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

7. Joe Daniher (2013-2020)ย 

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.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Joe Daniher of the Bombers receives the Anzac Medal for best on ground during the 2017 AFL round 05 ANZAC Day match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)