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
4. Stephen Milne (2001-2013)
- 2x All-Australian (2011, 2012)
- 4x St Kilda leading goal-kicker (2002, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- 275 games, 574 goals, 11.9 disposals per game
One of the most instantly recognisable Saints in the club's history, the man known as 'Milney' sits on a shortlist of the AFL's greatest small forwards ever.
On countless occasions sitting deep inside 50, the number 44 would stun the crowd with a dribble from the pocket or a snap on the run, or provoke opposition players and coaches with some flavoursome words of advice.
Love him or hate him, few would deny the magic of Milne when kicking 11 straight against Brisbane in 2005, or a goal-of-the-century contender on the volley against Port Adelaide in 2010.
