Top AFL Players of All Time

Is it possible to get enough of the Australian Football League? Absolutely not! Aside from the exhilarating showdowns, the league has a rich history and many remarkable players that add to the draw of Aussie Rules. If you’re invested in the game, then you’ve got to be invested in the players, too. 

So, let’s pay homage to some of the greatest AFL players of all time who dedicated their lives to striving for excellence and entertainment and consequently became legends in the process. Here are the top 7 legendary players in AFL history. 

What it takes to become the best AFL player

Being an AFL player is more than fitness and skills; it takes dedication and passion to make it to the big leagues. AFL players will begin their journey at a young age, and generally, the first step of committing to the art of footie is joining their local clubs, where they’ll hone their technique, skills and fitness. Here is often where scouts will go to draft new players. 

In the AFL, it’s no longer just about having fun, but players’ love for the game will be tested through hard training regimes. They will be tested to the best of their abilities, and only the best will go on to experience AFL glory. The players who continue to play the game professionally show phenomenal perseverance and strength, both physically and mentally, as the game requires players to be quick on their feet and be able to make quick decisions under pressure. 

But the best AFL athletes are just as spectacular off the field as they are on the field. The legends of AFL have captured fans’ hearts by engaging in the community, inspiring young fans and giving back to society. Why? A great sportsman realises the importance of backing loyal fans. The cheering of the crowds in the stadiums is electric and is a major contributor to how they perform on the field. If you’ve won the crowd, you may as well have won the game, as you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make them proud. They also realise that through their victories, they can inspire others to be strategic, take chances and persevere even in times of adversity. 

The Legends of the AFL

The best of the best AFL stars all encompass the skills and characteristics mentioned above. Now, let’s take a look at some of the Legends of the AFL. 

Leigh Matthews

What made Leigh Matthews an AFL star in his own right was his absolutely ruthless pursuit of the ball and opposing players, regardless of the toll it took on his body. He won the hearts of VFL fans and was known as ‘Lethal’ Leigh and “Faithful” to the Hawks and Barney to his mates. He was officially inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1994 for his tenacious approach to the game.

Gary Ablett Jr.

Granted, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and he got his start playing for the Geelong Football Club thanks to the father-son rule, you know, with his dad being Gary Ablett Sr. and all, but Gary Ablett Jnr is what most refer to as a magician and a force of nature for his ability to create situations out of nowhere. He was the perfect combination of speed, strength and skill, but what really set him apart from the rest was his ability to play a plethora of positions. Place him as a wingman, full-forward, half-forward or centreman, and he was a force that every opposition feared.  

Ted Whitten

Known for his prodigious kick, unequalled ground and hand skills, and the invention of the “flight pass,” Ted Whitten was officially recognised by being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 but was winning hearts long before that. You don’t receive the title of being the greatest naturally talented player of an era for nothing, but this was credited to Ted for extraordinary kicking skills with both feet and ability to play any position on the field.

Jason Dunstall

If there ever was a player you could count on to push back against opponents and be an extraordinary mark, it was Jason Dunstall. A three-time winner of the Coleman Medallist and owner of the third-most goals in VFL/AFL history, he was finally recognised as the 32nd recognised legend in AFL history as of June 2024. 

Gary Ablett Sr.

When fans think of the most consistent and dependable player and the best kicker in AFL, it’s hard not to think of Gary Ablett Sr. His kicking range was incredible, whether he was using the left or the right foot – his kick against Hawthorn that travelled about 80 metres can attest to this. If that weren’t enough, he had near-perfect judgement and astonishing speed, and his 1993 season solidified his legendary status. 

Final Thoughts

These are the AFL players who paved the way for many more brilliant athletes to come through, and we’re sure there was many a bet placed on each of them during their prime. Now, we look to the future of AFL, but we should always remember the greats. Anyone wanting the latest tipping information on the AFL can visit sites like Ladbrokes.