It’s Wrestlemania season… the worst Wrestlemania season of all time probably, but it still counts, and as much as people love to cheer their heroes, you need a good villain to work alongside them.
You think about it.
Hulk Hogan had Roddy Piper.
Ricky Steamboat had Randy Savage.
The Ultimate Warrior had Ravishing Rick Rude.
And it is just the same in the AFL. As much as people adore Marcus Bontempelli or Will Ashcroft, there have to be those who earn their ire. The AFL and those associated with it, can talk about booing all they like, and how they dislike this, or dislike that… but it is as much the villains, or in this case, the heels, that make the game tick.
So, with that in mind, I undertook a task to deduce which players are most disliked in the game right now, and for a variety of different reasons, here is what I came up with.
10 – TOM PAPLEY
As far as I can tell, everyone who doesn’t worship the red and white thinks Paps is… well, they think he is a bit of a dick.
Whether it is the over-the-top celebrations every time he kicks a goal, or getting in his opponent’s face in the hope they retaliate and draw a free kick, people know the type of bloke they’d want to avoid in public, and Tom Papley fits the bill.
9 – PATRICK DANGERFIELD
Has a bit of a holier-than-thou attitude about him, and whilst his playing prowess can never doubted, his tenure as AFLPA President, where he would post personal preferences on the game (shorter quarters, remember?) but blur the lines as to whether he was talking for himself, or the players he represented, left a bad taste in people’s mouths.
8 – JAKE STRINGER
Jake would usually occupy a place much higher up the list, but he is now at a team where even when it comes to being disliked, he has to take a back seat.
Earned the ire of Bombers fans with his repeated poor preseasons, and by bringing “colurful identities” into the change rooms, which forced the AFL to step in.
Playing well this season. Anyone know if his contract is expiring?
7 – BRAYDEN MAYNARD
Look, even when you remove the unfortunate Angus Brayshaw incident from the equation, Maynard has always evoked a pretty strong reaction from opposition supporters. Does not back down, and actually takes a step forward whenever there is a confrontation taking place.
Doesn’t think twice to get in the face of an opponent – I’d love to see a Maynard-Papley man-on-man duel for a whole game.
Maybe throw some blunt object or two into the mix. And a sharp one…
6 – DAYNE ZORKO
Doesn’t stop yapping, and you just know he is not saying the most positive things to the people he’s talking to.
One of the very few players to have played at the top level that has made an opponent cry, and you know what the worst thing about him is?
He can play beautiful footy… and that tends to piss people off the most.
5 – HARLEY REID
Oh, did you see what Harley Reid’s done this time? Let’s get on his case…
Ugh.
Basically, he plays on the edge, is happy to sit an opponent on their backside, and loves the rough stuff. No, that’s not part of his dating profile – he is an old school footballer who is trying to instil fight into his Eagles.
And people don’t like when a young player does that.
4 – NICK WATSON
There is not much Nick Watson can do right in the eyes of many. Kicks five in a win, and the focus is how he didn’t deserve some of the kicks, and how he shouldn’t even have the nickname of The Wizard.
Plus, he is short. Short people suck.
3 – TOBY GREENE
There will never NOT be a time when one of these lists is produced, and Toby is not on it. He could run into a burning house, save an old lady, her cat, and her budgie, and people would complain he didn’t lock the door on the way out.
Like Harley Reid, he is a footballer who likes to make his opponent earn it, and if you don’t like him… I reckon he’d kick you in the face and call it an accident.
2 – BAILEY SMITH
Well, he doesn’t help himself, but the man with the biggest social media following in the game loves to ruffle feathers.
Whether he is telling a photographer where to go, or speaking his mind openly, Bailey incurs the wrath of the footy public simply for being Bailey Smith.
Someone’s gotta be him, right? Why not him?
1 – NICK DAICOS
Ah yes, Collingwood fans roll their eyes, but you know it’s true. And you know why he is number one on the list, as well, don’t ya?
Because he is too damn good.
I don’t think he’d be anywhere near the top of these rankings if the Fox Footy and Channel Seven commentators didn’t wet themselves whenever he was near the ball. They make things much worse.
And when he isn’t near the ball, they should be asking “Where’s Daicos…?”
And just so you know, I would have every single one of these players on my team without a second thought.
Except Papley. He really does come across like a dick.
Apologies to the following short-listed players
Zak Butters
Lachie Neale
Jack Ginnivan
Mac Andrew
Izak Rankine
Zach Merrett
Jason Horne-Francis
Lance Collard
James Sicily
Tom Lynch
Noah Balta
Taylor Walker
Mason Cox
Keep working away fellas… you might make the next one.
What do you think – AFL coaches and personalities next? Kane, BT, Chompers Jones… who makes the list?
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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