This past week, the AFL honored Australia’s military veterans, with 16 of the 18 teams wearing unique Anzac guernseys.
Yes, I am also wondering why two teams didn’t unveil their own, instead opting for an ANZAC patch on their usual uniforms. The Brisbane Lions (2025 Premiership champions) and Syndey Swans opted for the patches on their respective home and away guernseys.
Among the 16 other teams, I of course have some favorites.
The Adelaide Crows’ guernsey stands out for sure. Their colors just work too weel for the design they chose.
The story behind Geelong’s design - and the execution of it - ae really beautiful.
Melbourne’s design also leans into the team’s colors exceptionally well.
The Richmond Tigers have stuck with the same Anzac design since 2022 and it stands out really well. Black and yellow is always a winning color combination.
The Western Bulldogs’ landscape sits on top of a white stripe that names all 175 past and present players that serve(d).
This past week had it all in the AFL, apparently. A nonsensical, foolish call that turned a game on its side, a massive blowout to start the week’s games, and a nail-biter to end the week’s games.
On top of all that, the AFL draft rules have been revised. Great. Just as I was starting to look into that whole side of the AFL. I love sports! (No, but really, I do).
Sydney Swans 18.18 (126) vs. Western Bulldogs 9.6 (60)
A name that keeps coming up every time I watch the Swans, Charlie Curnow is making it really difficult for me to choose a different team to support. He finished the statement win with seven goals, two behinds, 15 disposals, and a goal assist to boot..
See what I did at the end there?
The Bulldogs’ injury woes continue to haunt them after a very promising start to the season.
Hawthorn Hawks 16.16 (112) vs. Gold Coast Suns 9.9 (63)
With Gold Coast also haveig a promising start to this year, seeing them lose three out of their last four is a bit surprising. Hawthorn definitely made a statement, though.
Jack Gunston kicked five goals, with nobody else on either team kicking more than two. Sydney, Fremantle, and Hawthorn are all 6-1 at the top of the ladder through seven rounds.
St. Kilda Saints 22.11 (143) vs. West Coast Eagles 5.12 (42)
So, this is the game that had the controversy, despite what that final score suggests. In fact, some Eagles fans might even say it caused the lopsided score.
At 8:55 of the second quarter, the referee stops play and adds time on the clock after a St. Kilda possesion that was ruled a behind. They change it to a goal (90 seconds after play had resumed), and the Saints kicked two more goals in short order in the re-added time!
Even the announcers were letting the refs have it. The Saints used that extra time to rub salt in the wound, so to speak. I kind of feel for the Eagles there. That 90 seconds etched out any momentum they might have had before.
