner as well as the captain during Melbourne's most tumultuous time. Honourable mentions do go to Tom Lynch (Gold Coast/Richmond) and Luke Parker (Sydney/North Melbourne). Eastern Ranges Sam Mitchell Another future star who slipped through the cracks of recruiters at the time. Mitchell has a stacked CV, boasting success on an individual and team level. The Eastern Ranges product became a four-time premiership player for Hawthorn as well as a five-time Peter Crimmins medallist. Mitchell also claimed the 2012 Brownlow Medal as well as three All-Australian blazers. He captained the Hawks and is now coaching them. [caption id="attachment_123712" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mitchell during his days at Box Hill City Oval (Photo - Box Hill Football Club)[/caption] His efforts, albeit unrivalled, have seen fellow Ranges players forge impressive careers. Adelaide's Rory Sloane was a star of the competition, whilst Collingwood's Travis Cloke was a force to be reckoned with. However, Mitchell's ascendancy over other Eastern Ranges graduates could come crumbling down as Melbourne's Christian Petracca continues his glowing career. The Melbourne star has four All-Australians to his name, two best and fairest, a premiership medallion and a Norm Smith Medal. Geelong Falcons Gary Ablett Jnr A footy factory at Geelong has produced some of the game's modern greats, whilst one father-son can reign as the best to ever do it. Gary Ablett Jnr achieved just about everything, with the world of expectation laying on him heavily following the lofty standards that were set by his father's dominance in the generation prior. An equal-record eight-time All-Australian, two-time Brownlow medallist, five-time league MVP, three-time AFLCA Player of the Year and six-time best and fairest spread across stints at Geelong and Gold Coast. [caption id="attachment_156699" align="alignnone" width="650"] Son of a gun Gary Ablett in action for the Geelong Falcons.Credit: Herald Sun[/caption] But Ablett's finest moments were the two premierships he won with the Cats before heading north to the Suns. Ablett's achievements are rivalled by former teammate Jimmy Bartel, Hawthorn and Brisbane champion Luke Hodge, as well as Patrick Dangerfield. Carlton stars Charlie Curnow and Sam Walsh also featured for the Falcons. Gippsland Power Scott Pendlebury The Collingwood champion's glittering career has not yet come to a close, albeit his achievements are worth multiple lifetimes. Pendlebury has been the poster boy for consistency, rarely missing a top five finish in the club's best and fairest, as well as performing at a high level for an extended time. The former basketballer has secured six best and fairests, five All-Australians, a Norm Smith Medal and two premiership medallions, with his eyes firmly on a third in 2025. http://gty.im/55759685 Pendlebury stands alone as the most decorated player to feature in the AFL from the Gippsland Power. Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead should get a mention for his 283-game career, as should Essendon great Dyson Heppell, who steered the club through the 2013 drug saga. However, Fremantle's Caleb Serong is quickly making a name for himself, and this discussion could change in a decade's time. GWV/North Ballarat Rebels Jeremy Cameron The superstar goalkicker is arguably one of the best players to watch. Cameron's freakish aerobic ability, skillset and footy nous have fans in awe of what he achieves, albeit to little shock. http://gty.im/102801148 The Cats tall has four All-Australian blazers, a Coleman Medal, two best and fairests and a premiership medallion. Cameron has played 254 games for 648 goals, and he doesn't look like slowing down. Hugh McCluggage is another name from the Rebels who is already at stardom level, while Richmond-turned-Gold Coast defender Daniel Rioli is more than a handy footballer. Murray Bushrangers Clayton Oliver A closer race for the Murray Bushrangers' best player ended with a star Demon on top. Despite his off-field antics, Clayton Oliver's stardom has reached heights not many have from the Bushrangers. Oliver has secured a premiership, three All-Australians, four best and fairests and two AFLCA Player of the Year awards. http://gty.im/477865990 Geelong champion Steve Johnson rivalled Oliver's efforts for most commanding Bushranger, while Fremantle's David Mundy and former Pick 1 Brett Deledio should be mentioned. Northern Knights Marcus Bontempelli It's scary to think what 'The Bont' has already achieved, knowing there is likely plenty more to come. The Western Bulldogs champion is a six-time All-Australian, three-time league MVP, six-time best and fairest winner, AFLCA Player of the Year winner and a premiership player. Bontempelli is also captain of the Bulldogs and will undoubtedly end his career as the greatest the club has ever seen. [caption id="attachment_156698" align="alignnone" width="650"] Marcus Bontempelli in action for Northern Knights.Credit: Herald Sun[/caption] However, some may put him among the game's best, too. Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin rivals Bontempelli's achievements, holding a Brownlow Medal and two premiership medallions over the modern-day star. Oakleigh Chargers Nick Daicos After only 70 games, it's rare to think a player could have such an impact on a club, but the highly-touted father-son star has delivered on all expectations. Nick Daicos is a two-time All-Australian, Rising Star winner, AFLCA Player of the Year, best and fairest recipient and premiership player. He also finished second and third in the last two Brownlow Medal counts, with pundits believing he should've secured at least one. http://gty.im/1233532815 The Pies protege has eclipsed all of his Oakleigh Chargers counterparts throughout the years, with the expectation there'll be more to come. Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray was a star in his own right, landing on four All-Australian teams, whilst Marc Murphy navigated Carlton through a difficult time. Then there's Dan Hannebery, Luke Shuey, Toby Greene and Jack Macrae, who should be considered. Sandringham Dragons Chris Judd The Sandringham Dragons could hold their hand up as the best talent pathway club in Victoria. Stacked with a list of AFL stars, it was difficult to land on one, but Chris Judd takes his place on top of the mantle. The West Coast-Carlton champion was a unique midfielder who has become the prototype for the modern game with his speed and power key features. http://gty.im/180017974 Judd was a two-time Brownlow medallist, six-time All-Australian, two-time league MVP, five-time best and fairest recipient, Norm Smith medallist and premiership player. Other names that have graduated from the Dragons include Jobe Watson, Josh Kennedy, Tom Hawkins and Max Gawn. Essendon captain Zach Merrett is quickly forging an impressive career path whilst a close watch will be on the next generation, led by Will Ashcroft and Harry Sheezel. Tasmania Devils/Mariners Jack Riewoldt The Tasmanian pathway club wasn't always a part of the Talent League (formerly known as the TAC Cup and NAB League), but that didn't stop a crop of names from making themselves known. Richmond's Jack Riewoldt is the pick of the bunch from the Apple Isle, dominating the AFL after featuring for the Mariners. Riewoldt was a three-time All-Australian, three-time Coleman medallist and two-time best and fairest winner, but more significantly, he was a three-time premiership player. http://gty.im/53182745 Retiring at the end of 2023, the Tiger forward finished on 787 goals, sitting 14th on the all-time list. Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall was a gun during the club's golden era between 2008 and 2015, claiming four premierships. Western Jets Zak Butters Albeit his career is in its infancy, that hasn't stopped this Port Adelaide midfielder from taking the competition by storm. Zak Butters is arguably one of the most courageous players in the league, reflected by the nod he received from his peers over the past two seasons. Butters is a two-time All-Australian, two-time best and fairest winner and an AFLCA Player of the Year recipient. http://gty.im/679489016 Still, at the raw age of 24, the Power hard-nut has plenty of football left in him, making an exciting proposition for the South Australian club. Two-club midfielder Callan Ward is worth a mention after 300 games and is an inaugural member of the Giants, whilst Hawthorn captain James Sicily's legacy continues to rise as the years go on. Bachar Houli also forged an impressive career, namely at Richmond, where he won three premierships and an All-Australian blazer.

The best AFL player drafted from each TAC Cup/NAB League club since 2000

We look at the best talent drafted out of Victoria this century ⭐️

8. Murray Bushrangers

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9