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

4. Jobe Watson (2003-2017)ย 

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.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Jobe Watson of the Bombers looks on during the round 20 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 5, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)