The eternal problem with buying a Father's Day gift for an AFL fan: he already owns everything. The jersey from 2008. The scarf from the '23 finals run. A signed Sherrin somewhere in the garage. Three subscriptions to two different streaming services. What do you actually get the man at this point?
Below is a short, opinionated list of Father's Day gift ideas for the AFL dad who's seen it all — from twenty bucks to genuinely indulgent.
1. A premium club membership upgrade
If he's already a member, the gift isn't another scarf — it's getting him into the seats he actually wants to sit in. Most clubs offer a tier upgrade for current members that puts him in the reserved section, the AFL Premium tier, or onto the priority list for finals tickets.
Every club's structure is different. Check his current membership and call the club's membership line a week before Father's Day — they'll usually walk you through it.
Best for: members already going to most home games who keep ending up behind the goals.
2. AFL Live Pass or Kayo Sports subscription
Twelve months of every match, ad-free, on demand. If he's the sort who watches replays at midnight and pulls up the Goal of the Year on a Sunday afternoon, this is the one he won't admit he wants but will absolutely use.
Best for: dads who pay for at least three other streaming services already.
3. The Local — the AFL drinking card game
A bit of self-promotion, but bear with us, because this one fixes a problem the others on this list don't. Most footy gifts are about watching the game. The Local is about playing the game while the game's on.
Each player gets dealt five cards. When the event on your card happens live — a goal, a specky, a score review, a fifty-metre penalty — you slide the card aside, take a drink, and rack up the points. Highest score at the final siren wins. No app, no rules to argue about, no setup. Crack the box, deal the cards, and the game on TV becomes the game in front of you.
It's the gift that turns every Saturday arvo into an event. Designed and made in Melbourne, built for Australian footy fans.
100 game cards + rules card · 2–6 players · $29.95 AUD · Buy The Local
Best for: any dad who watches the footy with mates, family, or a beer in hand.
4. Tickets to a real match — bonus points if it's interstate
A regular round game in his own city is a nice gesture. A weekend trip to watch his team play interstate is the gift he'll talk about for a decade. Even better: a Friday night Showdown, a King's Birthday clash, or a Dreamtime at the 'G if you can swing the timing.
Best for: dads whose team plays out of state at least once a season.
5. Signed or framed memorabilia (done properly)
The trick with signed gear is that the cheap stuff is everywhere and the good stuff is hard to fake. Stick with sellers that come with a certificate of authenticity from the player or club. The official AFL Shop, club shops, and reputable auction houses are safer bets than eBay roulette. A jumper signed by his all-time favourite player, framed properly, lasts forever.
Best for: dads with wall space and a hero from his playing days.
6. A premium beer fridge or game-day setup
Sometimes the gift isn't about the football itself — it's about the conditions in which the football is watched. A bar fridge for the shed. A new rug for the lounge room he's been complaining about for two years. A genuinely good Bluetooth speaker so he can hear the crowd properly. The footy ritual is a real thing, and upgrading the ritual is a real gift.
Best for: dads with a designated footy chair.
7. A great footy book
Books on AFL go from forgettable to genuinely brilliant. Bob Murphy's Leather Soul is a perennial recommendation. Martin Flanagan has written a small library of beautiful work on the game. For the longer-form reader, recent autobiographies of legendary players and coaches tend to deliver.
Best for: dads who actually read.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best Father's Day gift for an AFL fan under $50?
The Local AFL drinking card game at $29.95 — the only gift on this list under fifty dollars that he'll actually use every weekend during the season.
What's a unique Father's Day gift for a footy dad who already has everything?
A trip to an interstate match, or The Local card game — both fall into the rare AFL gift category most dads don't already own.
Where can I find Australian-made AFL gifts?
The Local is designed and made in Melbourne. For memorabilia, the official AFL Shop and individual club shops stock Australian-made gear.
What do you get an AFL fan who doesn't drink?
Skip option three on this list — though The Local works just as well as a points-only game with non-alcoholic drinks. The other six gifts on this list don't involve alcohol at all.
Do you ship Australia-wide?
Yes, The Local ships anywhere in Australia.
Looking for the gift that turns every Saturday arvo into an event? Get The Local for $29.95.