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
5. Barry Hall (2002-2009)
1 x best and fairest (2004)
7 x leading goalkicker (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008)
4 x All-Australian (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010)
1 x premiership player (2005)
162 games, 467 goals, 2.9 goals per game
While prone to a brain fade, or five, fans who saw Hall at full flight will never forget how well the forward married brawn and skill, with fullbacks never sure whether he would hurt them in a literal or a figurative sense.
A deadeye before goal, Hall claimed the first seven loading goalkicking gongs on offer after trading life at Moorabbin for a fresh start at Moore Park.
Although his light may not have shone as bright as 'Plugger' or 'Buddy', Hall performed an admirable role in bridging the connection between each generational spearhead.
