The 2014 Australian Football League season marked a major shift in pre-season competition structure
In short: The 2014 AFL season was a landmark year for Australia's premier football competition. Beyond the intense premiership race, the league overhauled its pre-season format, navigated high-profile legal challenges regarding doping investigations, and saw significant leadership transitions. It remains a pivotal chapter in the history of the 118-year-old sporting institution.
The 2014 season, the 118th in the league's history, introduced a fundamental change to the pre-season schedule. The AFL discontinued its long-standing premiership tournament, which had operated since 1988, in favor of the NAB Challenge. This new series consisted of 27 standalone practice matches played over 25 days, allowing teams to experiment with rules like the nine-point super goal. This shift reflected a broader move toward prioritizing the home-and-away season, which spanned from 14 March to 27 September.
Off the field, the league faced substantial turbulence. The Essendon Football Club supplements controversy reached a critical juncture when the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority issued show-cause notices to 34 players on 13 June. Essendon challenged the legality of the joint investigation in Federal Court, but Justice John Middleton ultimately ruled in September that the process was lawful. Meanwhile, the league prepared for a leadership change as CEO Andrew Demetriou announced his resignation after eleven years, with Gillon McLachlan appointed as his successor.
On the pitch, the Hawthorn Football Club secured its twelfth premiership title, defeating Sydney by 63 points in the Grand Final. Individual excellence was recognized through various accolades, including Matt Priddis receiving the Brownlow Medal and Lance Franklin claiming the Coleman Medal with 67 goals. The season also saw unique geographical milestones, such as Traeger Park in Alice Springs hosting its first premiership match in round 11, and the league experimenting with five Sunday night fixtures to broaden its broadcast reach.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2014 AFL season
- Also: 2014 AFL season
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-2014-afl-season.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
