The AFL, like so many other sports, is defined by its rivalries.
For footy fans, winning becomes as much about defeating and demoralising a hated opposition, as it is about receiving four premiership points.
With a mix of modern rivalries and more historic duels, these are the AFL's 10 best current rivalries ranked.
10. Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn
The best rivalries are often sparked by singular moments between clubs. Think of the Line in the Sand brawl in 2004 or Jeff Kennett's infamous claim that Geelong lacked the so-called "mental drive".
In last year's semi-final between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, Ken Hinkley berating the Hawks players at full-time feels like another moment that could ignite a new modern-day rivalry. Particularly after the comments made by Hawks coach Sam Mitchell post-game that he had no interest in speaking with Hinkley.
What sparked Hinkley's outburst post-victory was comments made by Jack Ginnivan on social media to former teammate and Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy, indicating that the Hawks would bypass the Power en route to a clash with the minor premiers.
We may be going early with this one, and it could take until their rematch to see if it has any lasting significance, but this certainly feels like the beginning of an exciting new matchup.
Confected garbage used as โcontent-fillerโ.
Carlton v โwobblesโฆ. itโs a โrivalryโ only.. no more โฆ.. thereโs nothing there. Neither club has ever challenged the existence of the other.
The Darby and the Showdown have far more than โrivalryโ both behind the members and the history of each club and the Leagues they came from.
The card games of the vfl donโt come anywhere near whatโs behind these clubs.
The โq clashโ โ if you want to make a confection this is it.
It means nothing, itโs just another game, they might be in the same state but there is no history, in every way, itโs simply another game.
Simply pretending theyโre in WA or SA is indicative of the pretence the afl is pushing.