In honour of the NFL season's start and the beginning of the AFL finals, we compiled a cross-code comparison linking each AFL side to their closest NFL counterpart.
These comparisons are based on every metric you can think of; recent success, historic success, club status, current projections, future projections, similar-type players, recent list changes, method of play, and even just general vibes.
Some clubs have shockingly fitting comparisons while others need to be slightly reached for.
Nevertheless, here is our list of who every AFL fan should support this NFL season.
West Coast Eagles
Los Angeles Rams
These are two franchises who sacrificed their future in order to taste glory and are now suffering the consequences.
West Coast was all in on their recent era of success, throwing hefty contracts and draft picks to secure stars Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Josh Kennedy and more to win the famous 2018 Grand Final.
The Rams threw the kitchen sink at Detroit to acquire Matthew Stafford, realising they had to make the most of an era with one of the game's greatest defensive players in Aaron Donald, and superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Both sides won the chip they were begging for, with the Rams defeating the Bengals in 2021, but both sides have since fallen off a cliff in the aftermath.
West Coast are now one of the worst AFL sides we have ever seen and are only getting worse by losing their premiership veterans.
The Rams haven't reached this level but suffered a disaster of a 2022 season and are now fading as their former stars age.
