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 he to Alberton to assess which Port players stand above the pack.
PREVIOUS TOP TENS: CROWS, LIONS, BLUES, PIES, BOMBERS, DOCKERS, CATS, SUNS, GIANTS, HAWKS, DEES, ROOSÂ
1. Robbie Gray (2007-2022)
3 x best and fairest (2014, 2015 and 2016)
2 x leading goalkicker (2011 and 2018)
4 x All-Australian (2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018)
271 games, 19.4 disposals per game, 367 goals, 1.35 goals per game, 97 Brownlow votes, 0.35 votes per game.
Whether up forward or in the guts, few gave more to the Power's cause this century than Gray, a silky smooth deadeye from Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs.
While South Australia would eventually become home, Gray had a biblical ability to part the City of Churches, with Port fans praising him and Crows fans in fits as the hybrid threat racked up an unparalleled five Showdown Medals during his days in teal.
