The Australian Football League (AFL) is the highest level of professional Australian rules football in the world. It has a rich history that dates back to 1897, when it was known as the Victorian Football League (VFL). Over the years, the AFL has produced some of the greatest players ever to grace the game, who have left their mark on the sport with their statistics, achievements, and skills. In this article, we will rank the top 10 best AFL players of all time, based on their individual and team success, longevity, impact, and legacy.
10. Kevin Bartlett
Kevin Bartlett is a legend of the Richmond Football Club, where he played 403 games from 1965 to 1983, a record that stood until 2019. He was a versatile and prolific player, who could play as a rover, forward, or wingman. He won five premierships with the Tigers, and was the best on ground in the 1980 grand final, where he kicked seven goals. He also won the Brownlow Medal in 1980, and was the league’s leading goalkicker in 1974 and 1977. He kicked a total of 778 goals in his career, the sixth-most in AFL history. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Richmond Team of the Century, and the Indigenous Team of the Century. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and elevated to legend status in 2000.
9. Graham “Polly” Farmer
Graham Farmer, nicknamed “Polly” after the Australian cricketer Jack Pollard, was a pioneer of the handball and one of the most influential ruckmen in the history of the game. He played 101 games for Geelong from 1962 to 1967, after a successful career in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). He won three Sandover Medals in the WAFL, and one Brownlow Medal in the VFL. He was a key member of Geelong’s 1963 premiership team, and also captained the club in 1965 and 1966. He was renowned for his athleticism, agility, and vision, and his ability to deliver pinpoint handballs to his teammates. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Geelong Team of the Century, and the Indigenous Team of the Century. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and elevated to legend status in 1998.
8. Dick Reynolds
Dick Reynolds is widely regarded as the greatest player ever to play for the Essendon Football Club, where he played 320 games from 1933 to 1951. He was a champion rover, who combined speed, skill, and courage. He won a record three Brownlow Medals, in 1934, 1937, and 1938, and was runner-up four times. He also captained and coached Essendon to four premierships, in 1942, 1946, 1949, and 1950. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Essendon Team of the Century, and the AFL Team of the 1940s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and elevated to legend status in 1997.
7. James Hird
James Hird is one of the most decorated players in the modern era of the AFL, who played 253 games for Essendon from 1992 to 2007. He was a versatile and classy player, who could play in the midfield, forward, or backline. He won two premierships with the Bombers, in 1993 and 2000, and was the best on ground in both grand finals. He also won the Brownlow Medal in 1996, and the Norm Smith Medal in 2000. He was a five-time All-Australian, a four-time Essendon best and fairest, and the Essendon captain from 1998 to 2005. He was named in the Essendon Team of the Century, and the AFL Team of the 2000s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
6. Chris Judd
Chris Judd is one of the most dominant midfielders of the 21st century, who played 279 games for West Coast and Carlton from 2002 to 2015. He was a powerful and explosive player, who could win the ball in the contest, break away from the pack, and kick goals. He won two Brownlow Medals, in 2004 and 2010, and was the first player to win the award with two different clubs. He also won two premierships with West Coast, in 2006 and 2018, and was the best on ground in the 2006 grand final. He was a six-time All-Australian, a four-time club best and fairest, and the captain of both West Coast and Carlton. He was named in the West Coast Team of the Decade, and the AFL Team of the 2000s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
5. Ted Whitten
Ted Whitten is a legend of the Western Bulldogs, formerly known as Footscray, where he played 321 games from 1951 to 1970. He was a versatile and charismatic player, who could play in any position on the ground. He won five club best and fairest awards, and was the club captain from 1957 to 1970. He led the Bulldogs to their first and only premiership in 1954, and was the best on ground in the grand final. He also represented Victoria 29 times, and was the captain-coach of the state team for seven years. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Western Bulldogs Team of the Century, and the AFL Team of the 1950s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and elevated to legend status in 1996.
4. Michael Voss
Michael Voss is a legend of the Brisbane Lions, where he played 289 games from 1992 to 2006. He was a tough and inspirational midfielder, who led by example with his courage, work ethic, and skill. He won three premierships with the Lions, in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and was the co-captain of the team from 1997 to 2006. He also won the Brownlow Medal in 1996, and was a five-time All-Australian, a five-time club best and fairest, and the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player in 2002 and 2003. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Brisbane Lions Team of the Decade, and the AFL Team of the 2000s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
3. Gary Ablett Sr.
Gary Ablett Sr., also known as “God”, is widely regarded as the greatest forward of all time, and one of the most exciting and spectacular players ever to play the game. He played 248 games for Hawthorn and Geelong from 1982 to 1996, and kicked 1031 goals, the fourth-most in AFL history. He was a freakish and unpredictable player, who could kick goals from anywhere and take amazing marks. He won the Coleman Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker four times, in 1984, 1985, 1993, and 1995. He also won the Norm Smith Medal as the best on ground in the 1989 grand final, where he kicked nine goals in a losing effort. He was a seven-time All-Australian, a four-time Geelong best and fairest, and the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player in 1993. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Geelong Team of the Century, and the AFL Team of the 1980s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2005, and elevated to legend status in 2012.
2. Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey, also known as “The King”, is widely regarded as the greatest player of the 1990s, and one of the most dominant and influential players of all time. He played 272 games for North Melbourne and Adelaide from 1989 to 2004, and kicked 727 goals. He was a powerful and skillful key forward, who could take strong marks, kick long goals, and create opportunities for his teammates. He won two premierships with North Melbourne, in 1996 and 1999, and was the best on ground in the 1996 grand final. He also won the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player four times, in 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000, a record he shares with Gary Ablett Jr. He was a seven-time All-Australian, a four-time North Melbourne best and fairest, and the North Melbourne captain from 1993 to 2001. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the North Melbourne Team of the Century, and the AFL Team of the 1990s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
1. Leigh Matthews
Leigh Matthews, also known as “Lethal”, is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, and one of the most complete and versatile players ever to play the game. He played 332 games for Hawthorn from 1969 to 1985, and kicked 915 goals, the seventh-most in AFL history. He was a brilliant and ruthless player, who could play as a rover, forward, or defender. He won four premierships with the Hawks, in 1971, 1976, 1978, and 1983, and was the best on ground in the 1971 and 1983 grand finals. He also won the Brownlow Medal in 1982, and was the league’s leading goalkicker in 1975. He was an eight-time All-Australian, an eight-time Hawthorn best and fairest, and the Hawthorn captain from 1981 to 1985. He was named in the AFL Team of the Century, the Hawthorn Team of the Century, and the AFL Team of the 1970s and 1980s. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and elevated to legend status in 1996.
