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're heading to the Hangar to rate which Bombers have flown higher than the rest.
PREVIOUS TOP TENS: CROWS, LIONS, BLUES, PIES
2 x best and fairest (2001 and 2005)
1 x All-Australian (2001)
1 x premiership player (2000)
169 games, 21.5 disposals per game, 52 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game
A loyal lieutenant of the second golden age of Kevin Sheedy's Windy Hill reign, Johnson married skill with brawn and fire, acting as a reliable cog during Essendon's glittering turn-of-the-century run. While oft-forgotten by fans of other clubs, Johnson's pair of Crichton Medals and All-Australian nods were fair rewards for services rendered.
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.
2 x All-Australian (2015 and 2017)
194 games
Another heart and soul player, Hurley stood tall for the Dons down back, both in the good times and the bad. Adept at going forward as well, the former first-round selection became a fan favourite early on and remained so for his entire career in red and black.
1 x best and fairest (2017)
4 x leading goalkicker (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017)
1 x All-Australian (2017)
108 games, 191 goals, 1.8 goals per game
Although his days as a Don are done, Daniher only added to his family's decorated legacy at the club during his seven seasons in red and black. The second-generation forward may never have claimed Coleman honours or tasted success in September, but with four leading goalkicker gongs, a Crichton and an All-Australian nod, Daniher remains one of Essendon's finest forwards to have laced the boots this century.
2 x best and fairest (2003 and 2006)
1 x leading goalkicker (2006)
1 x premiership player (2000)
201 games, 380 goals, 1.9 goals per game
While Lucas was the second fiddle during the length of his time at Windy Hill, the key forward with the long left foot never once lost his tune during Essendon's last golden run. While most kids had either 18 or 5 stitched on the back of their jumpers back in his pomp, Lucas could always get the red and black army out of their seats with a long bomb from outside 50.
1 x best and fairest (2000)
2 x All-Australian (2000 and 2007)
1 x premiership player (2000)
272 games
Despite looking like he never once saw the Windy Hill weight room during his 23 seasons as a Bomber, Fletcher was rarely beaten on the Dons' last line. Long in frame and long by boot, Few have ever turned defence into attack so swiftly by foot, with Fletcher an absolute wizard when it came to uncorking the genie.
3 x best and fairest (2009, 2010 and 2012)
2 x All-Australian (2012 and 2013)
220 games, 24.6 disposals per game, 113 Brownlow votes, 0.5 votes per game
While Watson will forever be remembered for being stripped of his Brownlow Medal, it is always worth bearing in mind that the son-of-a-gun was good enough to win one in the first place. Watson may have started his days as a Don slowly, but at his peak, the legacy Bomber was one of the best midfielders getting around.
4 x best and fairest (2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023)
3 x All-Australian (2017, 2021 and 2023)
206 games, 27.15 disposals per game, 128 Brownlow votes, 0.6 votes per game
Merrett is well on his way to cementing himself amongst the most elite names on Essendon's honour boards, with the kid from the country growing into one of the game's most consistent stars. At just 28, Merrett has plenty of time to add to his four Crichton Medals, his trio of All-Australian blazers and to climb further up this list.
1 x Norm Smith Medal (2000)
2 x best and fairest (2003 and 2007)
3 x All-Australian (2000, 2001 and 2003)
1 x premiership player (2000)
143 games, 20.6 disposals per game, 78 Brownlow votes, 0.5 votes per game
We're sure that many would have Hird sitting atop their respective lists, however, like Nathan Buckley over at Collingwood, the Bombers' golden boy has seen a slide due to splitting his peak across centuries. Still, by becoming just the second skipper to claim a Norm Smith Medal in a grand final win, Hird was never going to collect anything less than silver here.
3 x Coleman Medal (2000, 2001 and 2003)
9 x leading goalkicker (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009)
3 x All-Australian (2000, 2001 and 2003)
1 x premiership player (2000)
189 games, 681 goals, 3.6 goals per game, 73 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game
Lead out, mark, toss the grass, slot the goal, repeat. Across the opening seasons of the century, there was no more deadly goalkicker than Matthew James Lloyd. And outside of John Coleman, there have been no spearheads that come close to matching or edging Lloyd in Essendon's history books.