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:

  • Only statistics recorded and achievements accrued since the start of the 2000 AFL season will be acknowledged.
  • Any player selected must have played at least 100 senior games for their respective club since the start of the 2000 AFL season.

Second up, we head to Lions' Den to break down the best names to have played for Brisbane.

SEE ALSO:ย BEST CROWS SINCE 2000

5. Jason Akermanis (2000-2006)

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.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Jason Akermanis of the Lions celebrates a goal during the AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Kangaroos at the Gabba, on August 28, 2004 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan Wood/Getty Images)