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 the Harbour City to separate the Swans' wheat from their chaff.
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, SAINTS
7. Brett Kirk (2000-2010)
2 x best and fairest (2005 and 2007)
1 x All-Australian (2004)
1 x premiership player (2005)
236 games, 18.6 disposals per game, 81 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game
Since the implementation of the Bloods Culture ahead of the 2003 season, few, if any, have epitomised its ethos more than Brett Kirk.
An Albury native, Kirk grew up supporting the Swans, eventually making the move to the Harbour City and debuting ahead of the millennium. And by the time his playing career had come to a close a decade and change later, the former skipper had made himself into a giant of the club.
Still playing an active role in Sydney's pursuit of another flag, Kirk's legacy is being carried on in red and white, with his son, Indhi, now on the club's list.
