The 2022 AFL Grand Final was the first time in 15 years that we saw a GF contested between two teams not based in Melbourne. The last time that happened was in 2007 and the four GFs that preceded that were also contested between teams not based in Melbourne. What's the state of affairs right now for teams not based in Melbourne? Obviously Geelong are the defending premiers so they should be right up there next year, a young Sydney side made the GF last year, Brisbane made another prelim and appear to have gotten stronger with Will Ashcroft and Josh Dunkley added, Fremantle made a semi final and may have just gotten stronger with the addition of Luke Jackson, Port Adelaide finished two wins shy of the finals and got stronger with the additions of Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli and a young Suns outfit also finished two wins shy of the finals while looking ready to make the jump into the top 8 next year. It's not entirely clear where the Crows sit at this point in time and it would be fair to say both West Coast/GWS are entering rebuilding phases but you can see the majority of teams not based in Melbourne.
So, are we about to see a period of dominance from the teams not based in Melbourne?
So, are we about to see a period of dominance from the teams not based in Melbourne?