Who is the Best AFL Player Ever?

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 27 May 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The Best AFL Player Ever

• Best Aussie Rules Player
• How We Rank the Best AFL Player Of All Time
• Wayne Carey: The King’s Legacy
• Gary Ablett: Father and Son Duo
• Chris Judd: Midfield Maestro
• James Hird: Bombers’ Brilliant Captain
• Tony Lockett: Legendary Goal Kicker

Who is the best AFL player of all time? Well, the Australian Football League has witnessed countless exceptional players who have left an undeniable mark on the sport. In this blog, we look at who the best AFL player ever was, with a focus primarily on the modern era.

Of course, not everyone will agree with the names we’ve included here – but, we’re confident most will find themselves nodding along in agreement with the AFL players we’ve included. Feel free to let us know if there are any names you think we’ve missed out!

Best Aussie Rules Player

When determining the best Aussie rules player, it’s worth pointing out that this is a subjective topic. Throughout this blog, we will explore the careers of some of the most outstanding AFL players, examining their achievements, style of play, and how their gameplay impacted the game.

Remember, if you want to bet on Aussie Rules football, you’ll find numerous recommended sports betting sites right here on our website, all of which have been hand-picked by our team of betting experts.

How We Rank the Best AFL Player of All Time

Ranking the best AFL player of all time is a complex task that requires us to consider multiple factors. We look at all these factors to answer the question of who the best AFL player ever is.

Firstly, we consider the player’s awards, such as Brownlow Medals, MVP awards, and All-Australian selections, as these recognize consistently high-performance levels.

Secondly, we examine the player’s role in their team’s success, including Premierships won, finals appearances, and contributions during crucial moments.

Thirdly, we look at how long the player managed to play in the game and how well they maintained a high level of performance over an extended period – something that shows continued greatness in the game.

We also look at other factors like leadership abilities, what the best players do off the pitch, and more. So, without further ado, let’s get into it – and look at who we think the best Aussie rules player ever is.

Wayne Carey: The King’s Legacy

Wayne Carey, dubbed “The King” for his dominance on the field, is widely considered one of the greatest players in AFL history. His career, from 1989 to 2004, was marked by exceptional skill, leadership, and a fierce competitive spirit that put him well above the abilities of most other players.

Carey’s footballing journey began with the North Melbourne Football Club, where he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His aerial abilities, strength, and agility made him a nightmare for opposition defenders to play against, and his ability to read the current state of play was world-class.

Throughout his career, Carey accumulated an impressive array of awards, too. He won the Brownlow Medal, the league’s highest individual honor, in 1995 and 1998, cementing his status as one of the top players of his generation. Carey was also named the AFL’s Most Valuable Player four times, in 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999. He was also selected in the All-Australian team seven times.

One of Carey’s most remarkable qualities was his ability to perform under pressure. He consistently delivered his best football when the stakes were highest, earning him a reputation as a big-game player. His performances in finals and grand finals were seen as iconic, and are still widely talked about, despite him no longer playing in the game.

Carey’s influence on the game extended beyond his time at North Melbourne. In 2001, he made the highly publicized move to Adelaide, where he continued to showcase his exceptional skills. Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from North Melbourne, Carey’s skills remained world-class, and he played a key role in Adelaide’s success during his time with the club.

Gary Ablett: Father and Son Duo

The Ablett name is one of the most iconic in the AFL, and no discussion of the greatest players in the modern era would be complete without mentioning Gary Ablett Senior and Gary Ablett Junior. This father-son duo has left an incredible mark on the sport, their careers spanning multiple decades and leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire fans and fellow players today.

Gary Ablett Senior, known as “God”, had a career that spanned from 1984 to 1996. His football playing style was characterized by a level of skill and athleticism that was simply unmatched. Ablett Senior’s explosive speed, incredible aerial ability, and goal-scoring abilities made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the game’s history.

However, Gary Ablett Junior took things one step further – and his career, which began in 2002 and ended in 2020, is seen as one of the best in the sport’s history.

From the moment he stepped onto the field, Ablett Junior displayed a level of skill and game sense reminiscent of his famous father. His ability to win the ball in tight contests, weave through traffic, and deliver pinpoint passes to his teammates was simply breathtaking. But what set Ablett Junior apart was his work ethic and dedication to his sport. He was a true student of the game, constantly seeking ways to improve and refine his skills.

Throughout his career, Ablett Junior won two Brownlow Medals (2009 and 2013), was named the AFL’s Most Valuable Player five times (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013), and was selected in the All-Australian team eight times! He also played a key role in Geelong’s Premiership success, helping the club secure flags in 2007 and 2009.

Chris Judd: Midfield Maestro

Chris Judd is a name that resonates with AFL fans as one of the best midfielders to ever play the game. His career was nothing short of superb, marked by skillful plays, leadership, and a deep understanding of the game.

Starting his career with the West Coast Eagles, Judd quickly showed his potential. He had a unique combination of quick thinking, agility, and speed that set him apart. In 2004, his talent was officially recognized when he won the Brownlow Medal, the highest individual honor in AFL. This was just the beginning of a series of awards, including a second Brownlow Medal in 2010 with Carlton.

Judd’s move to Carlton in 2008 was a significant turning point. He took on the captaincy and led by example, inspiring his team with his work ethic and dedication. His impact was immediate, helping Carlton become a more competitive team pretty much from day one.

Off the field, Judd was known for his professionalism and commitment to the sport. He was a role model for young players, showing that success comes from hard work and determination. When he retired in 2015, Judd left behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come – and he’s easily the best player in AFL history for many fans.

James Hird: Bombers’ Brilliant Captain

James Hird is a name that resonates deeply in the hearts of AFL fans, particularly those of the Essendon Football Club. His journey in the AFL is one of immense talent, resilience, and controversy, making him one of the most intriguing figures in the sport’s history.

Hird’s playing career started when he joined Essendon in 1992. He quickly made his mark with his exceptional skills, his knowledge of the game, and his versatility on the pitch. He could change the course of a game single-handedly, whether through a well-placed kick or a solid mark. His leadership on the field was undeniable, and in 1996, he was awarded the Brownlow Medal, something you’ll notice is shared by almost all names in today’s blog.

Under Hird’s captaincy, Essendon reached new heights, leading up to the memorable 2000 season when the Bombers dominated the competition and won the Premiership. Hird’s performance that year, and throughout his career, earned him a place in the Essendon Team of the Century and the AFL Hall of Fame.

Off the field, Hird’s journey took a different turn when he became Essendon’s head coach. His career was marked by the infamous supplements scandal, which rocked the AFL world and led to his suspension from coaching. However, despite this controversy, Hird’s love for the game and Essendon never stopped – and he remains one of the game’s best. Here’s a look at some of his top achievements throughout the years:

Tony Lockett: Legendary Goal Kicker

Tony Lockett, often known as “Plugger,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards in the history of the AFL. His career, which spanned from 1983 to 2002, was characterized by an unparalleled ability to kick goals, a fierce competitive spirit, and a larger-than-life personality that made him highly likable to fans around Australia.

Lockett’s journey in the AFL began with the St Kilda, where he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His strength, athleticism, and uncanny ability to read the play made him a nightmare for opposition defenders, and he consistently racked up huge goal tallies for the Saints.

In 1987, just his fifth season in the league, Lockett won the Brownlow Medal, something that was a clear recognition of his incredible impact on the game and a sign of the greatness to come. Lockett would go on to win the Coleman Medal, awarded to the league’s leading goal kicker, on four occasions (1987, 1991, 1996, and 1998), solidifying his status as one of the game’s most feared and respected forwards.

But Lockett’s impact extended far beyond his goal-kicking abilities. He was a leader both on and off the field, a player who inspired his teammates to always give their best – and he also helped develop the culture of the AFL, not just at the club he played at, but in the league in general.

In 1995, Lockett made the high-profile move to the Sydney Swans, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s return to glory and helped to establish AFL as a major sport in New South Wales.

Interestingly, one of the things Lockett is best known for is how he revolutionized the role of the full-forward. His unique combination of size, strength, and athleticism set a new standard for what was possible in the position, and his influence can still be seen in the game today.

Lockett’s ability to take contested marks, outmuscle opponents, and kick goals from seemingly impossible angles was simply unparalleled. Lockett’s career ended in 2002, but his impact on the game will never be forgotten.

He retired as the greatest goal kicker in VFL/AFL history, with 1,360 goals to his name, a record that still stands today. In recognition of his incredible achievements, Lockett was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and was even awarded Legend Status in 2015.