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.

2Lachie Neale (32 years)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Lachie Neale of the Lions in action during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Lachie Neale of the Lions in action during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Winning two Brownlow Medals and two premierships shouldn't be taken lightly, but even without accounting for those, the Lions midfielder is having another dominant season through finishing top eight in disposals, clearances and contested possessions across the league. His recent 42-disposal game against the Crows in Adelaide tops it off, along with big games against Melbourne and Collingwood, cementing that Neale is still one of the toughest and most skillful players the league has.

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