The AFL Grand Final will take place this Saturday, leaving the loyal fans in Victoria without a local team to support. As the NRL seeks to expand its reach across Perth, Papua New Guinea, and beyond, this match between Brisbane and Fremantle serves as a reminder that rugby league hasn’t yet claimed total supremacy.
Neither team enjoys the advantage of playing at home in the MCG, but the question remains: which team will capture the support of undecided fans, casual viewers, and those just learning about both teams? Should the occasional AFL followers rally behind Brisbane, the powerhouse aiming for their third consecutive title? Or do the determined underdog Dockers merit your allegiance?
Brisbane Lions
Many clubs would envy having even one golden era, but the Lions have already achieved two in the early 21st century. Since their revival in Brisbane in 1997, they’ve claimed an impressive five premierships and now have a shot at matching their remarkable feat of three consecutive championships from 2001 to 2003.
It can be challenging to cheer for such an evident favorite; out of 23 players in the squad, only two have yet to win a championship. Nevertheless, their success is well-deserved. After suffering a 53-point defeat against the Swans in the qualifying final, they had to take the long road to the Grand Final. They first triumphed over Adelaide on their home turf and then staged a thrilling comeback against a formidable Hawthorn team in the preliminaries, overcoming a 22-point deficit at one stage before reclaiming the lead in the dying moments of the match.
The Lions are a formidable force, and their players are, for the most part, quite charming. The Ashcroft brothers, Will and Levi, are akin to the Williams sisters in the AFL, consistently winning while maintaining their wholesome image. Veteran small forward Charlie Cameron rose from playing for the Newman Saints while working in a Pilbara mine to becoming one of the league’s brightest stars. Even Dayne Zorko has a compelling presence that evokes both admiration and annoyance.
While they may not be the most humble club, humility doesn’t lead to three-peat victories. If Brisbane secures their sixth flag of the century, they might not win many hearts, but they’ll certainly be too busy celebrating to worry.
Support them if: You appreciate dynasties.
Oppose them if: You’re looking for a change of pace.
Fremantle Dockers
The Dockers enter Saturday’s match as underdogs, which speaks volumes about Brisbane’s recent dominance. Both teams joined the league in the mid-1990s, but their trajectories have diverged significantly. While Brisbane quickly began winning championships after merging with Fitzroy, Fremantle had a much slower start, taking nine years to even reach the finals.
As of now, Fremantle has yet to secure a premiership. Their peak years from 2012 to 2015 coincided with the rise of Hawthorn, one of the greatest teams in league history, which defeated them decisively in the 2013 Grand Final while going on to achieve their own three-peat.
Fremantle has managed to participate in only three finals matches in the decade following that period—until this year. Since the middle of 2025, losing has become a rarity for the Dockers. They achieved a remarkable 14 consecutive wins this season, a club record, and cruised to the minor premiership, losing just four matches throughout the year. Many had written them off after a loss to Hawthorn in the qualifying final, but hard-fought victories against Geelong and the Swans have propelled them back into the Grand Final race.
Fans will find plenty to admire in players like Patrick “Prancing Pony” Voss, who faced a fine earlier this year for the minor infraction of ruffling an opponent’s hair. Captain Alex Pearce has displayed leadership both on and off the field, standing firm against criticism for his social media posts supporting civilians in Gaza. The Dockers have transformed a mix of overlooked players and a few stars from other clubs into a formidable premiership contender.
Though it has been a 32-season wait, the passionate supporters of Fremantle still hold onto the belief that this year could finally be their moment. Perhaps, just perhaps, it’s time for Wharfie Time.
Support them if: You believe in fairytales.
Oppose them if: You identify as an East Coast Chauvinist.
