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 1859, the Geelong Football Club occupied a distinct space as the AFL’s sole regional Victorian powerhouse. Playing out of Kardinia Park, the Cats have fostered a deeply rooted, intensely loyal community connection that unites generations of blue-and-white-hooped supporters. While some clubs experience volatile competitive cycles, Geelong’s modern narrative is defined by consistency and a relentless pursuit of silverware, netting multiple premierships across the 21st century. This culture of sustained excellence is anchored by iconic figures like the Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, and Patrick Dangerfield.
Geelong’s women’s program entered the AFLW during the 2019 expansion phase, working to establish its own footprint within an organization steeped in historical success. Leading into 2026, the female Cats have evolved from an enthusiastic young side into a balanced, competitive unit known for its high-pressure style and resilience. Their steady climb up the ladder has yielded consistent finals appearances, proving they can match it with the competition’s foundational teams.
AFL News
MEN’S LEAGUE
The West Coast Eagles are actively seeking procedural clarity from league officials regarding a controversial interchange delay that left them temporarily shorthanded during play. The club is questioning the match-day management process after a severe first-quarter head injury to a wingman resulted in an immediate concussion protocol call, yet technical restrictions prevented their replacement player from entering the field before the opposition advanced the ball.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Structural developments continue to shape the league’s flagship honors, particularly with the major expansion of the prestigious Goal of the Year award. Spearheaded by naming partner National Australia Bank, the revamped prize pool now grants the seasonal winner fifty-thousand-dollar payout alongside an additional ten-thousand-dollar development donation directly to their nominated junior or community football club.
Concurrently, public attention is turning toward the league’s pathway programs and emerging talent pools, highlighted by the annual All Stars showcase match at Whitten Oval, which features a highly anticipated matchup between the country’s premier under-eighteen draft prospects and the national development squads.
The 2026 AFLW season is scheduled to begin during the week of August 10.
The Footy Focus
Cripps stands as the defining presence in the Carlton midfield. As captain of the Blues, the powerful inside midfielder has built his reputation on an ability to dominate stoppage situations and clear the ball through sheer physical strength. His individual excellence, highlighted by his Brownlow Medal success, reflects a playing style centered on endurance and contested possession that routinely sets the standard for his teammates on match days.
Away from the stadium, Cripps channels his high profile into supporting the sport’s grassroots foundations.
He frequently engages in regional community outreach programs, working directly with young footballers in country areas who often lack direct access to elite sporting resources. Through various youth health and mentorship initiatives, he focuses on providing practical guidance to the next generation, establishing a community connection that extends well beyond his statistical achievements in the AFL.
In the Arena
Round summary on Monday
Moment of the Week
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In the AFLW Arena
Moment of the Week
Picture: My creativity brought to life by code
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.