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. Top 20 AFL players of 21st Century. Toni Kroos can do both. He played at least 21 games in each of those seven seasons. Channel 7 AFL commentators Luke Hodge and Shaun Burgoyne are also Hawthorn icons and teammates of Mitchell. Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. Another Champions League crown and the La Liga title came at Real Madrid, followed by three consecutive Bundesliga triumphs at Bayern Munich. The Zero Hanger team recently undertook the major project of ranking the 15 AFL best players of the century in every position - defenders, forwards, ruckmen and midfielders. 548 games, 303 goals and 57 assists record Radamel Falcao Garca in the twentieth century from the shirts of River Plate, Porto . Dalziell held the disposals record for less than two years before another mature-aged player stole his thunder. Lance Franklins famous match-winning goal against Adelaide in 2007 elimination final. Naming the 10 best AFL players of all-time is a thankless task when you consider the talent the competition has had in its long history. So many moments. He shows real poise and is able to scan and find targets, Hawthorn assistant coach Chris Newman said. Create. A player that worked harder than any other, Adam Goodes rise to stardom is a thing of beauty. Aged 24, Mbappe is already a World Cup winner, only the second player to net a hat-trick in the final, a Golden Boot winner as well as being widely considered among the best current players in the world. The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 60-41. 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. The 100 greatest players of the 21st century, featuring Lionel Messi and Ronaldo By Kobe Tong Published Oct 18, 2019 The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Xavi made the top ten Want. 1 pick Sam Walsh with the Blues confirming he's a certain starter against Richmond. The most anticipated AFL home-and-away games of the 21st century Jackson Mansell Roar Rookie 19th August, 2022 A A A 2 Join the conversation Advertisement Write for The Roar Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work featured alongside some of Australia's most prominent sports journalists. Hes a player you just wanted to play for. 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. 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. Birthdate: June 24, 1987. If his body holds up for another year or two, hes a huge chance to become just the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to reach 1000 goals. Drew Brees (American football) 21. The 2023 AFL Season is just around the corner and the Zero Hanger Season Guide is back! Judd 4. THERE aren't many players that can claim they were the best player on the field in their first AFL game. Italiano . With his technical ability and intelligence, he would still slot into elite teams in the modern game, many years after he left his six-Premier League title-winning career behind him. Create your own Fantasy AFL team and compete for daily prizes on Draftstars its free to join so why not check it out? 20-16: Two Crows but which Hawks icon missed the cut? Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. Franck Ribery more than lived up to the billing. THE NUMBERS:12 disposals, 5 marks, 5 goals An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio. 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. Europes biggest prize, the Champions League, still eludes De Bruyne and his club-mates, but for how long? 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 'Little Master' had it all. Login. THE NUMBERS: 32 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles Nobody could play football as if sat in a directors chair and Pasolini their way through a game. 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. He later joined Inter Milan and was just as classy: intelligent, creative and with the ability to control the cauldron, he's one of his country's finest ever players. 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. 15-11: Four Brownlow Medallists and the fifth deserves one, 10-6: Four game-changing freaks and a controversial legend. This devalues names like Robert Harvey, Scott West and Stephen Silvagni. He is electric. As a 21-year-old, Franklins 2008 season was the stuff of legend. Last season the Hawks finished thirteenth (or sixth last) which was, in fact, a slight improvement on their previous seasons. Cam Mackenzie was a standout for the Hawks during the practice against Collingwood in Tasmania. But hes only won the AFLPAs best captain once, which is why I didnt give him the number one spot.. Or why not treat yourself? The Pole with the goals has gone from strength to strength, with an outrageous late career peak. 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. Rounding off the top five are Brazilian icon Ronaldinho and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta. But from that effervescent starlet grew a dependable leader: Spain's reliable backbone through three consecutive international trophies. 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. 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. Or why not treat yourself? 0. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pies recruits sizzle in pre-season clash with Hawthorn. At the age of 36, McCulloch scored 17 goals in the 2013-14 season to bring Rangers back into the Scottish Premiership. 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. 22. It's the toughest, hardest, most athletic game on the planet. Western Bulldogs acknowledge that we reside on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. The argument for Bale falls into three categories: his astonishing rise at Tottenham, his performances in finals for Real Madrid, and his unwavering commitment to Wales. Franais. As we are now a fifth of the way through the new millennium and the babies born in the first few years of the 2000s are beginning to make a name for themselves on the players lists at all 18 AFL clubs. Hodge's consistency in both midfield and defensive roles were vital to his side's prolonged successes between 2008 and 2015, with Hodge a key name in every contest. On the other hand, Jason Carter, born 11 days into the new millennium has already been delisted by Fremantle after two games in 2019. THE NUMBERS: 26 disposals, 9 marks, 4 tackles, 1 Brownlow vote The 21st century has provided a stage for new evolutions in the game of basketball. Create Account. Dangerfield has won seven All-Austrlian selections in the past eight seasons and is a proven threat within the middle and deep forward. The greatest player of the last 20 years. 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. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. Bombers midfielder Jye Caldwell sent for scans, club hopeful of Round St Kilda wingman Dan McKenzie to miss start of 2023 season. He won Serie A, a Coppa Italia and the Champions League itself as part of one the most iconic Milan sides in history, and earned himself the Ballon dOr in 2004. 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. Haselby himself could hold his head high though with the former No. Burnett Bartolo Colon Dan. The Galacticos needed a goalkeeper as blockbuster to match. Dirk Nowitzki (basketball) 19. Mahendra Singh Dhoni. BA1 1UA. He was also a dangerous goalkicker, punctuated by his 36-goal season in 2002 and a seven-goal haul against Adelaide in early 2004. Our criteria was that players had to have played at least five seasons in the 21st century. Debate about the best players of the 21st Century goes . After three previous top-five finishes, he finally broke through to claim a maiden Brownlow Medal. 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. 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. Best forwards of the 21st century (L-R): Eddie Betts, Lance Franklin, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Pavlich. The club also lost its much-loved captain and No.1 ruck Ben McEvoy, who decided to hang up the boots, and 255-game veteran Liam Shiels also retired (but then found his way to North Melbourne). It had become too high in velocity, too intense. He had an incredible blend of physical power, velvet touch and positional intelligence: the Gunners yearned for him for a decade after he departed. A star midfielder, an unstoppable forward and overall legend for the Bombers. When the game was on the line, he won two Norm Smith Medals (in Grand Finals) he was a captain in. 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. Vincent Kompany joined Manchester City the same month as the Abu Dhabi United Group. The four-time All-Australian would flex his versatility when called upon, in midfield, ruck or forward. Weve counted down the top 15 players of the century. All players have been selected and ranked based on their 21st century performances only, so any seasons prior to 2000 havent been considered. 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. The Ivorian was one of the most fearsome strikers ever. Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors. 2 was the easiest part of the gig. AFL Premier Partners. That's 22.5% of the greatest sluggers of this century, even with testing in place for 17 of the 21 seasons. Four Brownlow Medallists and the fifth deserves one, Four game-changing freaks and a controversial legend, The 12 AFL legends brutally snubbed from top-20 list. But their passion for their old club has not prevented them from having a very dim view of the season ahead. We want to see it. The rock within the Lions dynamic and star-studded midfield. The team, captained by ruck legend Graham . 38 Hawthorn jumper for all the trivia buffs playing along at home the Buddy nickname stuck. It was clear from an early age that there was something special about Hazard. The cousin of 200+ game Brisbane veteran Ash, Martins AFL career lasted just four games, but his first match was something special. He starred under the bright lights with his third and final goal of the game putting the Tigers in front with just a few minutes remaining. Alastair Clarkson has defended his temper after a clash with a reporter earlier this month, saying he cannot guarantee it will not flare up again. He is the very embodiment of the football club. Hes one that if you ran out there beside him, you know what youd get from him every single time.. 'Saint Nick' was everything a coach could ask for in a player. New customers only. Gavin Brown, a 254-game champion of the club, was added in 2002 five years after the league had extended the standard interchange bench . 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. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Whether it is high flying marks, bone jarring tackles or freakish goals, Australian Rules has it all. The wingers scorching pace, mind-bending trickery and ability to win games single-handedly make him a joy to watch, and a future Ballon dOr seems all-but inevitable already. Sam Mitchell talks to the team during the AFL practice match between Hawthorn and Collingwood in Tasmania. More from Telstra afl.com.au womens.afl . AFLW Premier Partners. The versatile forwards creativity and reliable goal return - hes hit double figures in eight of the last nine La Liga seasons for Real Sociedad, Atleti and Barcelona - have helped him earn domestic accolades like La Liga Best Player in 2015/16. Picking then ranking the 20 best AFL players of the past 20 years has been a painstaking and hair-tearing task thats consumed many hours of isolation life. Footballers of Franklins size arent supposed to cover the ground as quickly and athletically as he does. Eight current AFL players, including Andrew McLeod and Adam Goodes, have been included in the league's indigenous team of the century, announced today. Make sure you keep up to date with the latestAFLand AFL Fantasy articles andfollow my fan pages onFacebook,TwitterandInstagramto never miss a minute of the action! Heres how it works. Gold Coast have a very impressive 19, four of whom won rising star awards in 2020. Please gamble responsibly. The Victorian Football League-Australian Football League (VFL/AFL) Italian Team of the Century was announced in June 2007. When you consider Franklin has kicked 944 goals as a key forward in an era where goals have never been harder to kick, its a truly remarkable feat. 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. 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. The Brownlows, All-Australians, best and fairests and flags flowed, even after he sensationally walked away from the Cats at the end of 2010 to become new club Gold Coasts marquee player. These are guys you want to go out to battle with. 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 (opens in new tab) Page 4 of 6: Players whose careers began prior to the year 2000 . Remember the Titans is a heartwarming story of how, after the strife of The Civil Rights Movement, both blacks and whites came together to form a football team and defeat discrimination between each other. Click here to subscribe on iTunes I thought it was timely to pick a team of future champions who over the next decade will become the face of the AFL. Hawthorn draftee Cam Mackenzie had an eye-catching performance, picking up 24 disposals, one goal and two assists, while James Worpel returned to his best with a 30-possession game. 245 games as captain, the most games as captain, the most wins as captain. He's still the only player to score in four FA Cup finals and he practically won Chelsea their first Champions League on his todd. 'Dusty' brings a level of aggression to the game like nobody before him. Today, we reveal the top five. 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. Perhaps somewhat controversially, Voss has usurped Judd here. No player has won more MVP awards. Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina. THE NUMBERS: 33disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 goals Australia's #1 independent AFL news source, Eddie McGuire tips Collingwood-Richmond blockbuster to reopen season, Jordan Lewis reveals he nearly went to Carlton after Hawks departure, Richmond confirm Jack Ross sidelined with injury, Forward or back? But in all honesty, selecting the superstars at No. 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). Sun Sign: Cancer. 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. The Czech sensation won a league and cup double with Lazio in 2000, before replacing Zinedine Zidane at Juventus and firing the Turin club to two league titles and the Champions League final, achievements that helped him clinch the 2003 Ballon dOr. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Abletts rise to superstardom genuinely kickstarted in 2007 and mirrored Geelongs rapid rise. See who made it into Hawthorn's team of the 20th century. Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) 20. Its remarkable to reflect on what Mbappe has already achieved in his short career so far - and consider what might still be to come. We select the best ruckman at your club from 2000-onwards By Staff writers on May 1, 2020, 1:00pm Best ruckman of the 21st century (L-R): Brendon Lade, David Hille, Aaron Sandilands, Darren Jolly. 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. 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.