I am so sick of the negativity in the AFL media.
Just tired of the continued rage-bait articles that they spew out on a weekly basis. Even as part of the TV coverage, we may have just witnessed a great win, a huge comeback, or a memorable individual performance, but you have clowns like Jon Ralph or Jay Clark immediately gravitating to “is so-and-so in trouble for such-and-such?”
Guys, there were just 120 minutes of footy played, with genuine highlights, and you’re discussing the way one bloke tackled another and if the MRO is going to look at it?
It gets old, real quick.
With that in mind, I am all about positivity, today. So here goes – five big positives out of the season, to date. Feel free to add your own on socials or in the comments below.
Footy is pretty bloody great, after all.
THE RE-EMERGENCE OF THE BIG FORWARDS
We continually have it rammed down our throats that the midfielders are the best players in the competition, but when it comes to excitement, seeing a big forward take the game by the scruff of the neck is where it’s at, for me.
This season, we’ve been a little spoilt. Not to the level of Ablett/Dunstall/Lockett/Modra, but given the art of team defence, seeing players like Sam Darcy, Ben King, Riley Thilthorpe, and Josh Treacy attacking the contest and clunking marks… it’s been a joy to watch, and gives you a genuine sense of excitement when the ball goes inside 50.
Win, lose, or draw, supporters of those teams know that they go to the footy with the chance to see something great, and that’s what puts bums on seats. This week’s Darcy v Harris Andrews clash was worth the price of admission. If you haven’t seen the first half of this clash, I urge you to have a look – it is brilliant viewing.
THE SUNS FINALLY ARRIVING
The league’s favourite whipping boys sit atop the AFL Ladder, and look… finally… as though they might just be the real deal.
The Suns have threatened for a while, now. They have always seemed to be on the cusp of making a run at finals, but with four wins from four starts, and wins coming on the road, as well, it might just be time we take these Suns seriously.
Their midfield of Rowell, Anderson, and Miller, could be the toughest to defend in the game, and with Sam Collins anchoring their defence. They get the Tigers this week before facing the Swans, and have their recruits, in Rioli and Noble, both playing great footy to complement the pieces they already had in place, whilst Jed Walter is starting to look like the crash-and-bash forward that could join the ranks of those I posted in the first positive point.
Get excited, Suns fans… I know the wait has been a long one, but it has been worth it.
DANGER UP FORWARD
Again, the talk has been about the comments made to Dangerfield by fans as he left Adelaide Oval.
Water off a duck’s back for a bloke who has seen it all, and heard it all before. The real story is the way he has transitioned to a powerful presence inside 50.
Put it this way – there are some key forwards in the league who could learn a bit about attacking the contest by watching Patrick Dangerfield. He is a battering ram!
In the past, there has been this sentiment that a great midfielder can finish their career up forward, ala Leigh Matthews.
Dusty was okay at it, but his heart wasn’t in it. Fyfe was unable to pull it off. But Danger… he might be the best to do it since Lethal, and it could mean a very deep run for the Cats is on the cards. Again.
TOBY ON PACE FOR MASSIVE YEAR
You guys know I love Toby Greene.
For all his faults on-field, I have always admired his aggression, his passion, and his ability. This season, he is on track to become the first player to average 20+ disposals and 2+ goals in a season since Stevie Johnson in 2011.
Yep, Toby is sitting at 20.2 disposals and 2.8 goals per game after Round Five, and whilst it doesn’t take much to lower those totals, what he has done thus far is worth celebrating. In a team that boasts enormous firepower, TG4 is packing heat in 2025.
THE BIG WANG
This nickname is going to stick, damn it. Who wouldn’t like a nickname like this one?
It’s been a joy to watch Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera play footy in 2025.
Whether he is rebounding out of half-back, or running forward to slam through a running goal, The Big Wang has exceeded all expectations thus far, and looks to command a massive payday when he either re-signs (which is my hope), or entertains offers from elsewhere.
He is all class with the footy, and bites off the tough kicks like it is second nature to him. And you know what is underrated about his game? He actually defends! Unlike a lot of half-back rebounders, Nasiah actually tackles and spoils!
Whilst Saints fans wait for Mattaes Phillipou to return to action, Big Wang has provided plenty to love, and is a big part of the reason the Saints have proven quite a few people wrong early in the season.
As stated, feel free to add some of the things you’ve loved thus far. I have a few more tucked away for a rainy day, and it sure as hell beats getting angry over things that aren’t so great about the game.
Cheers – HB
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
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee – I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won’t use it to buy a doughnut… I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes… or Bet365, or any of them.
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