Another team of the decade debate, but a very intriguing one. Who were the best players during the AFL decade just past?
Criteria is: Longevity – those that have played during the whole or most of the decade will get preference; success – as a team, premierships (not essential), awards (this decade). There are no specific specialist positions such as goal-sneak, sweeping half back flankers, etc, just the best defenders, midfielders and forwards this decade.
The bench will consist of the best three midfielders squeezed out of the best 18 and a backup ruckman.
Defenders:
– Mal Michael (2000-2007). Three premierships; runner-up in 2004; three-time All Australian.
– Matthew Scarlett (2000-2009). Two premierships; runner-up in 2008; five-time All Australian.
– Dustin Fletcher (2000-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2001; two-time All Australian.
– Darren Glass (2000-2009). One premiership; runner up in 2005; three-time All Australian; three-time club champion.
– James Clement (2000-2007). Runner-up in 2002, 2003; three-time All Australian; two-time club champion.
– Leo Barry (2000-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2006; two-time All Australian.
– Max Houghton (2000-2009). No major honours individually or as part of his team, but has longevity and is being selected purely on ability.
Midfielders:
– Chris Judd (2002-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2005; four-time All Australian; three-time club champion; Brownlow medalist in 2004; Norm Smith medalist in 2005.
– Gary Ablett Jnr. (2002-2009). Two premierships; runner-up in 2008; three-time All Australian; two-time club champion; Brownlow medalist in 2009.
– Adam Goodes (2000-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2006; three-time All Australian; two-time club champion; Brownlow medalist in 2003, 2006.
– Simon Black (2000-2009). Three premierships; runner-up in 2004; three-time club champion; three-time All Australian; Brownlow medalist in 2002; Norm Smith medalist in 2003.
– Ben Cousins (2000-2007, 2009). One premiership; runner-up 2005; four-time All Australian; four-time club champion; Brownlow medalist in 2005.
Ruckman:
– Dean Cox (2002-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2005; four-time All Australian; one-time club champion.
Forwards:
– Matthew Lloyd (2000-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2001, three-time All Australian; three-time Coleman medalist in 2000, 2001, 2003.
– Fraser Gehrig (2000-2008). Three-time All Australian; two-time Coleman medalist in 2004, 2005.
-Barry Hall (2000-2009). One premiership; runner-up in 2006; three-time All Australian; one-time club champion.
– Warren Tredrea (2000-2009). One premiership in 2004; runner-up in 2007; four-time All Australian; four-time club champion.
– Matthew Pavlich (2000-2009). Four-time All Australian and club champion.
– Brendan Fevola (2000-2009). Three-time All Australian; two-time Coleman medalist in 2006, 2009.
Bench:
– Brett Kirk (2000-2009). Premiership in 2005, runner-up in 2006, All Australian in 2004, club champion in 2005, 2007.
– Peter Bell (2000-2008). Two premierships; runner-up in 1998; All Australian in 1999, 2003; club champion in 2000, 2001, 2004.
– Andrew McLeod (2000-2009). Four-time All Australian; two-time club champion.
– Clark Keating (2000-2006). Selected based on ability, and also due to a lack of backup ruckmen available. Darren Jolly, Josh Fraser and Aaron Sandilands have not played long enough to be considered.
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