Robbo: The evolving aura of coaching master Chris Scott
Chris Scott has astonished even his closest admirers with another top-four finish. Insiders and opponents tell MARK ROBINSON what makes the Cats coach a modern great.
Expert Opinion
Cornes: AFL has gone too soft. It’s time to bring back some biff
Isaac Heeney’s ban and ineligibility for the Brownlow Medal is the final straw for Graham Cornes, who says AFL used to be flint-hard but is now marshmallow-soft.
Cornes: What the Crows can do this summer to stem the bleeding
Inaugural Adelaide Crows coach Graham Cornes says the failures of the club have never been more exposed and big changes are needed this summer.
Starick: Time for heads to roll at Adelaide’s poverty franchise
It’s high time for heads to roll at my beloved Adelaide Crows – but there’s no messiah on the horizon to ruthlessly sweep out the dead wood, writes Paul Starick.
Capel: The SA stars I’d pick to end AFL’s state of ‘disgrace’
An MCG full of screaming rugby league fans will tell a sorry tale about what was once the pinnacle of Aussie rules football, writes Andrew Capel.
Cornes: The Power are mentally fragile and the Crows smelt blood
The last three Showdowns show the Crows have the edge when it comes to SA’s footy teams. As Graham Cornes writes, the basis of it comes from being mentally superior.
Joshing around: AFL needs more colourful characters like Rachele
Under-fire Crow Josh Rachele owned his moment and needs to be celebrated, not torn down, as Showdown 55 looms, writes Andrew Capel.
SANFL’s young talent ready to rock the AFL draft pool
Some were spurned in their inaugural draft years, another was ruthlessly dumped from the AFL system. A host of exciting young SANFL players want a second chance in the draft.
Cornes: Where the AFL’s illicit drug policy gets it right – and wrong
Back in Graham Cornes’ day, some players would sneak a few pints of beer after training. But the world has changed … Cornesy analyses whether the AFL’s drug policy is working.
Grow up, Ginnivan and Co can have a life outside footy
Get used to AFL stars attending the Grand Prix or red carpet events in a world where social media is a huge second income. So, what did Jack Ginnivan do wrong, asks JON RALPH.
Johnson & Johnson: Captaincy cements brothers as top sports duo
Isaac Johnson’s elevation to the West Adelaide captaincy has confirmed the Johnson boys as one of SA sports great sibling duos.
Final chance for Crows as Nicks’ time for excuses runs out
In Matthew Nicks’ fifth season with the club, Adelaide will not be able to explain away another failure to make finals, writes Andrew Capel.
1-18: Robbo’s predicted 2024 ladder
Who will be the big movers and sliders this AFL season? Mark Robinson predicts how the ladder will look after round 24. See where your team sits.
Robbo: Why Dusty had to be in the top 50
He’s not what he was, but it’s hard to argue still that there’s many better than Dustin Martin. Check out where Dusty ranks among the AFL’s best in Robbo’s Top 50.
Cornes: The AFL should just leave the damn game alone
The AFL is up to its old tricks again tweaking a series of rules ahead of the season. As Graham Cornes writes, most of them simply fix problems caused by previous changes.
Why footy’s 2024 premier could simply be last team standing
Both the AFL and its fans can’t get enough of footy, but how much is too much? JON RALPH analyses the marathon that awaits clubs in 2024.
Robbo: Pressure, tackling, rebound – this was trademark Magpies
It truly was a grand final for the ages and maybe the best this century. Mark Robinson gives his take on Collingwood’s famous premiership win.
Cornes: Football justice has just been served
The Magpies have just made converts out of a public that’s long resented the privileged Victorian powerhouse, writes Graham Cornes.
Robbo: Lethal’s legendary aura surrounds grand final
Coach of Craig McRae, friend of Chris Fagan, legend at Collingwood and Brisbane. And that’s just the start of Leigh Matthews’ influence on the 2023 decider, writes Mark Robinson.
The Tackle: Charlie Dixon should not have played
Port Adelaide took a risk going into the semi-final, and it failed. And its not the only issue the Power has to confront. See Robbo’s likes and dislikes.
The stat Blues rank 18th for and why it’s a big worry
Is Carlton really ready to come from the clouds and make a premiership charge from outside the top four, or will Sydney spoil the party on Friday night? Mick McGuane has the answers.
Robbo: MRO can’t slap Maynard with ‘ridiculous’ charge
As Brayden Maynard faces a nervous wait to learn whether he will be playing in Collingwood’s preliminary final, Mark Robinson says the match review officer only has one option.
Robbo: September stage set for ‘Jordan de Great’
Jordan De Goey starred in his first two finals and the Magpies’ fire starter is primed for another huge September. Robbo names the players who could own the finals.
The off-season trade, list calls every non-finalist must make
The AFL exchange period is almost here – and it’s an important time for the 10 clubs who missed finals. These are the moves, deals and list calls your team should make to bounce back.
The Tackle: Poster boy Parish not the problem at Dons
Darcy Parish is being portrayed as the poster boy for everything that stinks at Essendon, and that’s unfair, writes Mark Robinson. There are real issues – problems that run much deeper.
The Tackle: Darcy can expect AFL call over Ginnivan whack
Jack Ginnivan isn’t the only big name guilty of trying to milk free kicks in finals. But Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy crossed the line on Saturday, Robbo says.
McGuane: How Pies can bring on Cats’ September anxiety
There is no hiding from Geelong’s recent finals record – and there will be some anxious Cats if things don’t go to plan, writes Mick McGuane. Here’s what Collingwood must do.
Robbo: Will Bombers try to headhunt Hardwick?
Richmond’s season may be over but their era is not. However, that won’t stop a rival club asking the question of their coach and his plans for the future.
Can maligned Cat bury finals demons?
Reputations are made in September – for better or worse. And the next four weeks offers Gary Rohan a shot at redemption. See who lifts and who needs to prove themselves this year.
Robbo: The rule changes that saved footy
Mick Malthouse hates the stand rule. Sorry Mick, it is one of several changes from AFL House that have made footy fun to watch again, writes Mark Robinson.
Time running out for comeback Dee despite premium rating
Despite a former Melbourne skipper being adamant key forward Tom McDonald is in the side’s best 22, the sands of time are working against his dream finals return.
Tigers 2.0: What does the Kingsley stamp on GWS look like?
Adam Kingsley will lead the GWS Giants in the post-Leon Cameron era, and resident expert Mick McGuane has used his crystal ball to figure out what that might look like.
The Tackle: Why no sanction for Zorko’s ‘mother’ sledge?
Harrison Petty didn’t want it to go any further, but why didn’t the AFL punish Dayne Zorko? And he hasn’t been condemned by the AFLPA either, says Mark Robinson.
‘I still want the next kick’: King not letting yips stop him
Max King hasn’t engaged in the commentary around his now infamous 0.5 performance against Brisbane but that hasn’t stopped him trying to fix his goal kicking yips.
Trade fever: Latest whispers as clubs clamour for talent
One round to go and the trade winds are set to become a gale. All the latest whispers, plus the intrigue around a pair of interesting situations at North Melbourne — and no, it’s not Clarko.
Why Curnow made huge commitment to Blues
Charlie Curnow has opened up on the reasons why he signed on a mega-deal and shirked rival interest. And coach Michael Voss believes it could help them secure a finals berth.
Biggest field umpiring shake-up in almost three decades
In the most significant change to umpiring ranks in almost 30 years, the AFL will trial a radical new system to ensure better decision-making by those officiating the game.
Clubs sweat but Clarko won’t be rushed on coaching call
North Melbourne and Essendon are holding their collective breaths waiting to hear if Alastair Clarkson picks them, but the decision won’t come until at least the weekend.
When Clarko claimed Dons drugs saga ‘ambushed’ game
As Alastair Clarkson contemplates taking over as Bombers coach, we re-live all his tense run-ins with the club — including his vocal comments about the Essendon supplements saga.
Robbo: The Kennedy legacy Clarko should follow
One of Alastair Clarkson’s idols is credited with helping build North Melbourne to a dominant force in the 1990s. Now the time has come for Clarko to do the same, writes Mark Robinson.
Robbo: Clarko’s big footy dilemma amid Dons bombshell
Alistair Clarkson’s big decision wasn’t made easier with Essendon added to GWS and North Melbourne as suitors. So Mark Robinson asks, is Clarko Bombers bound?
Rutten could be gone today as Bombers chase Clarko
Essendon announced another review, its president stood down and it declared coach Ben Rutten was safe. That could change very quickly as the spectre of Alastair Clarkson looms.
The Tackle: Big issue emerging in Sam Walsh’s game
Sam Walsh had some big moments against Melbourne, but one ‘astonishing’ stat illustrates a problem the rising Blues star has to fix – and soon, writes Mark Robinson. Likes and dislikes.
Trade buzz: Why first-round Blue’s future is up in the air
Carlton fans bemoan the fact that this prized draft pick hasn’t been given more midfield opportunity. But his future remains uncertain for a number of reasons.
Hinkley never doubted he would see out Port contract
After having his position publicly guaranteed, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has revealed he never felt his position at Alberton was under threat for 2023.
Operation beat Geelong: how to topple the ladder leader
How can opposition teams get on top of the ladder leaders? Mick McGuane has the stats that matter when it comes to stopping the Cats juggernaut.
Long-lost discovery gives new voice to footy legend
Haydn Bunton is one of the game’s greats. It was thought there were no existing recordings of his voice but a chance 85-year-old discovery has given new insight into a champion. WATCH
The Tackle: Are the Dees throwing away flag hopes?
The old adage that bad kicking is bad football has never been more true with the flag chances of Melbourne at risk of going up in smoke, writes Mark Robinson.
Ralphy: Shock stat an indictment on Crouch bros
The Crouch brothers have always been able to find a mountain of the footy. But one key stat reveals why Matt will struggle to find a new home if he can’t change. TRADE SPECIAL
Can manager connection get Rankine to Crows?
The fact Izak Rankine is South Australian isn’t the only thing that could get him to the Adelaide, with an important figure having ties to the club.
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