Gavin Wanganeen
That’s where he won a Brownlow medal, in the back pocket, but he played a variety of roles. A fantastic rebounding defender who would set up a huge amount of play from his role and would also do a job on a dangerous small forward.
Stephen Silvagni
Almost picked himself, given that he was in the team of the century at full-back, would always play on the dangerous and key forwards and do a sterling job.
Ben Hart
Probably underrated slightly by some people. Played over 300 games for the Crows and could play on a variety of players, both tall and small and created a huge amount of rebound as well.
HALF-BACKS
Glenn Archer
One of those players you would love to play with. Uncompromising and a great zoning off player, he was able to read the play so well off half-back and go ‘third man up’, as the term goes.
Glen Jakovich
Had so many great battles with Wayne Carey at centre half-forward. Very, very important in the Eagles’ premiership sides in ’92 and ’94. I think he’s the Eagles games record holder so durability-wise he was a fantastic player as well.
Andrew McLeod
Such a creative player, he could turn a game in a matter of minutes across half-back, on the ball or across half-forward. Won two Norm Smith Medals as a half-back flank player. Growing up in Adelaide, he was very much in the forefront of my mind.
CENTRES
Craig Bradley
Played a huge amount of football – probably over 500 senior games if you added up everything. Fantastic player in the midfield and someone who could run all day, he was almost a no-brainer to select on the wing.
Mark Ricciuto
A fantastic player, obviously a Brownlow Medallist and a premiership player, won Adelaide’s best and fairest a couple of times as well. Uncompromising in the middle with his ability to win the hard ball and dish it out to his teammates.
Peter Matera
Unbelievable wingman and that was his role for many years at the West Coast Eagles before he started playing a little bit on the half-back line. Kicking five goals in that grand final against Geelong (in 1992, to win the Norm Smith medal) was very memorable.
HALF-FORWARDS
Anthony Koutoufides
Obviously a standout player for such a long time in the ‘90s and early 2000s. He was a midfielder as well but played some of his best football as a roaming half-forward.
Wayne Carey
There’s no doubt he had to be at centre half-forward. If you’re picking a team for the 1990s, he’s the dominant centre half-forward, there’s no question of that.
James Hird
On the half-forward flank for his uncanny ability to win the ball and to put himself in the right position to win the game for his team. Again, a no-brainer for me.
FORWARDS
Darren Jarman
Someone who had unique skill and ability to use his body in a forward pocket, but also on the ball as a midfielder he was second to none. His skill and ability to kick a goal from nowhere was uncanny.
Tony Lockett
A bit like Silvagni at the other end, almost picks himself for being the leading goalkicker of all time and being such a dominant force in the ‘90s.
Gary Ablett Sr
Freakish abilities. Many people say he was the most gifted and most talented player to ever play the game and again, almost a no-brainer to have him in the starting 18.
FOLLOWERS
Shaun Rehn
Before he did his knee a couple of times – even after he did his knee – he was an outstanding ruckman. Beforehand he was a special talent and someone who could turn the game with his rucking ability. Also around the ground he was very athletic and was able to play that role very well for the Crows.
Michael Voss
One of the fantastic players in the ‘90s and 2000s in the Brisbane era, obviously captaining the side to three premierships. Not much more needs to be said about him.
Robert Harvey
Two-time Brownlow Medallist, a fantastic ability to keep running and trying his all for the Saints. He was always going to be first rover.
INTERCHANGE
Stephen Kernahan
Captained the most games for Carlton – was captain at a really young age when he came over from Adelaide. I was trying pretty hard to get him into the starting 18.
Peter Bell
I’ve got tremendous respect for Belly, who I played with. Played in two premierships at North Melbourne and came back to captain Fremantle to a preliminary final and won All-Australian twice and best-and-fairest both with the Kangaroos and Fremantle. One player I truly respect.
Nathan Buckley
Seven-time All-Australian and won the Copeland Medal plenty of times. Was a standout player for Collingwood over many years. Norm Smith Medallist, Brownlow Medallist. His resume reads pretty strong.
Andrew McKay
I needed another defender in my team on the bench. Similar to Archer, Andrew McKay was able to zone off and cut off some leads as third man up. He read the play very well and would constantly repel opposition attacks while playing for Carlton across there.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
