The AFL is a competition built on passion, rivalry, and the glorious unpredictability of sport. Every season, the established order is threatened by stunning upsets that rewrite the script and live long in the memory of fans. From the dawn of the new millennium, these seismic shocks have defined years, shattered premiership dreams, and given hope to the underdog.
A Decade of Drama: The 2000s' Defining Shocks
The 2000s were packed with moments where the impossible became reality. The trend began emphatically in 2000 when the 16th-placed Western Bulldogs toppled the top-of-the-table Essendon, who were in the midst of a historic premiership season. It was a result that echoed around the league.
In 2001, the 15th-placed Fremantle Dockers delivered a famous victory over the second-placed Hawthorn at the WACA, a win that stands as a landmark in the club's history. The following year, 2002, saw the last-placed Carlton Blues stun the third-placed Brisbane Lions, the eventual premiers, by a commanding 41 points.
The shocks kept coming. 2003 witnessed the bottom-placed Western Bulldogs defeat a finals-bound Fremantle. Perhaps one of the most iconic upsets occurred in 2004, when the 15th-placed Geelong Cats, led by a young Gary Ablett Jr., overcame the top-of-the-table St Kilda by 4 points in a thriller.
The latter half of the decade was no less dramatic. 2005 featured Richmond, sitting 15th, conquering the second-placed Adelaide Crows. In 2006, the last-placed Carlton again played party pooper, this time beating the second-placed Adelaide. The 200715th-placed Melbourne Demons shocking the ladder-leading Eagles in Perth.
2008 provided a classic when the lowly Essendon, under Kevin Sheedy, defeated the premiership-bound Hawthorn. The decade closed with a Fremantle special in 2009, as the 14th-placed Dockers triumphed over the top-of-the-table St Kilda at Subiaco Oval.
Modern Era Marvels: Upsets from 2010 to 2024
As the competition evolved, the capacity for surprise remained undiminished. The 2010 season saw the 15th-placed West Coast Eagles pull off a remarkable 1-point victory over the mighty Geelong at Kardinia Park. In 201117th-placed Gold Coast Suns, in their inaugural year, claimed a historic first win against Port Adelaide.
The 2012 upset was monumental: the Greater Western Sydney Giants, in just their fifth game, defeated the powerhouse Sydney Swans by 9 points. 2013 belonged to St Kilda, who as 15th, beat the eventual premier Hawthorn. The following year, 2014, the 17th-placed Brisbane Lions stunned the top-four chasing North Melbourne.
Recent years have continued the tradition. 2016 featured the last-placed Essendon beating a finals-bound West Coast. In 2018, the 17th-placed Carlton Blues shocked the ladder-leading Eagles. The 2020 season, played in hubs, saw the 17th-placed Adelaide Crows defeat a finals-bound Geelong.
More recently, 2022 delivered a huge shock when the bottom-placed North Melbourne Kangaroos defeated the premiership-favourite Melbourne Demons. In 2023, the 17th-placed West Coast Eagles, ravaged by injury, produced a heroic win over the Western Bulldogs in Perth. The trend continued into 2024, with the 18th-placed Richmond Tigers overcoming the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
Why These Upsets Define the AFL
These results are far more than just statistical anomalies. They are the lifeblood of the competition, proving that on any given day, preparation, heart, and circumstance can overcome sheer talent and ladder position. They provide unforgettable moments for the supporters of the victorious underdogs and serve as a stark reminder to the competition's giants that no game can be taken for granted.
For clubs like Fremantle, West Coast, and Carlton, these victories often represent beacons of hope during tough seasons. For powerhouse teams like Geelong, Hawthorn, and Sydney, they are painful lessons in complacency. The history of the AFL since 2000 is, in part, written by these stunning upsets that continue to captivate and surprise fans, ensuring the game remains truly unpredictable.
