This year's draft will see another injection of youth into all 18 clubs, bringing an x-factor and unpredictability which can be vital in achieving success.
However, with the majority of modern day premiership sides boasting an average age of 24+, clubs also need experienced and reliable veterans to help lead them to victory.
Here isย Zero Hanger'sย Top 10 players aged 30 and over ahead of the 2020 season.
An honourable mention goes to 37-year-old Shaun Burgoyne who couldn't quite crack our top 10 but deserves a mention as the league's oldest player.
1. Scott Pendlebury
The former no. 5 pick in the 2005 Draft has been a figure of consistency for Collingwood ever since making his debut in 2006. The Pies' captain and premiership player was as dangerous as ever in his 14th season, earning his sixth All-Australian selection as well as an ANZAC Day Medal to equal James Hird's record of three.
The 31-year-old does not possess incredible power like Nat Fyfe or electric speed, but he does have an uncanny ability to create space where there is none.
Pendlebury's evasiveness and agility, built through a basketball background, allows him to shrug off would-be tacklers and set up plays for his teammates through his terrific ball use.
In 2019, Pendlebury not only ranked top 10 for disposals, but also for disposal efficiency, making every possession count. Regardless of his age, Pendlebury is one of the most reliable players in the AFL and you can expect him to average over 25 disposals for the 12th straight season and lead the Magpies to another finals campaign in 2020.
