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.
  • All statistics and awards must have been accrued while playing for the club in question.
  • 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 down the highway to run a rule over the cream of the Cats' crop.

PREVIOUS TOP TENS:ย CROWS,ย LIONS,ย BLUES,ย PIES,ย BOMBERS, DOCKERS

9. Steve Johnson (2002-2015)

1 x Norm Smith Medal
2 x leading goalkicker
3 x All-Australian
3 x premiership player (2007, 2009 and 2011)
253 games, 19.5 disposals per game, 452 goals, 1.8 goals per game, 106 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game

We knew, his teammates knew it, the opposition knew it and he sure as heck knew it. On any given day, Steve Johnson could turn a game on a dime and do so in style.

One of four Cats to have claimed Norm Smith honours this century, Johnson loved the bright lights on the big stage, getting things done when it mattered most.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Steve Johnson of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2011 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)