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 to Punt Road to run a rule over the top ten Tigers of the century.
PREVIOUS TOP TENS: CROWS,ย LIONS,ย BLUES,ย PIES,ย BOMBERS,ย DOCKERS,ย CATS,ย SUNS,ย GIANTS,ย HAWKS,DEES,ย ROOS, POWER
7. Joel Bowden (2000-2009)
2 x best and fairest (2004 and 2005)
2 x All-Australian (2005 and 2006)
207 games, 23.5 disposals per game, 4.4 rebound 50s per gameย
A leader from the front despite calling the backline home, Bowden was perhaps the prototype for the modern rebounder, with his thrusts forward often taking a decidedly attacking tinge.
While the second-generation Tiger would never salute in September during his days at Punt Road, Bowden would find successive in public service after being elected to the legislative assembly in his native Northern Territory.
