AFL Team of the Century

AFL Team of the Century
source
Team	AFL Team of the Century
League	Australian Football League
Established	1996

AFL Team of the Century is a team composed of the greatest Australian Football League players of the 20th century, selected by the Australian Football League in 1996. The team was chosen by a panel of experts, including Kevin Bartlett, Royce Hart, and Leigh Matthews, who considered players from the Victorian Football League and other state leagues, such as the South Australian National Football League and the West Australian Football League. The selection process was rigorous, with the panel evaluating players from different eras, including John Coleman, Ted Whitten, and Ron Evans. The team's selection was also influenced by the opinions of Jock McHale, Phonse Kyne, and other Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees.

Introduction

The AFL Team of the Century was announced in 1996 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the team consisting of 18 players, including Wayne Carey, Gary Dempsey, and James Hird. The team's selection was based on the players' performances in the Victorian Football League, as well as their achievements in interstate matches and Australian Football League games. The team's coach was Ron Evans, who led the Geelong Football Club to several VFL Grand Final appearances, including the 1951 VFL Grand Final and the 1952 VFL Grand Final. Other notable coaches, such as Tom Hafey and Allan Jeans, also had an impact on the team's selection.

Selection Process

The selection process for the AFL Team of the Century was rigorous and involved a panel of experts, including Kevin Bartlett, Royce Hart, and Leigh Matthews. The panel considered players from different eras, including John Coleman, Ted Whitten, and Ron Evans, and evaluated their performances in the Victorian Football League and other state leagues, such as the South Australian National Football League and the West Australian Football League. The panel also consulted with other experts, including Jock McHale, Phonse Kyne, and other Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees, such as Haydn Bunton Sr. and Gordon Coventry. The selection process was influenced by the opinions of Norm Smith, John Kennedy Sr., and other notable coaches, who had experience coaching teams in the VFL and other state leagues.

Team Members

The AFL Team of the Century consists of 18 players, including Wayne Carey, Gary Dempsey, and James Hird. Other notable players in the team include Leigh Matthews, Kevin Bartlett, and Royce Hart, who all had successful careers in the Victorian Football League and the Australian Football League. The team's ruckmen, including Simon Madden and John Schultz, were selected for their dominance in the ruck contests, while the team's forwards, including John Coleman and Peter McKenna, were chosen for their goal-kicking ability. The team's defense, including Ted Whitten and Francis Bourke, was selected for their ability to read the game and make crucial intercepts. Other notable players, such as Ian Stewart, Dick Reynolds, and Haydn Bunton Sr., were also included in the team.

Controversies and Debates

The selection of the AFL Team of the Century was not without controversy, with some players and coaches disagreeing with the panel's decisions. Ron Bulpitt, a former Carlton Football Club player, was one of the notable omissions from the team, despite his impressive career in the Victorian Football League. Other players, such as John Rantall and Des Tuddenham, also felt that they had been overlooked for selection. The team's coach, Ron Evans, was also criticized for his role in the selection process, with some arguing that he had too much influence over the panel's decisions. Despite these controversies, the AFL Team of the Century remains one of the most respected and revered teams in Australian Football League history, with many of its members, including Wayne Carey and Leigh Matthews, going on to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Legacy and Impact

The AFL Team of the Century has had a significant impact on the Australian Football League, with many of its members going on to become coaches, administrators, and media personalities. The team's selection has also influenced the way that teams are selected and coached in the Australian Football League, with many coaches and selectors using the team as a model for their own teams. The team's legacy can also be seen in the Australian Football Hall of Fame, which was established in 1996 to recognize the contributions of players, coaches, and administrators to the sport. Many members of the AFL Team of the Century, including Wayne Carey, Leigh Matthews, and Kevin Bartlett, have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, and the team's selection has helped to raise the profile of the sport and its history.

Historical Context

The AFL Team of the Century was selected in 1996, a time of significant change and growth for the Australian Football League. The league had recently expanded to include teams from Western Australia and South Australia, and the sport was experiencing a surge in popularity, thanks in part to the success of teams like the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows. The selection of the AFL Team of the Century was seen as a way to celebrate the sport's rich history and to recognize the contributions of players, coaches, and administrators from different eras. The team's selection was also influenced by the Australian Football League's desire to promote the sport and to attract new fans, and the team has since become an important part of the league's marketing and promotional efforts, with many of its members, including Wayne Carey and Leigh Matthews, appearing in promotional materials and events. The team's legacy can also be seen in the Australian Football League's Indigenous Team of the Century, which was selected in 2005 to recognize the contributions of Indigenous Australian players to the sport.