The saying ‘aged like fine wine' is one not normally found in the confines of AFL discussion. However, for these ‘old mates', the wine has never tasted better, with Scott Pendlebury's ANZAC Day performance last week showing the extent of treating age as just a number.

Some of the competition's all-time legends are still among the league's best despite being out of their primes, with some even now playing the best footy of their careers.

Here's my ranking of the top 10 players in the AFL who are aged 30 and above. I am basing this list on current form rather than assessing their careers and the age cut-off criteria will be turning 30 years before the 2026 season started.

10 Scott Pendlebury (38 years)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 07 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 07 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The soon to be record breaker for most games played, the 2x premiership player starts off the list as the oldest player in the competition and yet still one of the more valuable players to his club. Decision-making, use of the ball, leadership, you name it, this legend of the game can still do it all and has shown there's plenty more still in the tank after his career-best 43-disposal and 2-goal game against Essendon on Anzac Day.

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