Recent content by Wayde Gniel

In the 22 years since I moved up from Melbourne I've seen and heard some funny stuff from non-AFL fans coming to grips with our game - from sad attempts at bagging the sport and getting the names of famous players wrong, to badly mixing up the rules when they actually gave it a go. Just out of...

With the media saturation of modern footy it's not as easy to be underrated as it once was. Every game is televised and every highlight is celebrated on club websites etc., so the good work that used to go unnoticed simply can't be ignored anymore. When I think about players who somehow avoid...

I couldn't agree more, yet every year so much gets read into the results. Everyone knows Collingwood isn't a 7-goal better side than Hawthorn and, although plenty would like to dream, I think very few would genuinely believe the Bulldogs are a 10-goal better side than Collingwood. The changes in...

Yes they are, but when I first moved up to Queensland from Victoria in '94 it certainly felt like I was living in another country. That's where the expat reference comes from. Things have obviously improved since, however it can still be a tough environment for footy fans. I've actually created...

Although I'm a Collingwood supporter, being a Footy Expat means you grab just about any opportunity to catch a game. I was there on Saturday and really enjoyed the close contest, although the Lions probably should've closed it out much earlier with the way they controlled general play. No sour...

Exactly. You know what you're going to get from the core/senior players, so the focus for me at this time of year is seeing what the younger players can add to the side. Can't wait to have another look at Freeman and the hype around De Goey is exciting, although I think the real impact will need...

I can see the argument from both sides of the fence when it comes to the academies. I see the inequality they add to an already unbalanced competition, but I also recognise the benefits they can bring to the growth of the game in the expansion states. As a long-suffering AFL fan in Brisbane...

Hello everyone. I was born in Melbourne, but at 15 was dragged away to Queensland and really struggled in what was basically an AFL-free zone at the time. Things have improved in the expansion states for fans since then, however it can still take some getting used to. I've actually set up a...

Interesting topic with many different perceptions. As a footy expat living in Brisbane, it'd be interesting to hear what those living in the northern states thought of the same question, i.e. biggest followings of Victorian clubs in Queensland and New South Wales.

If the Tigers can get over the line in all the games they're expected to win they'll make the 8 comfortably. For some reason they tend to suffer costly, early losses each year that suck the confidence out of the playing group - if they avoid those then a much higher finish is possible. From...

Both have the ability to get 30+ touches and/or kick a couple, which is obviously extremely handy for any team. Beams has reached this level of output more so far in his career, but it'll be interesting to see how Steele is used in 2015 and whether that provides more opportunity to do so. I...

I think Collingwood is one of 5-6 teams that can win it this year if their best players stay on the park and 2-3 others go to another level. Year to year that seems to separate the genuine contenders from the rest. The depth is impressive and will maintain a highly competitive output regardless...