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
5. Nick Dal Santo (2002-2013)
- 3x All-Australian (2005, 2009, 2011)
- 260 games, 22.9 disposals per game, 140 Brownlow votes
The next from the 2009-10 golden era, Nick Dal Santo was one of the silkiest ball users in the competition at his peak, with Pendlebury-esque poise, balance and a lethal left foot.
It may shock some to find that he also finished as runner-up to Dane Swan in the 2011 Brownlow Medal (courtesy of a Sam Mitchell suspension) with 28 votes in a season averaging 27 disposals and five tackles.
Surprisingly, none of Dal Santo, Montagna or Goddard ever won a club best & fairest for St Kilda despite their recognition amongst some of the best players of these 2008-2012 years.
