Every Tiger rated: Bucky names real A-graders
Richmond underachieved massively in 2021 but Gary Buckenara isn’t writing them off yet. See how he rates every player and how they should tackle the trade period.
Expert Opinion
The Tackle: The case for ranking Hawkins over Buddy
Lance Franklin is an all-time AFL superstar, but numbers over the past decade show Tom Hawkins is the best forward in the game, writes Jon Ralph.
McGuane: What X-Factor must fix for Dogs to advance
Aaron Naughton will be significant in the Bulldogs’ cutthroat final. But an area of his game let him down the last time he faced the Lions. Full analysis.
AFL’s GF doomsday scenario solution revealed
The grand finalists could be left to navigate a three-week break between games in the event of a Covid lockdown in WA. Here’s how it could play out.
Lyon signing could spell career danger for fringe Blues
Ross Lyon’s hard nosed approach is no secret, with many claiming he was too harsh. Could this be the beginning of the end for some underperforming Blues?
The Tackle: Will Stephenson ever learn?
After yet another self-inflicted setback to his promising career, Jon Ralph ponders whether Jaidyn Stephenson will ever grow up and realise his potential.
The Tackle: Why footy world is barracking for Max Gawn
There’s a simple answer on who to support if your team missed finals. Footy saved Max Gawn from a darker path, and now one of the game’s best characters could be its biggest fairytale.
Are you Boak-ing? Unlucky players to miss AA squad
Scott Pendlebury called it a “gag” that one star missed the All-Australian squad. Check out the full 40 and the most unlucky players not to be chosen.
Top 8 review: Why this team is the toughest to predict
Only eight teams remain in 2021. Who does Mick Malthouse rate and who does he still have question marks over? Read his analysis on every team.
Ralph: Scariest thing about gun Bomber Darcy Parish
Darcy Parish’s 2021 emergence has many tagging him as a Brownlow Medal smoky, but this is just the beginning, Jon Ralph writes.
The Tackle: What Gill’s message to Tassie should be
With Colin Carter’s report handed down, the time has come to get serious about footy in Tasmania. Here’s what Jon Ralph wants the AFL to say to give the Apple Isle reason for optimism.
Moneyball: The mega Roos offer Kelly knocked back
Josh Kelly has committed to GWS for another eight years, but only after a huge carrot was dangled in front of him by North Melbourne. Get all the latest trade and contract news.
The Tackle: Dimma talking gibberish on Lynch
Damien Hardwick picked a fight with media heavyweights over Tom Lynch, but he knows as well as anyone the big forward is struggling. See Ralphy’s Likes and dislikes.
McGuane: How Dons can be a serious finals threat
Bombers fans already have plenty of hope for the future but if they can fix one key issue, Mick McGuane says they can rise from 10th and become a threat this year.
Time for Blue to deliver on big contract
Jack Martin can do it all — now he needs to put it all together for three weeks to launch Carlton into the finals. Jon Ralph puts seven big names under the blowtorch.
The Tackle: Why Billings trade idea is going nowhere
Trading Jack Billings could deliver an early draft pick to help refresh St Kilda’s list, but there’s one major problem with that theory. See all Jon Ralph’s likes and dislikes.
Crawford: Man who saved Hawks will do it again next year
In an exclusive column, Shane Crawford shares the magic of Alastair Clarkson and details why his former coach will be turning another club around very soon.
Why Walsh is the best young gun in the comp
He’s the perfect midfielder and has already established himself as Carlton’s best player. How long until Sam Walsh is the Blues’ skipper. See Ralphy’s young gun ratings.
The Tackle: Why angry hard nut is costing the Bombers
What has happened to Devon Smith? His possession tallies have dropped, but that isn’t the biggest concern. See Mark Robinson’s Likes and Dislikes from Round 17.
Robbo: Dimma’s Cotch excuse debunked
Damien Hardwick attempted to offer an excuse for his captain Trent Cotchin’s form slump. But his claim doesn’t hold up, Mark Robinson writes.
Robbo: Was Hawk succession part of Pies’ grand plan?
With Alastair Clarkson now seen as gettable, has Collingwood been lucky or rat cunning? Mark Robinson assesses whether it was their plan to make the Hawks blink.
New twist in Hawks’ succession plan claims
How long has the Hawthorn succession plan been in the works? Audio has emerged of Justin Reeves making a big declaration just one month ago.
Locked in Libba: Dogs re-sign star mid
The Western Bulldogs have re-signed another premiership star, with in-form midfielder Tom Liberatore recommitting to the club.
Robbo: The clubs that should go after Clarko
A generational coach rarely becomes available and several clubs — and the AFL — will be thinking what-if. These are the clubs that should give him a call.
Savage text left Clarko-Mitchell on brink of collapse
Alastair Clarkson used the cattle-prod to motivate Sam Mitchell, but the pair’s relationship reached crisis levels after a brutal text from the master coach.
Message sent: What Danger ban means for rest of AFL
The AFL had no choice but to ban Patrick Dangerfield for his hit on Jake Kelly and it sends a strong message to the rest of the competition.
Robbo: de Goey weapon needs to be where its most effective
It’s clearly not alarm bells just yet, but Collingwood needs extra clout up forward, so where does Jordan de Goey end up? We know where he’s best, writes Mark Robinson.
Club defends dubious medical sub call
A player subbed off in Round 1 remains an outside chance to play next week, and the club in question has defended the decision.
McGuane: Why new-look Cats don’t make my top 4
The addition of Jeremy Cameron, Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith could be huge for Geelong. But Mick McGuane has one massive question over the Cats.
Robbo: Dominant Dusty’s forward thinking pays off
He picked up exactly where he left off last season, and the stats show Richmond’s use of Dustin Martin forward is paying off, writes Mark Robinson.
Robbo: Dimma most uncelebrated coaching great ever
Alastair Clarkson is widely considered a footy genius for changing footy but it’s about time Richmond coach Damien Hardwick received the same accolade, Mark Robinson writes.
Trade special: Star mids that clubs will be hunting
Several high-profile midfielders are coming out of contract at year’s end. They are among the 20 players that list managers have in their sights.
Are new-era Lions nasty enough to be great?
The Brisbane, Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond premiership eras all have one thing in common: a mean streak. Do the modern Lions have it?
Is it still Buddy or bust for the Swans?
He’s the ageing superstar who has battled injury for the past couple of seasons, but Lance Franklin is still the key to unlocking the Sydney Swans. SEASON PREVIEW
Robbo: Is this staggering stat a worry for AFL?
It’s only been one weekend of practice matches but the new rules have already had a major impact and it could spark backlash for the AFL.
‘Still annoys me’: Ablett Sr on the legend Cats should have kept
Gary Ablett and Greg Williams landed at Geelong together in 1984. Three years later, Diesel was gone. Gaz believes that cost the Cats premierships.
Will tough 2021 bring about big changes for Hawks?
At the moment, Hawthorn is a club with its back against the wall. On the field, there are four names who must stand tall in 2021.
Melbourne’s new mantra: Park your ego
Success has eluded Melbourne for too long, but it hopes a new mantra will help it turn things around. The proof will be in the pudding, Mark Robinson writes.
Season preview: Is Bont still Dogs’ No.1 mid?
Marcus Bontempelli has long been the Bulldogs’ gold standard in the midfield. But does 2021 represent a changing of the guard? DOGS DEEP DIVE
Top 50: Who would you take — Rowell or Walsh?
Two young guns of the AFL both made Mark Robinson’s pre-season top 50. Who is higher — and did Robbo get it right? VOTE ON EVERY PLAYER
Ralphy: AFL owes it to fans to make MCG switch happen
Victorian fans could only watch on with envy as supporters in other states enjoyed live football last year. Now the AFL has the perfect chance to give back, writes Jon Ralph.
Why little-known Tiger is key to Richmond three-peat
Most fans outside of Punt Road may never have heard of Riley Collier-Dawkins. But the young Tiger has a crucial role to play in Richmond’s three-peat pursuit.
Does Bucks want to be saved?
Former Collingwood recruiter Matt Rendell says it’s finals or bust for Nathan Buckley. But does he want to continue beyond 2021? Mark Robinson ponders a different question.
Robbo: Spotlight on top Tigers after Dimma talks ‘distractions’
Typically, Damien Hardwick gave away very little on Monday. But with a particular comment, the spotlight turned to Peggy O’Neal and Brendon Gale, writes Mark Robinson.
Robbo: ‘AFL bubble’ no excuse for lack of respect to women
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says AFL players are “sheltered from the real world”, but as Mark Robinson writes, that’s no excuse not to respect women.
Cornes: Why Fagan’s reign at Crows has been successful
While Adelaide hasn’t won a premiership during Andrew Fagan’s tenure, he has led the club through some of its most testing times, writes Graham Cornes.
McGuane: Forward issues holding Collingwood back
Collingwood legend Mick McGuane analyses the forward line of every AFL team as has identified big issues with the Magpies’ attack. Check out where your team sits.
1-18 midfield rankings: Why Dons are better than you think
Who has the best midfield group in the AFL? And who has the worst? Expert Mick McGuane rates and ranks every club’s engine room.
1-18 backline rankings: Where does your club sit?
Defence wins premierships. So how good is your club’s back six for 2021? Mick McGuane has rated every backline from 1-18.
Why AFL will caution Dusty over catch-up
There is no evidence Dustin Martin did anything illegal or wrong when he met up with Eddie Hayson but the AFL is seriously concerned about the optics.
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