The AFL’s Victorian era of the early 21st century lasted from 2007, when the Geelong juggernaut was unleashed, until grand final afternoon, 2023, when Collingwood’s veterans marshalled a storied victory over the coming power, the Brisbane Lions.

Victorian heavyweights Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond and Collingwood claimed 13 premierships over those 17 seasons, the Cats and Hawks taking four each. Geelong reached an astounding 13 preliminary finals, the Magpies made 10.

Collingwood’s 2023 premiership was the most recent by a Victorian team.Credit: Eddie Jim/Aresna Villanueva

Melbourne’s flag in exile during the pandemic was hailed – especially by the Demons in the giddy aftermath – as the beginning of a red and blue empire, but that flag, as with West Coast’s outstanding 2018 and Sydney’s 2012 takedown of Hawthorn, were outliers.

Old acquaintances Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver haven’t been forgotten, but their moves to expansion clubs confirmed the end of any Demon dynasty. Even more against the grain than Melbourne’s premiership was the stirring Bulldogs’ 2016 miracle from seventh on the home-and-away ladder.

In 2026, the Victorian clubs’ prospects aren’t bleak or bereft of hope. A premiership for one of them can’t be discounted in a competition of small margins and injury-driven outcomes. As 10 of 18 teams, the Victorians have baked-in advantages on the fatigue/travel front.

What is evident, however, is that the cycle is turning in favour of teams beyond Victorian borders, especially clubs north of the Murray, whose heavily resented academies are reaping talent for the Suns, Brisbane and the Swans (less lately).

Consider the 2026 prospects of the Melbourne clubs, large or small.

Collingwood, who were lengths ahead at round 16 last year, couldn’t maintain that rage and while they were respectable in the finals, the defeat by the Lions was an accurate reflection of Brisbane’s deeper, younger list. It is difficult to envisage the Pies holding, much less graining ground, considering the vanishing veterans and their scant elite young talent.

© Brisbane Times