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 turn to Moorabbin to rank the Saints 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,ย POWER, TIGERS

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1. Nick Riewoldt (2001-2017)

  • 5x All-Australian (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014)
  • 6x Best & Fairest (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014)
  • Leigh Matthews MVP (2004)
  • 4x St Kilda leading goal-kicker (2008, 2009, 2013, 2014)
  • St Kilda captain (2005, 2007-2016)
  • 336 games, 718 goals, 153 Brownlow votes, most marks in AFL history (2944)

Easily the top candidate for the best player in St Kilda's history, 'Roo' was a star from day one but grew into one of the great key forwards and leaders of the AFL era.

If Hayes was the heart & soul, Riewoldt was the driving force behind St Kilda's ladder-leading era.

He was one of, if not the best, centre-half-forwards in the competition for over a decade with his ability to run his opponent into the ground, mark on the lead or in a contest, and kick a bag of goals any given week.

His best season came in 2009 when he booted 78 goals averaging 17 disposals and 10 marks, leading the Saints two kicks short of premiership glory.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Nick Riewoldt of the Saints controls the ball during the round six AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the St Kilda Saints at University of Tasmania Stadium on April 29, 2017 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Stunningly however, his two best Brownlow polling seasons came 12 years apart, with 19 votes in 2016 and 17 in 2004 - a testament to his consistency and dedication to his craft.

He will be forever celebrated by the St Kilda faithful who pray his legacy lives on in the number 12 jersey with Max King.

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