Throughout the final years of the 1990s,ย AFL clubs across the land looked backward 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 2000ย AFLย season will be acknowledged.
  • Any player selected must have played at least 100 senior games for their respective club since the start of the 2000ย AFLย season.

Next up, we head to Princes Park to catalogue the crรจme de la crรจme of the Carlton Football Club.

SEE ALSO: BEST CROWS SINCE 2000, BEST LIONS SINCE 2000ย 

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1. Patrick Cripps (2014-present)

1 x Brownlow Medal (2022)
1 x Leigh Matthews Trophy (2019)
4 x best and fairest (2015, 2018, 2019 and 2022)
3 x All-Australian (2018, 2019 and 2022)

Like many that came before him, Cripps was seen as a saviour very early on in his tenure at Princes Park.

Yet, unlike the ilk that paved his way, Cripps looks poised to break the Blues' lengthy premiership drought.

Having learned the trade from Chris Judd, the Western Australian has picked up where the ex-Eagle left off, leading with aplomb, on and off the field.

Still only 28, Cripps has many years yet to treat his many fans.

AFL Rd 17 - Carlton v Adelaide
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrates kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
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