Terry Wallace declares the best and worst teams of the last 40 years

Former Western Bulldogs and Richmond coach Terry Wallace has declared Hawthorn to be the most successful team of the modern era.

The Hawks have captured 10 premierships since 1978, with Wallace playing in three of their triumphs in 1978, 1983 and 1986.

More recently, the Hawks won three flags in a row from 2013-2015.

"The most successful club over those 40 years is Hawthorn,” Wallace told SEN Evenings.

“Hawthorn has comfortably been, in my opinion, the most successful club.”

Conversely, Wallace has dubbed Melbourne as the least successful team over the past 40 years, while stating that the Saints aren't far off.

Melbourne won back-to-back wooden spoons in 2008 and 2009 and failed to make finals from 2007-2017.

Additionally, the Demons have appeared in just two Grand Finals over the last 40 years.

“To me it had to be one of Melbourne or St Kilda, but I think Melbourne personally,” Wallace said.

“St Kilda drew a Grand Final and were an inch away from winning another one.

“The two Grand Finals Melbourne actually made, they got slaughtered and I think over the journey, they’ve had some spikes, but I think Melbourne’s been the most disappointing over the 40 years.”