Last week marked the return of Matt Rowell, and with it, the memes. In the lead up to the Suns and Dockers match, the internet was back at it with the Rowell obsession.
Since his debut, Rowell has just played the seven games but he captured the hearts of everyone. In his first four games he produced three straight best on ground performances, and has since achieved cult status in the AFL.
Let's take a look at some other cult figures in footy, obscure, forgotten and memorable. Some who won't make the list will be who were/are well known, such as Brendan Fevola, Barry Hall and Dane Swan.
Playing just 56 games over 10 years across three clubs, in West Coast, Sydney and Hawthorn, Matt Spangher won a premiership with the Hawks in 2014. It was his move to the Hawks that greeted him with cult hero status.
In 2013 a Facebook page was created named 'Sir Matthew Spangher' that gained a mass following. He quickly achieved popularity, which was evident during the 2013 VFL Grand Final. Every time Spangher was near the ball, the crowd cheered and applauded.
During the 2014 season the media began to join in on the fun and recognise the growing affection. Herald Sun's Jon Ralph wrote, "Let’s face it, when you look half rock god and half Jesus, men want to be you and women want to be with you."
Spangher is compared to Jesus because of his similar look and was nicknamed 'Fabio' because of his long hair.
During the 2014 premiership party, his name was chanted and fans demanded he speak first, even before fan favourite Cyril Rioli.
Despite just playing two games for Richmond, Relton Roberts gained himself the status of cult hero in the AFL community.
In his second game, Roberts was knocked out and never seen at AFL level again.
He played just a handful of games for the Tigers VFL affiliate Coburg, where he got into trouble for breaking night curfew and eating a hamburger before a match.
Stuart Dew has the distinction of being a cult figure as both a player and coach.
Dew had quite a successful career at Port Adelaide, playing 180 games for 245 goals, and was a premiership player in 2004.
After his first retirement, Dew did not play at any level in 2007 but was drafted by Hawthorn. At the Hawks, Dew became a cult figure.
Dew had put on some significant weight since he last played, which drew criticism to coach Alastair Clarkson. However, Dew repaid the Hawks for their faith, helping turn the tide in the 2008 Grand Final.
When the game was still in the balance in the third quarter, Dew had a brilliant burst, where he kicked two goals and set up two others.
As a coach, Dew, just like his player Rowell, has gained internet fame.
There was also one occasion in 2019, where a fan threw a lolly up at him, and he ate it.
Fraser 'G-Train' Gehrig was not only a star in the early to mid-2000s, but also a cult-hero when he was at St Kilda. Gehrig played 260 games and kicked 549 goals for West Coast and the Saints, and was a two-time All-Australian and Coleman Medallist.
G-Train holds the bench press record at both clubs, with many considering him the strongest and most intimidating player in the competition. In his peak he was regarded as the fastest player in any ball sport, over 30 meters.
A true enigma, Gehrig donned a prominent mullet and little to no hair at the front, combined with his size, he terrified full-backs every week, never smiling in the process.
To this day, Gehrig has photos and memes posted about him, perhaps more than any other player ever. You just have to look back to last month.
A little obscure but Bosustow definitely left his mark, 'The Buzz' played just 65 games, over three seasons for Carlton.
He kicked 146 goals and played in two premierships in 1981-82. In his first year in VFL, he won both Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year.
He had a much longer career in the WAFL, playing 141 games for Perth over two stints.
Nicknamed 'Possum' by Triple M commentator James Brayshaw because of his eyes, Alan Toovey slowly became a cult hero for the Pies.
He started off as a whipping boy for supporters due to his habit of turning the ball over, but slowly earned the respect of the Magpie Army.
Deep chants of "Tooves" could be heard whenever he had possession, Toovey actually thought he was being booed the first time he heard it.
Possum would play 159 games for Collingwood, including the 2010 premiership.
Clive Waterhouse was always going to make a list of cult figures. His unique name caught the attention of footy fans, as did his look.
Waterhouse was drafted at number one in the 1995 Draft, and would go on to kick 178 goals in 106 games for Fremantle.
Waterhouse was a mixed bag and would sometimes frustrate, as he would struggle with easy tasks but make harder feats look easy.
His greatest moment was the 2000 demolition derby over West Coast. He was the hero of the game, kicking seven of the Dockers 15 goals to win by one point.