The Tackle: Time for a Goodwin statement – or else
Until now, Simon Goodwin has largely wheeled out the same Demons side, even with his forward line in disarray. Jay Clark writes, the time has come for a statement at the selection table.
AFL
The Ambush at Adelaide: Power adds new spice to rivalry
Hawthorn came into Sunday’s clash ready to make a statement – both to the competition and to their hated Port Adelaide rivals. However, they were completely ambushed by Port Adelaide.
Premiership Pie’s future set to shape Collingwood’s 2025 draft
A small forward who has never trained with the club has emerged as the latest hot draft prospect linked to the Magpies, but whether he gets to Collingwood might hinge on Brayden Maynard.
‘Trick up his sleeve’: The ‘inspired’ move proving Ken’s still got it
He may be in his final season and entered Gather Round under the pump, but Ken Hinkley showed he’s still got a trick or two up his sleeve. Go inside the Power’s demolition of the Hawks.
Hot-headed Hawks blow chance at record comeback
Hawthorn was well on the way to mounting the biggest comeback in footy history, but the hot heads of the Power v Hawks rivalry reared its head after Willie Rioli showed the footy to the Hawks.
‘Only way forward’: Demons back Goodwin despite horror start
Melbourne is under pressure after a horror start to the season but they’re backing Simon Goodwin to the hilt, saying it’s the ‘only way forward’. See Brad Green’s full comments.
Greene machine kicks five as Giants steamroll Saints
Toby Greene and the Giants put the pedal to the metal in the third term to wipe the Saints off the map at Norwood Oval to continue their hot start to the season.
Lions’ ‘embarrassment of riches’ finds its next draft gem
Academy talents have given the Lions a leg-up on the rest of the competition in recent years, now it appears Chris Fagan’s club has another star waiting in the wings.
Rozee, Butters fire as Port towels up Hawthorn
Connor Rozee had disappointed SuperCoaches in the early part of the season, but he, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis proved why they’re SuperCoach pedigree.
Editor's Picks
Dees’ unrest, Voss texts and lap-top slams: How Pies got their man
Dan Houston showed rivals clubs what they missed out on when he starred against the Power in round 1. Go inside the sleepless nights and the ‘unbelievable tensions’ behind his trade move.
AFL Power List: The 50 most influential figures in footy ranked
The AFL is big business – and full of big personalities. Some sit firmly in the public eye and some less so, but Michael Warner lifts the lid on who the 50 most influential people are in footy.
‘I don’t need an aura’: Yze hits back at ‘unfair’ criticism
Adem Yze has hit back at suggestions he lacks the “aura” to be a success as Richmond coach and explained why content released by the club doesn’t paint a true picture of who he is.
Team of the Century: The GOAT leads AFL’s best of past 25 years
It’s been 25 full seasons of the AFL since the turn of the century – so who makes the cut in the best 23? Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane took on the almost-impossible task of deciding.
SACKED: AFL
Some of the biggest names in AFL reveal the true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.
The SuperCoach AFL Podcast
In this podcast, listen to AFL SuperCoach advice from our panel of experts every week to ensure you’re always ahead of the game.
The Herald Sun Footy Podcast
Join the Herald Sun’s Lauren Wood and the team as they talk through the big news of the week, and what’s set for the weekend of footy.
Triple treat for SuperCoaches as DPPs locked in
The game is about to change. SuperCoaches have been given a triple treat of forward premiums, while plenty of rookies have also found another home. See the full DPP list.
Eric’s epic second half hands Lions massive comeback
Eric Hipwood had one touch in the first half, but come full time he had five goals to his name as the Lions managed a 10-goal turnaround in the second half.
SuperCoach: Key takeaways from Collingwood v Sydney
Operation get Nick Daicos is officially back on after getting past the tag of James Jordon, as a couple of cheap Swans options delivered in the Pies’ win.
Ultimate Round 4 stats drop: CBAs, kick-ins and TOG for every player
Jason Horne-Francis silenced the doubters with a SuperCoach masterclass, while GWS stacked the stats sheet in a fantasy feast. But not everyone cashed in with Kieren Briggs flopping as a popular captain pick in a ruck matchup that didn’t deliver.
Why LDU knocked back rivals – and what it means for Saints
When North Melbourne’s players erupted in the Barossa on Friday, St Kilda’s recruiting war room slumped. A big tick for the Roos list team is another cross for the Saints. So, where to now?
Trade latest: Rivals circle giant Pie, Showdown for Nas heats up
Darcy Cameron is set for a big pay rise, but will it be at Collingwood? Tom De Koning’s decision could be the deciding factor as the two SA clubs go head-to-head for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Trade latest: Clubs prepare to raid Gold Coast for unloved Sun
The Suns’ hot start to 2025 has some great talent sitting on the sidelines, leaving rival clubs plotting to steal some young stars away from Damien Hardwick’s squad.
Port defender on brink of committing to big call on future
Port Adelaide has a host of defenders coming out of contract at season’s end. But one of the Power’s most important, Kane Farrell, is set to make a decision this week.
‘Baffling’ AFLW rule leaves non-Vic clubs seething
An AFLW coach has called for change as a quirk of the competition’s lengthy off-season hands one group of clubs a distinct advantage as the 2025 season approaches.
Why Erin Phillips doesn’t want to be an AFLW coach
She’s one of the most decorated players in the history of AFLW, but this former Crow and Power star has no aspirations to return as a coach.
AFL icon reveals heartbreaking diagnosis
AFL icon Dani Laidley has revealed she has been diagnosed with a ‘very rare’ brain tumour after suffering a spate of bad headaches.
Scouting notes: Cats add ex-AFLW talent, Falcons grads to VFLW list
Fans got their first look at Geelong’s VFLW list in a pre-season scratch match, the new-look side aided by the experience of two ex-AFLW names. Plus, a Geelong champion lines up for the opposition.
Dockers hit their straps as Bolton comes back to haunt Tigers
Fremantle have continued their rich vein of form, proving too strong for Richmond in the Barossa Valley, as Shai Bolton showed Tigers fans what they are missing.
Dees broken, season done – is Goodwin’s time up too?
By half time against Essendon, Melbourne’s season wasn’t just on life support, time of death had been called, writes JON RALPH. And the Demons have a big call to make on their coach.
Sunday Shout: St Kilda hardman’s boxing offer to Stevie J revealed
Steven Baker was a poster boy for effort over talent during his time at the Saints. Now those traits are set to be put to the test again – all for a very special cause.
Early Tackle: The Dons moment that sums up difference
Melbourne came hard at Essendon in the second half – but a moment early in the final term changed things. And it proved a lot about both sides, writes GLENN McFARLANE.
TDK puts contract talks on hold as Blues fail to prove anything
The Blues may finally be on the board in 2025 but plenty of unanswered questions remain after the win over the Eagles – none bigger than the one now hanging over Tom De Koning.
Lions come from nowhere to stun Dogs in game of the year
The Bulldogs were in control at Norwood Oval on Saturday – then Eric Hipwood and the Lions flicked the switch, resulting in one of the games of the season.
‘I teared up’: Beautiful Barossa lives up to hype
Barossa Park’s first AFL match was a raging success – and everything premier Peter Malinauskas imagined. Matt Turner and Ruby Stewart recap an historic day in Adelaide.
Daicos issues ominous warning, huge praise for emerging mid
Collingwood star Nick Daicos has sent a warning to the rest of the competition after blowing past tagger James Jordon on Friday night. Plus, his thoughts on Ned Long’s breakout game.
‘A footy decision’: Yze reveals why Balta was left out
Despite Noah Balta awaiting sentencing for assault charges, Richmond coach Adem Yze says that isn’t the reason for the defender’s absence from their AFL side this weekend.
Gather Round whispers: Peace brokered after AFL-SACA war?
South Australia pushed hard for the Sheffield Shield final to be played at the iconic Adelaide Oval, only to be turned down by the AFL. But has a peace deal been struck after the verbal stoush?
Bittersweet return for new Lion at Norwood’s ‘field of dreams’
One of Norwood’s finest will make a return in the Bulldogs-Lions blockbuster. But it will be a bittersweet homecoming for Sam Day, with his biggest supporter not sitting in the stands.
Blue bulldozers: The ‘trap’ causing headaches at Carlton
There’s not much to question when it comes to Carlton’s spine, writes Jay Clark. But what about the rest? It seems the Blues have fallen into a trap that no longer works in modern footy.
Buckley: Get aggressive, Dees and own your mistakes
Super Saturday doesn’t get much bigger than when Gather Round hits, with four crucial clashes set to take place. Nathan Buckley writes, the Demons are going to have to get bold.
‘A religion up there’: Community, family inspire Barossa AFL greats
Justin Westhoff’s dad was a beloved Barossa Valley footy great. For the first time, the Port legend opens up about his father’s tragic death and what the Barossa means to his family ahead of its Gather Round debut.
‘Don’t talk s**t to the skipper’: Baz reveals why he flipped the bird
Bailey Smith was at his brilliant best against the Crows on Thursday night – but the star Cat has been fined after he leapt to the defence of Patrick Dangerfield post-match.
‘I love Port Adelaide… but’: Power superstar coy on future
Zak Butters says he intends to honour his contract at the Power, but is in no rush to decide or declare what his future will be long-term as Victorian rivals circle.
Danger has done a ‘Lethal’ … could it decide the flag?
Patrick Dangerfield came back to haunt his former side in a Leigh Matthews-like performance up forward. Jay Clark writes, it’s the positional move that could have the biggest bearing on the 2025 flag.
Revealed: WA’s pitch to steal Gather Round
Western Australia is sick of feeling left out, writes ELIZA REILLY. But could that soon change? Here’s what the state’s bold pitch to prise Gather Round from South Australia could look like.
Red-time rampage: Inside the costly minute that will haunt Crows
Adelaide led by four goals one minute before half-time in the Gather Round opener against Geelong. Then the Crows opened the door – and the Cats never looked back.
‘Unfair’: Hinkley bristles amid jubilation for key win
The focus was on Ken Hinkley going in to Sunday’s grudge match with Hawthorn but the Port coach just wanted to win and then celebrate hitting back at a post-match question he didn’t like.
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