Throughout the final years of the 1990s,ย AFLย 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 2000ย AFLย 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 2000ย AFLย season.

Next up, we head to Punt Road to run a rule over the top ten Tigers of the century.

PREVIOUS TOP TENS: CROWS,ย LIONS,ย BLUES,ย PIES,ย BOMBERS,ย DOCKERS,ย CATS,ย SUNS,ย GIANTS,ย HAWKS,DEES,ย ROOS, POWER

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10. Dion Prestia (2017-present)

1 x best and fairest (2019)
3 x premiership player (2017, 2019 and 2020)
117 games, 23.9 disposals per game, 46 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game

Although Prestia would cut his teeth at the Carrara preparatory school, it was at Punt Road that the 'Meatball' would hit his peak.

When fit, the former first-round draftee is prone to firing for the Tigers, with the veteran averaging just shy of 22 touches a week throughout 2023, his 13th season at league level.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Dion Prestia of the Tigers runs with the ball during the round two AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
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