PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Liam Ryan of the Eagles marks the ball during the round 20 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
URGENT UPDATE: Experts are sounding the alarm over the alarming decline in excitement and individual prowess within AFL football, with concerns that the essence of the game is being steadily eroded. Peter Fiorenza, a prominent commentator on Radio MAMA and Radio Geraldton, voiced his frustrations during a recent broadcast, describing the current state of the game as increasingly contrived and boring.
In a passionate plea, Fiorenza pointed to a standout moment in the season when Liam Ryan of the West Coast Eagles executed an extraordinary mark at Optus Stadium. This moment, which captivated fans and went viral on social media, is now being hailed as a rare highlight in a game plagued by repetitive play. Fiorenza remarked, “People will be talking about it for weeks because there is unlikely to be another similar sporting feat for some time.”
The commentator’s discontent stems from a decade-long trend towards a possession-based game, where tactical coaching has prioritized winning at all costs. Fiorenza lamented the loss of exhilarating passages of play that once defined AFL, stating, “Football has deteriorated to a game of congestion upon congestion.” The result? Fans are left yearning for the heart-pounding excitement that once made the sport so captivating.
Fiorenza warned that this shift is not only present in the AFL but is also seeping into local leagues like the GNFL. He emphasized that his role as a commentator is to promote the game, but the current stagnation makes it a challenge to keep the audience engaged. “My description becomes repetitive and boring,” he admitted, calling for urgent changes to revive the sport’s dynamic nature.
Despite the AFL’s attempts to introduce new rules aimed at speeding up the game, Fiorenza believes these measures are failing. “The administration needs to sit down with our coaches at the top level and look at what can be done to reverse this alarming trend,” he urged. He fears that if nothing changes, the thrilling, free-flowing game that fans love could vanish forever.
As discussions heat up around the future of AFL, fans and officials alike are left wondering what steps can be taken to restore the sport’s former glory. Will the powers that be heed these calls for change? Only time will tell, but the urgency for action is clear.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as the fate of AFL hangs in the balance.
