The AFL's 17-year Victorian era is fading, leaving a trail of rebuilding, regrouping, and the rise of new powers. From the Geelong juggernaut to the Collingwood-Brisbane showdown, the landscape is shifting. Victorian heavyweights like Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond, and Collingwood have dominated with 13 premierships, but the tide is turning. Melbourne's flag in exile during the pandemic was a blip, and the Demon dynasty crumbled with Petracca and Oliver's exits. The Bulldogs' 2016 miracle was an anomaly, and Hawthorn's decline is evident with Day's injuries. The Saints, despite risky recruiting, are quietly building a strong team. North Melbourne's progress is slow, and Geelong's dominance is fading. Brisbane, Sydney, and the Suns are rising, with talent from their academies. Fremantle and Adelaide are in the mix, while GWS and Port Adelaide are rebuilding. The Victorian teams are either rebuilding, regrouping, overripe, unreliable, or injured. The final rounds will reveal the true contenders, and the powerful fan bases may not always reflect on-field success.
