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
4. Tom Hawkins (2007-present)
1 x Coleman Medal (2020)
1 x best and fairest (2012)
11 x leading goalkicker (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022)
5 x All-Australian (2012, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022)
347 games, 781 goals, 2.25 goals per game
A near-certain chance to become Geelong's all-time games record holder, Hawkins has come a long way since his days as a wayward young forward.
When not splitting the sticks himself, Hawkins has routinely played the role of provider, racking up heavy assist numbers each season, proving himself as a dedicated teammate.
Even now in the winter of his career, Hawkins remains one of the very few players across the league you would be happy to have kick for your life.
