King Kun arrived in the Premier League with promise: he left a hero. These are the top seven captains that you would love to play for, he said on SENs Sportsday SA. Click here to subscribe on iTunes 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. 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 varies slightly from the Last Word On Baseball All-Decade teams list which took the best individual seasons. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. The Manchester United legend ranks among the greatest English midfielders of all time, and has earned praise from illustrious quarters. 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. 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. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, 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. As we near the last Saturday in September, to help whet your appetite for the big day, here are the 10 Best AFL Grand Final Moments of the 21st Century in chronological order. Michael Barlow looked composed beyond his years against the Crows to start 2010 as he effortlessly chalked up 33 touches, becoming a Freo fan favourite from day one. He was probably stiff not to win Buckleys 2002 Norm Smith Medal too. 1 and No. 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. Franklin 3. 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. He is PSGs all-time top assist provider, while at Real Madrid his ability to morph into a central midfielder under Carlo Ancelotti helped the club win La Decima - their long-awaited 10th Champions League title. Haselby himself could hold his head high though with the former No. Itd be a superhuman yet thoroughly well-deserved milestone. Toure won four consecutive African Player of the Year awards between 2011 and 2014, his first four seasons with Manchester City, and he played a pivotal role in the Citizens first title of the Premier League era in 2011/12. Chris Judd was on a different level during the mid-2000s at the West Coast Eagles. Some notable examples in this regard would be Gianluigi Buffon, Carles Puyol, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luis Figo, and more recently Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Robert. 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. 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. I thought it was timely to pick a team of future champions who over the next decade will become the face of the AFL. Sydneys Tom McCartin despite already playing 48 games and scoring 28 goals is ineligible as he was born two days before the calendar ticked over to the year 2000 as is Jordan Butts being born on New Years Eve 1999. There was a problem. Unfortunate to miss out on a premiership medallion, Riewoldt will forever go down as one of the game's greatest centre-half forwards. 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. 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. And while the no.10 broke through in the 90s, the 21st Century was paved in gold for him. He may not have enjoyed the same level of success in an England shirt, but Terry was at least the only English player to earn a place in the 2006 World Cup team of the tournament. In particular, Judds leadership helped Carlton emerge from one of the clubs darkest periods into one of great promise during the late 2000s and early 2010s. 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. The 280-game Collingwood star had the archetype like no other. The team, captained by ruck legend Graham . He earned legend status over 11 years at the Bernabeu and remains the foreigner with the most appearances for the club. 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. 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. Debuting as a skinny 17-year-old in 1992, Voss went on to play 289 games for Brisbane, and is arguably their greatest ever player. Greene hasnt played in the AFL since 2018 but could be a valuable addition for the Hawks, who meet Essendon in round one. featured alongside some of Australias most prominent sports journalists. THE NUMBERS:27 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 tackles When the game was on the line, he won two Norm Smith Medals (in Grand Finals) he was a captain in. Philip Rivers (QB) San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts - First year: 2004 - Drafted:. The Western Bulldogs Official App is your one stop shop for all your latest team News, Videos, Player Profiles, Scores and Stats delivered LIVE to your smartphone or tablet! 15-11: Four Brownlow Medallists and the fifth deserves one, 10-6: Four game-changing freaks and a controversial legend. The Victorian Football League-Australian Football League (VFL/AFL) Italian Team of the Century was announced in June 2007. 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. More importantly, three premierships, and I think he changed the way he was as a leader. He played at least 21 games in each of those seven seasons. Source: FOX SPORTS David Zita from Fox Sports @DavidZita1 May 10th, 2020 6:57 pm 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. 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. AFL: The home of Australian rules football on Reddit, including the Australian Football As a 21-year-old, Franklins 2008 season was the stuff of legend. But in all honesty, selecting the superstars at No. 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. He was acrobatic, dramatic and exciting to watch. When it comes to the most incredible trades of the 21st century, Brodie Grundy may well currently be on the podium after his move to the Dees . 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. The criteria incorporates consistency at an elite level, match-winning ability, contribution to team success and influence during their playing stints across the past two decades. Over the last decade, he has done exactly what was needed for every manager, providing an almost unrivalled passing range, superb positioning and moments of genius in abundance. The nicknames he inspired over the course of his playing career, il Maestro and lArchitetto, capture Pirlos appreciation for composition, design and set-pieces.. Buddy 3. His move to Carlton raised questions surrounding his ability to perform without a number of stars around him, but his critics were soon silenced. From the moment he graced an AFL field wearing a No. 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. 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. But the trait that defined Voss career was his ferocity at the contest. Footballers of Franklins size arent supposed to cover the ground as quickly and athletically as he does. Login. 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. Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide/Geelong). Adelaide has 16 and the other cellar dweller (North Melbourne) has 14. It's the toughest, hardest, most athletic game on the planet. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Time to Find Out Who the 2019 Denver Nuggets Really Are. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 'Saint Nick' was everything a coach could ask for in a player. You must provide an email address to create a Roar account, When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address, By joining The Roar you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. AFL's biggest question 'everyone's talking . Andrew Walker reached great heights (pun intended) during his 204-game career at Carlton. Lining up in attack Rutten is part of a unique club having managed to kick three goals with the first three kicks of his career. Trent Cotchin captained Richmond to nearly 200 games and in that time they won two thirds of those games, 130 of those 200 they won. A complete striker, Aguero put beauty in ball-striking, making an art of finding space around the penalty area. The Belgian was the youngest Ligue 1 Player of the Year winner ever in 2011, aged 20, after helping Lille win a league and cup double. Sidney Crosby (ice hockey) Credit: PA 20. San Iker still holds the clean sheet record in the Champions League and racked up over 1,000 professional matches in a two-decade career. Comment on stories, get exclusive content and submit your own articles! Channel 7 AFL commentators Luke Hodge and Shaun Burgoyne are also Hawthorn icons and teammates of Mitchell. These players have all played at some point throughout 21st century, however based on their entire career. Another Champions League crown and the La Liga title came at Real Madrid, followed by three consecutive Bundesliga triumphs at Bayern Munich. Hes one that if you ran out there beside him, you know what youd get from him every single time.. Hawthorn 400-game champion Michael Tuck recently made a bold call, telling Channel 7 he thinks the Hawks can play finals despite having one of the youngest playing lists in the competition. Catch up and settle in with no installation & no lock-in contract. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. HIGHLIGHTS Watch the best of Team of the 21st Century back pocket, Dylan Grimes AFL career averages Kicks: 6.2 Handballs: 5.3 Disposals: 11.5 Marks: 3.8 Rebound-50s: 1.7 Contested possessions: 4.6 Uncontested possessions: 6.8 Intercepts: 4.2 Score involvements: 1.4 Tackles: 2.5 One-percenters: 4.9 Metres gained: 88.8 The Pole with the goals has gone from strength to strength, with an outrageous late career peak. Hawthorn are bracing for a world of pain in the 2023 AFL season, according to two of their most decorated players. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pies recruits sizzle in pre-season clash with Hawthorn. For the best odds on the game sign up with Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. The Chelsea legend established a reputation as one of the Premier Leagues greatest-ever defenders during 19 years at Stamford Bridge. 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. Port Adelaide, who lead the competition from go to whoa during the home-and-away season last season have managed to blood three quality millenniums who in 2021 should all bring up their half-century of games: Connor Rozee (38 games), Zac Butters (36) and Xavier Duursma (35) while at Collingwood, rising star Isaac Quaynor played 15 games but only three other millenniums played only a handful between them. That's why the likes of Wayne Carey and Robert . 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. Iker Casillas burst into the Real Madrid side as a kid, putting in a masterclass as a 19-year-old in a Champions League final. Mine are Gary Ablett Junior Buddy Juddy Dusty Unlucky Hodge Selwood 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. 2 pick recording 30 touches against Geelong way back at the start of the 2000 season. Heres how it works. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Martin boasts two best and fairest honours, three All-Australian selections and 251 goals from his 225 game career. 10 greatest AFL players of all time. "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. As well all know, Rutten served as a key defensive pillar for the Crows until his retirement in 2014, but with nine goals (including one with his last kick in footy) to his name from 229 games, his first three kicks are something Rutten wont forget anytime soon. 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.