Cult heroes: We’ve taken a look at every club’s fan favourite ahead of the 2020 AFL season
They don’t have to be the best player on the team, but cult heroes are players who are absolutely adored by their supporter base. We’ve listed the players who we think fit the title of ‘cult hero’ at each AFL club.
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Every AFL club has a ‘cult hero’.
They don’t necessarily have to be the best player on the team, nor the flashiest, or the funniest - but for whatever the reason, they endear themselves to supporters.
Here’s the list of players who we think currently have ‘cult hero’ status at their club.
Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments section below!
Adelaide – Darcy Fogarty
Now that Eddie Betts has relinquished the title of cult hero at the Crows, the mantle passes to the future of Adelaide’s goalkicking stocks.
‘The Fog’ is widely loved by fans and has built a strong following for his hard-at-it approach, and booming right foot.
Donning the number 32 guernsey previously made famous by former club champions Mark Ricciuto and Patrick Dangerfield, Fogarty only played four senior games last year – highlighted by a five-goal haul against reigning premier West Coast.
But we expect to see more of the gun youngster in 2020.
Brisbane – Mitch Robinson
After playing 100 games with Carlton, the hard-nosed on-baller headed up to Brisbane in 2015 and has endeared himself to players and supporters alike.
A revelation on the wing this year for the Lions, and as a bit of a loveable larrikin, Robinson’s off-field hobbies also aid his cult hero following – he’s a professional e-sports player who regularly streams online, and also hosts his own entertaining podcast.
As somewhat of a spiritual leader amongst Brisbane’s young and talented playing group, the team certainly could have used him in its preliminary final against GWS, which he missed through injury.
Carlton – Eddie Betts
After building a cult following at the Blues in his early playing days, the electric small forward’s fan base grew even more when he was traded to Adelaide.
Playing 132 games for the Crows between 2015 and ’19, Betts’ freakish ability to kick the seemingly unkickable goals from the boundary saw fans quickly coin the phrase ‘Eddie’s Pocket’.
His trade back to Carlton at the end of last season has Blues fans buzzing for the return of the goalkicking king, and – despite being 33 next year – there’s no doubt he still has plenty of highlights left in him.
Collingwood – Mason Cox
The big American’s popularity amongst Pies fans peaked following his ‘Bigger Than Texas’ performance in the 2018 preliminary final against Richmond, where he clunked 11 marks and kicked three goals in a matchwinning performance.
While Collingwood didn’t win the following week, fans were buoyed as to what the future might hold for their new-found star.
Unfortunately, Cox’s 2019 season was derailed by an eye injury that left him ‘legally blind’ for a period of time, limiting him to just 14 games – in which he kicked just 19 goals.
As someone who isn’t short of an opinion - evident by his straight-talking commentary on Twitter - Collingwood supporters will be hoping for a bigger return from the Texan next year.
Essendon – Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
‘Tippa’, ‘Walla’, whichever nickname you use for the Bombers star is irrelevant – what’s sure is that footy fans, not only followers of Essendon, love this dynamite forward.
After getting his chance at AFL largely due to the supplements controversy suspensions handed out to many Bombers players, McDonald-Tipungwuti quickly showed he belonged at the top level.
His pace, goal sense, tackling pressure and trademark dreadlocks has endeared him to supporters – he’s even been immortalised in a song written about him by Melbourne punk-rock band Picket Palace.
Fremantle – Michael Walters
Since reaching a crossroads early in his career in 2012 after arriving back to pre-season training in poor shape – which saw him banished to Swan Districts for a few months – ‘Son-Son’ has worked incredibly hard over the following seven years to become one of the game’s elite forwards.
Having slotted 261 goals for the Dockers across 151 games, Walters is undoubtedly Fremantle’s X-factor – and his move into the midfield in the past two seasons saw him take his game to even greater heights.
With his recognisable tattoos, lethal left foot and energetic goal celebrations, it’s no wonder why the dynamo Docker is a fan favourite.
Geelong – Esava Ratugolea
Fasten your seatbelts Cats fans, because ‘Air Sav’ is taking flight.
The 21-year-old rising star is already building a solid reel of highlights due to his love of launching at the footy, bringing Geelong supporters to their feet in excitement every time he does.
After threatening to take the AFL by storm in his debut season, Ratugolea was sidelined for the second half of 2018 after breaking his leg, which took time to recover from.
With a clean bill of health in 2019, the budding ruck/forward returned to clunking grabs, which he will no doubt continue into next year as the Cats try again to contend for the flag.
Gold Coast – Peter Wright
While there wasn’t much for Suns fans to smile about this season, ‘Two-Metre Peter’ at least gave them some enjoyment.
The big forward really announced himself in 2017, playing all 22 games and booting a handy 31 goals.
However, a calf injury restricted him to just seven games the following season, before he returned to play a solid 17 games in 2019.
With the Suns picking up Richmond’s Brandon Ellis and Adelaide’s Hugh Greenwood during the trade period, big Peter will hoping to have some improved delivery inside forward 50 next year.
GWS – Heath Shaw
As far as characters in the AFL go, ‘Heater’ is certainly up there as one of the most entertaining.
Shaw joined the Giants ahead of the 2014 season from Collingwood - where his 2010 grand final smother was etched into footy folklore - and quickly established himself as a linchpin down back.
However, it’s his off-field antics, including his funny, sometimes left-field responses during press conferences and his random tweets, which has won the hearts of GWS fans.
Shaw declared he would go around again next season as the Giants aim to redeem their loss to Richmond in this year’s decider.
Hawthorn – James Worpel
A former Geelong Falcons captain, ‘The Worpedo’ arrived at the Hawks at the end of the 2017 season with a ripping moustache, flowing mullet, and playing a brand of footy that matched.
In just his seventh game, Worpel immediately won over Hawthorn fans when during a match against arch rival Geelong he bee-lined a ground ball – despite hard-nosed Cats skipper Joel Selwood coming the other way – picked it up with a silky spin, and dished it off to a teammate.
It directly resulted in a goal, and swung momentum well and truly the Hawks’ way – and they would go on to win the game.
Worpel continued to impress in 2019, setting a league record for the most possessions for a player under aged 20, and won the Peter Crimmins Medal as the club’s best and fairest in just his second season.
Melbourne – Max Gawn
Whether he’s educating umpires about what constitutes ‘ruck craft’ or appearing in commercials for Google, Demons supporters love their big-bearded gentle giant.
Gawn really does have all the great hallmarks of a cult hero – he used to smoke darts on the way to training during his early days at Melbourne, but had to overcome hardship in the form of two knee reconstructions to break into the team.
He’s a rare character with an equally unique sense of humour that endears himself to fans right across the league.
As someone who doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously – but is ultra-competitive on the field – it’s no wonder why ‘Big Maxy’ is widely loved.
North Melbourne – Cameron Zurhaar
‘Don’t mess with the Zurhaar’ say Roos fans every time Cameron nears the footy - probably.
With a surname like that, it’s hard not for footy fans to warm to you even if you’ve only played 25 AFL games.
The young forward enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, kicking 26 goals – bankrolled by two five-goal hauls against Carlton and St Kilda.
However, it’s his hard attack on the footy – highlighted by his crunching hip and shoulder on Michael Hurley in round 17, which ended the defender’s night – that has seen him nicknamed “Bull”, harnessing the Shinboner spirit Roos fans swear by.
Port Adelaide – Xavier Duursma
The talented teen got tongues wagging around the league during his debut season due to his unique ‘bow and arrow’ celebration that he whipped out after each goal he kicked.
While some AFL commentators were divided about it, Power fans – and coach Ken Hinkley – absolutely loved it.
Whether it’s providing television gold as part of Brian Taylor’s post-game ‘Roaming Brian’ segment, or dobbing goals from all angles, ‘Duurs’ has already established himself as a favourite at Alberton.
Heading into his second year, the exciting young gun can only get better - which is a scary thought for opposition defenders.
Richmond – Marlion Pickett
When you win two premierships in two weeks, how could you not win the immediate adoration of your supporter base?
Pickett’s 2019 season really is one of fairy tales.
The 27-year-old played in Richmond’s VFL flag the week before becoming the first person in 67 years to debut in an AFL grand final, where he immediately looked at home – collecting 22 touches, a goal, and pulling off an evasive spin move that will be replayed for decades to come.
The AFL premiership instantly made him a Richmond life member, after just one game, and forever cemented his cult hero status at the Tigers.
St Kilda – Rowan Marshall
You know you’ve reached cult status when supporters start referring to you as ‘The Prospect’.
And in Marshall’s case, it’s for very good reason.
The 23-year-old, after an okay year in 2018, took his game to another level this past season, playing 20 games and averaging an impressive 17.8 possessions and 28.4 hit-outs per match.
But he’s also shown he’s a very funny character, sometimes unintentionally – like the time he dropped the ‘F-Bomb’ during a live appearance on The Sunday Footy Show during the year.
With the young Saint set to lead the side’s ruck department again next season, with help from Paddy Ryder, it’s exciting to see what heights this emerging ‘prospect’ will reach as his career progresses.
Sydney – Aliir Aliir
After struggling to find a regular spot in the Swans’ line-up in recent years, the rangy defender really found himself at home as part of their back six in 2019.
Playing all 22 games, Aliir Aliir – whose distinctive blonde Mohawk early in the season was up there with the AFL’s most elite haircuts – often showed flair and dare, dancing past opponents or leaping over them on many occasions.
If having the same first and last name wasn’t cool enough, Sydney players apparently have a very funny nickname for Aliir as well, dubbing him ‘Chand’ – as in ‘Chand-Aliir’. Brilliant.
With a breakthrough season under the belt, Swans fans will be hoping to see the 25-year-old take his game to even greater heights in 2020.
West Coast – Liam Ryan
‘Flyin Ryan’ launched onto the AFL stage two seasons ago, with his high-marking aerobatics capturing the attention of footy fans right across the league.
Despite his diminutive size, the star forward plays a lot taller than his official 179cm height suggests – this was no more evident than when he sat on ruckman Max Gawn’s head during the Eagles’ round nine game against Melbourne this year.
However, while other grabs may have been more spectacular, none were more important than the one Ryan took in the dying stages of the 2018 grand final against Collingwood.
He plucked the ball from atop the pack at half-forward before kicking the ball to Dom Sheed, who would go back and kick the winning goal with only seconds the spare.
That moment – which sits amongst an already growing highlights package – will be remembered by Eagles fans for years to come.
Western Bulldogs – Aaron Naughton
The ‘AstroNaught’ launched into Doggies fans’ hearts in 2019 with his big-marking, high-flying, goal kicking escapades that gave them a glimpse into the club’s bright future.
Despite being only 19-years-old, the star young Bulldog struck fear into many defenders throughout the season in just his second year at AFL level.
Naughton’s sticky mitts – which have quickly become one of his trademarks – were on show right throughout his 22 games, and resulted in him leading the competition for contested marks last season with 53.
His dominant marking was front and centre during the round seven clash with Richmond, where he clunked 14 marks – nine contested, which was one shy of the AFL record – and booted five goals.
He also slotted four majors against Geelong later in the year, tearing apart the Cats’ shrewd defence, further cementing himself as a star on the rise.