Sydney Swans best team since 2000: Lachlan McKirdy names his side from the past 25 years

Sydney has been one of the AFL’s most dominant teams this century, powered by a host of the league’s biggest stars. See who made the cut in Lachlan McKirdy’s best side since 2000.

Since the turn of the century, the Sydney Swans have been one of the most dominant teams in the AFL.

In 25 seasons, they have won two premierships, appeared in another five grand finals and have a finals record the envy of most other teams.

It also means choosing the best team of the past 25 years is an incredibly hard endeavour.

The backline begins with some of the Swans’ most famous names. Leo Barry, famed for that mark in 2005, is one of the first names in thanks to his fullback exploits. He was also a two-time All-Australian and regarded as one of their greatest defenders.

He is joined by Nick Smith and Craig Bolton – two metronomic performers for the Swans integral to their premiership success.

The halfback line is filled with talent, as former captain and All-Australian Dane Rampe starts on one flank, while Nick Malceski is on the other. Heath Grundy commands the centre of that line, narrowly beating out Ted Richards for the position.

Plenty of heroes from Sydney’s 2012 premiership made the team of the century. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Swans’ midfield is a smorgasbord of talent, including Jarrad McVeigh, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Brett Kirk and Jude Bolton. Perhaps controversially, Adam Goodes has been named in the ruck, but given he won a Brownlow Medal there in 2003, it’s the best way to fit as many superstars as possible in the team.

In those six names combined, there are two Brownlow Medals, 10 All-Australian selections and 11 Bob Skilton Medals.

The forward line is full of goalscoring enigmas, spearheaded by Buddy Franklin and Barry Hall down the middle.

Big, Bad, Bustling Barry Hall and Lance Franklin would have been a fearsome forward combination.

Club legends Luke Parker and Norm Smith Medallist Ryan O’Keefe sit on the half-forward flanks, while Michael O’Loughlin and Isaac Heeney command the pockets.

As a result, the interchange then became one of the hardest selection decisions given the array of talent left waiting in the wings. Dan Hannebery gets a spot for his work throughout the 2010s, while two-time club champion Jake Lloyd also grabs a chair.

Two of their current stars — Tom Papley and Errol Gulden — are both recognised in the team. The pair both have dual All-Australian selections, while Gulden has become one of the club’s best-ever wingers and a Club Champion after only four seasons in the AFL.

The bench is rounded out by Paul Williams who won two Bob Skilton Medals after joining from Collingwood in 2001.

Recently retired John Longmire understandably takes the reigns as longest-serving, and arguably most successful, coach in the club’s history.

All-Australian or not, there was no room for Chad Warner.

Several players narrowly missed out on selection in the team. Two of the club’s key captains, the inspirational Stuart Maxfield and current skipper Callum Mills, just found themselves outside the team. And despite his two All-Australian blazers, Chad Warner can’t quite find his way into the midfield.

Two of the club’s favourite sons, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Tadhg Kennelly, also went close to selection. ‘LRT’ is a cult hero for his grand final performances and could have easily had a Norm Smith Medal to his name. Unfortunately, he just misses out here as well.

Originally published as Sydney Swans best team since 2000: Lachlan McKirdy names his side from the past 25 years