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.
Western Bulldogs
Buffalo Bills
These clubs boast near-on championship-level lists and a particular generational talent, but have not achieved what they have promised during their windows of success.
Josh Allen and Marcus Bontempelli have typically done everything they can to reach the final stages of the season and carry their team over the line, but have routinely suffered disappointing exits.
Bontempelli's 2021 season was a year from the top-shelf, finishing second in the Brownlow and carrying his side to a 19-point second-half lead in a Grand Final.
Similarly, Buffalo's 2021 playoff run saw Josh Allen put together one of the greatest post-season quarterback performances in memory.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs' hopes were destroyed by a historic Melbourne third-quarter blitz while the Bills' hopes were crushed by the greatness of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since these upsets, both sides have underachieved in seasons they were expected to succeed in.
