Believe it or not, Aussie Rules and comic books share several similarities.
There's never a shortage of drama, things are never quite the way they seem and there always seems to be an underdog.
Given the recent wave of superhero films we thought we would see if could pair the league’s 18 teams to a spandex-wearing do-gooder.
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We've analysed each team’s history, personality, strengths and weaknesses to see if they stack up to some of earth’s mightiest heroes!
DISCLAIMER: SPOILERS (then again, if you're a real nerd reading this, there won't be any!).
Adelaide Crows
Thor
Both come from a mystical place far, far away and have envious younger brothers.
When the Crows are on they’re a force both on-and-off the field, with dominant performances and a strong crowd behind them.
Likewise, Thor has the capacity to be one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe.
But both fell short in the ultimate battle.
Adelaide’s missed opportunity to win the 2017 premiership can be likened to Thor not “going for the head” in Avengers: Infinity War, while parallels can be draw between the Crows’ poor 2018 and 2019 seasons to the God of Thunder getting fat and ugly in the proceeding Avengers: Endgame.
Brisbane Lions
Aquaman
After being the brunt of jokes for several seasons, the Brisbane Lions are cool again and have their sights set on returning to the top.
The once kings of the jungle share similarities with the king of Atlantis, Aquaman.
The undersea superhero was well and truly a meme until Jason Mamoa made him the most badass character in the DC Universe in the 2019 film adaptation, directed by James Wan..
It forced people to put previous iterations (like Brisbane with Fitzroy and the Bears) behind them and look towards a bright and exciting future.
Carlton
Lex Luthor
Commonly known as a villain, Lex Luthor has experienced several turns to the good side, albeit for his own personal gain.
Carlton is very much the AFL’s Luthor – strapped with cash, always in the media and known for having a history of breaking the rules and using power to their advantage.
Both are renowned (especially from a one-eyed Richmond supporter's perspective) for having a certain arrogance about them, and people often wonder if they ever learn their lessons after the mischief they cause.
But no matter their indiscretions, they always seem to find a way back and retain their spot as one of the biggest powerbrokers going around.
Collingwood
Superman
As powerful as they are, both have their kryptonite.
And for Collingwood, it’s Grand Finals.
Sure, they may win the odd one every now and then, but for a long time, it felt as though the club lost all its powers when the last day of September rolled around (explains why they win most of their Grand Finals in October).
The Pies may not be the most popular, but they are the biggest brand in the AFL and have nearly every superpower under the sun.
Comic book fans much prefer Superman when he shows his darker side, which is similar to Collingwood in that people would much rather see the Pies not doing so well (not going to apologise for that one!).
Essendon
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
This one’s quite fitting.
Not only was Hal Jordan air-force pilot, but one of the most respected members of the Justice League.
But the two also share a dark history.
Green Lantern caused one of the biggest stirs in DC history when cosmic entity Parallax took control of him and wiped out the Green Lantern Corps.
It was not until Green Lantern: Rebirth when Hal Jordan came back to life after being presumed dead for several years and found out he'd been replaced by others.
Punished and temporarily replaced…sound familiar?
Fremantle
Robin (Dick Grayson)
Like it or not, it appears the Dockers will always play second fiddle to the West Coast Eagles.
West Coast will always be the biggest side in Perth, but the Dockers have won plenty of admirers along the way.
Regular top-four finishes and a Grand Final appearance in the last decade has seen them transform, like when Dick Grayson became Nightwing.
But no matter the feats they achieve they will always be brought back to earth by the overcasting shadow of the Eagles.
Maybe one day, they'll be able to step out of the shadows and forge a reputation of their own, separate from their elders.
Gold Coast
Squirrel Girl
Who, I hear you ask?
Exactly.
No one really takes Squirrel Girl – or the Gold Coast Suns for that matter – very seriously. Yet.
She is yet to appear in Marvel’s Cinematic or TV Universe, but is gaining a bit of a cult following as a result of her comedic appeal.
Likewise, the Suns are yet to really prove themselves despite having the talent and potential to do so.
But just take note that when they do break out of obscurity, they'll both receive an overwhelming groundswell of support.
Geelong
Captain Marvel
In 2019, Geelong possessed one of the strongest line-ups on paper.
It’s not hard to see why a team with Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood is sitting on top of the ladder.
But it’s a shame we haven’t seen the Cats realise their full potential in the second half of the season.
Captain Marvel is no different, despite getting her own stand-alone movie, she hardly featured in Avengers: Endgame despite teased as being a major player.
She is arguably the most powerful being in the Marvel Universe in the same way the Cats have been one of the most successful teams since the turn of the millennium.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Captain America
Both manufactured by their respective governing bodies to achieve success, Captain American and Greater Western Sydney nevertheless divide fans in their respective communities.
Despite being granted amazing opportunities and being blessed with superpowers of their own kind, the two have held negative views towards their creators on occasion.
Captain America failed to align himself with the government – the catalyst for Civil War – whereas the Giants were far from pleased when a certain deal with Lance Franklin fell over at the last moment.
Hawthorn
Batman
Alastair Clarkson is the reason the Hawks are likened to the caped crusader.
Both Clarkson and Bruce Wayne took in several young apprentices, who excelled elsewhere.
Luke Beveridge at the Bulldogs, Damian Hardwick and the Tigers, Chris Fagan at the Lions, the list goes on (except for Brendon Bolton, whose record was less flattering…. maybe he can be Jason Todd?).
Much of Hawthorn’s success has come as a result of Clarkson’s brilliant tactical mind and ability to get the best out of his players, making the Hawks one the league’s trickiest sides to face.
And one you don't want to cross by any means.
Melbourne
Professor X
Melbourne is one the league’s oldest and grandest of clubs, steeped in history and often associated with images of grandeur .
But when you think of Melbourne supporters, rarely does anyone younger than 50 come to mind, with the Dees being confined to mediocrity for about as long as Professor Charles Xavier has been in his wheelchair.
No one really remembers Melbourne in their heyday, but we take their word for it.
Just like how we believe Professor X could once walk.
(Note: we couldn't find any cheeseboard-themed superheroes, if so, they would have made the list).
North Melbourne
Spider-Man
Before North Melbourne’s ‘golden generation’ of talent which featured Leigh Colbert, Anthony Stevens, Glen Archer and the ‘King’ Wayne Carey, they were just your everyday club (hey, kind of like Peter Parker!).
But this incredible list turned the Kangas into a force in the late nineties which won two premierships.
Despite this success, the club did not explode into stardom but rather continued to be a strong community-based club.
And just like New York’s friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, he's always looking out for the little guy.
Port Adelaide
Loki
As mentioned earlier, Port Adelaide is the Loki to Adelaide’s Thor.
Despite being the evil younger brother, this does not make the Power inferior to the Crows.
As the league became national and a side from South Australia was set to selected, Port felt it should have been them who entered the league first – just like how Loki believed he was the rightful ruler of Asgard.
Despite not being all that popular among the other South Australian clubs, the newly branded Port Power were granted entry and were met with immediate success.
But both are prone to getting slightly ahead of themselves, especially when all seems to be going swimmingly,
Richmond
Daredevil
Blinded by their own success (see what we did there), the Tigers struggled after their tenth flag in 1980.
They returned to relevancy briefly in the early 2000s, but like Ben Affleck’s Daredevil (2003), ran out of steam as soon as people found out they weren’t any good.
Seriously, don't bother seeing that film.
It wasn’t until the Tigers changed their formula and became a gritty, tackling machine that they broke their premiership drought in 2017.
Likewise, Daredevil was reinvigorated by Netflix after the company portrayed the Marvel hero almost Batman-like in a darker and more violent series, becoming one of the most popular superhero adaptations.
St Kilda
Deadpool
St Kilda was always famous for its social club.
The Saints would often reserve their best work for off the field - particularly during the victory-starved eras of the 70s and 80s - generally having the most fun out of everyone and at times causing mischief.
It is only fitting they would then be likened to Deadpool, one of the most popular anti-heroes going around.
Deadpool is not necessarily evil but there's no doubt that he enjoys a good time.
Even if it means bending the rules every now and then.
Sydney Swans
Iron Man
The biggest similarity between the Swans and Tony Stark is they love splashing the cash.
It became somewhat of a habit for Sydney in the early 2010s – luring Kurt Tippet and Lance Franklin on big money deals.
Despite this hefty allowance, the Swans have not become complacent, becoming one of the most consistent teams in the 21st century.
In the modern cinematic and AFL era, both Iron Man and the Swans have reigned supreme and is only now in 2019 where both have given way for others to pass through.
We love you, 3000.
West Coast Eagles
Wonder Woman
Themyscira and Western Australia are on complete opposite corners of the globe (well, one is fictional),
But both serve as the birthplace of gods and heroes, including Wonder Woman and VFL/AFL greats Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, Glen Jakovich and Lance Franklin.
Like Wonder Woman, the Western Australian stars were often hidden away and unheard of as a result of their location.
But this very quickly changed once the rest of the world caught whiff of what they were capable of, especially in West Coast’s first few years in the national competition.
Before long, the Eagles would become one of the most successful clubs since the competition became national and continue to be one of the most dangerous sides on their day.
Western Bulldogs
Shazam
There aren’t too many people who would dislike the Bulldogs.
Despite being overshadowed by some of the other clubs in Melbourne, the Bulldogs are an enjoyable side to watch and have encountered historic battles in their history.
Shazam is very much the same.
His superpowers and abilities are almost second to none, but is not the first name which comes to mind when discussing the best superheroes.
Formerly known as Captain Marvel, the DC hero – like the Bulldogs – experienced a name change, with hardcore fans still referring to him by his previous name in the same way people identify the Bulldogs as Footscray.
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