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 West to decide which ten Eagles have flown highest this century.
OTHER LISTS: CROWS,ย LIONS,ย BLUES,ย PIES,ย BOMBERS,ย DOCKERS,ย CATS,ย SUNS,ย GIANTS,ย HAWKS,DEES,ย ROOS,ย POWER,ย TIGERS, SAINTS, SWANS
7. Nic Naitanui (2009-2023)ย
2 x best and fairest (2020 and 2021)
3 x All-Australian (2012, 2020 and 2021)
213 games, 26.1 hitouts per gameย
With a pair of Worsfold Medals and a trifecta of All-Australian blazers, Naitanui worked well to solidify himself as one of West Coast's greatest ever ruckman across the course of an oft-interrupted 15-season career.
While sound under a high ball and a tap work wizard at stoppages, the former first round selection often finished off his own hard work, racking up more than four clearances across his 213-game career.
