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:
Founded in 1871, the 155-year-old Essendon Football Club is a cornerstone of Australian Rules football, sharing the record for the most VFL/AFL premierships with sixteen titles. Known as the Bombers, the club’s history is marked by dominant periods such as the “Mosquito Fleet” era and the “Baby Bombers”. Their most iconic modern achievement remains the nearly perfect 2000 season, where they lost only one game on their way to a premiership. This storied legacy has been shaped by legends like Dick Reynolds, Matthew Lloyd, James Hird, and Kevin Sheedy.
The club expanded its reach in 2022 with the long-awaited entry of its AFLW team, which is now four years old. After building a powerhouse program in the VFLW, the Bombers successfully transitioned to the national stage. The side has quickly established itself as a competitive force, driven by elite talent such as Madison Prespakis, Stephanie Cain and Bonnie Toogood. As they continue their journey toward a maiden AFLW flag, the team remains a vital part of the club’s “Flight Plan” for the future.
The League News
AFL
The AFL Players’ Association has recently expressed serious concerns regarding the tribunal system following a fine handed to Zak Butters for verbal abuse against an umpire. This incident has sparked a broader debate about the lack of player confidence in the current disciplinary process, with the association suggesting that the dismissal of player evidence at the tribunal is a growing issue.
In other news, the Western Bulldogs are facing a significant blow following a suspected non-contact knee injury to young star Sam Darcy.
AFLW
The AFLW has confirmed a significant structural shift for the upcoming 2026 season, announcing that the fixture will now feature four games played at major AFL venues on the same day as men’s matches to increase visibility.
In addition to these scheduling changes, the league is preparing for its inaugural International Rules game, which will see top talent from Australia and Ireland face off on Australian shores mid-year. This historic fixture is part of a broader expansion of the women’s game, alongside the introduction of the first-ever AFLW pre-season draft.
This Card
Since being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2017 national draft, Cam Rayner has developed into a dynamic and powerful match-winner for the Brisbane Lions who is known for his ability to impact games both as a forward and through the midfield.
His career is highlighted by back-to-back AFL premierships in 2024 and 2025, where he played a pivotal role in the Lions’ success, including a standout performance in the 60-point victory over the Sydney Swans in the 2024 Grand Final.
Despite facing a significant setback with a ruptured ACL that side-lined him for the entire 2021 season, Rayner returned to reach elite form, earning a spot in the 2024 All-Australian squad and recording a career-high 36 goals during the 2025 season.
As of 2026, he is still active and remains a central figure in the Lions’ pursuit of further success, having recently committed to the club with a long-term contract extension that secures his future at the Gabba until 2031
In the Arena
Round 6 of the AFL season featured several dominant performances and narrow escapes that reshaped the early ladder. Collingwood secured a hard-fought five-point victory over Carlton in a Thursday night thriller at the MCG, while Geelong showcased their offensive prowess by dismantling the Western Bulldogs with a 75-point win. The Sydney Derby saw the Swans claim bragging rights with a convincing 41-point triumph over GWS at the SCG. Meanwhile, the Gold Coast Suns held off a late charge from Essendon in a high-scoring encounter, and Hawthorn continued their strong form by edging out Port Adelaide in a three-point nail-biter at Marvel Stadium.
The highlights of the round were headlined by Jye Amiss, who booted a career-high five goals to lead Fremantle to a 56-point victory over West Coast in the 62nd Western Derby. Jordan Clark was awarded the Glendinning-Allan Medal for his best-on-ground performance in the same match, racking up 27 disposals. In other significant results, Adelaide managed a one-point victory over St Kilda in a dramatic finish at Adelaide Oval, and Melbourne secured a two-point win against the Brisbane Lions. North Melbourne also found form, delivering a massive 75-point win over Richmond.
Moment of the Week
Picture: AFL Photos
In the AFLW Arena
Moment of the Week
Picture: My creativity brought to life by code
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.