RESPECTED AFL journalist Mike Sheahan has announced his greatest combined teams of the past five decades.

Sheahan's tribute to 'The Finest of Their Generation' is set to be unveiled in a mural at Etihad Stadium's Crown Lager Bar on Tuesday night.

Four players were selected in teams across two decades. They are Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett (1960s and '70s), Hawthorn great Leigh Matthews ('70s and '80s), mercurial forward Gary Ablett snr and Brownlow medallist Greg Williams (both '80s and '90s).

Sheahan has picked a captain and coach for each era, with AFL Legends Ron Barassi and Matthews featuring across both roles in different decades.

Despite picking a star-studded team of the '90s - including some of the all-time greatest forwards in Tony Lockett, Wayne Carey and Ablett - the long-time football journalist believed his '80s side was the strongest.

It includes Matthews as captain, plus Jason Dunstall, Greg Williams, Chris Langford, Ross Glendinning, Dermott Brereton, Simon Madden and Allan 'Yabby' Jeans as coach.

"I thought the '80s was a pretty hot team," Sheahan told AFL.com.au.

"When we think about how good Hawthorn was throughout the '80s, how good Essendon was for '83-85 … I didn't finish it and think 'Gee, that decade was pretty soft' or 'That decade stood above the rest'.

"If I have to pick one decade, I'd probably say the '80s."

Although many of the biggest names in the history of the game get a guernsey, Sheahan is prepared for some strong feedback – particularly after leaving some of the most popular players in recent times out of the team of the 2000s.

"I think that's the one that's going to get the conjecture because of people like (Matthew) Richardson, (Sam) Mitchell and (Adam) Goodes and those guys that aren't in it," he said.

"I, like everyone else, loved the Richo contribution to the game, but in the finish I don't think he's quite Riewoldt and I was massive on Warren Tredrea in the period 2000-05."

Sheahan conceded he marked down West Coast champion Ben Cousins, who didn’t make the 2000s team, partly due to his off-field issues.

His toughest call was when Demons half-back Brett Lovett was squeezed out from the '80s side.

"I loved him. In the finish I said 'How can I leave Ken Hunter out of this team?'. I was just really disappointed I couldn't get Lovett in," he said.

Sheahan also lamented leaving Carlton icon Stephen Kernahan on the bench of the '90s team.

“’Sticks’ had to go in at centre half-forward if he was playing … and Sticks was very good in the late 80s and then he had the period in the '90s where he was good. And in the '90s he runs into Carey."

Sheahan hoped his 'The Finest of Their Generation' teams generated some healthy debate among mates attending the football at Etihad Stadium.

"I understand the logic of this," he said. "If I'm having a couple of beers with a couple of blokes at half-time or before or after a game, it's a perfect talking point, isn't it?"

1960s

B: J. James (Carl), V. Howell (StK), J. Schultz (Foots)
HB: B. Davis (Ess/NM), K. Murray (Fitz), D. Marshall (Geel)
C: J. Clarke (Ess), I. Stewart (StK/Rich), A. Lord (Geel)
HF: D. Baldock (StK), T. Whitten (Foots), G. Arthur (Haw)
F: G. Farmer (Geel), D. Wade (Geel), B. Goggin (Geel)
Foll: J. Nicholls (Carl), R. Barassi (Melb/Carl), R. Skilton (Sth Melb)

Int: K. Bartlett (Rich), K. Fraser (Ess), S. Silvagni snr (Carl), H. Mann (Melb)

Coach: J. Coleman

Captain: R. Barassi

1970s

B: J. Rantall (SM/NM/Fitz), D. Dench (NM), G. Southby (Carl)
HB: B. Doull (Carl), P. Knights (Haw), F. Bourke (Rich)
C: W. Schimmelbusch (NM), P. Bedford (SM/Carl), K. Greig (NM)
HF: M. Blight (NM), R. Hart (Rich), A. Jesaulenko (Carl/StK)
F: K. Bartlett (Rich), P. Hudson (Haw), P. McKenna (Coll/Carl)
Foll: L. Thompson (Coll/SM/Fitz), L. Matthews (Haw), B. Cable (NM)

Int: G. Wilson (Fitz), G. Dempsey (Foots/NM), W. Richardson (Coll), M. Tuck (Haw)

Coach: R. Barassi

Captain: W. Schimmelbusch 

1980s

B: G. Ayres (Haw), C. Langford (Haw), C. Mew (Haw)
HB: P. Roos (Fitz/Syd), R. Glendinning (NM/WC), K. Hunter (Carl)
C: D. Hawkins (Foots/Fitz), G. Williams (Geel/Syd/Carl), R. Flower (Melb)
HF: T. Watson (Ess), D. Brereton (Haw/Syd/Coll), B. Quinlan (Foots/Fitz)
F: G. Ablett snr (Haw/Geel), J. Dunstall (Haw), L. Matthews (Haw)
Foll: S. Madden (Ess), G. Healy (Melb/Syd), D. Weightman (Rich)

Int: T. Daniher (SM/Ess), P. Daicos (Coll), G. Raines (Rich/Coll/Ess/BB), J. Platten (Haw)

Coach: A. Jeans

Captain: L. Matthews

1990s

B: G. Wanganeen (Ess/PA), S. Silvagni (Carl), B. Hart (Adel)
HB: G. McKenna (WC), G. Jakovich (WC), A. McLeod (Adel)
C: P. Matera (WC), G. Williams (Geel/Syd/Carl), C. Bradley (Carl)
HF: D. Jarman (Haw/Adel), W. Carey (NM/Adel), J. Hird (Ess)
F: G. Ablett snr (Haw/Geel), T. Lockett (StK/Syd), G. Hocking (Geel)
Foll: S. Rehn (Adel/Haw), P. Kelly (Syd), R. Harvey (StK)

Int: S. Kernahan (Carl), G. Brown (Coll), P. Salmon (Ess/Haw), C. Grant (Foots/WB)

Coach: D. Pagan

Captain: W. Carey

2000s

B: C. Johnson (Fitz/BL), M. Scarlett (Geel), D. Fletcher (Ess)
HB: L. Hodge (Haw), J. Leppitsch (BL), N. Lappin (BL)
C: N. Buckley (BB/Coll), M. Voss (BL), S. Black (BL)
HF: N. Riewoldt (StK), J. Brown (BL), B. Harvey (NM)
F: J. Akermanis (BL/WB), M. Lloyd (Ess), B. Johnson (WB)
Foll: D. Cox (WC), C. Judd (WC/Carl), G. Ablett jnr (Geel/GC)

Int: M. Pavlich (Fre), M. Ricciuto (Adel), S. Crawford (Haw), W. Tredrea (PA)

Coach: L. Matthews 

Captain: M. Voss