Ranking the 10 greatest AFL players drafted this century / Dusty is 3rd (ZH)

[one-eyed]

Ranking the 10 greatest AFL players drafted this century

Using a points system to adjudicate the best players drafted this century, we count down the top 10.

Anthony Talliopoulos
zerohanger.com
February 5, 2023

1. Gary Ablett    695 points
2. Chris Judd     657

3. Dustin Martin - 611 points

Dustin Martin is probably the most suited player to the scoring system out of everyone else due to the numerous accolades he has collected, despite being less consistent than many on this list.

His accolades are ones to dream of, collecting three Norm Smith Medals, one Brownlow Medal, two Best and Fairest awards and four All-Australian blazers.

His peak is probably just about better than anyone's on this list, however, his prime never went for as long as many others, meaning he falls back to number three.

The most special thing about Martin though is that he can impact a game like no other, whether it be in the middle or up forward.

The perfect example demonstrating his impact is the 2020 Grand Final, where he dominated the second half, picking the Tigers up from the jaws of defeat to illation.

4. Patrick Dangerfield  550 points
5. Buddy Franklin        494
6. Nat Fyfe                 420
7. Scott Pendlebury     415
8. Dane Swan             410
9. Sam Mitchell           397
10. Lachie Neale         387

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The Greatest Of All Time debate is one of the most fierce and touchy discussions one could possibly have when it comes to football.

Throughout the history of Aussie Rules football, there have been some absolutely fantastic players.

However, when it comes to comparing them, it can be extremely difficult to go across eras and decide on the greatest player of all time.

Hence, for the sake of this piece, we will only be looking at players drafted this century.

Since football is such a subjective sport, people's hearts can get in the way of their heads when it comes to ranking different players.

In order to use the most objective measure possible and remove such bias, we have created a ranking system to determine the top 10 players drafted this century.

To be clear, the only bit of opinion in this piece is the point allocation itself, which isn't perfect rather than the actual rankings themselves.

With all that being said, let's take a look at the top 10 players drafted since 2000 according to the ranking system which is outlined below.

Ranking System:
Games (50=5 points, 100=10, 150=15, 200=20, 250=25, 300=30, 350=35)
Best and Fairest (20)
Coleman Medal (40)
All-Australian (30)
Brownlow Medal (100 for 1st, 50 for 2nd and 25 for 3rd)
Norm Smith (100)

https://www.zerohanger.com/ranking-the-10-greatest-afl-players-drafted-this-century-131803/9/

[Gracie]

So another Norm Smith takes him to the top

[lamington]

Or a Brownlow? Take your pick!

[georgies31]

Ablett didn't have the class Dusty had or goal kicking abilities.

[camboon]

Ablett Was freakish though, like Dusty a match winner and genuine toughness , would have traded Kevin and Geoff for Gary😄

[Go Richo 12]

Or a Brownlow? Take your pick!

I’ll take the Normie

[Damo]

Ablett didn't have the class Dusty had or goal kicking abilities.

Didn’t have the class ?

stuff me

GAJ at his best was as classy as they come

We all love Dusty and wouldn’t swap him for anyone , but lose the rose coloured glasses

You must not have watched GAJ at his best

Classiest player (NOT THE BEST), that I’ve ever seen

[georgies31]

Ablett didn't have the class Dusty had or goal kicking abilities.

Didn’t have the class ?

stuff me

GAJ at his best was as classy as they come

We all love Dusty and wouldn’t swap him for anyone , but lose the rose coloured glasses

You must not have watched GAJ at his best

Classiest player (NOT THE BEST), that I’ve ever seen

I have watched Ablett not saying he wasn't class , but I never seen him do what Dusty did to the cats in the GF tore them apart signal handler. At the sun's he wasn't great either stood out because they had an ordinary side.


Edited to correct quote

[Andyy]

Ablett didn't have the class Dusty had or goal kicking abilities.

I thought he was a freakish goal kicker myself.

Less finals impact, more H&A impact, same as Judd.

I'll take my Dusty thank you.

[Damo]

Ablett didn't have the class Dusty had or goal kicking abilities.

I thought he was a freakish goal kicker myself.

Less finals impact, more H&A impact, same as Judd.

I'll take my Dusty thank you.

Everyone has less finals impact 
Dusty is a finals legend , loved it when Leigh Matthews said Dusty is the only comparison that doesn’t insult him

But GAJ was super classy, in his prime it was freakish the things he could do .. I think you said it correctly above

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Agree above

[camboon]

Nearly beat Hawthorne on his own in one Grand Final, both are/were superstars