Record crowds, league-wide upsets and the kids takeover show why AFL has never been better
The prophets of doom can preach what they like, but the facts show an undeniable fact. The AFL has never been in better shape as fans vote with their feet by flocking to the footy.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ASK yourself why AFL crowds are up and the answer is simple? Because the game has never been in BETTER shape. The prophets of doom can preach what they like but sadly the figures don’t back up their argument.
Fans are voting by placing their posteriors in ever-increasing numbers on AFL seats across the country, while more are turning on their televisions to watch a non-stop Indigenous game that combines repeat speed, 15-16km of running per match and brutish strength.
It sees young men playing with increasing bravery as they recklessly burst from contest to contest before being asked to pinpoint a teammate with a lace-out 50m pass, or weave their way through traffic before kicking freakish goals.
While it’s been 16 years since Buddy Franklin was the last man to kick 100 goals in a season, team scoring averages are up in 2024 and never has there been a season with more upsets in the game’s history since the VFL began in 1897.
In days gone by, four goals was seen as a winning margin early in the last quarter, numbers that were blown out the gate this year as sides regularly came from big deficits to help create wonderful viewing spectacles.
The game’s popularity was never better highlighted than the Hawthorn-Western Bulldogs Elimination final when a remarkable 97,828 attended to create yet another record crowd. Fans can’t get enough of their heroes, one Hawthorn group dressing up as Wizards to pay homage to their 170cm cult figure Nick “The Wizard” Watson.
The same fans who crave for a Jack Ginnivan goal so they can witness his latest celebration, or a stunning leap from the teenager named Calsher Dear
Forget it, kids like Watson, Dear, Ginnivan, or Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, Max Holmes from Geelong, Port Adelaide freak Jason Horne-Francis or Sydney’s Chad Warner are taking over the game despite their youth.
That’s why the best time in football is right NOW, an irrefutable fact.
Carji Greeves: Scott says Cats won’t ‘blow up club’ with risks
Geelong Football Club’s night of nights has begun, and senior coach Chris Scott says the Cats must think laterally’ in its plans for 2025. Follow all the action from the night live here.
Final farewell? Cryptic Instagram like a further twist to Oliver saga
Clayton Oliver wants to leave Melbourne, but those around him still want the superstar midfielder to attend Friday’s B&F, even if he may have already let slip that he’s excited to be a Cat.