Known officially as Australian Football League (AFL), ‘Australian Rules’ is a sport that has a special place in the hearts of Australians all around the country. At the beginning of the 1990s, it underwent a massive facelift, and it has brought the whole sport back to life. Between 1967 and 1989, only five teams won the premiership, and viewers were losing interest due to the lack of competition. With the introduction of a draft and salary cap, 13 different teams have won since the changes, and fans are turning up to fixtures in their thousands once again.
Most Successful Teams and Their Trophies
As fans of the sport will tell you, some names are steeped in history when it comes to the AFL/VFL trophy (the Victorian Football League was changed to the Australian Football League in 1990). To no great surprise, it’s the oldest teams who have the busiest trophy cabinets. At the top, we have Essendon, who have been ‘premiers’ 16 times since their foundation in 1897. Meanwhile, they have lost 14 times, which makes a total of 30 trips to the Grand Final.
Just behind Essendon, we find Carlton, who also has 16 premierships to their name but one fewer Grand Final appearance. For Collingwood, their 15 premierships have brought good times to the club, but they can be deemed the unluckiest of teams having lost in the final 27 times. In 42 Grand Final appearances, they have a success rate of just under 36%. In fact, they lost three in a row between 1937 and 1939 and then three in four years in 1977, 1979, and 1980.
The only other teams with double-digit trophy wins are Hawthorn (13), Richmond (12), and Melbourne (12). These trophies are equivalent to the American Lombardi trophy, as it represents the ultimate victory in the sport. Trophy makers have become more creative over the years, making sports trophies bigger and better than ever before. Even Australian school districts have improved the quality of their trophies for their students. Leaning on industry experts like Impact Glass custom trophy makers, school districts, and colleges alike have found that improving the quality of the trophy has made winning even more glorious for the winning team, and ultimately preparing them for trophies like those won in major sports competitions.
Importance of New Additions
One of the reasons AFL fans have rediscovered their adoration for the sport is because of the new additions to the league, and this move from the league has also highlighted the competitiveness. Of all the teams in the league, only one has failed to make an appearance at the Grand Final; Gold Coast (but they were only founded in 2011). Elsewhere, Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney join Gold Coast as the only teams never to win a premiership. Greater Western Sydney joined the league in 2012 while Fremantle joined in 1995.
Other teams to join since 1987 are:
- West Coast (4 wins, 3 runners-up)
- Adelaide (2 wins, 1 runner-up)
- Brisbane Lions (3 wins, 1 runner-up)
- Port Adelaide (1 win, 1 runner-up)
One of the motivations for new franchises entering the league is that premiership wins are possible, and this is what is so exciting for fans. Despite their successful histories, neither Essendon nor Carlton have won a premiership since 2000. In fact, the last time either side appeared in the Grand Final was 2001.
The Grand Final
Taking place around September, the Grand Final has transformed into more than just a sporting event; it’s a day for the whole country to enjoy. Before the game, players from each team take part in a parade around the streets of Melbourne, and there’s even a North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast for politicians, personalities, and celebrities. For those lucky enough to get tickets, there’s entertainment before, during, and after the game. In 2011, Meat Loaf performed at the Grand Final, and it has since taken on a Super Bowl half-time show feel. Since then, the event has seen Chris Isaak, Ed Sheeran, Black Eyed Peas, Sting, and others perform.
