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:
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
1 x best and fairest (2006)
1 x leading goalkicker (2000)
1 x All-Australian (2000)
150 games, 228 goals, 1.5 goals per game
Arriving in time to play in Carlton's 1999 grand final side, Whitnall would spend the majority of his days at Princes Park in the mire, leading the Blues during the dark days of the early 2000s.
A former skipper and a gun spearhead at his peak, while his form faded late in his career, 'Big Red' remains a favourite of Bluebaggers everywhere.
1 x Coleman Medal (2021)
3 x leading goalkicker (2019, 2020 and 2021)
1 x All-Australian (2021)
107 games, 203 goals, 1.9 goals per game
Despite the growing number of goalkicking honours on his mantle, McKay is yet to fully hit his stride as a spearhead, with the former top ten pick still suffering from waywardness far too frequently before the big sticks.
Still, as a key member of Carlton's current core, one that is about to hit his peak years, if the Blues are to salute during his days in Navy, you can bet McKay will have played a role in breaking the drought.
2 x best and fairest (2020 and 2023)
159 games
If the adage that forwards sell memberships and defenders win premierships runs true, then Carlton stands in great stead with Weitering running the show behind the ball.
A former No.1 pick, the no-frills stopper has proven his worth tenfold, and alongside the other remaining members of Carlton's 2015 draft class, will play a huge role going forward.
1 x best and fairest (2013)
342 games
For a club with 16 flags to its name, Carlton acts as a home for many, many decorated stars of the past.
However, as a club that has claimed five wooden spoons this century, there are plenty of new Blues who never once saluted on the final Saturday in September.
Though Simpson hung up the boots after tasting defeat more than any V/AFL footballer in history, there is no ignominy in the title, not if you battled like the gun half-back did to avoid it in the first place.
'Simmo' might not have any premiership medallions or All-Australian blazers, but he is undoubtedly the people's champion at Princes Park.
1 x Leigh Matthews Trophy (2000)
2 x best and fairest (2001 and 2005)
1 x All-Australian (2000)
130 games, 20.5 disposals per game, 42 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game
An Adonis in every sense of the moniker, Koutoufides was the face of the Blues for the better part of a decade, tasting success early in his career before being force-fed the opposite to end it.
The superstar's early 2000s form was otherwordly, and if not for knee injuries, 'Kouta' may have had a Brownlow to his name, as well as a second flag.
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.
2 x Coleman Medal (2006 and 2009)
7 x leading goalkicker (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009)
3 x All-Australian (2006, 2008 and 2009)
185 goals, 575 goals, 3.1 goals per game
Talented, but not afraid to tell you as much, Fevola was Carlton's greatest showman since the heady days of Peter Bosustow in the early 80s.
Yet, for all of the gun forward's achievements, he acted like Icarus too many times, eventually shown the door after a boozy end to the 2009 season.
Still, for those who witnessed the 'Fevolution', few will ever forget.
2 x best and fairest (2011 and 2017)
1 x All-Australian (2011)
300 games, 23.8 disposals per game, 114 votes, 0.4 votes per game
Loyalty to an underperforming club rarely puts trophies in the cabinet, or medals on a personal mantle, however, it will always rate highly on lists like this.
For 16 seasons, expectations on Murphy were sky-high, with the former No.1 draftee seen as a saviour from day dot.
Yet, instead of shrinking or shirking, the midfielder got to work, complementing other guns around him or getting the job done himself.
1 x Brownlow Medal (2010)
1 x Leigh Matthews Trophy (2011)
3 x best and fairest (2008, 2009 and 2010)
4 x All-Australian (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011)
145 games, 24.6 disposals per game, 116 Brownlow votes, 0.8 votes per game
Split Chris Judd's career into two, dividing it into his days as an Eagle and as a Blue, and you have two separate Hall of Fame careers.
One of the giants of his generation, season after season, Judd put the Blues on his strapped shoulders, earning individual honours and dragging the Baggers close, once or twice.
Many may have the dual Brownlow medallist atop this list, however, his former apprentice is the master now.
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.