Throughout the final years of the 1990s,ย AFLย 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 head west to decide which Dockers can be counted as the ten best of this century.
PREVIOUS TOP TENS:ย CROWS,ย LIONS,ย BLUES,ย PIES, BOMBERS
6. Peter Bell (2001-2008)
3 x best and fairest (2001, 2003 and 2004)
1 x All-Australian (2003)
161 games, 24.35 disposals per game, 80 Brownlow votes, 0.5 votes per game
An inaugural Docker and still there today, Bell bleeds purple, with the former midfielder still trying to guide a first premiership to dock through the Mole lighthouses in his role as footy boss.
During his playing days, the little general proved potent, finding the ball at will and leading Fremantle to its first finals series in 2003 and debut win three years later.
