The greatest team of the AFL era

I’ve always been a fan of ‘what ifs’ and ‘what could have beens.’ It’s always been fun for me to think about it and one thing I’ve always thought about is what the greatest AFL team would look like.

So I’ve done some thinking and soul searching and I’ve come up with what I believe is the greatest team of the AFL era.

FB: 11. Glenn Archer 1. Stephen Silvagni 30. Matthew Scarlett
HB: 15.Luke Hodge 27. Glen Jakovich 23. Andrew Mcleod
C: 35. Robert Harvey 3. Michael Voss (c) 30. Peter Matera
HF: 5. Gary Ablett Snr 18. Wayne Carey (vc) 5. James Hird
FF: 6. Brad Johnson 4. Tony Lockett 12. Jason Akermanis
FOLL: 20.Dean Cox 29. Gary Ablett Jnr 3.Chris Judd
INT: 37. Adam Goodes 5. Nathan Buckley 32. Mark Riccuito 29.Matthew Pavlich

Backs
For my backline I focused on grit and guts over style. I like my backmen hard and no-nonsense. I’ve picked a group of player whose hearts are unquestionable.

Glenn Archer – 311 games
The shinboner of the century. Growing up as young boy Glenn Archer had to be one of the biggest inspirations going around. Never the most flashy player, but by god did he have heart.

His attack on the ball was magical to watch and enough to strike fear into any forward foolish enough to stand between him and the ball. A dual premiership player and Norm Smith Medalist, Archer proved he could play on the big stage.

Stephen Silvagni – 312 games
It would be hard to pick a team without adding the fullback of the century. Putting titles aside, the man is incredibly accomplished. He’s a five-time All-Australian, dual premiership player and also managed to kick over 200 goals as a fullback, which is an achievement in of itself.

On top of all that he also managed to keep Gary Ablett Snr goalless in the 1995 grand final. I mean, seriously, that’s insane.

Matthew Scarlett – 284 games
One of the best creators to ever play the fullback position. I picked Scarlett not only for the fact that he is an excellent defender but also because of his style of play. A mongrel, an attacker, confident and dashing.

It’s pretty safe to say Geelong’s three premierships would have been a lot harder without Scarlett as the defensive anchor. A best and fairest winner and six-time All-Australian, Scarlett was a premier defender, even if he was a little rough around the edges.

Luke Hodge – 273 games
One of the best big-game players in the competition. Four premierships, three as captain and two Norm Smith Medals will attest to that. One of the best leaders of the modern era, he’s also one of the most consistent performers.

Hodge makes it into the squad based on his versatility; his ability to play strong defence as well as push into the midfield and set up attack is one of his biggest strengths.

Glen Jakovich – 276 games
Having Wayne Carey say you were his toughest opponent is a good enough endorsement to make it into this team. A mountain of a man at 193cm and 100kg Jakovich, was able to impose himself on almost any opposition player. A four-time best and fairest winner and one of the meanest men to play the game, Jakovich is a brick wall at centre half-back.

Andrew Mcleod – 340 games
By far the classiest player in my back six and one of the best players to never win a Brownlow. Although with two premierships and two Norm Smith medals I don’t think he loses any sleep at night. One of the most poised and damaging defenders in history, you’ve got to think Fremantle will never forgive themselves for trading him away

Midfield
The midfield was always going to be hard to pick. With the bevy of talent to choose from, there were quite a few unlucky stars missing out. That being said, I can’t think of a more silky, damaging and just flat out brilliant midfield.

Robert Harvey – 383 games
Harvey holds a special place in my heart. I spent many hours playing AFL 99 with my brother back in the day, and being the man on the cover you knew he was something special. When you have that as an achievement there’s not much else you need in your career, but he went out and did more anyway.

Dual Brownlow Medals, eight times All-Australian, AFL MVP and four-time best and fairest, Harvey was an absolute monster on the field known for gut running and pinpoint passing.

Michael Voss – 289 games
Michael Voss has an incredible resume which is the envy of any player. One of the most accomplished players in AFL history, he was also an exceptional leader as well as player, winning the AFLPA captain of the year award four times.

Known as a hard-nosed inside player, Voss’s ability to win the ball and distribute will be an integral part in unleashing the full potency of any AFL side, let alone a dream team like this.

Peter Matera – 253 games
In my opinion, Matera was the best wing to play the game. Winning the Norm Smith medal in 1992 is the prime example of his ability to completely take over a game and win it off his own boot. Five goals playing on the wing in the grand final is absurd.

Matera could read the play better than most and was an absolute star distributor. He was tough as nails; playing in and winning the 1994 grand final with a stress fracture in his leg is testament to that. Matera was a freak of nature on the wing.

Dean Cox – 290 games
Many argue whether it was Dean Cox or Jim Stynes who revolutionised the ruck position. Whichever way you sit in the debate, it’s indisputable that Cox perfected the role. A supreme athlete, Cox was known for playing almost as another midfielder, playing with a finesse not commonly seen with many of his size. With an impressive six All-Australian jerseys, he truly showed his worth and earned this spot in the team.

Gary Ablett Jnr – 279 games
Two-time premiership player, two-time Brownlow Medalist, eight-time All-Australian, five-time AFLPA MVP and five-time best and fairest. Gary Ablett Jnr stands unparalleled as the greatest individual player to ever step on to an AFL oval.

The ‘Son of God’ has well and truly passed the accomplishments of his father and has shown time and time again he is the most damaging player of the modern era. Completely untaggable in his prime, the only way the little master wasn’t going to perform on the day was if he didn’t actually take to field.

Chris Judd – 279 games
As an Eagles supporter, I’m still devastated he left. As an AFL fan, I feel blessed I got to witness this man play. He had an incredible ability to break tackles and the line, and had an uncanny ability to kick goals. If you ever need proof of his brilliance, check out his performance against Brisbane in Round 5, 2006. It’s almost impossible to think of a better individual game.

Forwards
So many superstar forwards to choose from. I’ve tried to keep the forward line as traditional as possible, playing with proper small forwards as well as key forwards.

Gary Ablett Snr – 248 games
The man they called God. Long touted as one of the best to ever play the game, Ablett Snr had an incredible ability to kick goals. He was an aerial master as well as a dead eye in front of goal, finishing his career with 1030 majors.

Another of the best players to never win a Brownlow, Ablett’s skills were freakish, and while I do believe he has been surpassed by his son, anyone who can kick nine goals in a losing grand final deserves their place in a team like this.

Wayne Carey – 272 games
Few players have come along who have the ability to change a game by themselves. Wayne Carey was one of them. Able to beat you in a marking contest or towel you up on the ground, Carey didn’t earn the nickname ‘The King’ for no reason.

Possibly the biggest Brownlow snub in history, Carey is considered by many to be the best player to ever lace up the boots. He was versatile, damaging and a great leader (until the whole love triangle fiasco). No one has played the centre half-forward position and made it look so good.

James Hird – 253 games
The golden boy of Essendon, Hird was never one of the biggest guys on the field, but he was always one of the most courageous. He always put his body on the line and got first use of the ball.

Hird’s goal kicking was remarkable, demonstrated best by his two seasons where he led the Bombers’ goal kicking playing a midfield/forward role. A jack of all trades, Hird would play anywhere you need him to, using his superior ball skills and calm head to get his team out of any jam.

Jason Akermanis – 325 games
This may be a controversial choice for some, but love him or hate him, you can’t deny Aker’s incredible skill. He had exceptional acceleration and was uncannily accurate with both feet, and while his flamboyance and personality got him in trouble sometimes, you couldn’t take away his ability to kick the impossible goal. He was flashy and arrogant but boy did he back it up.

Tony Lockett – 286 games
The game’s leading goal kicker, you can’t have a best-of team without Plugger. Tony Lockett was one of the most imposing players to ever play the game; at 118 kgs, nobody filled the space in front of him.

The only full-forward to ever win a Brownlow shows just how special Lockett really was. So much can be said about him, but it’s easily summed up with the phrase, “There’s only one Tony Lockett.”

Brad Johnson – 364 games
Brad Johnson played a large portion of his career as an on-baller, but he still managed to compile 558 goals. With his speed and running ability, as well as his ability to play well beyond his size, Johnson was a headache for any backline. Go big and he would torch you with his speed, but go small and he’ll have a field day taking marks.

Interchange
Don’t let the fact they are on the bench fool you; these are some of the greatest to play the game. I focused on versatility for the bench.

Adam Goodes – 372 games
Quite possibly the greatest indigenous player in AFL history, Adam Goodes makes it on to the bench purely because of his ability to play anywhere. If anybody from the starting 18 needs a breather, Goodes could comfortably step in and fill the role.

A dual Brownlow Medallist, Goodes has proven his talent, but his true worth to me comes in the fact that he can play any position and play it at an all-star calibre.

Nathan Buckley – 280 games
My biggest question in building this team was whether to start Michael Voss or Nathan Buckley. In the end, the decision was made purely based on the premiership factor.

A Brownlow medalist and the man who holds the AFL record for most inside 50s, Buckley is one of the best attacking midfielders to play the game. On an interesting side note, Buckley was originally drafted by the Brisbane Bears. Just imagine the Lions’ premiership-winning team plus Buckley. Scary.

Mark Ricciuoto – 312 games
An incredibly strong player, Ricciuto makes it onto the bench because of his ability to play as a powerhouse in the midfield and forward line. An eight-time All-Australian and a Brownlow Medalist, his individual accolades speak for themselves.

Roo almost squeezed his way into the starting forward pocket, and while he is on the bench it wouldn’t be long before he took to the field and made an instant impact.

Matthew Pavlich – 341 games
The true definition of a utility, Pav is another player who could dominate in any position. An absolute superstar of the game, his loyalty is an incredible virtue of his, being the one of the greatest players on one of the (historically) most unsuccessful teams, it’s interesting to think what could have happened had he been surrounded by a bit more talent.

An eight-time leading goal kicker for Fremantle, six-time All-Australian, six-time best and fairest with 678 goals, it’s a shame that he will never get to taste the ultimate success.

Honourable mentions
Ben Cousins, Greg Williams, Gavin Wanganeen, Anthony Koutoufides, Jason Dunstall, Chad Kornes, Aaron Sandilands, Darren Glass and Nick Riewoldt