Throughout the final years of the 1990s, 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 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.

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

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

5. Charlie Curnow (2016-present)

2 x Coleman Medal (2022 and 2023)
3 x leading goalkicker (2018, 2022 and 2023)
2 x All-Australian (2022 and 2023)
110 games, 224 goals, 2.04 goals per game

Athletic, agile and accurate, poll any present-day defender as to which forward they least enjoy playing on, and you are sure to hear Curnow's name mentioned far more than once.

Like McKay around him and Weitering at the other end, the gun forward is entering his prime - a fact that not only keeps defenders up at night but is also sure to see him rise up lists like this in the seasons to come.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Charlie Curnow of the Blues celebrates kicking a goal during the round 24 AFL match between Carlton Blues and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium, on August 27, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)