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're heading to the Hangar to rate which Bombers have flown higher than the rest.

PREVIOUS TOP TENS: CROWS, LIONS, BLUES, PIES

9. Dyson Heppell (2011-present)

1 x best and fairest (2014)
1 x All-Australian (2014)
1 x Ron Evans Medal (2011)
235 games, 24.17 disposals per game, 71 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game

Though Heppell's star never soared into the stratosphere, the formerly dreadlocked midfielder has written his name into Essendon's rich history books and in turn, into the hearts of Bomber fans everywhere. As loyal as he is likeable, Heppell's willingness to walk over hot coals for his teammates has never been in question.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 6: Dyson Heppell of the Bombers comes onto the field after half time during the 2015 AFL round 23 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia on September 6, 2015. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)