The AFL theme song is tribalism at it’s finest in Australia. Debate rages between supporter groups as to who has the best song. The solution? Trying to rank them without factoring in how I feel about the team.

1. Richmond Tigers – The clearest winner the Tigers have had since 1980. There’s something special about hearing “Yellow and Black” bellowed out by the Richmond faithful that gives it the top spot.

 

2. North Melbourne Kangaroos – A slight State Of Origin bias here, but having this double as the Big V theme song helps the cause. There’s a jaunty side to “Join in the chorus” that I just can’t help but sing along to.

 

 

3. Brisbane Lions – Taking their tune from the old Fitzroy song (and one of the best national anthems around), the pride of Brisbane town is hard to ignore.

 

 

4. Western Bulldogs – Until a few years ago I didn’t think the Doggies song had a lot going for it. Since moving to within 2 kilometres of Whitten Oval I’ve been sucked into the role the club plays in the mood of the community. First class.

 

 

5. Port Adelaide Power – This is the song that most AFL fans love even though they want to hate it. It’s. So. Damn. Catchy.

 

 

6. Melbourne Demons – The Dees have one of the lesser heard songs over the last decade, so it’s not overly offensive to hear given a lack of chronic overplaying.  Lyrically it strikes what sport is about – the way our heart beats.

 

 

7. Sydney Swans – The old bloke the Swans have in the middle of the circle after a win makes the Swans song so special. Talk about passion. Would have ranked higher if they could get a South Melbourne reference in there.

 

8. Carlton Blues – Solid old-fashioned music. Enough said.

 

 

9. St. Kilda Saints – St. Kilda – A club and a song tainted with frustration and aspirations for their day in the sun.

 

 

10. Geelong Cats – Clever lyrics but more importantly the excellent use of the trumpet gives the Cats an advantage over other clubs.

 

 

11. Essendon Bombers –  Not the best lyrically (I love a pun but there’s only so many times you can fly up) but it’s clear and concise.

 

 

12. Collingwood Magpies – “Side by side” works. Opposition fans can mock it at their peril because it really does define the club. Not sure about Premierships being a cakewalk though….

 

 

13. Adelaide Crows – Slightly outdated with “The pride of South Australia”now that the state has a second team in the competition. Nothing wrong with this song, it just doesn’t have the widespread appeal it once did.

 

 

14. Hawthorn Hawks – Get used to hearing this in September for the majority of this decade. Questionable use of being a happy team (which they are) and more points would be awarded if the club changed their name to the Hawthorn Fighting Hawks… Because that’s just epic.

 

 

15. West Coast Eagles – The shouting at the start doesn’t work. Neither does flying high with such great consistency.

 

 

16. Fremantle Dockers – Heave no. Trying to be new and hip just hasn’t worked.

 

 

17. Gold Coast Suns – You’ve got to feel for the Suns. If it wasn’t for the absurd trumpeting at the start of the song (which they also use after they kick a goal) they’d be further up the ladder.

 

 

18. Greater Western Sydney Giants – The music in the GWS song makes you feel like a 1930’s detective (which is great) but the lyrics are flat out awful.

 

 

Honourable mention – The original Brisbane Bears song. So unique, so 80’s. Cheers Bears.