AFL Fans Association

29/12/2025

Scared, lost, lonely - Ex-Dog opens up after cut-short AFL career.

We wish Aiden O'Driscoll our best wishes for the future and a happy, prosperous and great life after early bad news.

The Youngster has opened up on life after leaving the AFL at the age of 18 after suffering a career-ending concussion in his first pre-season after being drafted.

A training incident in January last year immediately left the first-year Bulldogs wingman with an uncertain playing future just two months after he was drafted by the club out of Perth.

An Independent Medical Concussion Panel reviewed O'Driscoll's health prior to the young midfielder being advised to retire on medical grounds.

"Agghhh words can't describe the emotions I've felt the last 2 years of my life. From being drafted at the age of 18 years, to being medically retired 5 months post is the most traumatic thing I've experienced…. I don't want this message to make people feel sorry for me or anything, this is purely from the heart and everyone needs to hear how I truely am," he wrote.

"When you see me out in public, please try not to speak about the concussion and footy side of things. The on going question: “Can you play footy again” NO.

O'Driscoll is now seeking to help others working through "the toughest periods of life", with the Western Australian now looking forward to the next chapter of his life.

The 20-year-old has "come to realise AFL isn't everything", and that "there's so much life has to offer", hoping to turn his adversity into a source of inspiration.

"I'm so excited for my next chapter, I've got a few things lined up… that was the scariest part, what was next? But I've got a plan. Family, close friends, fitness, music have been a key part of my rehab process. Some people probably think, I couldn't think of anything worse than the gym or running. But it makes me feel so happy! I hope everyone understands the pain and grief I've been through. Advice: Keep positive through challenging periods

"Be Honest with your friends and family about how you're feeling. More good things to life than bad. Look after yourself before anyone else. Don't be afraid of what others might think."

Full story in comments (extracts above).

📸 Zero Hange

28/12/2025

Four of the largest seven crowds at the MCG in 2025 were AFL games.

📸 The Brisbane Bear

28/12/2025

Will Ashcroft has been denied a chance to play for Victoria due to an eligibility backflip by the AFL.

Will Ashcroft played junior football in Victoria. Kysaiah Pickett played his in South Australia. Yet when the Big V takes on Western Australia in State of Origin, only one of them is playing — and it’s not Ashcroft.

A disappointed Will Ashcroft has been told he will not be able to play for Victoria after an AFL backflip on State of Origin eligibility.
The Brisbane Lions premiership hero was initially ruled eligible to represent Victoria against Western Australia as his junior club when he was drafted was St Kilda City.

But last week the AFL told Ashcroft and the Lions he was no longer considered available for selection in a star-studded midfield which will include Marcus Bontempelli, Nick Daicos and Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell.

Ashcroft, 21, grew up in Queensland but moved to Melbourne when he was 14 before captaining Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro sides in the years before he was drafted.

“I like to think of myself (as a Victorian), yeah. I’ve played here since I was 14 – I was part of a lot of Victorian teams all the way through and then was drafted out of the Sandy Dragons and St Kilda City,” he said.

“Apparently they’ve decided now that I’m not eligible, so I’m not playing unfortunately.

“I’m pretty pi**ed about it, but I think there’s been some changes to the criteria.

What do the fans think?

Should Will play for Queensland in State of Origin footy in the future if his heart tells him he is a Victorian footballer?

What do fans think is fair football criteria for State of Origin eligibility? Birth, most time lived or where most junior football is played? Does under 14 to 17s outweigh Auskick to Under 13s due to a higher level of play?

Full story in comments (paywall - extracts above).k

27/12/2025

We came across this vintage fan made ladder today and thought we woukd share.

What other fan art is out there to see?

Original post:

I made this VFL ladder in sheet metal at tech school 45 years ago.

(Update) Thanks all for your comments, just for the record I was pretty crap at all subjects at school and this relic from my past is obviously a piece of junk. However it’s very significant to me because it’s the old 12 VFL teams that I grew up with just before the competition expansion started with South going to Sydney.

Unfortunately I only wrote the teams out with a texta.

I was in year 7 at the time.

📸 Collingwood FC History

27/12/2025

Buddy and Jesinta Franklin have announced an addition to the family.

The AFL legend and his model wife announced the news on Christmas Eve night, with Jesinta’s Instagram revealing the news with a low-key elevator picture of them leaving hospital.

Jesinta can be seen carrying bags and a pillow, with the Hawthorn and Swans great holding their baby.

There was no hint of the baby’s gender.

The baby joins Buddy and Jesinta’s growing family, which includes Tallulah, 5, and Rocky, 4

Full story in comments.

26/12/2025

The fastest AFL players of 2025 have been revealed, with Sydney's Nick Blakey taking the crown as the league's speedster this year.

The Swans half-back clocked a top speed of 36.1km/h in his side's Round 12 meeting with Adelaide at the SCG, with that pace 0.2km/h better than the next best in Richmond pressure forward Maurice Rioli.

Both Blakey and Rioli feature twice in the top six speeds recorded by the AFL's tracking system this year, with GWS ace Darcy Jones and Collingwood livewire Bobby Hill both tied for third overall with speeds of 35.8km/h.

Full story in comments

📸 Zero Hanger

26/12/2025

AFL House considers limiting free to air (FTA) footy on Saturdays and continuing a floating fixture five years after the COVID19 pandemic as good for the game.

We asked the fans if they agreed and the overwhelming response was NO on both issues.

The AFL Fans Association has reported these issues, fan sentiments and other key matters impacting fans adversely to the AFL.

We will continue to represent the fans during season 2026 to ensure the game is both financially sustainable, and fan friendly so it can be the best version of itself for generations to come.

Help us by being a free member/follow us and help make the FAN VOICE too loud to be ignored! We need to become too big to be pushed aside.

https://www.aflfans.org.au/join-the-aflfa/

24/12/2025

24/12/2025

Congratulations to Gayle V who was the AFL Fans Association randomly drawn $500 prize winner after taking the time to complete our 2025 fan survey.

Our Strategy and Engagement Manager Sheridan V will be in contact to get tour detaiks for the prize.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our survey and help give all fans a stong, collective voice as the largest stakeholder group in our great game.

The fan issues identified were provided to the AFL and we will follow these up and continue to support fans in 2026. If you would like to read our report it can be gound herehttps://www.aflfans.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Executive-Summary-AFLFA-Fan-Survey-Sep-2025-compressed.pdf

23/12/2025

Two-thirds of AFL era premierships were won by these six clubs.

What will the next 36 years bring?

Will there be more AFL Grand Finals around the country?

📸 theaflparadise