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.
9. Brisbane vs. Gold Coast
Although the Q-Clash is amongst the newer league rivalries, it has already featured plenty of heated moments. In the very first Q-Clash in 2011, the Suns embarrassed the Lions in their inaugural season, officially announcing themselves to the competition. However, Brisbane quickly regained control, winning most of their future contests.
The rivalry has also been marred by one of the most ugly moments in AFL history back in 2016. When Gold Coast defender Steven May levelled Brisbane ruckman Stefan Martin in arguably one of the most unnerving hits in the competition's history.
2018 was a particularly noticeable chapter in the rivalry, when Suns star Touk Miller shut down Lions midfielder Dayne Zorko to a measly 10 disposals. As the Suns got the victory, Zorko refused to shake Miller's hand. This bad blood continued in their second meeting of 2018, after the Lions won the game, Zorko sarcastically shook Miller's hand in a demonstrative way.
Brisbane's dominance in recent years has widened the gap, but as Gold Coast continues to improve, this derby has the potential to become one of the league's most competitive.
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.