Throughout the final years of the 1990s, AFL clubs across the land looked backwards rather than forward, with selectors, historians and superstars converging to name their Teams of the 20th Century.
So, as we near the quarter-time mark of the 21st century, what better time to run the rule on which players are likely to feature when the selectors of tomorrow get together in several decades' time?
While every club has an array of deadset legends that can be called on, we here at Zero Hanger have employed the following rules of selection:
Second up, we head to Lions' Den to break down the best names to have played for Brisbane.
SEE ALSO: BEST CROWS SINCE 2000
4 x leading goalkicker (2000, 2001, 2002 and 2023)
3 x premiership player (2001, 2002 and 2003)
102 games, 318 goals, 3.1 goals per game
Having played with Fitzroy, the Bears and the Brisbane Lions, Lynch once sat at the intersection of the club's past, its present and its future, especially when acting as a mentor to Jonathan Brown.
A former defender swung forward, the Tasmanian proved potent in the three-peat years, even going out with a bang in the 2004 grand final.
1 x best and fairest (2023)
2 x All-Australian (2019 and 2020)
186 games, 1746 one-percenters - most of any player in league history
Despite being born in Fitzroy of all places, Andrews is Brisbane through and through, having graduated from the Lions' Academy to share the club's captaincy reins as of last season.
While still yet to taste the ultimate success, should the Aspley product lead his side to the promised land, he is sure to see his star shoot up this list in the seasons to come.
4 x leading goalkicker (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022)
3 x All-Australian (2019 and 2023)
129 games, 273 goals, 2.1 goals per game
While 2024 will be only his seventh season north of the Tweed, Cameron has carved out a special place for himself in the hearts of Lions fans everywhere.
The former Crow has also been busy on the stats sheet, slotting more than two goals a game during his time in the River City, leading him to sit fourth on the club's all-time goalkickers list and claim three All-Australian blazers in the process.
Like Andrews, if a flag or two can be flown during his days at the Gabba, expect to see Charlie ride his Harley higher up our list.
5 x best and fairest (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021)
1 x All-Australian (2017)
250 games, 21.1 disposals per game, 85 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game
A fixture during the down days at the Lions' den, Zorko has helped bring Brisbane back to prominence, with the veteran no doubt hoping to add a flag to his swag of club champion honours.
While far from a favourite of opposition fans, the Queenslander bleeds maroon, blue and gold, and has earned his place on the mantle.
1 x best and fairest (2004)
4 x All-Australian (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004)
3 x premiership player (2001, 2002 and 2003)
152 games, 24.3 disposals per game, 62 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game
Like José Carreras amongst fellow tenors Pavarotti and Domingo, Lappin is the oft-forgotten member of the Lions' 'Fab Four' of the three-peat years.
But while the Chiltern product would never win a Brownlow like Akermanis, Black or Voss, Lappin remains the only Lion to have racked up a quartet of All-Australian nods this century.
1 x Brownlow medal (2001)
1 x best and fairest (2005)
1 x leading goalkicker (2004)
3 x All-Australian (2001, 2002 and 2004)
3 x premiership player (2001, 2002 and 2003)
152 games, 215 goals, 1.4 goals per game, 19.9 disposals per game, 71 Brownlow votes, 0.5 votes per game
Though eventually leaving Brisbane on bitter terms, there was no Lion more brilliant during the club's golden days than Akermanis.
A menace in the middle and before goal, those who witnessed the bottle-blonde at full flight will never forget exactly how stacked his arsenal was.
1 x Coleman Medal (2007)
3 x best and fairest (2007, 2008 and 2009)
5 x leading goalkicker (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013)
2 x All-Australian (2007 and 2009)
3 x premiership player (2001, 2002 and 2003)
256 games, 594 goals, 2.3 goals per game
Fearsome, ruthless and as hard as nails. All cliches, but all applicable when talking about Brown - a man mountain of a forward that had Goliath's frame.
Arriving at the Gabba at the perfect time, the country Victorian enjoyed the good times and the bad in Brisbane, but led the way with aplomb when it was his turn to take the baton.
2 x Brownlow Medal (2020 and 2023)
3 x best and fairest (2019, 2020 and 2022)
3 x All-Australian (2019, 2020 and 2022)
1 x Leigh Matthews Trophy (2020)
111 games, 28.4 disposals per game, 124 Brownlow votes, 1.1 votes per game
Akin to Cameron, Neale has only called the River City home for a brief period of time, but with more Brownlows to his name than any other Lion on the prowl before him, the former Docker has more than earned his place on the podium.
If the co-captain can help lead his side to a fourth flag, there is every chance Neale will be sitting higher than third come the end of the century.
1 x Brownlow Medal (2002)
1 x Norm Smith (2003)
3 x best and fairest (2001, 2002 and 2006)
3 x All-Australian (2001, 2002 and 2004)
3 x premiership player (2001, 2002 and 2003)
291 games, 24.2 disposals per game, 175 Brownlow votes, 0.6 votes per game
For those that saw him in his pomp, Black was as smooth as Barry White.
But while arguably the most skilled Brisbane Lion of all time, the ball magnet sits just off the pace from our leader - not through a lack of trying, though.
Few can claim to have given more to the club over the course of a career, just as none can claim to have eked more out of themselves, either.
3 x best and fairest (2000, 2001 and 2003)
3 x All-Australian (2001, 2002 and 2003)
2 x Leigh Matthews Trophy (2002 and 2003)
3 x premiership player (2001, 2002 and 2003)
161 games, 22.1 disposals per game, 94 Brownlow votes, 0.6 votes per game
Every army needs a general, just as every club needs a captain, and in Michael Voss, Brisbane had arguably the best of the modern era.
Unyielding, yet talented, Voss may not be related to Leigh Matthews by blood, but he was certainly cast in his mould.
Think three-peat, and you think Voss; there's the reason why he is the Lion King.