Ranking the AFL's illustrious 400-game club members

In the extensive history of the V/AFL, only six players have featured in 400 games. These men have combined for 21 premierships, but curiously, no Brownlow Medals. Ahead of Scott Pendlebury's coronation as the code's all-time games record holder this Saturday, I've had a crack at ranking the six revered figures for their play, individual and team success, and overall legacy. Shaun "Silk" Burgoyne A man famed for his class with ball in hand, "Silk" was a critical cog in one of modern football's greatest sides. Winning three premierships in the brown and gold of Hawthorn - and one for Port Adelaide - Burgoyne featured in the second-most finals games of any player on this list. All-Australian honours as a Port Adelaide player in 2006, and a Showdown Medal for that same club in 2005 round out his trophy cabinet. An icon of the Indigenous community, Burgoyne's legacy stretches far beyond on-field achievements. [caption id="attachment_30106" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks marks the ball ahead of Tom Langdon of the Magpies during the 2018 AFL round 01 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Brent "Boomer" Harvey The man Pendlebury will surpass on the weekend became synonymous with his beloved Roos for the way he went about it. Uncompromising effort, dare with ball in hand, an ability to hit the scoreboard and a courage that belied his size endeared him to the success-starved Kangaroos faithful. "Boomer" won a premiership as a youngster in 1999, claimed the E.J. Whitten Medal as the Big V's best on ground in the concept's last iteration before its recent revival, four All-Australians, five best and fairests and three seasons as the captain of his beloved club tell the story of an enduring legacy at Arden St. Factor in the universally acknowledged truism that he could've played on long after Brad Scott showed the club champion the door, and the picture of his ruthless professionalism comes into clarity. A true champion, is "Boomer". [caption id="attachment_7873" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Brent Harvey of the Kangaroos is chased by Mitch McGovern of the Crows during the 2016 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Adelaide Oval on September 10, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Dustin Fletcher The lanky key defender was strictly business, boasting a metronomic consistency across his 400-game tenure for his boyhood club. Son of Ken, a captain and best and fairest winner in the sash himself, Fletcher won two premierships, two All-Australian blazers and a best and fairest in the Bombers' dominant, flag-winning 2000 campaign. Fletcher was assigned some of the toughest tasks in footy, man-marking the likes of Jason Dunstall, Tony Lockett, Wayne Carey, Stephen Kernahan and Alastair Lynch in his early days. Duels with players like Brendan Fevola, Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Lance "Buddy" Franklin characterised the latter years of his glittering career. Lanky limbs, an absence of flashiness and the ability to kick a booming torpedo made him a fan favourite. Fletcher is one of the Bombers' very favourite sons, and a mainstay of Essendon backlines for a remarkable 23 seasons. [caption id="attachment_177209" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: Dustin Fletcher #31 for the Bombers kicks out during the round one AFL Wizard Cup match between the Carlton Blues and the Essendon Bombers at the Telstra Dome on February 20, 2004 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] Michael Tuck "Tucky" stands alone atop the most coveted list in football. An unprecedented seven flags as a Hawthorn player, including four as skipper in the Hawks' most successful era tell the story of the Berwick product's illustrious career. Two All-Australian nods, a two-time VFL Team of the Year member, the AFLPA's best captain in 1986 and induction into Hawthorn's Team of the Century and Hall of Fame (Legend status) populate a glittering CV, alongside the remarkable seven premierships. Captaining a side full of stars and their big personalities to so much team success is arguably the most enduring part of an incredible legacy. [caption id="attachment_4463" align="alignnone" width="594"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - 1988: Michael Tuck of the Hawks in action during the 1988 AFL season played between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1988 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images).[/caption] Scott Pendlebury Close, but no cigar for the greatest Magpie of all time. A starring role in two flags, a Norm Smith medal, six All-Australian blazers, five best and fairests, an AFLCA Champion Player of the Year nod in 2013, and twice recognised as the AFLPA's best captain - "Pendles" has done almost everything the game has to offer. Known for his instincts in traffic, meticulous preparation and on-field orchestrating, Pendlebury has offered numerous reminders this year of his importance to this Collingwood side, even in season 21. It is one of modern football's great shames that the storied club did not maximise this man's prime, wandering aimlessly in the wilderness of irrelevance in the middle of the 2010s, when the Sale product was at his very, very best. Go well on Saturday, great man. [caption id="attachment_173737" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies looks to handpass during the AFL Opening Round match between St Kilda Saints and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 08, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] Kevin Bartlett The Punt Road icon just has to land at one. Five flags, one Norm Smith (the year after they started awarding it), five best and fairests, four club leading goalkicker gongs, as well as the slice of history that being the first player to the milestone represents. Bartlett ran rings around his opponents in a brutally physical era of football - dominance made all the more impressive given his diminutive frame. An aversion to the hand pass, Bartlett's foot skills were a feature of Richmond game plans across his 19 seasons at the top level. Throw in his numerous exploits representing both his state and country, and it's easy to see why "KB" was elevated to Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame just four years after his initial induction. A worthy leader of one of football's greatest clubs. [caption id="attachment_31830" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett commentates from the grandstand during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on September 29, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	10	9	1	36	152.2
2	FRE	10	9	1	36	134.9
3	GEEL	10	7	3	28	123.5
4	GC	10	7	3	28	119.9
5	MELB	10	7	3	28	107.6
6	HAW	10	6	3	26	110.2
7	BL	10	6	4	24	116.6
8	ADEL	10	6	4	24	109.7
9	STK	10	5	5	20	112.8
10	WB	10	5	5	20	91.7

Ranking the AFL’s illustrious 400-game club members

Only six men have reached the milestone, but who is the most accomplished player to get there?

6Shaun "Silk" Burgoyne

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

AFL whispers: Essendon star to consider fresh start again as new...

“Scared” and “thankful”: Pendlebury on the impact of two Collingwood cultural...

Big Bomber, Tiger defender grounded ahead of Dreamtime

Travellers not treadmills: The varying paths to the game’s most exclusive...

MRO latest: Call on Tigers star as fines mount

FOLLOW US