1980s Footy vs 2025 Footy: A Tale of Two Eras

1980s Footy vs 2025 Footy: A Tale of Two Eras

 

Back in the 1980s, Australian footy was a different beast altogether. It was rough, raw, and full of blokes with mullets, moustaches, and an almost religious devotion to the post-game pint. Win or lose, there was always a cigarette dangling from the lips of half the team, a few cold ones waiting in the changeroom esky, and a simple motto: “Great win boys, time for a dart and a few pints… yewww!”

 

Training? Sure, it happened. But it was often followed by a parma, a few VBs, and maybe a punch-on at the local if the opposition captain was unlucky enough to be at the same pub. The game was tribal, gritty, and full of character. Men played with broken fingers and black eyes, and half the blokes had day jobs on the tools before lacing up the boots on a Saturday. It was as much about mateship and toughness as it was about the scoreboard.

 

Fast forward to 2025 and the footy landscape has changed dramatically. Today’s players are fitter, faster, and monitored like Formula 1 cars. GPS trackers, dieticians, wellness coaches — you name it. A night out is often a green smoothie and a recovery session in an ice bath. Players are brands now, not just blokes kicking a footy. Mental health is (thankfully) a priority, and gone are the days of “she’ll be right” attitudes masking real struggles.

 

But there’s no denying that some of the old-school footy heads see the modern game as a bit… soft. There’s a perception that today’s players are more concerned about social media engagement and almond milk than hard tackles and loyalty to the club jumper. A win in 2025 might be followed by: “My girlfriend will leave me if I don’t follow her to another state… better have a soy latte to calm my nerves.” It’s a far cry from the smoke-filled changerooms of Moorabbin in the ’80s.

 

That said, the modern player faces pressures the old guard never dealt with — 24/7 scrutiny, instant media backlash, and the constant risk of being traded or trolled. Loyalty is complicated by contracts, relationships, and the reality that footy is now a high-stakes business. It’s easy to mock, but a player in 2025 isn’t just thinking about the next match — he’s thinking about his brand, his family, and his mental wellbeing.

 

So, which era was better? That depends on who you ask. The 1980s gave us grit, biffs, and blokes who’d down six beers and still run out a full game. 2025 brings professionalism, speed, and awareness that being a good footballer isn’t just about what happens on the field.

 

Maybe the sweet spot lies somewhere in between — a little bit of old-school toughness with a dash of new-age self-care. One thing’s for sure: whether it’s darts and pints or soy lattes and therapy, footy still brings people together — and that will

never change.