AFL is arguably one of the most exciting sports championships in the world. And that's even the stance of those who aren't that much into Aussie football.ย
Rise in AFL Popularity
As time passes, the AFL is slowly starting to outgrow Australia, and its popularity is reaching other parts of the world. Most recently, we've seen a spike in interest in Europe, the USA, and Africa.
Now, we are here to present the best AFL players, so stay tuned to see our list. You will see the guys who are Brownlow, Magarey, and Coleman medal winners, the successors of the famous Aussie football legends and champions such as Gary Ablett Sr., Ian Stewart, Robert Harvey, Kevin Bartlett, Greg Williams, Jimmy Bartel, Matthew Pavlich, Joel Selwood. We could continue like this forever, but let's get down to business.ย
We are pretty sure it will be very interesting for you to read, and here are the names:
- Zak Buttersย
- Zach Merrett
- Clayton Oliver
- Marcus Bontempelliย
- Lachie Neale
- Nick Daicosย
- Christian Petracca
Top AFL players
Christian Petracca
The best AFL player is, without a doubt, Christian Petracca of the Melbourne Football Club. A midfield who dominated the game over the previous few seasons has 27 years and is ahead of his prime.ย
He is a four-time All-Australian and the 2021 AFL Premiership player. The way he impacts the game is impressive, and we are pretty sure that as time goes by, he might become one of the best players in the past few decades.ย
Petracca's performance in the game against the Kangaroos in the seventh round was a pure symphony, and everyone who isn't into AFL that much should watch that game. Everything will be clear regarding his skills.ย
Nick Daicosย
Now, this guy is 20 years old. If everything goes well for him and he has the luck to avoid injuries or other setbacks, he could be a blast. The media is already projecting his career as one of the best ever, and how wouldn't they when Daicos plays like a veteran in his second season?ย
Collingwood defeated Brisbane Lions in the 2023 AFL Grand finals, with Daicos entering history in his first year in the league. He was named the AFL Rising Star and the best First-Year player. Collingwood has a new star in him, the one who will replace Scott Pendlebury once he decides to retire.
Lachie Neale
This year's Brownlow Medal winner cemented his place as one of the best midfielders ever. After winning the Brownlow and Lee Matthews trophy in 2020, three years later, he would take another Charlie after a fantastic second part of the year during which he outshined all the rivals. The last guy before him who won multiple Brownlows was Nat Fyfe. He joined an elite company of players with two such honors, which include Chris Judge, Adam Goodes, Gary Ablett Jr., etc.ย
We won't say Brisbane wouldn't be a respectable force without him, but this team's quality heavily relies upon this player, as Neale presents the unit's heart and soul.ย
Marcus Bontempelliย
Western Bulldogs captain symbolizes the nickname of the team. His relentless style is eye-catching, and it's no wonder why he earned five All-Australian team selections.ย
He is always near the top in contested possessions, tackles, and clearances. The statistics produced by this gentleman are impressive, so it is no wonder why everyone believes Bontempelli is one of the best AFL players.ย
Clayton Oliver
We won't speak too much about Oliver's honors and achievements. That would take us the whole day to finish. Saying that he has three All-Australian selections is enough. With Petracca, he forms a lethal dynamic duo, probably the best in the game now.ย
Oliver is an all-around fella who will produce a high number of clearances and contested possessions, but also, kick goals and ball wins. Some say he isn't as attractive as some other blokes on this list, but those are just voices of haters or those whose team lost because of Melbourne's No.13.ย
Zach Merrett
The Essendon Football Club captain is one of those players whose quality of play is disproportional with the media attention and the hype. Merrett is a three-time All-Australian, one of the most consistent players in the AFL; yet somehow, he isn't credited enough. At least in our opinion.
There aren't too many hard-working midfielders in the game whose combination of physicality and sports IQ is at such a high level.ย
Zak Buttersย
This guy exploded in 2023. Some would suggest that he shouldn't be on the list, but we strongly disagree. The intensity he brings on the field is unmatched in the league. His influence on both sides is incredible, and how he cleverly uses every possession is incredible.ย
Bonus
Once upon a time, Changkuoth said that he once thought Australian soccer was a stupid game. And today he is one of the most ambitious players in the league. In all his interviews, he said that he never imagined himself playing the Australian indigenous game. He had a passion for basketball as a child, but after trying football once, he fell in love with it from the first game.
He has been playing for Hawthorn since 2018 and 2021 was his breakthrough year.
Due to the presence of players from other countries in the AFL, the league is gaining popularity from other countries as well.
Changkuoth's rise to stardom has inspired many young Ethiopians to embrace Australian football and dream of a similar path. It's no wonder seeing young kids kicking the football and shouting Changkuoth's name. Ethiopian bettors have also joined the bandwagon, finding excitement and thrill in wagering on the high-paced action of Australian football. Special sports betting review sites like MightyTips helps them in doing this
MightyTips provides a treasure trove of betting tips, industry news, and recommendations for trustworthy platforms. Ethiopian bettors can now navigate the realm of Australian football with confidence, armed with knowledge and strategies to enhance their wagering experience. Learn more about sports betting sites in Ethiopia with MightyTips.
In conclusion, Changkuoth Jiath's ascendance from doubting the Australian indigenous game to becoming a revered player has brought newfound popularity to Australian football in Ethiopia. Thanks to platforms like MightyTips, Ethiopian bettors can now immerse themselves in the exhilarating world of sports betting and experience the thrill of Australian football firsthand, all while continuing to cheer on their beloved Changkuoth Jiath.