Premiers are ‘underdogs’
The coach of the AFL’s reigning premiers has handed the in-form Adelaide Crows a massive compliment.
Teams
Lyon: Nicks’ Crows a throwback to halcyon days under Blight
Adelaide is surging towards finals — and a potential premiership tilt. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon delves into what’s changed to turn the Crows from an also-ran into one of the AFL’s most lethal sides.
‘I won’t give up’: Defiant Hinkley’s response to handover critics
Ken Hinkley has bristled at suggestions his coaching handover with Josh Carr should be fast-tracked as Port Adelaide’s finals chances hang by a thread.
Power boost: Four key players set for return, JHF misses again
Port Adelaide will welcome the return of a host of senior players for their clash with GWS in Canberra. But how far away is Jason Horne-Francis?
The awe-inspiring family secret driving Ashcroft legacy
Apart from the two years after Will was drafted, the Ashcroft brothers have been inseparable – and there’s one item in their family home that’s seen everything. Go inside the life of footy’s brilliant brothers.
‘Rock’: Lions hail impact of departing chief
“Exciting” times are ahead for the AFL following the appointment of a new head of football performance who has been given a huge rap by his former club.
A Blues overhaul is coming – so, who’s in the gun?
If there is no remarkable turnaround in the run home, Carlton’s entire football department is going to be under the microscope from a man who’s not afraid to make big calls.
Curnow scoffs at trade talk as pressure mounts on battling Blues
With predictions Graham Wright could make sweeping changes when he takes over as Carlton boss, no one is safe. But Charlie Curnow isn’t buying into talk his future could be debated.
Cats set for big boost ahead of top-four showdown
Geelong has long made an art of resting its veterans in the charge towards to September – but, as Chris Scott says, that might not happen this year. Here’s the latest.
Top-two lock? The run that has Pies on path to MCG prelim
Collingwood is charging toward a top-two finish — and has been gifted an upper hand in the premiership race with a fixture that barely sees the club leave Victoria during the run home.
Watch: Academy Bomber’s dazzling VFL debut
One of Essendon’s next-generation Bombers is flying up the draft boards after a three-goal VFL debut. Watch his highlights here.
‘Absolute star’: Why Nate Caddy could haunt North Melbourne
What Nate Caddy did against the reigning premiers at the Gabba warrants a closer look at the 2023 national draft — and it shines the spotlight on North Melbourne, among some other clubs.
Remember me? Suns haunted by ghosts of Dimma’s past
Shai Bolton came back to haunt his premiership coach Damien Hardwick, inspiring Fremantle to a win which put Gold Coast Suns’ finals credentials under the microscope.
Shock verdict in AFL Tribunal stunner
Fremantle’s captain is free to play after his three-match suspension was overturned in a surprise verdict at the AFL Tribunal.
‘Never shows his frustrations’: Star Cat on Scott’s motivational speech
Geelong hard nut Tom Atkins has given an insight into coach Chris Scott’s message during a testing trip to Perth as a star forward becomes a league leader in an underrated element of his game.
Cats star faces fitness test ahead of crunch clash
Geelong has the chance to jump into the top four this week. But will one of their most important players be there?
‘Bikies and drugs, laughing stock’: The stigmas that stuck to Suns
Ross Lyon sparked a war of words when he referred to Gold Coast as the AFL’s nepo baby. The Suns called it offensive but uncovered documents reveal how footy’s perennial basket case believed it was perceived by rivals.
‘Modern-day Leigh Matthews’: How a father figure launched Suns rookie to debut
The junior coach who gifted his own car to help a kid without a father figure chase his AFL dream has spoken of his pride as Leo Lombard prepares for his first game as a Gold Coast Sun.
Weddle magic ignites Hawks as Dogs try to shake bye hangover
Western Bulldogs are slowly shaking their bye round hangover after giving Hawthorn a huge head start in their Thursday night blockbuster. FOLLOW LIVE
Exposed? Big problems emerge with Hawks’ top-heavy defence
Sam Mitchell locked his playing group in a meeting room after the Hawks’ shocking performance against Collingwood to deliver some “home truths”. Could that include some bold selection calls to send a message?
Career over? Scans to confirm Giant’s shattering blow
Callan Ward’s AFL career is likely over, although the GWS veteran will hold off on scans until later this week which will confirm the shattering blow.
Inside the inspiring Ward speech that had Giants ‘locked in’
Despite dealing with the fact his career may have just ended, Callan Ward did what he’s always done – put the team first. Josh Kelly shares just what happened at three-quarter time.
What did Goody and the Dees really give up?
A crestfallen Melbourne left Alice Springs with Ross Lyon’s words ringing in the ears of its administrators – if you’re selling home games, ‘you are not a serious footy club’.
Five-goal Kozzie on future, finals and MCG ‘goosebumps’
Kysaiah Pickett lit up the ‘G again on Sunday with a masterful performance against Sydney. Hear from the star Demon in the rooms after the game.
Cyril Rioli Kangaroos text message bombshell
Alastair Clarkson and Cyril Rioli were reportedly talking privately about getting the band back together before a scandal dropped.
Pies’ depth to be tested again as Roos blowout comes at a cost
A brave North Melbourne took it to Collingwood and, at one point, threatened to cause a huge boilover. But when Jamie Elliott and Nick Daicos appeared after half-time, it was over.
Heartbroken Ward inspires Giants to remarkable comeback win
At the final break, a major Richmond boilover looked a certainty. But then Callan Ward, on crutches and in tears only an hour earlier, spoke to the group – and something special happened.
Record mid-season draft haul could save Essendon’s year
The Bombers’ key position stars are dropping like flies, but with the mid-season draft around the corner some much needed reinforcements will arrive. See who could don the red and black.
Ross was right to send message — he just had the wrong target
While singling out Gold Coast might not have been the right play for Ross Lyon, he is on the money about the AFL’s compromised draft. Jon Ralph writes, other clubs can’t escape scrutiny.
Saints’ AFL fear as war of words explodes over ‘nepo baby’ jab
The Saints are set to ramp up their fight against the academy selection process, as a war of words breaks out after Ross Lyon’s “nepo baby” whack at the Suns.
Cox fires back at critics, responds to Jamarra Swans links
Dean Cox has been quizzed on Sydney’s interest in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan amid links to the Western Bulldogs forward. Plus, his message for the critics as the Swans’ season slips away.
Injury pain exposes Swans’ draft black hole
Sydney’s injury plague has exposed the club’s lack of success in the past four drafts, with damning numbers revealing how little impact the Swans’ most recent recruits are having.
What Harley-inspired Eagles scare really means for Cats
Geelong’s trip to Perth was meant to be the start of a rails run in the back-half of the season – but Harley Reid and the young Eagles made it anything but. And it might be a blessing in disguise.
Goodbye Adam: Friends, family gather to farewell late Eagle
A host of former teammates, AFL players, family and friends have come together to celebrate the life of Adam Selwood after his death at the age of 41.
AFL icon casts doubt as clip angers Bulldogs
AFL legend James Hird and commentator Eddie McGuire have cast doubts over footage shared by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Bevo set to sign fresh Dogs deal as contract length revealed
The Western Bulldogs are on the verge of locking away premiership coach Luke Beveridge in a move which could help secure another signature of one of the best players in the game.
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