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
3. Zach Merrett (2014-present)
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.
