Ralph: Cut the head off the snake, what else does Collingwood have?
The Pies aren’t dead and buried yet, but JON RALPH writes, there’s plenty of questions Craig McRae will need to address to avoid starting 0-2 in back-to-back seasons.
Jon Ralph
Ralph: Suns-Dons finale entices — until you remember their history
The AFL’s fixture flip has set up the possibility of footy’s greatest home-and-away finish since 1987. JON RALPH writes, it’s more likely we see one of the most irrelevant games of footy ever.
Ralph: Footy’s ‘blood sport’ more ruthless than ever
There’s never been a worse year to be an AFL coach under pressure, writes JON RALPH, with the spectre of several modern greats looming large over the 2025 season.
Buddy, Gaz, Dusty? The 10 best AFL players this century ranked
Think naming the team of the century was hard? Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have narrowed that down to 10 and determined the defining player of the 21st century. HAVE YOUR SAY.
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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?
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