List analysis: Pies could be left to rue Grundy exit
Collingwood will pay for an All-Australian ruckman to play for a premiership rival next year — our list analysis ponders whether it could come back to haunt the Magpies.
Expert Opinion
Why Roos fans should be nervous about Horne-Francis deal
North Melbourne’s decision to trade Jason Horne-Francis and pick 1 could prove to be an inspired move. But fans will be watching with their hands over their eyes.
Robbo: Where recruiting genius ranks Selwood pick
Stephen Wells has plucked stars from nowhere with late draft picks. He spoke to Mark Robinson about where former pick 7 Joel Selwood sits on his all-time list.
Robbo: Why Danger deserved to stand on footy’s Everest
Footy doesn’t make promises to anyone, and Patrick Dangerfield said he didn’t need a premiership cup to feel complete. But he earned this, writes Mark Robinson.
McGuane: The All-Australian Cat who needs finals ‘redemption’
Every player in the Cats v Lions preliminary final has a role to play, but how important are they? Mick McGuane ranks every player from 1-44.
The Tackle: Dees’ Grundy trade play is a head scratcher
Wise heads are confused as to why the Demons have targeted Brodie Grundy, all while having a glaring positional failure in another area, writes Mark Robinson.
Malthouse: Are slow Tigers at risk of being overtaken?
Richmond’s midfield isn’t quick, but will two additions add any of the speed they need to improve their ladder position? Or will rivals go past in the fast lane?
McGuane: The Pie who can’t hide on Saturday night
Collingwood and Fremantle both have their stars – but in finals, the bottom six players are just as important. Mick McGuane looks at who must stand up at the G.
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.
Robbo: The Covid diet fuelling SuperCoach revelation
Sam De Koning could be the best of an oustanding 2022 Rising Star crop after his first two seasons were derailed by Covid. But he tells Mark Robinson they weren’t wasted.
The Tackle: Team so pathetic it’s left footy world in shock
Two clubs are mired to the bottom of the ladder, but only one has been feeling the heat. Mark Robinson says fans have “fatigue” as one “pathetic” team borders on irrelevant.
McGuane: How Magpies can halt Blues’ momentum
It’s been years since Carlton has been a big scalp for Collingwood. Mick McGuane previews the Sunday blockbuster and analyses how the Pies can cause an upset.
The Tackle: Tough Hawk should be Rising Star favourite
Nick Daicos is the frontrunner for the Rising Star award but a nuggety mature-age recruit could knock him off the podium, writes Mark Robinson. See all his likes and dislikes.
Giants perfect stage for Clarko comeback
Multiple clubs have sounded out master coach Alastair Clarkson but the ideal job has just opened up. See why the Giants tick all the boxes for Clarko.
Malthouse: AFL risks killing footy with crazy rules
From the stand rule to 6-6-6 and nominating rucks, Mick Malthouse believes the AFL has tinkered with the rules too much and it is already keeping fans away from the game. Here’s his plan to fix it.
The Tackle: Forgotten Daicos driving Pies finals hopes
Nick Daicos is a $1.70 favourite to win the AFL’s rising star award but it’s the form of his brother who should be turning heads, writes MARK ROBINSON.
Ginnivan: Why comparisons to Ballantyne are off mark
Emergent Pie firebrand Jack Ginnivan has been compared to former Fremantle agitator Hayden Ballantyne. Here’s why the “annoying” teen says that’s off the mark.
Goalkicking guru to AFL greats reveals his tricks
Goalkicking coach David Wheadon has revealed an amazing stat with former AFL superstar Stevie Johnson, while lauding the special routines adopted by some of the best in the business.
Trade latest: Rivals close in on Port midfielder
Port Adelaide’s Karl Amon is attracting significant rival interest – and that was before he was dropped by Ken Hinkley. More clubs are now set to inquire about the free agent.
It’s time to fix the confusion ‘wrecking the game’
According to Jeff Kennett, nobody understands what’s happening on the ground anymore – not the fans, players or umpires themselves. And he has a message for the AFL.
Bines’ heartbreaking story sparks call for better player care
Patrick Bines hoped telling his harrowing story would shed light on footy’s failed insurance and compensation schemes. It has worked, with the AFL called on to do better.
The Tackle: Magpies’ ‘mind boggling’ forward line fail
It feels like we’ve been talking about Collingwood’s forward woes for four years. But this stat truly is crazy. Read Robbo’s likes and dislikes.
Malthouse’s expansion fears: AFL standard ‘quite horrible’
Mick Malthouse believes the system is broken. From weak youth talent pools, free agency making the rich richer and shallow lists, something has to change before the AFL expands.
The game has been saved – now don’t mess it up
There are no complaints about boring footy this year as the game opens up for a new era of power forwards. But it could all disappear quickly, writes Jon Ralph.
The Tackle: Hawks story read like a hit job on Kennett
Jeff Kennett can be a goose and has a track record for being loose with his mouth. But this is a club issue, not a Kennett issue. Read The Tackle.
Free-kick Bulldogs: Coach has his say
A lopsided free-kick count totally overshadowed the Bulldogs first win of the season after victory over the Swans, so what did the coaches have to say about it?
Head-knock victim feared AFL ‘didn’t believe in concussions’
An ex-AFL player who retired at 24 years of age after 15 concussions says he feared the league wasn’t taking the issue seriously enough and he was “gobsmacked” by his treatment.
The Tackle: Kicking Mick a low act from disrespectful bookie
The cheap takedown of Mick Malthouse, who tipped Essendon to win this year’s premiership, by an online betting agency deserves a whack, writes Mark Robinson. LIKES AND DISLIKES
Most likely outcome after Jackson parks contract talks
Luke Jackson is completely content to let the early rounds of the season play out before making a decision on his future. Where does that leave the Dees?
Brain seizures: Day Balmey woke in back of ambulance
Neil Balme says, at 70, he is “all good”, but the Richmond father figure has told the Sacked Podcast he requires ongoing medication to control brain seizures.
Why AFL is investigating concussion advisor
The AFL says it will probe a longstanding adviser on concussion after he was accused of allegedly treating at least four players for concussion while serving an agreed ban.
Robbo: Draft experts should learn from Ugle-Hagan’s slow burn
He was hailed the next Buddy Franklin long before he played an AFL game — Mark Robinson says those who lumped Jamarra Ugle-Hagan with huge pressure should learn from his slow burn.
Unsung hero powering Blues’ midfield resurgence
Carlton’s midfield bullied Richmond as the physicality of Cripps, Hewett and Kennedy came to the fore. Kennedy’s rise is one of the reasons Blues fans can dare to dream, says Jon Ralph.
The Tackle: Sneaky tactic will infuriate fans
Nick Larkey got one over Hawk Tom Mitchell. It was smart but raises questions about being in the spirit of the game. And fans will hate it, Mark Robinson writes. LIKES AND DISLIKES
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