- Oct 5, 2023
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Dusty Martin for me. Brownlow, 3 Norm smiths and 3 flags. The. Best.
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Best player of the 21st century?
- Thread starter PowerfulPies2023
- Start date
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- Oct 5, 2023
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Some big names
Ablett
Voss
Hird
Riccuito
Goodes
Cousins
Judd
Franklin
Buckley
But Dusty gets The nod imo.
Ablett
Voss
Hird
Riccuito
Goodes
Cousins
Judd
Franklin
Buckley
But Dusty gets The nod imo.
- Feb 25, 2013
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has to be daicos
LOLchie Schultz
Club Legend
- Aug 23, 2024
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That guy who kicked 100 goals in a regular season, the only one to do it this century, and the only one in that time to finish his career with over 1000 goals, I'd take him 1st, 2nd & 3rd!
The answer is Lance Franklin.
The answer is Lance Franklin.
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Josh isn't that good.
Wouldn't have Dusty anywhere near the top 3 IMO.
Over the last couple of seasons the clear top 5 has been established:
1. GAJ
2. Buddy
3. Judd
4 and 5. Pendlebury and Dangerfield (in either order)
Currently not a big gap between Judd at 3, and Pendlebury/Dangerfield at 4/5, with either or both to possibly overtake him depending on what they do between now and when their careers finish.
1. GAJ
2. Buddy
3. Judd
4 and 5. Pendlebury and Dangerfield (in either order)
Currently not a big gap between Judd at 3, and Pendlebury/Dangerfield at 4/5, with either or both to possibly overtake him depending on what they do between now and when their careers finish.
- Oct 19, 2020
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Bontompelli is in the top 4 imo.
- Oct 19, 2020
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Pendulbury better than Dustin? Don't be ridiculous.
- Oct 19, 2020
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1. Dustin
2. Buddy
3. Gaz
4. Bont
2. Buddy
3. Gaz
4. Bont
Tiger_Of_Old
THE_GUN:"Why don't you use your reg acc"7/9/24
Way too early.
Still have 74 seasons
Still have 74 seasons
- Aug 15, 2009
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Martin for me too.
Always turned up when it mattered most.
Didn't need to stat pad, converted possession into scores.
Won it all three times with less help than other candidates from dynasty sides.
Did it with a basket case club.
Did it his own way and wasn't a robot.
Always turned up when it mattered most.
Didn't need to stat pad, converted possession into scores.
Won it all three times with less help than other candidates from dynasty sides.
Did it with a basket case club.
Did it his own way and wasn't a robot.
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Ablett
Daylight
Daylight
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
Like we need another "who's the best" thread destined to be hijacked and derailed by the you-know-who brigade
- Nov 1, 2021
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There are only 2 acceptable answers IMO and those are Buddy or GAJ.
Last edited:
raskolnikov
Hall of Famer
GAJ or Buddy
I'd have Gawn in the mix. 7 times AA and premiership captain of a club that hadn't won a flag since the 60s.
I'd have Gawn in the mix. 7 times AA and premiership captain of a club that hadn't won a flag since the 60s.
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Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
Except that Dean Cox was arguably as good a ruckman if not better. And if you're going by AA's, Dangerfield has 8 in the 21st century.
For me, its GAJ and Buddy.
I see this argument a lot, particularly from Richmond supporters.
'Our achievement was much better because we were so shite for so long beforehand...'
In the era of equalisation, it just means you had more opportunity to build a list with high draft picks, than teams who regularly finished higher on the ladder.
Hoyne on Champion Data this week said they have been doing their Player Ratings since 2010. It's a score, not a ranking. They measures where and how you not only win the ball but use it, ultimately determining your impact on the game.
Anyway only 3 players since they've recorded them have averaged 20+ over a season - let's call that an "ultra elite" year that stands out in modern history. Those 3 are Ablett, Dangerfield and Martin. Martin did it in 2017. Dangerfield in 2016 and 2017. Ablett did it 5 times in a row: 2010-2014. Hoyne reflected that Ablett's 3 best seasons were likely 2007-2009 before they recorded Player Ratings. So throw them on the list too.
Tldr: Since 2010 Champion Data have found "ultra elite" individual seasons 8 times. 5 of those belonged to Ablett and he very likely had 8 in total. In a row.
Accepting that Player Ratings likely bias towards midfielders like most ranking or voting systems, I think it's safe to say he is leagues and leagues above the next best as far as 21st century midfielders.
------
For forwards, Franklin had a very prolonged dominant period from 2008 until whatever point at Sydney he dropped from "jaw dropping" to just "great". His numbers held up for longer than any other 21st century forward, likely his dominance as well.
Anyway only 3 players since they've recorded them have averaged 20+ over a season - let's call that an "ultra elite" year that stands out in modern history. Those 3 are Ablett, Dangerfield and Martin. Martin did it in 2017. Dangerfield in 2016 and 2017. Ablett did it 5 times in a row: 2010-2014. Hoyne reflected that Ablett's 3 best seasons were likely 2007-2009 before they recorded Player Ratings. So throw them on the list too.
Tldr: Since 2010 Champion Data have found "ultra elite" individual seasons 8 times. 5 of those belonged to Ablett and he very likely had 8 in total. In a row.
Accepting that Player Ratings likely bias towards midfielders like most ranking or voting systems, I think it's safe to say he is leagues and leagues above the next best as far as 21st century midfielders.
------
For forwards, Franklin had a very prolonged dominant period from 2008 until whatever point at Sydney he dropped from "jaw dropping" to just "great". His numbers held up for longer than any other 21st century forward, likely his dominance as well.
- Oct 5, 2023
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Andrew Obst from Melbourne would have given them a run for their mobey. The Febey brothers too.
Hard to argue with this.
If you don't have GAJ and Buddy as 1 and 2 (in either order) you fall into one of the following categories:
1. You don't understand football.
2. You're too young to have seen and appreciated GAJ and Buddy at their peaks.
(Note, when referencing Buddy from 2008 onwards, you are excluding of of the greatest individual finals ever seen by a player - his 2007 Elimination Final.)
Debut after 2000
Ablett / Franklin - hard to split but legends of the game. Starters on the all time team to play the Space Jam aliens unanimously. Push comes to shove I would go Lance for his 2008 season, however in 2010 Ablett kicked 44 goals and averaged 30 possessions! Gary went off broadway at Gold Coast, it might be him as number one really.
Judd / Martin - also hard to split these two in my view, Judd of the West Coast was otherworldly with his pace and core strength. And still won a Chas at Carlton. Martin had his patented fend off in the midfield to get space and was deadly around goal. I would have them in the all time team as well.
Bontempelli - Raking kick, long strides and length plus always makes the right decision. Just as good on the inside as the outside and can go forward to draw almost the best defender. 3 time MVP and this decades premier player and best player on the 2016 flag side.
Dangerfield - consistently powerful and paced extractor who also boots goals. 8 time All Australian, Brownlow, MVP and consistent. Kicks the odd flourbag but it is still metres gained.
Fyfe - Human highlight reel with a spectacular mark every game in his prime. Unbelievably brutal in the midfield and it was mindboggling at times how he always ripped the footy away even from age 20 in 2011. Slowed down, but still grabbed a Brownlow in 2019. 2x MVP and would be regarded higher if Freo won 2013. In his prime, I’d argue has a case for the best midfielder of all time but it was hampered as we all know.
Neale - not as flashy and I think his standing is below the 7 above but weight of numbers in his accolades has put him in the top 10. Numerous All Australians, 2 Brownlows, MVP.
N Riewoldt - Gutrunning, high marking superstar Centre Half Forward as well as link man. He was the best player in 2009 and many other top 5 seasons around it.
Hodge - Dual Norm Smith medallist and legendary captain. Toughest around with a booming kick and oozed class. 4 premierships.
Mitchell - Heartbeat of the all-conquering Hawks. Sublime skills on both sides, excellent inside mid - basically the best version of an “accumulator” you can get along with Lachie Neale.
Selwood - Along with Hodge, legendary captain who also personified grit and toughness - but with great skills and fitness.
Pendlebury - reminds me of Neo from the Matrix. Exquisite timing, evasive, weighted kicks and handpasses.
Brown - Crash and bash, safe hands traditional Centre Half Forward who was an icon of sorts. A Coleman and 3 Premierships who straightened up the Lions, 3x best and fairest and an intimidating presence as captain.
Gawn - 7 time All Australian ruckman who can take pressure releasing marks, give off exquisite taps and has supreme fitness.
Cox - Ruckman sized linkman who also fed players the ball on a platter, with great skills and fitness.
Franklin
Ablett
Martin
Judd
Bontempelli
Dangerfield
Fyfe
Neale
Riewoldt
Hodge
Mitchell
Selwood
Pendlebury
Brown
Gawn
Cox
Then a suite of players like Cameron, Bartel, Kennedy, Kennedy, J Riewoldt, Hawkins, Naitanui, Greene, Rance, McGovern, Rioli, Johnson, Swan, Petracca, Kerr, Sandilands etc etc
Nicky Daicos and Sam Darcy are bound for the top, if Harley stays at West Coast him too
Ablett / Franklin - hard to split but legends of the game. Starters on the all time team to play the Space Jam aliens unanimously. Push comes to shove I would go Lance for his 2008 season, however in 2010 Ablett kicked 44 goals and averaged 30 possessions! Gary went off broadway at Gold Coast, it might be him as number one really.
Judd / Martin - also hard to split these two in my view, Judd of the West Coast was otherworldly with his pace and core strength. And still won a Chas at Carlton. Martin had his patented fend off in the midfield to get space and was deadly around goal. I would have them in the all time team as well.
Bontempelli - Raking kick, long strides and length plus always makes the right decision. Just as good on the inside as the outside and can go forward to draw almost the best defender. 3 time MVP and this decades premier player and best player on the 2016 flag side.
Dangerfield - consistently powerful and paced extractor who also boots goals. 8 time All Australian, Brownlow, MVP and consistent. Kicks the odd flourbag but it is still metres gained.
Fyfe - Human highlight reel with a spectacular mark every game in his prime. Unbelievably brutal in the midfield and it was mindboggling at times how he always ripped the footy away even from age 20 in 2011. Slowed down, but still grabbed a Brownlow in 2019. 2x MVP and would be regarded higher if Freo won 2013. In his prime, I’d argue has a case for the best midfielder of all time but it was hampered as we all know.
Neale - not as flashy and I think his standing is below the 7 above but weight of numbers in his accolades has put him in the top 10. Numerous All Australians, 2 Brownlows, MVP.
N Riewoldt - Gutrunning, high marking superstar Centre Half Forward as well as link man. He was the best player in 2009 and many other top 5 seasons around it.
Hodge - Dual Norm Smith medallist and legendary captain. Toughest around with a booming kick and oozed class. 4 premierships.
Mitchell - Heartbeat of the all-conquering Hawks. Sublime skills on both sides, excellent inside mid - basically the best version of an “accumulator” you can get along with Lachie Neale.
Selwood - Along with Hodge, legendary captain who also personified grit and toughness - but with great skills and fitness.
Pendlebury - reminds me of Neo from the Matrix. Exquisite timing, evasive, weighted kicks and handpasses.
Brown - Crash and bash, safe hands traditional Centre Half Forward who was an icon of sorts. A Coleman and 3 Premierships who straightened up the Lions, 3x best and fairest and an intimidating presence as captain.
Gawn - 7 time All Australian ruckman who can take pressure releasing marks, give off exquisite taps and has supreme fitness.
Cox - Ruckman sized linkman who also fed players the ball on a platter, with great skills and fitness.
Franklin
Ablett
Martin
Judd
Bontempelli
Dangerfield
Fyfe
Neale
Riewoldt
Hodge
Mitchell
Selwood
Pendlebury
Brown
Gawn
Cox
Then a suite of players like Cameron, Bartel, Kennedy, Kennedy, J Riewoldt, Hawkins, Naitanui, Greene, Rance, McGovern, Rioli, Johnson, Swan, Petracca, Kerr, Sandilands etc etc
Nicky Daicos and Sam Darcy are bound for the top, if Harley stays at West Coast him too
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