How to Choose an AFL Team to Support
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 01 January 2025
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
Which AFL Team To Support
Choosing an AFL team to support is an exciting step for newcomers to Australian rules football. With 18 teams offering diverse styles of play, rich histories, and passionate fan cultures, there’s an abundance of options to choose from. However, if you’re completely new to the sport, it can be difficult to decide which team to back. In this article, we’ve explored the different facets that are worth considering, including different team legacies, the undergods and favorites, star players, and storied rivalries.
Which Australian Rules Football Team to Support?
As an introduction to this guide on the Aussie rules team to support, we’ve outlined the various points to consider to help you get started on picking a team. This includes a brief history of the AFL, which can provide good context on how location and rivalries are important to consider.
From there, we’ve outlined these major factors, including the team legacies, which teams are the favorites and which are the underdogs, and the top players that compete today. By the end of this guide, we hope you’ve found the ideal team to back before the betting season starts again.
- How to Begin Considering Teams
- Consider the Location
- Iconic Team Legacies
- The Strongest Rivalries
- Underdog or the Favorite
- The Star Players
How to Begin Finding the Aussie Rules Team to Support
Australian Rules Football (AFL) is the most popular sports league in Australia and involves a fast-paced game that is unique to the country. The earliest Aussie rules games date back to 1858, and were developed to keep cricket players fit during the off-season. However, the game eventually surpassed cricket’s popularity.
By 1897, the Victorian Football League (VFL) was established with eight teams, including Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Carlton, South Melbourne Carlton, and St Kilda. In the 1980s, the league expanded nationally and was rebranded as the AFL in 1990. There are now 18 teams across five states.
When choosing which team to back, a newcomer could consider one of the legacy teams that have been around since the VFL’s finding. Alternatively, choosing an out-of-state team such as Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, or Perth could be a way to back a franchise with a fresher legacy.
It can be wise to watch a few games first or check highlights to get a feel for different teams’ skills, colors, or fandom. For example, Sydney and Hawthorn are known for their skillful passing games, while West Coast and Western Bulldogs play a tougher, more aggressive game.
It’s also wise to research each club’s history and culture. Collingwood and Essendon have a long-standing rivalry as two of the league’s oldest teams, and Collingwood is often portrayed as the villain of the league by rivals. This is a fact that is often embraced by the team’s followers.
Consider the following list to find which Australian rules football team to support when you bet on Aussie rules. The list includes their location and the year that they first played in the VFL or AFL:
| Team | Year Established |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Crows | 1990 |
| Brisbane Lions | 1997 |
| Carlton Blues | 1987 |
| Collingwood Magpies | 1897 |
| Essendon Bombers | 1897 |
| Fremantle Dockers | 1995 |
| Geelong Cats | 1897 |
| Gold Coast Suns | 2011 |
| Greater Western Sydney | 2012 |
| Hawthorn Hawks | 1925 |
| Melbourne Demons | 1897 |
| North Melbourne Kangaroos | 1925 |
| Port Adelaide | 1997 |
| Richmond Tigers | 1980 |
| St Kilda Saints | 1897 |
| Sydney Swans | 1897 |
| West Coast Eagles | 1987 |
| Western Bulldogs | 1877 |
Location: A Key Factor in Your Decision
Location is a key factor when choosing which AFL team to support. While we understand that most of our readers won’t be located in Australia, they may have a particular experience with a different city. The home of AFL is in Melbourne, and there are nine teams based in the city with varying legacies.
On the East Coast, there are two teams in Sydney and one team in Brisbane. As the recent winners of the 2024 Premiership, Brisbane is a good bet to back now. The city will also host the Olympics in 2032, so anyone considering visiting the city for the Games may want to form a deeper connection by backing this team.
The regional team of Geelong has a long and storied history and is one of the darlings of the league. The city’s proximity to Melbourne has made it an outsider of sorts, yet it has a strong following. On the West Coast, there are two teams in Western Australia, while the South has two teams in Adelaide.
Consider how each location relates to your own experiences at home or traveling when finding an AFL team to support. The Gold Coast’s beachside location is comparable to Miami or Los Angeles, while Melbourne’s metropolitan setting is closer to New York or Chicago.
History and Legacy of Teams
If you’re asking “Which AFL team should I support?” then exploring their legacies could give you the nudge in the right direction you need. While not as important to younger generations, the histories of AFL clubs can be a compelling element to research. While you’re at it, be sure to research the rules of AFL.
Some of the legacy clubs have been around for over 100 years, with devoted generational fan bases and iconic histories. Carlton and Collingwood, for example, formed in the 1850s amid Melbourne’s rapid growth, pioneering the early foundations of Aussie rules. Clubs like West Coast Eagles and Adelaide Crows are much younger in comparison, entering the league in 1987 and 1991 respectively.
Knowing where your club sits historically can make following their current journey more enjoyable, too. St Kilda’s premiership drought since 1966 continues to impact the team today, while Hawthorn has influenced millions of Australian sports fans by winning four flags between 2008 and 2015.
Even Gold Coast, who joined the league in 2011, have managed to build a strong cultural identity in the short space of time they’ve been around. In other words, don’t just look at a team’s current form but learn the stories behind the clubs to find an Aussie rules team to support.
The Most Famous Rivalries
The AFL is known for its intense rivalries that date back to the very beginning of the game. One of the fiercest is between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies, which is especially high during the playoff series and the Grand Finals. Another is between the Essendon Bombers and Hawthorn Hawks, with tensions peaking in the 1980s after brutal on-field clashes erupted.
Often, these rivalries have a lot to do with geography. The Western Derby is a rivalry between the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, which both hail from the state of Western Australia. A similar rivalry in Adelaide is called the “Showdown” and sees heated games between the Crows and Port Adelaide Power.
Considering these rivalries is worth it when finding an AFL team to support, as it can guarantee higher stakes than backing a team with few enemies.
The Underdog or the Favorites?
Throughout the history of the league, several teams have been consistent favorites to win. Their huge membership numbers and financial backing have given them a competitive edge, and they have won several premiership titles. With 16 Grand Final wins, Essendon, Collingwood, and Carlton are the most successful teams.
When it comes to the AFL’s underdogs, St Kilda Saints and the Western Bulldogs are compelling options. St Kilda has only won a single premiership despite competing for over a century, while the Western Bulldogs won their first title in 2016 after decades of finals misfortune.
Newer teams such as Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast Suns have also yet to win a premiership, though both teams have only been in the league for around 15 years. Choosing an underdog as your AFL team to support may be more stressful, but taking part in the celebrations of a long-hoped-for victory would be priceless.
Star Players: Who Catches Your Eye?
Finally, backing a team that contains a roster of superstar talent is a worthy choice. Sometimes, these players have come from long dynasties of family talent, while Indigenous Australian players often showcase impressive and intuitive gameplay that’s a wonder to behold. Current players that have proven immensely skilled and popular include Brisbane’s Lachie Neale and Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
Do your research on the current player rankings to discover the most formidable talent. Alternatively, check out recent award winners such as the Brownlow Medal, which awards the season’s top talent, or the Rising Star award. Consider how these players appeal to your tastes. Do you prefer cocky players with the skills to back it up or humble and quiet athletes who are resilient?
Whatever your approach, developing an affinity with certain players can help you connect to your newly chosen team on a deeper level. With these points in mind, you should be ready to start backing an AFL team.
