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

6. Leigh Montagna (2002-2017)

  • 2x All-Australian (2009, 2010)
  • 287 games, 23.9 disposals per game, 106 Brownlow votes

One of the most loyal servants among the crop of the 2009-10 grand finalists at St Kilda, 'Joey' Montagna was a crucial part of Ross Lyon's midfield and half-back running stocks during this era.

He also persisted with the club in their troubled times down the bottom of the ladder, lifting a woefully run organisation on the field with multiple seasons of 26+ disposal averages and a healthy Brownlow polling season in 2013.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Leigh Montagna of the Saints looks on while walking from the field after being defeated during the round two AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the St Kilda Saints at Domain Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)