Humour me for a moment.
Yesterday, I heard a conversation about superstars in the competition, and how the word is used far too liberally when applied to current players. Initially, I thought it was just another one of those “this was better in my day” arguments, but the person arguing the point that there were no longer many true superstars asked something of his counterpart.
He asked them to name 15 superstars in the competition.
It proved to be an interesting exercise. I sat back, pretended to look at my phone, sipped at my coffee, and listened… like the creepy, lurking, intrusive man that I am. What’s that, you leave your blinds a little bit open in the evening? I’ll be over later on…
Anyway, once the other party got to around seven or eight players, the well seemed to dry up. I’ll get to the names he listed in a little bit, but after the first couple rolled off his tongue, that tongue quickly retreated to the inside of his mouth.
Bont, Cripps, Jezzaa Cameron, Dangerfield, Gawn, Daicos… those ones trotted out quickly. And then… things slowed dramatically.
In response, the older gentleman opposite him picked the year 2000 as a point to jump back to. Maybe he had this season planned to illustrate his point. Maybe he didn’t. But that’s where he landed.
Immediately, he punched in details to his phone and rattled off the following names.
Matthew Lloyd, James Hird, Michael Voss, Andrew McLeod, Darren Jarman, Anthony Koutoufides, Stephen Silvagni, Nathan Buckley, Paul Salmon, Shane Crawford, Gavin Wanganeen, Matthew Richardson, Stewart Loewe, Rob Harvey, Paul Kelly, Wayne Schwass, Ben Cousins, Glen Jakovich, Peter Matera, Luke Darcy, Brad Johnson, and Scott West
Yeah, I had to go back and look up those names to get them all, but he had them firing off like he was wielding a machine gun.
He followed that by making the point he had not even added players like Jonathon Brown, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Pavlich, Adam Goodes, Dean Cox, or Matthew Scarlett to the mix, as they were too young to be considered a superstar at the time.
He then also added there were very good players, such as Gavin Brown, Michael Long, Dustin Fletcher, Corey McKernan, Brett Kirk, who would have also pushed for being labelled a superstar, but he was leaving them out because he didn’t think they were..
It kind of stopped my train of thought, like it was being held up by the Van Der Lynne gang.
Actually, kind of better than that, as the train actually came to a halt.
Was it that lopsided between then and now?
It started me thinking about the current crop of players and whether they’re able to hang with the greats, however, this is such a loaded topic. There are variables everywhere.
Initially, it is important to recognise that when we’re thinking of the players that were around in 2000, we’re thinking about them in terms of complete careers. When we think of Michael Voss, we’re thinking of the triple premiership captain, but in 2000, he wasn’t there yet. He was a good player on a team on the rise.
That is good to be mindful of when we look at comparisons to those playing now. Is he just Caleb Serong in a different period?
Not the best comparison, but I am sure you get the cut of my jizz… errr, I mean jib.
So, with that in mind, I decided to look at careers to date and list the players most likely to be labelled, justifiably, as a superstar in the modern game, and how they compare with those who have come before.
Are they being elevated to that level too quickly?
For now, I am calling it Club 15
In order to gain admittance to Club 15, you have to have a track record of performing. As it stands right now, putting together a nice few games is not enough to earn you a berth. And you know what that means?
It means Sam Darcy doesn’t get a look in. Not yet. He has had a handful of good games and is already being crowned as something we’ve never seen before.
We have seen it. His name was (and still is, funnily enough) Paul Salmon, and he was like a ramped up version of Darcy in 1984. Those who are saying we’ve never seen anything like him need to open their eyes a little wider and jog the memory banks – some of them are older than I am!
So, how do we judge who gets in as a superstar?
It cannot be based on one great season. That’s cheap. It’s what Brownlows are for… right, Shane Woewodin?
How many great seasons, then?
Three? Is that fair?
Consistently good or great for three years before you can be considered, and then that body of work holds you in good stead to maintain your position? That way, it is much harder to be knocked off the perch in Club 15 than it is to push your way in. Getting in is the tough part.
The other factor is the cult of personality. Like it or not, a player who plays on the edge and lives on the edge draws headlines. If Jack Ginnivan was not a bit out there, would he have a high profile? If Bailey Smith was not a bit of a loose… guy, would he? It cannot be discounted because the league, despite the best efforts of some, is still a personality-driven form of entertainment. Yes, we cheer for the club colours, but it is the players that make it special. They still put bums on seats.
Even though his 2024 was ordinary, Dustin Martin would have resided in Club 15 until he retired due to how many years of greatness he compiled. How many others will now get the nod?
Let’s find out.
NOTE 1 – Given news has come to hand as I am writing this, Jeremy McGovern was a part of this list. I have removed him as he is now officially retired, so before West Coast fans lynch me, I wanted to point out that I did have him in the group, but now, it seems like it would be a moot point having him in.
Go well, Gov.
NOTE 2 – I know this is very subjective and people will have differing opinions on what makes a sperstar, and who fits into that category. This is more the conversation starter. Let’s see how it goes.
CLUB 15 – 2025
JEREMY CAMERON
Outside of Lance Franklin, the best forward of the last 20 years, and still leading the Coleman at this stage of his career.
Looks laconic, but moves like a panther and is as dangerous as they come anywhere where he can wheel onto that left foot and go… bang.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY
The all-time record holder for disposals is going to break more records before all is said and done. A monster.
MAX GAWN
The epitome of the modern superstar. A joy to watch, dominant both offensively and defensively, and a premiership captain. Big Max is the best ruck in the game, and whilst there are others that are good in the role, none are superstars.
Max is.
JORDAN DAWSON
Would you have picked this when he was alternating between wing and half-back at Sydney?
I would not have. His overhead ability, powerful kicking, and the way he imposes himself on a game are all superstar qualities, and whilst I think he will be surpassed in terms of popularity (Rankine, Thilthorpe), he is the steak behind the sizzle of the Crows.
CALEB SERONG
Some may argue that Andrew Brayshaw is just as deserving. I hear you, but Serong just seems to have the knack of being able to step up in the moment and kill off an opponent.
He is a relentless force at Freo, and whilst he may not be the biggest name in the league, I don’t think it will be long before he starts to rack up awards that will make his claim as the best mid in the game a very strong one.
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI
The Brownlow Bridesmaid has not been shunned by his peers or the coaches, picking up three each of the MVP and Coaches’ association player of the year awards. Brilliant with the ball in hand, and a game breaker when close to goal, Bont has been one of the top handful of players in the game for a few years now.
PATRICK CRIPPS
Taken in the same draft as Bont, Cripps has only a premiership medal missing from his trophy case. A warrior who put the Blues on his back when they were down and helped elevate them back to respectability, he is the heart and soul of that club, and has had moments where his presence has been the difference between winning and losing.
ZACH MERRETT
The standard by which all others are assessed at Essendon. At one point, he was removed from the leadership group because he asked too much of the team. Amazing…
I doubt he will see a flag in his time at the Bombers, but there has barely been a more consistently brilliant midfielder over the last six or seven years.
NICK DAICOS
The youngest of Club 15, he has taken the footy world by storm. Now in year four, he backed up the rookie year hype with consistent brilliance over the next three seasons. Many believe he is the best player in the game, and he has the aura of a superstar about him
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA
He may not be having the impact he once did, but he remains one of the best mid/forward options in the game.
LACHIE NEALE
Two Brownlow Medals and a premiership as captain, Neale has flourished after making his move to Brisbane. Not that he was a slouch at Fremantle, but at Brisbane, he stepped out of the shadow of Nat Fyfe and made this team his own.
HARRIS ANDREWS
The best big defender of his generation, Andrews was the man the Magpies targeted in the Grand Final, such was his influence. Leads the league in one-percenters in 2025, and is fourth in intercepts. He is the Lion atop the hill, and whilst those climbing might look to knock him off, saying it and doing it are two very different things.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD
Slowing down now, but his body of work is exceptional. Still attacks the footy like a madman and has given the Cats another forward fifty target as he notched game 350. A genuine superstar of the game, irrespective of era.
TOBY GREENE
The greatest player the Giants have produced. A powder keg, a heat magnet, a dark wizard with the footy in his hands. You either love him or hate, but your eye is always drawn to him.
THE LAST SPOT
I’m split, guys. I don’t know who to name. Usually I am not so indecisive, but in this case, I am.
Charlie Curnow is a dual Coleman Medallist, and Tom Stewart is a five-time All-Australian and for a brief while, was flirting with being the best player in the game. Some will scoff at that – they were not paying attention a couple of seasons back. And then there is Nat Fyfe… another with a couple of Brownlows up his sleeve, or around his neck. Who knows where he keeps them?!?! Is he the final member of the club this season, based on his runs on the board?
And so, I’ll leave it up to you to split them. Who deserves Gov’s spot in Club 15?
WHO’S ELSE IS BANGING ON THE DOOR?
ISAAC HEENEY
Made the leap in 2024, didn’t he? Started to fulfil the potential he demonstrated for a long while, but needs another top-flight season at the top level.
ZAK BUTTERS
Love the bloke, and my fellow mongrel, Matt Oman is probably having an aneurysm at the thought of him not making the cut, but he is in the mix with players like Andy Brayshaw and Noah Anderson. Love his courage, but this is year three of his peak. Come back and see me this time next year.
LUKE JACKSON
A year away, I reckon. He is displaying the type of form that is impossible to ignore, and he does things a ruck simply shouldn’t be able to do, but longevity will be the key.
BAILEY SMITH
An interesting one. A massive finals series in 2021, a big year in 2022, then a drop off for two years (a knee reconstruction will do that), before bouncing back with a vengeance in 2025. He is a superstar in ever sense of the word except one – he has little in the way of footy accolades to show for it, does he? And to me, they’re the most important.
SAM DARCY
Yeah, he is not there yet. Maybe by the end of the 2026, he’ll be kicking his way through the door, but a handful of relatively big games… you’ve gotta do a bit more than that.
Okay, looking forward to your arguments and, as always, insulting responses. I really dig the latter… makes me feel good about myself. I particularly like it when it comes from those who mention mental health in other posts. Way to go, fellas.
Remembering, of course, that it is a completely subjective list and if yours is different, it’s no big deal. I just don’t think we have as many bonafide superstars as we once did.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee – I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won’t use it to buy a doughnut… I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes… or Bet365, or any of them.
