The AFL season is in full swing, and with just over a third of the games played, some intriguing patterns are emerging. While scoring is up across the board, the focus is on possession and position, with teams either dominating the ball in the front half or controlling the tempo of the game. This split speaks to a growing divergence between differing footballing philosophies, with teams either opting for a surge or control style. The last five premiers have been in the top two sides in the league for ball-control differential, and Hawthorn is the only team so far to tick both boxes, establishing themselves as early contenders for the 2026 flag. However, the split between these two styles is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, with teams at the extremes of each ideology gaining traction. As the season progresses, the race for the finals is tightening, with 13 teams within a win of a current finals spot. While the expanded finals have yet to expand the finals race, the competition as a whole has seemed more even across the board. As the season continues, the focus will be on how these teams adapt and evolve, with the potential for a thrilling and unpredictable finish.
