Ralph: Dusty doesn’t owe cynical Tigers fans a thing
If Dustin Martin does move to the Suns, he’s not Dusty the Deserter, he doesn’t owe the Tiger army anything, writes Jon Ralph. But there’s a key question the legend must answer.
Jon Ralph
Why Bombers, Lions, Saints can’t match it with the best
Every club needs a player – ideally several – who can take a game by the scruff of the neck and drag his team over the line. JON RALPH writes the clubs without one are stuck in the wilderness.
Ralph: Confusion? The AFL’s tackle crackdown is working
The leave-the-game-aloners will argue that tackling will soon be a lost art, but with the concussion rate still high, it is clear the AFL must continue its crackdown to protect the head, writes JON RALPH.
$6m man? Why Hawks mega bid for Battle makes sense
Hawthorn’s huge offer to lure Josh Battle from St Kilda isn’t just about shoring up its backline. As JON RALPH explains, there’s another key to why the Hawks could offer close to $1m a year.
Ranked: AFL’s 15 biggest games in the ‘blockbuster-isation’ of footy
Gone are the days of the traditional afternoon slots, here is the blockbuster-isation of football. JON RALPH ranks the AFL’s 15 best blockbuster fixtures in a new era of sports attendance.
Hird, Gawn, Ricciuto: Every club’s most influential figure this century
Max Gawn arrived to the Dees when they were a mess and since, he’s lifted them to heights not seen for decades. JON RALPH lists the most influential people at every AFL club since 2000.
The 10 big calls of Adem Yze’s tenure and Ralphy’s response
Times are changing at Tigerland, long gone are the once dominant Tigers as they descend down the AFL hierarchy, so where do they go from here? JON RALPH answers the key questions they face.
Ralph: End of ‘Buddy Era’ gives Swans best premiership hope
The Swans are flying high, and while they would love a prime Lance Franklin, it’s become clear his retirement has helped create the most complete side in the AFL, writes JON RALPH.
Why aren’t we talking about Essendon’s ‘piss take’?
Not long before Brad Scott gave Sam Draper another earbashing for his ‘disrespectful’ comments, the digital team was fully taking the piss. JON RALPH asks, can the industry have it both ways?
38 touches, 15 marks: The free agent too good for VFL
He was unlucky to be dropped after round 1 and can’t fight his way back into the AFL despite dominating performances at VFL level. Could this free agent be gettable for your team in 2025?
The price Tigers could put on head of perfect role model
Richmond loves Liam Baker. And the Tigers will believe Baker loves them enough to stay. But what if the lure of home is too strong? JON RALPH assesses the trade situation.
Ralph: Ratbags, scallywags and horror reality of AFL’s dirty secret
What if a player’s sample is negative and the drugs they took are not revealed by an ‘off the book’ test? The answer is the most jaw-dropping aspect of the drugs bombshell, writes JON RALPH.
Grow up, Ginnivan and Co can have a life outside footy
Get used to AFL stars attending the Grand Prix or red carpet events in a world where social media is a huge second income. So, what did Jack Ginnivan do wrong, asks JON RALPH.
‘Soft, old, slow’: Where have swarming Pies gone?
The Magpies’ swarm led them to premiership glory in 2023 but this year, so far, they look old, soft and slow. So where has the dare and drive gone?
Ralph: The question is how, not if, Roos rid themselves of Thomas
The writing is on the wall, according to JON RALPH: Tarryn Thomas and North Melbourne are through. The only question now is how he and the club go about parting ways.
Revealed: The seven clubs sitting on salary cap war chests
The new AFL salary cap will have massive implications on the way AFL clubs and players do business, and seven sides who read the tea leaves are sitting on mammoth war chests. Who are they?
Why footy’s 2024 premier could simply be last team standing
Both the AFL and its fans can’t get enough of footy, but how much is too much? JON RALPH analyses the marathon that awaits clubs in 2024.
Hollywood’s role in former Saint’s story of ‘catastrophic’ concussions
Koby Stevens had 10-12 concussions in his career at three AFL clubs. Now, he has paired with some of sport and film’s biggest names to detail the harrowing impact of concussion and the lengths required to treat it.
Trade mail: Which Vic club will have a go at big fish?
Jeremy McGovern will be 32 next April. With a second flag at the Eagles out of the question, a Victorian club with finals ambition could swoop.
The off-season trade, list calls every non-finalist must make
The AFL exchange period is almost here – and it’s an important time for the 10 clubs who missed finals. These are the moves, deals and list calls your team should make to bounce back.
The true beauty of Blues’ organic growth
The Blues’ run towards a possible finals berth has not been the smooth ride many expected at the start of 2023, but a change in ethos will hold them in good stead beyond this season alone.
Trade grades: Was Tigers double really a success?
Richmond gave up a lot to bring in two GWS midfielders on long-term deals at the end of last year. Was it worth it? Jon Ralph rates every player move.
How Channel 7 can fix Friday night footy’s glaring issue
Would Channel 7 really give up the money it makes from Better Homes and Gardens to appease footy fans? Incoming AFL CEO Andrew Dillon must give them no choice, writes Jon Ralph.
Why the cost of Hawks pick keeps growing
The Hawks were so intent on getting Josh Weddle last year they traded up to pick 18 to get him. But as the picks they gave up continue to increase in value, did they give away too much?
Trade buzz: Could rivals prise rising star out of Dons?
As Kyle Langford’s emergence as a long-term forward continues to gather steam, the future of another Bombers goalkicker is under the microscope. Which rivals could swoop?
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.
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.
Sacked: Inside Kurt curse that caused Sanderson spiral
A kick away from a grand final, Brenton Sanderson was brutally sacked just two seasons later. And it was the departure of Kurt Tippett that set off the Crows’ fall from grace.
AFL’s big call: no more hardball gets
The sacred Sherrin came in for some undue heat last season as basic skill errors were blamed on brand new footies. Now the AFL has revealed its strategy to circumnavigate the issue.
Clubs strongly oppose AFL’s Covid top-up plan
The AFL has presented its top-up plans to clubs, and there’s a a key reason why particular sides are voicing opposition.
How state league stars can save your club
Another season is set to be impacted by Covid-19, but VFL coach and former mature-age recruit Michael Barlow says there are reinforcements in the wings.
Ralph: Next wave of stars we’ll be talking about in 2022
Jon Ralph peers into his crystal ball for 2022, revealing who the next crop of stars will be in the AFL and where every club will finish. See every prediction here.
De Goey ultimatum: Trading Pies’ new image for flags
The Pies had one hand on the 2018 premiership thanks to Jordan De Goey – now they face a dangerous ultimatum trading in their new image for his flag winning talent.
Why former Cat forgives one-punch attacker
Ex-Geelong player Paul Brown suffered brain bleeding after being in the wrong place at the wrong time six years ago. But he has considered visiting his attacker in jail.
No sympathy if De Goey’s contract torn up
Jordan De Goey’s Collingwood contract will likely rise and fall on the result of his court date. If it is torn up, there will be little sympathy in the AFL world, Jon Ralph writes.
Trusting Tyson: Cats hand multi-year deal to ex-Crow
Geelong has put their full faith in sacked ex-Crow Tyson Stengle handing him a multi-year deal as he prepares to move in with Eddie Betts and his family.
Next year’s hottest free agents on the market
The free agency class of 2022 is headlined by stars. Will they re-sign, or will these big names be on the move?
What happens if a player refuses to be vaccinated?
The AFL has outlined what steps it will take if a player refuses to be vaccinated, with its hardline stance winning the support of an influential club boss.
Coaching hot seat: Injuries won’t save Ratten in 2022
Injuries annihilated Brett Ratten’s side this year but, with Alastair Clarkson and Nathan Buckley looming, the Saints coach will have no excuses in 2022. PRESSURE RATINGS
Forget Daicos – this is North’s first pick
Nick Daicos may have been the talk of the town throughout the season but that doesn’t worry the Roos, they’re about to land their man for the next 15 years.
Why Hawks made ‘seismic’ decision to move on Clarko
Hawthorn fans still can’t believe the greatest coach of the modern era is gone. These are the behind the scenes conversations that led to his exit.
AFL’s monumental Marvel Stadium challenge
Make Docklands Marvel-lous again. That should be the AFL’s mantra in the wake of Perth Stadium’s stunning grand final display, Jon Ralph writes.
Barassi’s tears for lost Demons after historic win
Melbourne has been hit by tragedy like few other clubs, and an emotion-charged premiership came with a hint of sadness for the Demons’ last premiership captain, Ron Barassi.
Carlton set to be fleeced of ‘recruit of the year’
Sam Petrevski-Seton has already been touted as recruit of the year, but that doesn’t mean Carlton can expect much in return when he makes his way west.
The Tackle: Why Connor Rozee is overhyped
Plenty has been said about the raw talent of Port Adelaide young gun Connor Rozee. But is he falling down the 2018 ‘super draft’ pecking order? Likes and dislikes
The Tackle: The case for ranking Hawkins over Buddy
Lance Franklin is an all-time AFL superstar, but numbers over the past decade show Tom Hawkins is the best forward in the game, writes Jon Ralph.
AFL’s GF doomsday scenario solution revealed
The grand finalists could be left to navigate a three-week break between games in the event of a Covid lockdown in WA. Here’s how it could play out.
Lyon signing could spell career danger for fringe Blues
Ross Lyon’s hard nosed approach is no secret, with many claiming he was too harsh. Could this be the beginning of the end for some underperforming Blues?
The Tackle: Will Stephenson ever learn?
After yet another self-inflicted setback to his promising career, Jon Ralph ponders whether Jaidyn Stephenson will ever grow up and realise his potential.
The Tackle: Why footy world is barracking for Max Gawn
There’s a simple answer on who to support if your team missed finals. Footy saved Max Gawn from a darker path, and now one of the game’s best characters could be its biggest fairytale.
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