There can only be one AFL champion each year, which means 17 fan bases are left disappointed.
But who is truly suffering the most, and which fan base is cruising through the season with little to complain about?
These rankings aim to determine which teams have the most valid reasons to gripe about their AFL experience and which fan bases are sitting pretty.
When compiling these rankings, we take into account several factors: the periods of irrelevance for each club, the frequency of heartbreaking losses, the team’s current competitiveness, and – most importantly – the absence of premiership success.
The focus here is on the modern era. While some clubs have a rich history of success, that doesn’t necessarily matter if most of it happened before a fan was born.
For instance, if you’re a 70-year-old Carlton fan, you’ve seen the Blues win eight flags in your lifetime – a deal most supporters would happily take, given that the usual state of affairs is enduring disappointment. Yet, despite the Blues’ current woes, that 70-year-old fan shouldn’t feel too downbeat.
On the other hand, if you’re younger, you’ve never seen Carlton claim a premiership, and for much of your life, they’ve been near the bottom of the ladder.
These rankings will reflect the fan experience as we head into the 2025 season, acknowledging that the pain (or joy) of supporting a team is shaped by the here and now.
Number 18 – Hawthorn
Last Premiership: 2015
Current State: Contender
Fan Mentality: We’re Back!
Arguably the greatest dynasty in AFL history, with four flags in nine years, including a three-peat and another grand final appearance.
No Hawthorn fan can say with a straight face that that period of dominance hasn’t transformed their outlook on life as a fan. The difference between Hawthorn’s period of dominance and other teams’ is twofold.
1. There aren’t many big-final defeats associated with this champion team. One grand final loss from five appearances is an excellent return.
2. Hawthorn is back in the hunt, having won a finals game and being one of the favourites to win the competition in 2025 according to bookmakers. Usually, the downturn from a champion team is much darker (ask current Richmond fans or 2008-2018 Brisbane Lions fans).
The Tigers celebrate with the premiership cup (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Number 17 – Richmond
Last Premiership: 2020
Current State: Rebuilding
Fan Mentality: It was worth it
The Dustin Martin-era Tigers brought more joy to Richmond fans than they thought possible.
Not only did they end a 37-year premiership drought – a monumental achievement for a club the size of Richmond – but they also established one of the best teams in recent memory, winning three flags in four years. Now, the Tigers are facing the downside of unimaginable success.
Salary cap pressures, low-quality picks, and a win-now mentality have caught up with them, and they’re at the bottom of the ladder. However, they have an impressive draft hand and are rebuilding.
Time will tell when they can become a premiership threat again, but Richmond fans will tell you it was all worth it.
Number 16 – Geelong
Last Premiership: 2022
Current State: Contender
Fan Mentality: We will contend forever
Geelong has been the benchmark for consistency in the AFL; 16 of the past 18 finals series, six grand finals and four flags, and only five times in the past 18 years have they failed to make the preliminary final or go further.
They’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Despite this, Geelong fans often feel that they should have more premierships, as they’ve lost many big games over this span. Still, Geelong fans are among the most fortunate in the AFL right now.
Jeremy Cameron of the Geelong Cats. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Number 15 – Collingwood
Last Premiership: 2023
Current State: Contender
Fan Mentality: We are the biggest and the best
Collingwood may not have had a string of recent premierships, but with two flags in the past 15 years and a history of relevance, they’re in a strong position.
Despite four lost grand finals since 2000 and a heartbreaking loss in 2018, Collingwood remains a destination club and will always find a way to be competitive.
Collingwood fans will always have reasons to be optimistic about an upcoming season.
Number 14 – West Coast
Last Premiership: 2018
Current State: Rebuilding
Fan Mentality: We had a good run
West Coast has been a model club, consistently successful since its inception in 1987. Since joining the league, the Eagles have played in seven grand finals and won four flags.
They have remained relevant over that time, making the finals in two-thirds of the seasons they’ve played in.
They will have a rough season this year, but they definitely have the runs on the board, and Eagles fans young and old have had good memories.
Number 13 – Brisbane
Last Premiership: 2024
Current State: Defending Premiers
Fan Mentality: Dynasty Incoming
Brisbane capped off a memorable 2024 campaign with a grand final win this September and is well poised for further future success. With a slew of promising young players and more on the way, this team is primed to compete for the next decade.
For the best part of a decade, the Lions were one of the laughing stocks, finishing in the bottom four in seven of eight seasons from 2011-2018.
That duration of pain might have led people to forget that the Lions have been one of the most competitive clubs this century – with four flags, six grand finals, eight prelims, and 12 finals appearances.
Brisbane fans suffered an extended period of time but are now poised to have a second successive window of premiership success this century.
Kai Lohmann celebrates during the 2024 grand final. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
Number 12 – Sydney
Last Premiership: 2012
Current State: Contender
Fan Mentality: Grand Final Curse
Sydney has had a successful 20 years, with two premierships and plenty of big-game experience. A lot of fans would do unspeakable things to have a similar experience.
However, their four recent grand final losses – including three heavy defeats – have left fans with a sense of unfinished business.
Despite this, Sydney remains a contender and has more recent premiership success than most clubs, so remains near the top of the list.
Number 11 – GWS
Last Premiership: N/A
Current State: Contender
Fan Mentality: It’s just around the corner
As an expansion side, GWS fans were prepared for lean years, but the club has proven competitive over its first 13 seasons.
With four preliminary finals appearances in the past nine years, they have been one of the more stable teams.
However, without a flag to show for their efforts, they haven’t yet reached the promised land.
GWS is well-positioned for the future, but their lack of a premiership keeps them further down the rankings compared to more established clubs.
Number 10 – Melbourne
Last Premiership: 2021
Current State: Scrapping for the eight
Fan Mentality: What happened?
Melbourne fans were readying themselves for a Richmond-like destiny. A breakthrough premiership from an old club led to a dynasty with a champion player at the centre of it.
Jump forward four years and they have not won another finals game. There has been much-publicized disharmony amongst key players, and after waiting so long for a flag, it seems they are trending down rather than challenging again.
Ultimately, even winning a premiership is such a special experience for a fan that, on the back of the 2021 season alone, rockets the Demon fanbase up the rankings.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Number 9 – Gold Coast
Last Premiership: N/A
Current State: Scrapping for the eight
Fan Mentality: Do we even exist?
Gold Coast has spent over 20 years either cellar-dwelling or stuck in mediocrity. Without any finals appearances and with only Gary Ablett Jr. as a real champion to speak of, the Suns have had little to celebrate.
They have not had any great victories or suffered any gut-wrenching defeats.
The Suns have the least number of fans in the AFL, so it is difficult to consider exactly where they fit in.
Ultimately, in the middle feels right for a team that has been so far, in their history, largely irrelevant.
Number 8 – Port Adelaide
Last Premiership: 2004
Current State: Should make the eight
Fan Mentality: Always a bridesmaid
Port Adelaide has been a competitive team over the past five seasons, with a minor premiership and a preliminary final appearance in that time.
They have never fallen to the bottom for much longer than a season or two; however, it has now been twenty years since premiership glory.
The length of time since their last premiership, and their inability to win the big games in recent years, has begun to take its toll on their fanbase.
Number 7 – Western Bulldogs
Last Premiership: 2016
Current State: Scrapping for the eight
Fan Mentality: Was it just a miracle?
The Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership run was one of the most remarkable in AFL history, but they have struggled to replicate that success. Though they’ve remained a consistent finals presence, they haven’t been able to finish in the top four for some time.
Their miracle run to the 2021 grand final was another shining moment, but they remain a club that hasn’t lived up to
the potential their 2016 flag promised.
Without the 2016 miracle finals run, they would be much higher on this list. The Bulldogs managed to capture an elusive flag, but outside that one season, not much to write home about.
Marcus Bontempelli celebrates a goal. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Number 6 – Adelaide
Last Premiership: 1997
Current State: In-between
Fan Mentality: Getting a little concerned
Adelaide has been in a downward spiral since their 2016 grand final appearance. They’ve failed to make finals in every season since – seven straight seasons.
The Crows, up until this slide, have been a very consistent and competitive team, making the finals more often than not and never being irrelevant for too long.
So, it is fair to say this is the worst time in their history to be a Crows fan. However, their current team shows some promise, and fans are hoping they can turn it around and re-enter the finals picture.
Number 5 – Fremantle
Last Premiership: N/A
Current State: Should make the eight
Fan Mentality: Will we ever win a flag?
Fremantle is yet to win a premiership in their 30-year history. Their best era came between 2012 and 2015 when they made finals every year, including a grand final appearance.
Outside of that, the Dockers have only made the finals four out of a possible 26 seasons.
Fremantle has been around long enough to not be considered a new side, so this is a true premiership drought.
At least Freo fans have been able to cheer for Nat Fyfe in the Brownlow counts. Fremantle fans are desperate for success but have yet to see their team deliver on the biggest stage.
Number 4 – Carlton
Last Premiership: 1995
Current State: Chance for the four
Fan Mentality: Is it time for the lid to come off?
Carlton fans have endured a tough time for the past 30 years.
A lack of premiership success and an absence of being relevant for a large chunk of that time. However, the team is looking up, with a promising list and the presence of one of the game’s best players in Patrick Cripps.
For fans who have suffered so long, having a star player to cheer for makes the tough times more bearable.
What separates them from teams with a similar premiership drought is their ability to challenge come finals time this year.
Number 3 – North Melbourne
Last Premiership: 1999
Current State: Rebuilding
Fan Mentality: At least we had the 90s
North Melbourne is in the midst of a 25-year premiership drought and has languished near the bottom of the ladder for the past five years.
With ongoing rumours of the club moving or merging, it has not been a great time to be a Kangas fan since their last flag.
However, with a new coach and some promising young players, there’s still hope for the future.
Essendon players look dejected. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Number 2 – Essendon
Last Premiership: 2000
Current State: Scrapping for the eight
Fan Mentality: How much longer will I have to hear the “finals win drought” joke?
Essendon’s 20-year finals win drought is one of the most painful in AFL history, and it’s been almost a quarter-century since their last premiership.
What puts Essendon ahead of clubs in similar situations, such as North Melbourne and Carlton (big Victorian clubs that have had a sustained period of being unsuccessful), is the additional pain of the “supplements saga,” which has cast a shadow over the club’s recent history.
Number 1 – St Kilda
Last Premiership: 1966
Current State: Scrapping for the eight
Fan Mentality: You grew up in the darkness; I was born in it.
One of the few inarguable spots on this list. St Kilda fans have endured the longest premiership drought in AFL history.
The only St Kilda fans who would have a memory of them winning the flag are approaching 70.
Not only have they got the longest drought, but they also have lost big matches in painful ways.
Two lost grand finals back-to-back, with one of them being drawn first.
If you know a St Kilda fan, check in on them. The pain is real.
Sports Writer Pathttps://https://ift.tt/u0a2Kn4 ‘we’re back’ to ‘do we even exist?’: Ranking the level of torture suffered by AFL’s fan bases
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