Scary thing about Lions for AFL rivals
Draft picks Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall are set to “drive the standards” in Brisbane’s bid for back-to-back AFL premierships.
Teams
Fagan lauded for ‘unbelievable’ effort
The Brisbane Lions have plenty of incentive to win back-to-back AFL premierships.
Suns’ tipping point: What needs to happen to keep Rowell from Cats
Geelong is yet again in pursuit of a star rival midfielder, this time it being Matt Rowell. But is it actually possible? Callum Dick examines the possibility of Rowell in the blue and white hoops.
Telling move behind shock AFL trade rumour
Kane Cornes says reports about Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell reveal much more than face value about the former No. 1 draft pick.
Track watch: Rankine sends scare through camp, recruit’s new role
There were some tense moments in Adelaide on Monday when Izak Rankine was forced off the track. SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON has the details and plenty more from Crows training.
‘Carlton needs more’: Are Blues kids holding them back?
At some AFL clubs, young guns form the nucleus of a premiership challenger. At others, fans are nervous about whether their investment will pay off. Where does your team sit ahead of the 2025 season?
Track watch: Match sim reveals more Blues clues, Walsh timeline
Sam Walsh put in the hard yards at Carlton training on Monday as he pushes hard in a bid to play next month. But it’s how the Blues lined up without him that really caught the eye.
Luke Sayers seen in Italy with his wife amid lewd pic scandal
Luke Sayers and his wife have been spotted together enjoying their Italian hideaway despite the former Carlton boss being embroiled in a “dick pic” scandal. See the exclusive photos and video.
Pies stars on comeback trail, recruits impress
Collingwood’s biggest stars are inching closer to a return as new recruits continue to impress in pre-season training.
Daicos steps up as fringe Pie locks down new position
Nick Daicos jumped off the bike to show signs of progress on his injury return as a forward potentially on his last chance continued to bed himself down in defence.
‘Gorgeous’: AFL WAG’s wedding dress stuns
A WAG has stunned in a dress with a dramatic thigh high split while walking down the aisle to her former AFL player partner.
Marvel Curse: The stadium that is Death Valley for flag hopes
No team that calls Marvel Stadium home has made the top four since 2010. JOSH BARNES dives into the alarming numbers, and what’s really behind them.
Time to get ruthless? Confronting call Dockers must consider
Is Alex Pearce still the right man to lead Fremantle to a maiden premiership? As ELIZA REILLY writes, a fork in the road has arrived in the Dockers’ history as they chase an elusive flag.
Track watch: Dockers drop like flies in scorching session
Fremantle were pushed to their limits on Monday in 40+ degree heat, with a number of players not lasting the session. Plus we assess how six key Dockers fared in match simulation.
Cats legend pitches in in Barwon Heads’ T20 clash
Barwon Heads’ footy club took ultimate bragging rights over the town’s cricket club in an Australia Day T20 clash, with a Geelong premiership captain doing his part with bat and ball.
Vale Ken: Cats Hall of Famer, goalkicker passes away
Geelong great Ken Newland, who played 216 AFL games and made his debut at 16, has died.
Coniglio on track for return as young Giants steal the show
Stephen Coniglio faced one of the “most difficult periods” of his career after injuring his shoulder last year, but is on track for round 1. Plus, see the latest from the GWS match simulation.
‘He’s dangerous’: Giants tip big things for Stringer Hogan combo
GWS vice-captain Josh Kelly has tipped the best is yet to come from Jake Stringer as the former Bomber relishes his start to life at the Giants.
Track watch: Wizard’s new tricks, Day dominates
Nick Watson and Will Day starred as Hawthorn’s pre-season went up a notch in the club’s latest session. MATT FORREST brings you all the key training notes.
Forgotten Hawk tipped to fill void in new role
He was a regular for two seasons only to fall out of favour in 2024 but could a new role breathe new life into the tall Hawk’s career? PLUS notes on Hawk stars from the track.
Dees star reveals ‘robust discussions’ after turmoil of 2024
Melbourne star Jack Viney says the problems faced by the club in 2024 should be a thing of the past after a pre-season that prioritised player connection and team bonding.
Hird’s role in quest for new Dees CEO revealed
Despite only just taking up a position at Port Melbourne, James Hird has found himself involved in the process for the choosing of the next CEO at the Demons.
Track watch: Forgotten Roo, young big man make their move
North Melbourne recruit Caleb Daniel’s recovery from a hamstring issue is on track – and he’s not the only key Roo making big strides on the injury front.
Make or break: Time is now for Roos with LDU at stake
North Melbourne simply must avoid another bottom-two finish in 2025. The future of their best player depends on it. Check out the full Kangaroos’ season preview here.
Draftee lights up match sim as SSP prospects push their case
Not only did Joe Berry line up on the A team in Port Adelaide’s match sim session on Friday, he starred. Get all the intel as the race for round 1 – and the final list spot – heats up.
Port out to counter Pies advantage with pre-season first
Clubs that played in the inaugural Opening Round last year had a 3-1 record the next week against sides that were coming off a bye – so Port Adelaide has made a big summer call.
Tigers to get early look at young guns
Richmond’s No.1 pick Sam Lalor has revealed how the Tigers’ bumper draft class is tracking as the pre-season games approach.
‘They’re on fire’: Pickett lauds Tiwi Bombers’ NTFL resurgence
Marlion Pickett joined the Tiwi Bombers, alongside two other ex-AFL players, mere days after his AFL career ended. It has sparked an exciting resurgence for the side. He talks about his experience.
Injury carnage means Saints fans will have to be patient yet again
Saints fans would be pulling out their hair after Mattaes Phillipou’s injury, that’s before they took a look at their fixture again. Josh Barnes writes, it could be another year of waiting.
Cursed AFL club hit with brutal triple blow
With round 1 of the AFL fast approaching, the injury news out of one club is just about as bad as it can get for a trio of star players.
It’s on! Warner bros go at it after Chad lays out Corey
There was no love lost in Sydney on Friday with coach Dean Cox forced to step in when tensions boiled over during match-sim. And it wasn’t the only eye-catching moment of the heated session.
Swan’s icy reply to journo amid trade sledge
Swans star Errol Gulden wasn’t mincing words when asked an awkward question about the team’s “bitter reality”.
Track watch: Eagles star hurt, key McQualter moves revealed
West Coast’s latest pre-season session has provided clear evidence of the tweaks new coach Andrew McQualter has made. But, it also resulted in an injury scare for one of the club’s biggest stars.
Track Watch: Harley belted as Ryan puts on a brave face
West Coast has started to ramp up the intensity at training with a short burst of match simulation giving insight into new coach Andrew McQualter’s plans for 2025.
Boyd backs Dogs to help – but is it best for Jamarra?
One of the few people who may understand the pressures around Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is Bulldogs hero Tom Boyd – and he has some specific advice for the fellow No. 1 pick.
Ugle-Hagan unsighted as VFL star pushes case for Dogs’ list spot
The Bulldogs were out on the track on Wednesday without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as Dom Brew continues to push his case for a list spot. JOSH BARNES was at the Kennel.
Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/teams