The term GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is trending after the release of The Last Dance - a 10-episode NBA documentary series about the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls and star player Michael Jordan.
Jordan is widely considered the GOAT of basketball, although some might argue its LeBron James, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
It gos us wondering: Who is the AFL GOAT? Below is who we think are the four main candidates. Scroll down to vote on who you think the AFL GOAT is.
Carey, or 'The King' as he is commonly known, was a dominant presence for North Melbourne during their golden period of the 1990's. Carey starred at centre half-forward for the Kangaroos, captaining North to two premierships in 1996 and 1999 and being named as captain of North's team of the century. Carey was also a seven-time All-Australian, captaining a record four times and was a two time Leigh Matthews Trophy (AFLPA MVP) winner.
Gary Ablett Sr may just be the most exciting player to ever play, with the man they called 'God" kicking 1031 goals over 248 games for Geelong and Hawthorn. After a shaky start playing only six games for Hawthorn, Ablett broke out as a dashing half-forward/wingman at Geelong, making 4 VFL/AFL team of the years from 1984 to 1990.
Ablett is perhaps most known for kicking 9 goals and winning the Norm Smith Medal in the classic 1989 VFL Grand Final. Ablett successfully transitioned into a full-forward in 1993 aged 32, averaging over 120 goals a season while winning three straight Coleman Medals and receiving four straight All-Australian selections before retiring in 1997. In 1996, while still playing, Ablett was named on the interchange on the AFL's Team of the Century.
Nicknamed 'The Little Master', Gary Ablett Jr has stepped out of his father's shadow and has become the most decorated player of the 2000's. Over his 346 game career at Geelong and Gold Coast, Ablett has won almost every team and individual award imaginable, including helping break Geelong's 44 year premiership drought in 2007, something his father never could manage.
Ablett won an another premiership in 2009 as well as two Brownlow Medals in 2007 and 2013 at Gold Coast. Ablett also has won a record five Leigh Matthews Medals (AFLPA MVP) and has been selected as an All-Australian eight times, including captaining the side in 2011.
The man the AFL recognises as the 'best player of the 20th century', Matthews dominated his opponents over a 16-year 332 game, 915 goal career at Hawthorn. Changing the game as a goal-kicking midfielder, "Lethal" won four VFL premierships in the 70's and 80's and a Coleman Medal while winning eight best and fairests for the Hawks, highlighted by captaining the Hawks to the 1983 premiership.
Matthews was honoured as an inaugural legend when the Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 1996, while also being named at forward pocket in the AFL Team of the Century that same year. Perhaps his greatest honour was having the AFLPA MVP award, which he won the first in 1982, named after him as the Leigh Matthews Medal in 2002.
VOTE IN THE POLE BELOW 👇
[polldaddy poll=10540822]