Throughout the final years of the 1990s, AFL clubs across the land looked backward rather than forward, with selectors, historians and superstars converging to name their Teams of the 20th Century.
So, as we near the quarter-time mark of the 21st century, what better time to run the rule on which players are likely to feature when the selectors of tomorrow get together in several decades' time?
While every club has an array of deadset legends that can be called on, we here at Zero Hanger have employed the following rules of selection:
- Only statistics recorded and achievements accrued since the start of the 2000 AFL season will be acknowledged.
- All statistics and awards must have been accrued while playing for the club in question.
- Any player selected must have played at least 100 senior games for their respective club since the start of the 2000 AFL season.
Next up, we head out to Waverley to hunt down which Hawks have made the cut.
PREVIOUS TOP TENS: CROWS, LIONS, BLUES, PIES, BOMBERS, DOCKERS, CATS, SUNS, GIANTS
1. Luke Hodge (2002-2017)Â
2 x Norm Smith Medal (2008 and 2014)
2 x best and fairest (2005 and 2010)
3 x All-Australian (2005, 2008 and 2010)
4 x premiership player (2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015)
305 games, 19.8 disposals, 131 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game
Perhaps the greatest mesh of brawn and brains we have seen from a modern-age footballer, Hodge led the Hawks by example right through their three-peat pomp, putting his body on the line and doing just about anything necessary to secure every win.
While Sam Mitchell can boast of having more individual honours on his mantel, Hodge saved his best for when it mattered most, becoming just the second Hawk behind Gary Ayres to win two Norm Smith Medals, both in successful flag efforts.
Despite ending his career at the Lions' den, if you're ever asked to think Hawthorn, chances are this legend's name crosses your mind first.
