AFL
Welcome to our League’s corner. Here we celebrate everything AFL and AFLW related, from the games to the collectibles. AFL holds a special place in the collectibles universe. Officially, May 17th 1859 was when the history of our Australian Football started. Around the same time, Melbourne (1858) and Geelong (1859) were founded. That makes them two of the oldest continuous sporting clubs in the world. The first game ever recorded took place in Melbourne: Scotch College vs Melbourne. Grammar (1858). Comparatively, the Women’s League had its first game played in February 2017.
Among Australia’s most fervent collectible hobbies, cards stand out as a dominant pursuit. While Pokémon firmly holds its position as the country’s top-selling card game, outpacing Magic: The Gathering, AFL Select is rapidly gaining ground, challenging the popularity of other prominent collections such as Dragon Ball and One Piece. As of October 2025, the most expensive AFL card remains the 2021 Select Supremacy 1000+ Goalkicker Quad Signature, while the rarest card is 1894 N302 Mayo’s Cut Plug Football Dunlop.
AFL is History
We’ve spent months exploring images from the early days of the AFL, revisiting where the game began. It’s been a great journey, but now it’s time to take the next step and dive into the history of every club. This month, we celebrate:
Established in 2009 before joining the national competition in 2011, the Gold Coast Suns occupied a distinct space as the AFL’s bold expansion pioneer in South East Queensland. Playing out of Carrara, the Suns have built a vibrant, growing community connection that unites a new generation of red-and-gold supporters along the coast. While the club’s initial decade was marked by the trial of building a culture from scratch, Gold Coast’s modern narrative is defined by rising momentum, elite talent development, and an unyielding pursuit of inaugural finals success. This evolving identity was shaped by foundational icon Gary Ablett Jr. and is now carried forward by modern stalwarts like Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, and Noah Anderson.
The Gold Coast’s women’s program entered the AFLW during the 2020 expansion phase, working to establish its own fierce footprint within a fast-growing football market. Leading into 2026, the female Suns have evolved from a developing young squad into a tough, highly physical unit known for its contested work rate and relentless pressure. Their steady climb up the ladder has yielded breakthrough finals appearances, spearheaded by marquee talents like Charlie Rowbottom, proving they are rapidly building a competitive legacy of their own on the national stage.
AFL News
MEN’S LEAGUE
In recent AFL developments, Port Adelaide senior coach Josh Carr has publicly called out Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly over comments regarding star midfielder Zak Butters, branding the Magpies’ public speculation about Butters returning to Victoria as arrogant and disrespectful.
Meanwhile, Collingwood has suffered a major blow to its campaign after veteran defender Jeremy Howe underwent surgery on a fractured left forearm, leaving his availability for the remainder of the year in doubt and further straining the Magpies’ depleted defensive line.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
In AFLW news, the league announced a historic first for the representative showcase between Australia and Ireland at North Sydney Oval, revealing that player surnames will be displayed on the back of guernseys to boost player recognition—an initiative warmly welcomed by Greater Western Sydney utility Eilish O’Dowd.
Additionally, Brisbane Lions captain Breanna Koenen has been added to the Australian squad to replace injured North Melbourne veteran Emma Kearney, joining an elite group of players for the sold-out international fixture..
The Footy Focus
Tayla Harris has established herself as one of the most recognizable figures in the AFLW through her impactful role in the forward line. A premiership player and four-time All-Australian key forward, her game is defined by reliable goal-kicking and an ability to take high-flying contested marks under pressure. Her physical presence inside the attacking fifty has made her a consistent and dependable focal point for the Melbourne Demons’ offensive strategy.
Across her 85 career AFLW matches, Harris has recorded 77 total goals while averaging 9.2 disposals, 3.2 marks, and 2.2 tackles per game. She is a four-time All-Australian selection (2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 S6) and a four-time club leading goalkicker—three times for Carlton and once for Melbourne.
Beyond her athletic performance, Harris has utilized her public platform to address significant societal issues. After navigating a highly publicized viral image, she spearheaded a national dialogue centered on combating cyberbullying and online harassment. Her subsequent work focuses heavily on promoting online safety, advocating for respect toward women, and championing body positivity, effectively turning a personal challenge into a broader campaign for digital accountability.
In the Arena
ROUND 22: This round kicked off with North Melbourne securing a 23-point victory over the Western Bulldogs (100-77), before the Lions flexed their muscle on Friday night with a commanding 67-point demolition of Hawthorn (125-58). Saturday’s action produced two blowouts as the Swans systematically dismantled Port Adelaide 167-70 in a 97-point masterclass, while Geelong similarly cruised past Essendon 117-50. The day’s closest action saw Melbourne pull off a thrilling four-point win over Fremantle in a high-scoring 113-109 match, alongside the Adelaide Crows grinding out a tight nine-point triumph over Richmond (63-54).
Sunday maintained the drama, starting with the Gold Coast Suns snatching a nail-biting two-point victory over the GWS Giants (79-77). In Perth, Collingwood outlasted the Eagles for a 19-point win (117-98), before Carlton wrapped up the round by convincingly defeating St Kilda 106-62. Despite dropping their thriller to the Demons, Fremantle retained top spot on the ladder, but Sydney’s huge percentage boost tightened their hold on second place, while key victories for Melbourne, Geelong, and Carlton provided a vital boost to their top-eight aspirations as the finals approach.
Round 23 starts on the 13th!
Moment of the Week
ROUND 21 Picture: AFL Photos
In the AFLW Arena
ROUND 1: In an electric 2026 AFLW season-opener under the Marvel Stadium roof, Carlton flexed their muscle to hold off a spirited late surge from St Kilda, securing a convincing 9.12 (66) to 6.4 (40) victory in front of 20,455 fans. The Blues stamped their authority early behind dominant midfield performances from captain Abbie McKay and Claudia Whitfort, alongside dynamic forward work from second-year talent Poppy Scholz. St Kilda mounted a ferocious fourth-quarter fightback spearheaded by a best-on-ground display from Tyanna Smith, who notched 24 disposals and two goals, but Carlton’s composure under pressure ensured they claimed the opening victory of the year.
The remainder of Round 1 will unfold later in the week, resuming on Thursday, August 13 when Hawthorn meets Melbourne at IKON Park. The action ramps up across an action-packed weekend featuring marquee matchups—including a Friday night double-header between reigning premiers North Melbourne and Geelong—before wrapping up on Saturday when GWS hosts the West Coast Eagles.
Moment of the Week
Picture: Getty Images
AFL Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996 to coincide with the VFL/AFL centenary, serving as the ultimate recognition for those who have made significant contributions to the sport. The Hall enshrines players, coaches, umpires, administrators, and media figures based on their ability, integrity, and character, rather than just raw statistics. The highest echelon of this institution is “Legend” status, a title reserved for those who fundamentally changed the game for the better. As of 2026, this elite group has grown to 34 members, with Western Australian icon and four-time Sandover Medallist Bill Walker being the most recent great elevated to the status
In recent years, the Hall of Fame has evolved to formally mirror the growth of the women’s game. A historic milestone was reached in 2025 when Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips became the first AFLW players ever inducted. This breakthrough was supported by a specific criteria change that allowed women to be eligible for induction just one year after their retirement, acknowledging the shorter history and unique structure of the professional women’s league compared to the five-year requirement for the men’s competition. Their inclusion, alongside trailblazer Debbie Lee, has solidified the Hall of Fame as a truly national and inclusive institution that celebrates the entire landscape of Australian Rules football
The League Gallery
That Funko never made: AFL mascots
Let’s Go!
AFL memorabilia can be so cute!
Find Your Team
TCC’s Collection
Our journey doesn’t stop here. Explore the other corners of our digital library where we dive deep into the specific worlds of Pokémon, Funko, and more.