We’ve counted down the top 15 players of the century. And fair to say there is some big names on this one!
See also 👇
The 15 best defenders of the century
The 15 best forwards of the century
The 15 best ruckman of the century
The 15 best midfielders of the century
Note that players must have played at least five seasons in the 21st century to meet the criteria and their body of work during the century is also key.
It’s not just players who have played in the last 20 years. This devalues names like Robert Harvey, Scott West and Stephen Silvagni.
Here is our top 15 players of the century…
15. Patrick Dangerfield
The Cats start kick-off our list as a deserving candidate with a stelar record to his name.
Dangerfield has won seven All-Austrlian selections in the past eight seasons and is a proven threat within the middle and deep forward.
His 2016 campaign will go down as one of the greatest seasons in recent history, collecting a then-record 35 Brownlow votes, both AFLPA and AFLCA awards and a Carji Greeves medal to cap off a record breaking debut season with Geelong.
14. Nick Riewoldt
Courageous, humble and dedicated. 'Saint Nick' was everything a coach could ask for in a player.
The game's all-time leader for marks was the focal point for the Saints for over a decade, claiming five All-Australian selections, six best and fairests and four leading goal-kicker awards across 336 games for St Kilda.
Unfortunate to miss out on a premiership medallion, Riewoldt will forever go down as one of the game's greatest centre-half forwards.
13. Matthew Lloyd
Lloyd started the 21st century like no other, having two 100+ goal seasons in 2000 and 2001 and added a third Coleman Medal in 2003.
The Bombers all-time leading goal-kicker won his club's goal scoring tally in nine of the opening 10 season to start the decade and would end his career at the end of 2009 after 270 games and 926 goals.
Added to his premiership in 2000, Lloyd was selected as an All-Australian a total of five times, three coming after the turn of the century.
12. Nat Fyfe
The dual Brownlow medalist has been the star of the Dockers for some time, transforming into the league's best contested possession player of the past decade.
Across his 174-game career, Fyfe has won both All-Australian selections and a Doig Medal on three occasions as well as the Leigh Matthews Trophy twice.
Fyfe's Brownlow votes polling average is set at an astonishing 1.07 per game, meaning he is one of only two players to ever average getting into the best in every game he plays.
11. Dustin Martin
'Dusty' brings a level of aggression to the game like nobody before him.
The two-time Norm Smith medalist has reached unparalleled feats and continues to prove to be a one in a generation-type player.
Martin's 2017 season is arguably the most dominant by any midfielder of the past decade, winning almost every honour possible and stamping his authority as the competitions best.
Martin boasts two best and fairest honours, three All-Australian selections and 251 goals from his 225 game career.
10. Simon Black
The rock within the Lions dynamic and star-studded midfield.
Statistically, Black is one of the greatest midfielders to grace the game, leading the all-time count for games, disposals, tackles, inside 50's, clearances, contested possessions and Brownlow votes for the Lions alone.
Black also sits in exclusive company as one of only six players to win a Brownlow, Premiership and Norm Smith, joining the likes of Bartel, Williams, Hird, Judd and Martin.
9. Nathan Buckley
The 280-game Collingwood star had the archetype like no other.
Buckley won a record six Copeland Trophies during his 15 season in the AFL, averaging above touches disposals in every year in the system.
The former Magpies captain and now coach won a total of seven All-Australian selections, along with a Brownlow medal and Norm Smith following the turn of the century.
The Collingwood great will go down in history as one of the clubs greatest onballers.
8. Adam Goodes
A player that worked harder than any other, Adam Goodes rise to stardom is a thing of beauty.
The four-time All-Australian would flex his versatility when called upon, in midfield, ruck or forward.
Goodes is a two-time Brownlow Medalist, two-time premiership player and three time best and fairest with Sydney.
His character and prowess was unmatched within the league, with Goodes ending his career after a club record 372 games in 2015, having spent 17 seasons in the AFL.
7. Matthew Scarlett
Arguably the game's greatest ever full-back, Matthew Scarlett's dominance over the league is yet to be reached by any there player since his retirement.
Week by week Scarlett would claim a new scalp from the oppositions best forward, using his high-level footballing IQ and unrivalled consistently to do so.
The Hall of Famer was a staple in Geelong's three premierships between 2007 and 2011, with Scarlett adding six All-Australian selections and a Carji Greeves Medal from his 284-game career.
6. James Hird
A star midfielder, an unstoppable forward and overall legend for the Bombers.
Hird lived for the big games, winning Norm Smith honours in the club's 2000 Premiership victory as Captain as well as three ANZAC Day Medals.
His ability to dominate within the middle of the ground as well as lead as a key target in the Bombers forward line gave Hird the label as one of the best utility players to stop foot on a footy field.
The 253-game Essendon hero won two best and fairests and three All-Australian selection after entering the 21st century, earning him Hall of Fame honours.
5. Michael Voss
The star of the Lions three-peat dynasty, Voss would add to his already stellar career with record breaking season after season following the conclusion of the 20th century.
The former Brisbane captain played in four grand finals - winning three - while adding two Leigh Matthews Trophies, three Best and Fairests and three All-Australian selections all within his first 119 games of the new century.
Voss presence within the midfield lifted those around him, making some of the greatest onballers within the league better, perhaps producing the 'fab four' himself.
4. Luke Hodge
Another natural leader and star utility, Luke Hodge revolutionised the half-back position during the Hawks' first several years as one of the century's best sides.
One of only four players to win two Norm Smith medals, Hodge was another match winner and showcase player, lighting up the biggest of stages with his professionalism alone.
Hodge's consistency in both midfield and defensive roles were vital to his side's prolonged successes between 2008 and 2015, with Hodge a key name in every contest.
The four-time premiership Hawk added three All-Australian selections and two Best and Fairests during his 18-year, 346-game career with the Hawks and Lions.
3. Chris Judd
An explosive, contested bull in midfield, Chris Judd burst onto the scene and quickly made a name for himself as one of the game's tidiest midfielders.
Judd won his first Brownlow at 21-years-old and was soon a premiership star in 2006 with the Eagles, leading the club alongside the likes of Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and Dean Cox.
His move to Carlton raised questions surrounding his ability to perform without a number of stars around him, but his critics were soon silenced.
Judd won another Brownlow in 2010 having averaged close to 27 disposals, 14-contested touches, 5.25 tackles and 6.50 clearances a game and would end his career after 279 games, winning six All-Australian selections and five Best and Fairests.
2. Lance Franklin
THE star forward of the 21st century, nobody has or will ever match the ability of Buddy Franklin.
Falling just short of the best player of the century, Franklin deserves a podium finish for his astounding career-to-date.
The eight-time All-Australian has lead his club's goal kicking tally across 11 separate seasons, six with the Hawks and five with the Swans, becoming the undisputed, greatest forward of his time.
Across his stellar two-club career, 'Buddy' has also added four Coleman Medals, two premierships and a best and fairest from his 300-game career.
Franklin will be keen to knock down the 1,000-goal milestone as he currently sits just 56 goals away, securing his rank with some of the game's greatest ever forwards.
1. Gary Ablett Jr.
The greatest player of the last 20 years. And there's no doubt about it.
Amazing to think Ablett would have even gotten close to the level of his father when he first arrived at Kardinia Park, but now we could argue he has surpassed his senior.
The 'Little Master' had it all. He was a fast skilful, accurate, hungry and strong onballer for both the Cats and Suns, proving he can lead a team of stars and one with next-to none.
A two-time premiership player with Geelong, Ablett had notched up close to 200 games for Geelong before leaving for the Gold Coast, winning a Brownlow Medal, four All-Australian selections, two best and fairests, three AFLCA Player of the Year awards and three Leigh Matthews trophies before 2011.
His time with the Suns proved he could do it with any side, winning a second Brownlow in 2013 and even winning the club's leading goal-kicking tally in 2012 and 2013.
The eight-time All-Australian and six-time Best and Fairest is deep into the twilight of his career, meaning he is a further step closer to being crowned an AFL legend and perhaps the greatest ever.
