best afl players of the 21st century
100 greatest NFL players of the 21st century - Baltimore Sun The 100 best players of the 21st Century: 40-26. Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. There was a problem. Dangerfield has won seven All-Austrlian selections in the past eight seasons and is a proven threat within the middle and deep forward. Pendlebury Good top 5. . Stream them all for free on 7plus >>. 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. He may well be the Ballon d'Or's greatest miss, too. The most anticipated AFL home-and-away games of the 21st century - The Roar More importantly, three premierships, and I think he changed the way he was as a leader. It was the first major honour of his career, but far from the last. Mine are Gary Ablett Junior Buddy Juddy Dusty Unlucky Hodge Selwood BA1 1UA. 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. The fact most started to quickly drop the Jnr from his name and even started to refer to his dad as Gary Sr proved hed arrived. 5. Heres how it works. Cechs individual records stack up high: he has the most clean sheets ever in the Premier League with 202, as well as the most in a single season, 24, while hes a four-time Golden Glove winner and has gone longer than any other keeper without conceding, 1,025 minutes in 2004/05. 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. Between 2001 and 2003, Voss won two AFLPA MVP awards, two best and fairests, three best captain titles and All-Australian honours on three occasions (including twice as the captain). Cristiano Ronaldo named best player of the 21st century at Globe Soccer Awards | Marca Globe Soccer Awards Beat out Messi, Ronaldinho and Salah Cristiano Ronaldo named best player of the. Hawks great Dermott Brereton, who wore the same No. 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 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. 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. A 58-year drought is on track to be broken, according to those close to the club. LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE DEBATE DAVID KING, DERMOTT BRERETON AND TOM MORRIS ON WHETHER CUTTING LIST SIZES WILL BE GOOD OR BAD FOR FOOTY, IF YOURE ON A MOBILE, TAP HERE TO LISTEN, 15. Come the turn of the century, his standing in the game grew as he inspired the Magpies to a genuine premiership tilt. 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. Greatest player of the 21st Century (so far)" thread, where we could all share some of our favourite stories of the great man. In fact he probably became a wiser and more-rounded player at the Blues. 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? WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pies recruits sizzle in pre-season clash with Hawthorn. The top 100 players of the 21st century have been ranked While most AFL fans will remember Ben Truck Rutten for his All-Australian defensive days his debut match in 2003 was something quite the opposite. Franklins sensational switch to Sydney, after two flags with the Hawks, was bold on many fronts. 0. 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. Francesco Totti retired with 307 goals in 786 Roma appearances. Get insight to top players, instructions & drills and extensive coverage of equipment. The 2023 AFL Season is just around the corner and the Zero Hanger Season Guide is back! All rights reserved. Nedved also captained his country to the final of Euro 2004, where they lost to Greece, and he opted to stay with Juve following their demotion to Serie B in the wake of the Calciopoli match fixing scandal, helping them go straight back up at the first attempt. 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. 15-11: Four Brownlow Medallists and the fifth deserves one, 10-6: Four game-changing freaks and a controversial legend. Credit: PA Andrew McLeod (Adelaide) 18. Toni Kroos can do both. Itd be a superhuman yet thoroughly well-deserved milestone. Celebrating the Best Players of the 21st Century-Without the Cheaters AFL: The home of Australian rules football on Reddit, including the Australian Football 14. 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. At the time, Bradd Dalziells 32 touches were the most ever recorded in an AFL debut. Bulldogs welcoming Darcy dilemma, Old habits die hard as Buckley backs Blues to miss finals. We want to see it. The following players have been inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame. My Top 5 players drafted since 2000. Cristiano Ronaldo named best player of the 21st century at - MARCA Alastair Clarkson defends temper after clash with reporter at North Abletts rise to superstardom genuinely kickstarted in 2007 and mirrored Geelongs rapid rise. 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. Makeleles deep-midfield role helped both provide defensive cover for and unlock the attacking talents of his team-mates further up the field. 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. Whether it is high flying marks, bone jarring tackles or freakish goals, Australian Rules has it all. 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. He dresses as he played, achieving class in the smart and the casual. 25 of the best 'utility players' of the 21st century: Milner, Young From the moment he graced an AFL field wearing a No. Hes Buddy brilliant. Commentators also will have fun with pronouncing or making fun of Mosquito, Tsapatolis, Lukosius, Oea, Bosenavulagi and Uosis. By Seb Mottram 9 minutes ago Former AFL forward Daniel Menzel has ranked his top seven AFL captains of the 21st century. 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. Thank you for signing up to Four Four Two. 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. Menu . Dalziell held the disposals record for less than two years before another mature-aged player stole his thunder. The team at AFL.com.au has dissected every club's records to name the best forward at each since the turn of the century. 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. That's 22.5% of the greatest sluggers of this century, even with testing in place for 17 of the 21 seasons. Ranked! The 100 best players of the 21st Century So many moments. Chris Judd was on a different level during the mid-2000s at the West Coast Eagles. It just seemed he wasnt as dynamic at Carlton compared to his West Coast days, while his ability to hit the scoreboard declined. Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work Regarded as one of the best big-game players in the game's history, Martin has his eye on more team and individual honours with the Tigers premiership window still wide open. Hes played with some of the best midfielder of any generation Xavi, Iniesta and Yaya Toure, to name a few and while his contributions may be less eye-catching, theres a reason he has spent more than a decade at the heart of Barcelonas midfield. Shevchenko was great at an overachieving Dynamo Kyiv side in the 1990s, but its his time at AC Milan in the 2000s that earns him a place here. Last season the Hawks finished thirteenth (or sixth last) which was, in fact, a slight improvement on their previous seasons. CHRIS JUDD (WEST COAST EAGLES/CARLTON), 2000-2020 stats: 279 games, 228 goals, 210 Brownlow votes, averaged 22.9 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Eagles premiership captain, Norm Smith Medallist, two-time Brownlow Medallist, two-time AFLPA MVP, six-time All-All Australian (one as captain), five-time best and fairest. 13-min read. Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Salah: The top 100 players of the 21st century ranked Football Football Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Salah: The top 100 players of the 21st century ranked By. Lee McCulloch. The level of talent in this tournament -- especially among the top few teams -- is unprecedented. Sidney Crosby (ice hockey) Credit: PA 20. Or why not treat yourself? Gary Ablett was arguably an even better player at the Suns. 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. The shaggy-haired Spaniard captained Barcelona to an incredible 18 major titles, including six La Liga crowns and three Champions Leagues, and his magnetic effect on trophies extended to international level too. Voss presence within the midfield lifted those around him, making some of the greatest onballers within the league better, perhaps producing the 'fab four' himself. 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. Personally, the late, long-range snap goal from a stoppage in the 2007 preliminary final against Collingwood stands out. 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. Hazard captained Belgium to a third-place finish and won the Silver Ball at the 2018 World Cup, his countrys best-ever finish. They (will) have a lot of youth and enthusiasm, Tuck said. 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. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). But the major honours soon flowed in after he joined Bayern Munich, winning the league and cup double three times, while he claimed the Premier League crown with Chelsea in 2010. Then again, Buddy is no ordinary player or footy figure. GAJ 2. A World Cup winner and 10-time Serie A winner, his three times on the losing side of a Champions League final feel thoroughly undeserving of a player who has become the godfather of modern goalkeeping. But their passion for their old club has not prevented them from having a very dim view of the season ahead. But in all honesty, selecting the superstars at No. The three-time German Footballer of the Year starred in Bayer Leverkusens remarkable runners-up treble of 2001/02, when they finished second in the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, before losing the World Cup final to Brazil that summer. Login. And boy was this a tough job! Here is our top 15 players of the century. Week by week Scarlett would claim a new scalp from the oppositions best forward, using his high-level footballing IQ and unrivalled consistently to do so. 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. 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. Buffon broke the world record for a goalkeeper back in 2001, and as of 2022, he is still playing, in a career that has seen him make over 1,000 appearances for clubs and country. 1. 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 star forward of the 21st century, nobody has or will ever match the ability of Buddy Franklin. Please gamble responsibly. AFL 2020: Top 20 AFL players of past 20 years list, 1-5, Fox Footy Novak Djokovic (tennis) 18. 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. Channel 7 AFL commentators Luke Hodge and Shaun Burgoyne are also Hawthorn icons and teammates of Mitchell. The 280-game Collingwood star had the archetype like no other. It shouldnt take away from his outstanding Blues stint, which netted him a second Brownlow Medal and three best and fairests. He would win every ball, stride with purpose and could launch rockets from outside of the area. Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Rounding off the top five are Brazilian icon Ronaldinho and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta. But Pirlo still found time and he never failed to discover space. FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Language. Franklin will be keen to knock down the 1,000-goal milestone as he currently sits just 56 goals away, securing his rank with some of the game's greatest ever forwards. Menzel played under Cameron Ling and Joel Selwood at the Cats, while the Swans were led by Josh Kennedy, Dane Rampe and Luke Parker in his time at the club. We offer our respect to the Elders of these traditional . He was at the very core of everything that would happen on Eastlands. 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. Considered one of the best football players in the world and a prolific goal scorer, Lionel Messi has shattered and created numerous records in his playing career. Catch up and settle in with no installation & no lock-in contract. For the AFL world will never see players of the talent and calibre of Gary Ablett and Lance Franklin again. The outstanding performer for Germany in Brazil in 2014; the steady metronome during Real Madrid's Threepeat. 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. Menzel's top seven AFL captains of the 21st century Best 20 AFL players of past 20 years list, Top 20 of 20: Rankings 10 to Top 20 AFL players of 21st Century. A strong, tough-tackling defender, Terrys leadership was behind five league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, a Europa League crown and a Champions League title. Sun Sign: Cancer. Chris Judd - Greatest player of the 21st Century (so far) Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. It was clear from an early age that there was something special about Hazard. Bath AFL's biggest question 'everyone's talking . 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. Former coach Leigh Matthews said his enduring image of Voss would be of him as a missile attacking the ball. You could be forgiven for not remembering Martin McGrath. 245 games as captain, the most games as captain, the most wins as captain. 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. View All Partners When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Best forwards of the 21st century (L-R): Eddie Betts, Lance Franklin, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Pavlich. 1 picks, dating back to 2000, and rank them as players from worst to best. 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. He captained them to four Grand Finals, three of them were premierships. The Manchester United legend ranks among the greatest English midfielders of all time, and has earned praise from illustrious quarters. After drawing in the first game, at 68 points each, St. Kilda and Collingwood met again a week later to determine a winner. 2010 - Collingwood vs St. Kilda. The fact he actually improved as a player when he moved north his first four years at the Suns, numerically, were the finest of his career to join an expansion club that was always going to start slowly is a testament to his drive, professionalism and talent. CB, CM, CF. Provides a lot of energy. 2000-2020 stats: 346 games, 437 goals, 266 Brownlow votes, averaged 25.3 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Two-time premiership Cat, two-time Brownlow Medallist, five-time AFLPA MVP, eight-time All-Australian (one as captain), six-time best and fairest, three-time club leading goalkicker. After spending a few seasons on Richmond's list Polo. Wherever El Tigre has gone, goals have followed. But when Brisbane was in the midst of its premiership dynasty, Voss was at the peak of his powers both as a player and, subsequently, as a leader. Greene hasnt played in the AFL since 2018 but could be a valuable addition for the Hawks, who meet Essendon in round one. The four-time All-Australian would flex his versatility when called upon, in midfield, ruck or forward. Get the best features, fun and footballing frolics straight to your inbox every week. In 2002, he broke both those records again when he moved to Man United for 30m. 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. AFL Premier Partners. He is the very embodiment of the football club. Dean Polo is one such player. 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. Picture: Ian Cugley, Michael Voss led his Lions to three straight premierships. 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. He was irreplaceable when he left, too. The Chelsea legend established a reputation as one of the Premier Leagues greatest-ever defenders during 19 years at Stamford Bridge. Falcao In The Top 100 Best Players Of The 21st Century 20-16: Two Crows but which Hawks icon missed the cut? 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. He is electric. 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. Chris Judd - Greatest player of the 21st Century (so far) Team of the Century | Collingwood Forever Puyol was part of Spains triumphant sides at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, and it was his headed goal against Germany that sent them through to the final of the latter tournament. There was a problem. 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. Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) 20. Champion Geelong ruckman Graham "Polly" Farmer was today named as captain of the indigenous team of the century.