Speaking on Fox Footy's On the Couch, Dunstall, born in 1964, had midfielder and former skipper Michael Tuck "who was just a genius" at No.5 on his list. Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck. "He didn't actually win a best and fairest but I think he was a runner up six times and played in about 37 premierships because he played forever and a day. He was an absolute star and a great leader," Dunstall said. He picked champion rover John Platten at No.4, describing the South Australian who played a key role in the 1986, 88-89 and '91 premierships as a "superstar". Platten, who notched 258 matches for the Hawks, was a Brownlow medallist and dual best and fairest. John Platten kicking Credit:Ken Irwin

Dunstall then produced what could be considered a surprise, picking Mitchell at No.3. The former skipper is in career-best form - he had a career-high 44 disposals against the Saints on Saturday - and is again among the favourites for the Brownlow Medal. Mitchell's consistency, whether that be at half-back or in the middle, has been central to the four flags the Hawks have tasted under Clarkson. Dunstall said the 289-game veteran "is a bloke that I think, never, ever until the last 12 months or so got the kudos from outside the club that he was getting ... from inside". "He is a four-time best and fairest, a four-time premiership player and he just does it week in, week out and virtually doesn't miss a game. I think he is a star and people have never rated him quite as highly as perhaps should be," he said. Many believe Mitchell is Hawthorn's most important player. Credit:Michael Willson/AFL Media

"He is a clearance king. He is a bloke everyone potted and said was too slow and too small. He uses both feet, distributes the ball, handballs it like 'Diesel' Williams used to. "He is a beautiful kick but he kicks short - he just goes with the first option and it normally is the best one." Dunstall had goal-kicking machine Hudson, a two-time best and fairest and 1971 premiership player, at No.2. Hudson booted 727 goals in 129 matches for the Hawks. Peter Hudson. "Peter Hudson was a star, kicked 150, owns most of the records, averaging over five goals a game," Dunstall said.

It was no surprise he had Leigh Matthews, arguably the greatest player of all time, at No.1. "Leigh Matthews is recognised as the greatest – just a lazy eight best and fairests in a pretty handy era," Dunstall said tongue in cheek. Matthews, a rover who finished his career at full forward, played in four premierships, was a club captain and one of the most feared players ever. Dunstall said nominating a list had been a "very tough task".

"Bear in mind I couldn't squeeze in the likes of a Peter Knights or a Gary Ayres or a Luke Hodge or a Buddy Franklin, those type of players," he said. Dunstall also overlooked his former high-profile teammate Dermott Brereton, who was named at centre half-forward in the club's team of the century, selected in 2001. Dunstall was named in a forward pocket, alongside Hudson and Platten. Tuck and Matthews were also in that side. Hodge is considered the finest current captain and has led the Hawks to a three-peat of flags.