236K subscribers in the AFL community. Arsene Wenger once claimed that he only really won the Arsenal players' trust when he arrived in England because they could see he'd brought a top player with him. Chelsea didnt take long to pounce and it was at Stamford Bridge that the dynamic winger established a reputation as one of the best in the business, scoring 110 goals over seven seasons with the London club and wining a stack of individual awards to go with two Premier League and two Europa League titles. In 2000, Rio Ferdinand became the most expensive defender in the world and the most expensive British footballer ever when he moved to Leeds for 18m. A key figure in the side's maiden AFL premiership success, Cornes is the club's only 300-game AFL player, won four best and fairests in seven years and was named in two All-Australian sides. Not only was it the only win he played in, McGrath kicked an unreal five goals from 12 touches in the Tigers triumph against the Western Bulldogs. "In his prime; Falcao looked absolutely unstoppable: Chelsea fans still have traumatic memories of his impressive prone-trick in the first half of a 4-1 victory in the UEFA Super Cup for Atleti in 2012, he completed a report that carried some of the best things. Pictures: AFL Photos DOMINANT tap specialist or athletic around-the-ground option? Along with Hodge and Burgoyne, Richmond legend Matthew Richardson, AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce, former Geelong captain Cameron Ling, and 7NEWS football reporter Ryan Daniels also believe that the Hawks are on track to break a 58-year wooden-spoon drought. Burnett Bartolo Colon Dan. The precocious starlet of France's 2006 World Cup crusade grew into a cultured wide man who swept all before him. Footballers of Franklins size arent supposed to cover the ground as quickly and athletically as he does. Hes a player you just wanted to play for. But the doomsayers have come hard this year after the club lost three stars and began a hard rebuild. Round 13 and 14 rising stars Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane Lions) and Giant Jake Riccardi both miss the age barrier by less than six months but all the other rising star winners are in as are North Melbournes Tarryn Thomas, Bailey Scott and Jack Mahony, while Adelaides Chayce Jones and Fischer McAsey join Lachlan Sholl in the squad. The 19-year-old - pick No.7 in the 2022 draft - provided a pinpoint kick inside 50 in the third term for Fergus Greene, who topped the goal count with three. 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. As for the man himself, he told FFT in 2016 that it all came very naturally to me. Throughout of the rest of the noughties, he simply oozed more of the class he'd displayed in the 90s. THERE aren't many players that can claim they were the best player on the field in their first AFL game. This year has been one of especially deep, painful . A modern-day Liverpool great, Salahs arrival from Roma in 2017 acted as a catalyst to the Reds outstanding period of success under Jurgen Klopp. Hazard captained Belgium to a third-place finish and won the Silver Ball at the 2018 World Cup, his countrys best-ever finish. Buckleys 2003 campaign was arguably the finest of his career. Italiano . Best known for spells at Wigan and Rangers, Scotsman Lee McCulloch is the definition of a utility man, playing defence, midfield and up front. He only won the AFLPAs best captain award once which is surprising, back in 2013. He captained Geelong to the one premiership, played in four but only captained one which is probably what held him back from giving him the number one or two title.. Stream them all for free on 7plus >>. After drawing in the first game, at 68 points each, St. Kilda and Collingwood met again a week later to determine a winner. (We've also collated a 12-man list of snubbed players, which you can check out here.) 38 Hawthorn jumper for all the trivia buffs playing along at home the Buddy nickname stuck. The Colombians football odyssey has taken him to seven different countries, with his most successful spells coming at Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco. Reserved. In the back-end of 2000, he went on a ridiculous six-game streak where he averaged 31.2 disposals and polled Brownlow votes in five of the matches. 1 pick Sam Walsh with the Blues confirming hes a certain starter against Richmond. He played at least 21 games in each of those seven seasons. THE NUMBERS: 32 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles Player Sponsorship . Where Robben was direct, obvious, powerful and bold, Ribery was deft, thoughtful and capable of the unexpected. It's ironic that Kroos running riot against the Selecao has become the defining image of his career: he's far more restrained, usually. 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. 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. Every now and then, you get caught on YouTube watching freakish Judd highlights from the mid-2000s. If you havent, do yourself a favour. 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. The level of talent in this tournament -- especially among the top few teams -- is unprecedented. He dresses as he played, achieving class in the smart and the casual. 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. The players have been selected and ranked based on their 21st century performances only, so any seasons prior to 2000 haven't been considered. Luis Gonzalez Matt Kemp Jason Kendall Mike Lowell Hideki Matsui Brandon Phillips Gary Sheffield Grady Sizemore Jason Varitek Vernon Wells Pitchers Bronson Arroyo A.J. But any suggestions the unprecedented long-term deal has been failure are off the mark, as his influence at the Swans has gone beyond footy. The technically gifted winger is often less lauded than some of his illustrious team-mates for club and country, but hes been a consistent source of goals and assists throughout his career. His first game against the Eagles who picked up Dalziell a few short years later was something to marvel at though recording more touches than then teammates and greats of the game like Luke Power and Simon Black in his first pro outing. Makeleles deep-midfield role helped both provide defensive cover for and unlock the attacking talents of his team-mates further up the field. 2. The top-scoring midfielder in Premier League history only tells a fraction of the story of Frank Lampard who incredibly had to be defended by his uncle Harry from disbelieving West Ham fans as a youngster getting into the first team. These are guys you want to go out to battle with. Dean Polo is one such player. After spending a few seasons on Richmonds list Polo finally broke through for his debut match in the famous Dreamtime at the G clash against the Bombers during the 2006 season. A powerhouse of the 21st century that hauled in four premierships in the Alastair Clarkson era (including three in a row from 2013-2015), the Hawks last played finals in 2018. AFL: Best 22 of the Brisbane, Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond dynasties, Mark Robinson | Herald Sun afl tigers - blues - 17/03 Fri 1:40AM cats - magpies - 17/03 Fri 7:45PM kangaroos - Eagles - 17/03 Fri 10:35PM power - lions - 18/03 Sat 1:25AM demons - bulldogs - 18/03 Sat 2:00AM suns - swans - 18/03 Sat 7:10PM giants - crows - 18/03 Sat 9:20PM Rahul Dravid (Ind) Key numbers (from Jan 1, 2000): 130 matches, 10,590 runs at 52.95 Bens twin brother Max from St Kilda (who surprisingly has the least millenniums on their list with five) will play in tandem with Ben as the two 202 cms show amazing athleticism. The long-legged Ivorian mastered the role of the box-to-box midfielder, capable of causing damage in the final third and winning the ball while protecting his defence. The Magpies selected the best team in their history, comprising 21 players (with three on the interchange bench in accordance with the AFL's interchange rules at the time it was named) and coach Jock McHale. After being named as a co-captain in 1997 at 21 years of age, Voss lead the Lions to three successive premierships between 2001 and 2003. Brian Taylor makes outrageous Nick Daicos call for 2023 AFL season, AFL star heartbroken after losing best friend in freak accident, Indore pitch rated poor with excessive and uneven bounce after Aussies win, Shane Warnes children remember cricket legend on first anniversary of his death, UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko reveals unique training camp, Penrith Panthers teammates involved in heated argument after shock loss, Knights star fuming after being dragged from the field: Im literally fine, practice match against Collingwood in Tasmania on Thursday. We want to see it. The issue for his opponents, though, was he was anything but buddy-like to them on the field. His last 10 minutes of the 2002 Grand Final when he controlled the game, he took it from a 50/50 to getting the Lions the win, probably should have own the Norm Smith as well. Pele said if I played with him, I wouldve scored many more goals, Thierry Henry described Scholes as the greatest Premier League player ever, and Xavi called him a role model. My Top 5 players drafted since 2000. Nedved was already a decade into his playing career by the turn of the millennium, but he saved some of his best form for the 21st century. 1 pick Sam Walsh with the Blues confirming he's a certain starter against Richmond. Here is our top 15 players of the century. 2000-2020 stats: 161 games, 137 goals, 94 Brownlow votes, averaged 22.1 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Three-time premiership Lion (all as captain), two-time AFLPA MVP, three-time All-Australian (two as captain), three-time best and fairest. Chris Judd was on a different level during the mid-2000s at the West Coast Eagles. 10 goals, 10 finals, 10 trophies at club level. 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. Among those to depart were Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell (to Collingwood), gun mid Jaeger OMeara (to Fremantle) and star forward Jack Gunston (to Brisbane). It has been a drastic reset under former premiership hero Sam Mitchell, who took the coaching reins from Clarkson at the end of the 2021 season in what was a messy handover. I think that holds a lot of weight, if your players and your peers vote you as the best captain it shows what they think about you. This was a massive reason as to why they had success and he led them to that success.. At the very start of the 21st Century, Luis Figo committed the most controversial transfer that football had ever seen. Thank you for signing up to Four Four Two. 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. He earned legend status over 11 years at the Bernabeu and remains the foreigner with the most appearances for the club. If names are anything to go by, we are in for a treat with surnames that whether or not they are in any way related mirror the surnames of former Brownlow Medalists, champion goal scorers and club champions both past and present. THE NUMBERS: 30 disposals, 7 clearances, 1 goal Players whose careers began prior to the year 2000 . THE NUMBERS: 26 disposals, 9 marks, 4 tackles, 1 Brownlow vote While at Chelsea, Lamps became arguably the club's finest-ever player, reinventing the very idea of box-to-box. If youd like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. The Pole with the goals has gone from strength to strength, with an outrageous late career peak. But from that effervescent starlet grew a dependable leader: Spain's reliable backbone through three consecutive international trophies. I dont necessarily know a lot of these guys in terms of how they lead inside the four walls because I wasnt with them, so Ive gone off the way they act on the field.. I dont want to put any pressure on the kids shoulders, but his debut is one of great anticipation, with some dubbing him a Brownlow chance (keep a lid on it) before the season has even begun. Champions League and La Liga titles with barcelona are also on his honours list, while he captained the Ivory Coast to long-awaited Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2015 after twice finishing as a runner-up. Haselbys high possession style of play was a feature of his game throughout his Rising Star award-winning season, and he continued it for 208 games in purple before hanging the boots up in 2010. His heroics earned McGrath a game in the next three rounds, where he combined to record just 19 possessions and one goal. 0. Few have put the fear of God into quite so many defenders. He was acrobatic, dramatic and exciting to watch. Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Hawthorn are bracing for a world of pain in the 2023 AFL season, according to two of their most decorated players. Whatever way you slice and dice the numbers, weve never seen a player like Ablett and that includes his father Gary Sr, who might still be the greatest player in VFL/AFL history yet had nothing on his sons insane, unprecedented ball-winning ability. Franklin 3. AFL: The home of Australian rules football on Reddit, including the Australian Football His move to Carlton raised questions surrounding his ability to perform without a number of stars around him, but his critics were soon silenced. He averaged 29.5 a game in 2000 then accumulated 46 touches (plus 20 contested possessions, 13 inside 50s, eight clearances and a goal) against Fremantle early in 2001 in an awesome solo display. CB, CM, CF. Alastair Clarkson told a female reporter "your . Menzel, who played 80 AFL games across stints with both Geelong and Sydney in a career spanning a decade, ranked the leaders based on who he'd want to follow into the field. He captained Collingwood in 184 games, he captained them to a Grand Final, he was twice the AFLPAs best captain he is a silky footballer, he got it done. Hawks great Dermott Brereton, who wore the same No. 2000-2020 stats: 138 games, 140 goals, 82 Brownlow votes, averaged 24.5 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Norm Smith Medallist, Brownlow Medallist, three-time All-Australian, two-time best and fairest. Cornes might not be a match-winner like some of his 2004 premiership teammates, but he has an unmatched resume for any Port Adelaide player this century. Language. For sheer consistency the only player that comes to Judd for mantle of best 21st century player is Gary Ablett Jnr, but his first season didn't set the world on fire. Because Judds explosive best during a four-year period at West Coast (2004 to 2007) was better than any players optimum output on this 20-man list. August 1, 2005. The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 100-81 The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 80-61 The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 60-41 The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 40-26 The . Records have fallen, horizons have expanded, and fans have been treated to the best basketball yet. But not all former Hawks are in agreement with the doom-and-gloom forecast. The 'Little Master' had it all. There were seasons in which Didier Drogba didn't live up to his humongous hype but that big game record alone is reason to see him as one of the greatest African players of all time. The Civil Rights Movement displayed how the African Americans fought against the tremendous alienation that they had faced for centuries. Abletts rise to superstardom genuinely kickstarted in 2007 and mirrored Geelongs rapid rise. Create Account. 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 star forward of the 21st century, nobody has or will ever match the ability of Buddy Franklin. A leader in defence like few had ever seen in the Premier League, Kompany embraced the club he defined, Mancunian twang and all. At Madrid, he has scored one of the greatest goals in Clasico history a winner during the 2014 Copa del Rey final as well as one of the greatest goals in a Champions League final one of three Champions League final goals hes nabbed, while totting up four winners medals. Gavin Brown, a 254-game champion of the club, was added in 2002 five years after the league had extended the standard interchange bench . A two-time Golden Boot winner, Salah holds the record for the most goals scored in a Premier League season with 32 and has been astonishingly prolific at Anfield, notching more than 20 goals in each of his five seasons. Official Western Bulldogs App. Since that year it has been a freefall down the ladder. The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 40-26. Goodes is a two-time Brownlow Medalist, two-time premiership player and three time best and fairest with Sydney. Robert Lewandowski netted 344 goals in 375 Bayern Munich games. At his peak, Falcao looked utterly unstoppable - Chelsea fans might still have traumatic flashbacks to his stunning first half hat-trick in a 4-1 UEFA Super Cup victory for Atleti in 2012. A complete striker, Aguero put beauty in ball-striking, making an art of finding space around the penalty area. After spending a few seasons on Richmond's list Polo. The top 10 players in your ranking, below, will next go head-to-head with our winningest pre-80 and 80-99 stars for the battle to determine the one true bass GOAT. Birthdate: June 24, 1987. Lance Franklins famous match-winning goal against Adelaide in 2007 elimination final. Lots of goals. It had become too high in velocity, too intense. What is surprising is the two other clubs who also have 14: Port Adelaide and Collingwood. The most experienced millennium at the end of 2020 was Western Bulldogs Bailey Smith, who had played 41 games and starred in his 42nd game in the season opener against Collingwood, followed by Carltons Sam Walsh (39) and Gold Coasts Jack Lukosius (38). Dennis Comettis call of cometh the moment, cometh the man the son of the man was so apt, as it was a goal when his team needed him most in its most important win of the season. Franais. There were devastating patches of brilliance. Former AFL forward Daniel Menzel has ranked his top seven AFL captains of the 21st century. A star midfielder, an unstoppable forward and overall legend for the Bombers. 10 greatest AFL players of all time. And boy was this a tough job! Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? Whether it is high flying marks, bone jarring tackles or freakish goals, Australian Rules has it all. It got me thinking though, with plenty of fresh faces set to chalk up the first game of their careers this weekend, which players have had the best performances in their first AFL contest since 2000? No player has polled more Brownlow Medal votes. REAL MADRID Is Toni Kroos one of the best midfielders of the 21st century? If Judd had maintained that same level after his sensational move to Carlton, hed probably be higher on this list. James Horncastles reflections on Andrea Pirlo remain unmatched: Many thought the regista was a relic consigned to the past. They held on to claim a two-point win and Polo took home three of five career Brownlow votes. There was a problem. Western Bulldogs acknowledge that we reside on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. Available now! The midfielder is quiet, understated and perhaps the ultimate German footballer. 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. Dangerfield has won seven All-Austrlian selections in the past eight seasons and is a proven threat within the middle and deep forward. Get the best features, fun and footballing frolics straight to your inbox every week. Here are the 25 of the greatest players to ever play the great Australian game ranked from one to 25: 1. The Hawks will take a lot of encouragement out of their practice match against Collingwood in Tasmania on Thursday, losing to last years preliminary finalists by just one goal. Sit back and relax, as we take a look at the greatest, the best, the most iconic, the most memorable, the most spectacular and the most sensational . 245 games as captain, the most games as captain, the most wins as captain. 11. Alonsos debut season at Liverpool couldnt have ended any better, as the Spaniard scored the equaliser in the 3-3 Miracle of Istanbul Champions League final against AC Milan before the Reds eventual penalty shoot-out victory. 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. Champion Geelong ruckman Graham "Polly" Farmer was today named as captain of the indigenous team of the century. Former coach Leigh Matthews said his enduring image of Voss would be of him as a missile attacking the ball. 5. Please gamble responsibly. Menu . Sam Mitchell talks to the team during the AFL practice match between Hawthorn and Collingwood in Tasmania. All these players are shoo-ins for the early call of the team of the century as are Sydneys Nick Blakey, James Rowbottom and Justin McInerney. He would win every ball, stride with purpose and could launch rockets from outside of the area. Philip Rivers (QB) San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts - First year: 2004 - Drafted:. The 8 Best AFL Debut's of the 21st Century TONIGHT AFL and Carlton fans alike will get their first look at prized No. Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated. Hall of Fame legend Barry Cable and Norm Smith medal winners, Michael Long and Peter Matera, were invited to join Mark Robinson in picking the best team of players. Its hard to make a case against Barlows game as the best AFL debut since the start of the century and he didnt slow up recording 34 disposals the very next week against Essendon. 15-11: Four Brownlow Medallists and the fifth deserves one, 10-6: Four game-changing freaks and a controversial legend. The two-time Norm Smith medalist has reached unparalleled feats and continues to prove to be a one in a generation-type player. The WA-born prospect had to toil to break into the Lions side, but he was rewarded with seven straight games late in the 2008 campaign going on to average over 26 touches in those matches. Your first AFL game is a pretty monumental occasion, but Toby Greenes debut was different from others. 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. Whilst most teams boast a clutch of these youngest players, the teams from lower down the ladder who have put their faith in rebuilding over time have the most. Best forwards of the 21st century (L-R): Eddie Betts, Lance Franklin, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Pavlich. These are the top seven captains that you would love to play for, he said on SENs Sportsday SA. When the game was on the line, he won two Norm Smith Medals (in Grand Finals) he was a captain in. As if scoring that goal wouldn't endear himself to the Manchester City faithful, the Argentinian became the all-time overseas Premier League hitman, the club's record scorer and one of the greatest forwards of all time. Not only was he playing the first game of his career, but his debut coincided with the first game in GWS Giants history. His progression from left-back to to one of Europes most feared forwards at Spurs landed him the PFA Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 2012/13 (a feat only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo), as well as an 85m move to Real Madrid. Premier League and Champions League victories have been the reward, while at international level the winger captained Egypt to their first World Cup in 28 years in 2018 and runners-up finishes in two Africa Cup of Nations. The towering Dutchman, who combines immense strength with impressive acceleration, was the defensive rock behind Champions League and Premier League victories in his first two full seasons at Anfield. Its no coincidence that in his three years at an increasingly galactic Real Madrid, he picked up two La Liga titles and a Champions League, while the club had to wait another four years to lift another domestic title and 11 years to lift a European title once he left for Chelsea. That's why the likes of Wayne Carey and Robert . Dean Polo is one such player. That he's managed to force himself into conversations alongside the great Gerd Muller is testament to what a phenomenon he's become: that he's managed to break records Der Bomber set is scarcely believable. Without further ado, it is time to unveil the All-21st-Century team through 2019. It was clear from an early age that there was something special about Hazard. The 100 best players of the 21st Century: the greatest Ballon d'Or hoggers, serial winners and cult heroes since the turn of the millennium. That rangy, young Frenchman would soon blossom into one of Europe's most complete midfielders. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Get the best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. 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. Smith, Kelly, Hird, Fyfe, Mitchell and Bedford may take the AFL trophy this century and Coleman, Young, Carroll and Rowell may be leading goal-kickers and what supporter would not want another Rioli, King, Stephens, Weightman, West, Neale, Walsh, Hamill, Serong, Clark or Evans playing again?
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