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Insight & Analysis

Season 10 delivered thrills but the AFL should not be patting themselves on the back

We’ve come a long way since the history-making lockout at Ikon Park in 2017, but now isn’t the time for the AFL to sit back and pat itself on the back.

From Gold Coast’s golden academy, to the club that didn’t pick at all: Analysing every club’s 2025 draft

All up, 60 footballers found an AFL home in the most compromised national draft in history. We look at each club’s haul and hear from recruiting and list managers to explain their strategies.

Marc McGowan
Marc McGowan

Sports reporter

Zach Merrett knew leaving Essendon was a long shot, but he tried anyway. He explains why

Merrett’s request to leave Essendon for Hawthorn was the talk of trade period, but a deal didn’t get done. He explains why he’s excited to be back and why he wanted the move in the first place, and gives an answer on the captaincy for 2026.

Michael Gleeson
Michael Gleeson

Sports columnist

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Latest in AFL

Dane Swan at his induction into Collingwood’s Hall of Fame on Wednesday night.

An arrest, the Rat Pack and a speech that brought the house down: Swan quips his way into Pies’ hall of fame

Dane Swan wasn’t sure he deserved to be in the Collingwood Hall of Fame. He thinks he bullied the Magpies into it.

  • by Michael Gleeson
The stars of the 2025 draft.
Analysis
AFL 2025

The eight AFL draftees primed to make an instant impact in 2026

Every club hopes to find a draft gem who can improve their fortunes immediately. We have identified which of this year’s draftees could do exactly that.

  • by Marc McGowan

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