Buying for a footy fan sounds easy until you are standing in the shop holding another scarf they will never wear. If you are stuck for footy gift ideas, this guide ranks the AFL gifts that actually get used, whether you are shopping for your dad, your boyfriend, or the mate who has been a member since high school.
1. A footy drinking card game (the best all-rounder)
The Local is our top pick for one simple reason: it gets cracked open the same weekend it is unwrapped. It is an AFL drinking card game you play live during the match. Deal five cards before the first bounce, drink when your event happens on screen, and the highest score at the final siren wins. There are no rules to explain and it works for any team, so it suits almost anyone in an AFL household. At $39.95 it sits in the sweet spot for a birthday, Christmas or Father's Day gift, and it beats another piece of merch that ends up in a drawer.
2. A club membership or new guernsey
Hard to beat for the diehard, though most committed fans already have one. If they are a member, a current-season home guernsey or a scarf in this year's design is a safe pick. Just double check they do not already own it, because most do.
3. Tickets to a home and away game
An experience beats an object for plenty of fans. A pair of tickets to a Friday night blockbuster makes a strong gift, especially paired with something they can use at home for every other round of the season.
4. Gifts for the AFL boyfriend or husband
Stuck for boyfriend gift ideas? If he watches every game, you want something he actually uses rather than another wallet or another set of socks. A footy card game like The Local gets brought out every Saturday, which makes you look like a genius for finding it. Pair it with a six pack of his pre-game beer of choice and you are done.
5. Father's Day gifts for the footy dad
Australian Father's Day lands in early September, right in the thick of the finals run. If Dad lives and dies by his team, skip the tie and give him something for the couch. A game he can play during every final beats another mug he will leave in the cupboard. We rounded up more Father's Day gifts for footy dads if you want a head start.
6. The clubroom classics
A team stubby holder, a framed footy record from a grand final year, or a signed ball for the pool room all make solid backup gifts. They are safe, if a little expected.
How to pick the right footy gift
The rule of thumb is simple: buy the thing they will use on game day, not the thing that sits on a shelf. The best footy gifts earn a spot in the Saturday routine. That is why a game they can play live during the match tends to win out over another piece of merch.
Ready to sort it? Grab The Local here, or browse our full range of footy gifts.