It’s late February. Two teams widely predicted to finish near the foot of the AFL table in 2026 face off against each other in sweltering 30-degree heat deep in outer suburbia in a match simulation with fresh new faces and uneven team numbers. There are no nearby sheep stations on offer; the result promises nothing more than bragging rights for the winner. Nevertheless, the loser appears hopelessly adrift, whereas the other seems to have found its footing after a couple of years of struggle – perhaps a hint at bigger things to come?
