The 30 best AFL players Matthew Lloyd has seen

Over the course of the 2025 season, Matthew Lloyd has unveiled his top 30 AFL players of his time in footy during the Sunday Footy Show.

That time spans Lloyd's 15 years as a player, and 15 years as an analyst since, dating back to 1995.

He is ranking them simply based on who he believes are the best 30 players he has seen, either playing against, with or covering through the media.

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Of course, it's just his opinion and the ranking of these players, and those who have not made the cut, will naturally be controversial.

You can watch Lloyd unveiling his entire top 30 across the season here

30. Darren Jarman (Hawthorn, Adelaide)

Games played: 347

Goals kicked: 597

Accolades: 3x premierships, 3x All-Australians, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "My best mate growing up was a Hawthorn supporter and I'd go and watch Hawthorn more than any other club and I fell in love with (Jarman) and the football that he played and how he delivered the ball to Jason Dunstall."

29. Eddie Betts (Carlton, Adelaide)

Games played: 350

Goals kicked: 640

Accolades: 6x leading goal kicker, 3x All-Australian, 4x Goal of the Year

Lloyd says: "Eddie was fantastic for Carlton. He was an equally wonderful player (for Adelaide). His highlights brought people through the gates. He brings a smile to your face."

28. Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs)

Games played: 364

Goals kicked: 558

Accolades: 6x All-Australian, 5x leading goal kicker, 3x best and fairest, Western Bulldogs captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "He should be regarded as one of the Bulldogs' greatest players of all-time. What he could do for someone of his size … he could do it all. Outstanding player."

27. Dustin Fletcher (Essendon)

Games played: 400

Goals kicked: 71

Accolades: 2x premiership player, 2x All-Australian, 1x best and fairest

Lloyd says: "What a player he was. One of the best blokes you'll ever meet in your life. In this era, they were the great key forwards of all time and he played on all of them week after week after week."

26. Jonathan Brown (Brisbane)

Games played: 256

Goals kicked: 594

Accolades: 3x premiership player, 3x All-Australian, 3x best and fairest, 5x leading goal kicker, Brisbane captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "One of the most courageous players the game has ever seen. He had no fear. One of the great people off the field as well. What a player he was for the Brisbane Lions."

25. Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon, Port Adelaide)

Games played: 327

Goals kicked: 250

Accolades: 1993 Brownlow Medallist, 2x premiership player, 5x All-Australian, 1x best and fairest, Port Adelaide captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "One of the youngest Brownlow Medal winners ever and one of the greats of Essendon and Port Adelaide."

24. Jason Akermanis (Brisbane, Western Bulldogs)

Games played: 325

Goals kicked: 421

Accolades: 2001 Brownlow Medallist, 3x premiership player, 4x All-Australian, 2x leading goal kicker, 2x best and fairest, 1x Goal of the Year, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "I think it's sad that sometimes people forget what a phenomenal player he was."

23. Matthew Richardson (Richmond)

Games played: 282

Goals kicked: 800

Accolades: 3x All-Australian, 13x Richmond leading goal kicker, 1x best and fairest, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "One of the great people in the game and one of the great players of the game. Thirteen time Richmond leading goal kicker. He burst onto the scene in 1993. What a talent he was straight away. As good a runner as you'll see for someone that tall."

22. Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide, Geelong)

Games played: 360*

Goals kicked: 365*

Accolades: 2016 Brownlow Medal, 1x premiership player, 8x All-Australian, 4x best and fairest, Geelong captain

Lloyd says: "Amazingly, we've got a current day player in there, it's Patrick Dangerfield. he's roaring towards 400 games."

21. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

Games played: 254*

Goals kicked: 249*

Accolades: 1x premiership, 7x All-Australian, 6x best and fairest, Western Bulldogs captain

Lloyd says: "Another current day superstar. Is he the greatest Dog that has ever played the game?"

20. Dean Cox (West Coast)

Games played: 290

Goals kicked: 169

Accolades: 1x premiership player, 6x All-Australian, 1x best and fairest, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "Previous eras marvelled at Simon Madden and Polly Farmer before that, now they marvel at Dean Cox. From a rookie listed player, he went on to make six All-Australians."

19. Ben Cousins, West Coast, Richmond)

Games played: 270

Goals kicked: 217

Accolades: 2005 Brownlow Medallist, 1x premiership player, 6x All-Australian, 4x best and fairest, AFL Rising Star, West Coast captain

Lloyd says: "The West Coast Eagles were must-watch in the late 1990s and early 2000s mostly thanks to Ben Cousins. He was Tony Modra like over in Western Australia. We knew he was going to be a star from a very young age."

18. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)

Games played: 336

Goals kicked: 718

Accolades: 6x best and fairest, 5x All-Australian, 4x leading goal kicker, AFL Rising Star, St Kilda captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "One of the hardest workers I've seen in the history of the game. He was pick one in the 2000 draft, but he had a great work rate and a great desire to succeed."

17. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn, Brisbane)

Games played: 346

Goals kicked: 194

Accolades: 4x premiership player, 3x All-Australian, 2x best and fairest, 2x Norm Smith Medallist, Hawthorn captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "A player I would have loved to have played with for the person and player he is. He was tough, he was someone you'd want to follow behind in a big final. What a career he had."

16. Joel Selwood (Geelong)

Games played: 355

Goals kicked: 175

Accolades: 4x premiership player, 6x All-Australian, 3x best and fairest, Geelong captain

Lloyd says: "Players like Joel Selwood come around once every 25 years, that's how special a player and a leader he was. He played in the most finals in AFL history."

15. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

Games played: 425*

Goals kicked: 204*

Accolades: 2x premiership player, 6x All-Australian, 5x best and fairest, Norm Smith Medallist, Collingwood captain

Lloyd says: "It's his 20th season of footy. The only thing he really hasn't won is a Brownlow Medal."

14. Andrew McLeod (Adelaide)

Games played: 363

Goals kicked: 311

Accolades: 2x premiership player, 2x Norm Smith Medallist, 3x best and fairest, 5x All-Australian, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "He always stood up on the biggest stage. He's the first person I saw go back to a half back flank and cause absolute headaches. They would just feed the ball to him and he would run a muck and use the ball as well as anybody."

13. Stephen Silvagni (Carlton)

Games played: 312

Goals kicked: 202

Accolades: 2x premiership player, 2x best and fairest, 5x All-Australian, AFL Team of the 20th century, Mark of the Year, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "The fullback of the century. One of the greatest players to ever play the game. Could do it at both ends. Would've been a Hall of Famer at full back or full forward. That's how good he was."

12. Matthew Scarlett (Geelong)

Games played: 284

Goals kicked: 17

Accolades: 3x premiership player, 6x All-Australian, 1x best and fairest, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "Someone who would sit comfortably as the fullback of the 21st century. That's how high I rate Matthew Scarlett."

11. Nathan Buckley (Brisbane, Collingwood)

Games played: 280

Goals kicked: 284

Accolades: 1x Brownlow Medal, 1x Norm Smith Medal, 7x All-Australian, AFL Rising Star, 6x best and fairest, Collingwood captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "He had strength and power and class. He was a rare player. He was a winner. He hated being beaten. He was driven to be the best and that's what he was."

10. Chris Judd (West Coast, Carlton)

Games played: 279

Goals kicked: 228

Accolades: 2x Brownlow Medals, 1x premiership captain, 1x Norm Smith Medal, 6x All-Australian, 6x best and fairest, Goal of the Year, West Coast captain, Carlton captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "His legacy on the game is among the best and his record is unbelievable. We all love Chris Judd and the way he played. The scintillating runs, speed and dynamic nature. He was as good as it gets."

9. Gary Ablett Jr (Geelong, Gold Coast)

Games played: 357

Goals kicked: 445

Accolades: 2x Brownlow Medals, 2x premiership player, 8x All-Australian, 6x best and fairest, 3x leading goal kicker, Gold Coast captain

Lloyd says: "It wasn't easy being the son of arguably the greatest player of all time, but he went close himself."

8. Michael Voss (Brisbane)

Games played: 289

Goals kicked: 245

Accolades: 1x Brownlow Medal, 3x premiership captain, 5x All-Australian, 3x best and fairest, Brisbane captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "Courageous, skilful, aggressive, he had it all Michael Voss. We've forgotten just what a super player he was."

7. James Hird (Essendon)

Games played: 253 games

Goals kicked: 343 goals

Accolades: 1x Brownlow Medal, 2x premiership player, 1x premiership captain, 5x All-Australian, 5x best and fairest, 1x Norm Smith Medal, 2x leading goal kicker, Essendon captain, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "James Hird is the man I respected most at Essendon and from the day I walked in there I saw he was the hardest trainer, most competitive and he had the skills to match."

6. Jason Dunstall (Hawthorn)

Games played: 269

Goals kicked: 1254

Accolades: 4x premiership player, 3x Coleman Medal, 4x All-Australian, 4x best and fairest, 12x leading goal kicker, Hawthorn captain, Hall of Famer – Legend

Lloyd says: "I absolutely idolised Jason for the player he was. Could arguably be at number one. He was the complete player. That's why he's a Legend in the Hall of Fame."

5. Tony Lockett (St Kilda, Sydney)

Games played: 281

Goals kicked: 1360

Accolades: 1x Brownlow Medal, 4x Coleman Medallist, 15x leading goal kicker, 3x best and fairest, 5x All-Australian, Hall of Famer – Legend

Nathan Brown says: "He kicked 100 goals in a season six times. Unbelievable. In 1991 he kicked 127 goals from 17 games. He was unstoppable in the early 1990s."

4. Dustin Martin (Richmond)

Games played: 302

Goals kicked: 338

Accolades: 3x premiership player, 1x Brownlow Medal, 3x Norm Smith Medal, 4x All-Australian, 3x Gary Ayres Award, 2x best and fairest

Lloyd says: "In my time broadcasting the game, the two players I've loved commentating the most are Dustin Martin and Lance Franklin. Dustin was a freak. To be best on ground in three grand finals, no one else has done that."

3. Lance Franklin (Hawthorn, Sydney)

Games played: 354

Goals kicked: 1066

Accolades: 2x premiership player, 4x Coleman Medal, 13x leading goal kicker, 8x All-Australian, 2x Goal of the Year, 1x best and fairest

Lloyd says: "I had the player of playing against Lance when I was on my last legs. He kicked 10 goals down the other end of the ground, it was an unbelievable performance. I had the best seat in the house."

2. Gary Ablett Sr (Hawthorn, Geelong)

Games played: 248

Goals kicked: 1031

Accolades: 3x Coleman Medal, 1x Norm Smith Medal, 8x All-Australian, 9x leading goal kicker, 1x best and fairest, Geelong captain, AFL Team of the 20th Century, 2x Mark of the Year, Hall of Famer

Lloyd says: "I'm not sure anyone who has ever played our game has ever had as much talent as this man, Gary Ablett Snr. He had a wonderful career. The natural talent and freakish ability was second to none."

1. Wayne Carey (North Melbourne, Adelaide)

Games played: 272

Goals kicked: 727

Accolades: 2x premiership player, 7x All Australian team, 4x All Australian captain, 9x club best and fairest, Australian football hall of fame, North Melbourne team of the century captain

Lloyd says: "Wayne Carey is the greatest player I ever witnessed playing against, with or commentating. His power, his strength, his aerobic capacity, his skills at ground level. He was a clutch player as well."