Discover the Best Australian Football Leagues and Teams to Follow in 2024
As I sit down to map out my 2024 Australian football viewing calendar, I can't help but reflect on what makes following a league truly rewarding. Having tracked Australian football for over a decade, I've learned it's not just about chasing championship contenders - it's about finding teams with that special character and narrative that hooks you for the entire season. This perspective reminds me of that powerful quote from Philippine basketball where players emphasized staying present in their current identity while giving their absolute best. That mentality resonates deeply with what makes Australian football so compelling to follow.
The AFL undoubtedly sits at the pinnacle, and my personal obsession remains with the Richmond Tigers, though I'll admit my bias here after following them since their miraculous 2017 premiership turnaround. What fascinates me about the current AFL landscape is how dramatically it's shifted - we're seeing traditional powerhouses like Collingwood and Carlton resurgence while newer franchises like Greater Western Sydney have established themselves as genuine forces. The numbers speak volumes about the league's growth, with average attendance climbing to approximately 34,000 per game last season and television viewership surpassing 6 million nationally. But beyond the statistics, what truly captivates me is watching teams like Melbourne Demons rebuild their identity or seeing how Western Bulldogs maintain their distinctive, fast-paced style year after year.
Stepping down from the elite level, the various state leagues offer their own unique charms that I've come to appreciate through my travels across Australia. The SANFL in South Australia maintains this incredible traditional atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time, while over in Western Australia, the WAFL has produced some of the most exciting talent pipelines I've seen. Then there's the VFL in Victoria, which serves as both a development ground for AFL prospects and a destination for local heroes who become legends in their communities. I'll never forget watching a packed VFL preliminary final at Port Melbourne where the intensity rivaled anything I've seen in the AFL - that's when I realized these leagues aren't just feeder competitions but thriving ecosystems in their own right.
The women's football landscape has been the most exciting development in recent years, with AFLW viewership growing by approximately 42% since 2021 according to the last figures I saw. What strikes me about following women's teams is how accessible the players remain while the quality of football improves exponentially each season. I've developed a particular soft spot for the Adelaide Crows women's team, not just because of their success but because of how they've built this incredible culture that seems to elevate everyone around them.
What often gets overlooked in following Australian football is the community tier - the local clubs that form the heartbeat of suburbs and towns across the country. Having volunteered with a country league team in Victoria last year, I witnessed firsthand how these clubs embody that mentality of giving their best for the team regardless of their circumstances. They're not thinking about next season or potential mergers - they're fully invested in their current identity and making the most of every game. This grassroots passion ultimately feeds upward, creating the distinctive character that makes Australian football unlike any other code.
As we look toward the 2024 season, the narrative I'm most excited about revolves around teams embracing their current identities while striving for excellence. Whether it's a rebuilding AFL club finding its new identity or a state league team defending its hard-earned premiership, the common thread remains that commitment to being fully present in their journey. That's ultimately what I look for when recommending teams to follow - not just the likely champions, but those clubs with compelling stories that make every game meaningful. After all, the most rewarding fandom experiences come from growing alongside a team rather than just waiting for them to arrive at success.