Origin key to making AFLX a hit
The AFLX concept provided plenty of thrills but it lacked was a sense of tribalism because no one really cared which team won or who took home the trophy, writes JON RALPH.
Jon Ralph
Saints’ big problem to keep Richo up at night
WHILE other clubs strengthened their lists during the trade/free agency period, St Kilda didn’t as its ruck stocks continue to be a huge problem. Is Billy Longer up to it? What about Lewis Pierce? Alan Richardson has his work cut out, Jon Ralph writes.
How megatrade will affect each club
WHICH club has come out on top from the megadeal that set the trade period alight on the final day? JON RALPH takes a look at how each club will be affected and who will get the biggest sugar rush.
Beams a perfect fit no matter the cost
THE prevailing view is the Dayne Beams deal will get done and Collingwood has a priceless opportunity to get the quick-fix star and build for the future, writes JON RALPH.
Dockers’ hardline trade stance a lose-lose
FREMANTLE feels particularly aggrieved about being painted as the new Essendon of trade week but if the Dockers are unable to secure Jesse Hogan, it could have dire consequences for the club’s future.
Did Blues pay overs for McGovern?
THERE’S a considerable caveat on Mitch McGovern and that is he actually hasn’t done too much. But JON RALPH writes given he wanted to join Carlton, it’s all systems go for the Blues. HAVE YOUR SAY
Mayday: why Pies need star Sun
COLLINGWOOD needs Gold Coast captain Steven May to round out their back six. But JON RALPH writes more than one player will determine the race for the Suns defender.
Wingard not worth asking price at Port
PORT Adelaide would be negligent to pay Chad Wingard more than $800,000 a year after three average seasons, but for a club such as the Western Bulldogs he’s worth every dollar, writes JON RALPH.
Why Max winning would help save Brownlow
A DECADE after Matthew Richardson set Crown Palladium alight with football’s most unlikely charge, the Brownlow Medal needs a shock upset to recapture its relevance. VOTE
The ruthless statement that has defined Demons
IT was on Grand Final day last year that Demons coach Simon Goodwin made a statement which might define all that has happened at Melbourne thereafter.
Which coach needs a flag the most?
WHICH coach is under the most pressure to deliver a premiership in this year’s finals series? Which coaches are getting a free hit at September? JON RALPH looks at the men in charge this finals series.
Has Pies’ culture really changed?
ON the eve of his 21st birthday, Sam Murray has flushed his career down the toilet. It is also another example of a Collingwood player in trouble with drugs. The club says its culture has changed but as JON RALPH writes, it is so easy to join the dots.
Why AFL should be very afraid of Hawks
RICHMOND is the nominal pick for the premiership, but there’s a very happy team at Hawthorn enjoying another stunning season. Here are 23 reasons every other club, including the Tigers, should be worried in September.
Injuries no excuse for mediocre Cats
ONE remarkable fact blows out of the water any suggestion injuries have derailed Geelong’s season. And a bunch of other stats aren’t too flattering either, writes JON RALPH.
Sorry stats that might make Saint gettable
JACK Billings ranks elite for disposals and score assists. But in one vital area, the former No.3 draft pick is actually getting worse. Would a club closer to a premiership want him more than St Kilda?
Gaff hit as bad as Barry Hall’s
ANDREW Gaff will be sent straight to the tribunal for his brutal punch to the face of Andrew Brayshaw and the tribunal should suspend him for seven matches — the same penalty Barry Hall received for his hit on Brent Staker.
Why Vic clubs are scrambling for ‘rare breed’ Gaff
ANDREW Gaff doesn’t put fear into the hearts of rivals and isn’t as “sexy” as Jordan de Goey but the Eagles superstar is still a rare breed of player that Victorian clubs are lining up for. WATCH TRADE TV HERE
The moment starting positions were sealed
FORGET Alastair Clarkson’s coffee meetings with Gillon McLachlan. JON RALPH writes the AFL was sold on introducing starting positions in one fleeting moment last month.
‘Complete package’ can help Blues rebound
BRENDON Bolton is safe and JON RALPH writes there’s a reason the Blues can rebound quickly. A top-five draft pick can make an immediate impact, and one man has just the young gun in mind.
Fix broken draft to avoid losing generation of fans
IT’S TIME for Gillon McLachlan to follow through on his gut feel and aggressively overhaul the broken draft system to turbocharge the rebuilding process, writes Jon Ralph.
Tigers won’t be beaten by ‘fun police’
IN an era where people delight in being outraged, Richmond knows it is treading a fine line with its unorthodox methods. JON RALPH looks at the characters at Punt Rd and how the club handles them.
Starting points can make game great again
THE best junior talent the game has to offer played with starting points at the MCG on Sunday and the sky didn’t fall in. A simple rule change can make the game great again, writes JON RALPH.
Would de Goey sacrifice now for future pay day?
SHOULD in-demand Collingwood midfielder Jordan de Goey be looking to Giant Josh Kelly as an example of how to handle his big money contract negotiations? JON RALPH looks at his options.
Savage and horrific: 5-6 week ban is needed
IF the AFL is serious about getting thuggish acts out of the game – albeit the rare ones that do occur – a send-off rule needs to be considered. The brutal act that knocked Harris Andrews out is a prime example of ths, writes Jon Ralph.
Crows’ ‘undercurrent of discontent’
CRISIS? Maybe not, but Adelaide has some issues. JON RALPH writes minor gripes and quibbles have snowballed into a bigger problem — and their on-field fortunes this year are suddenly about more than regaining lost respect.
Ralphy picks his All-Australian side
THERE are plenty of big questions facing this year’s All-Australian selectors. JON RALPH looks at them all before picking his squad of 40 players and his final team.
Buckley stiff to miss team of century
THERE’S been plenty of superstars, but only 22 can make the greatest team of the past 17 years, and that meant Nathan Buckley was unlucky. JON RALPH defends the omission but did readers?
There are no excuses for footy’s snipers
TOBY Greene gets a pass from some because he ‘plays on the edge’. Melbourne is still learning ‘unsociable football’. Rubbish. Some players are snipers who have no restraint, writes JON RALPH.
Scandals that rocked the AFL
FROM the Essendon supplements scandal to Ben Cousins, salary cap cheating to Fev, these are the biggest stories to have shocked the AFL world in the 21st century.
The day Ross stunned the footy world
HERALD Sun reporters Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have worked through every jaw-dropping moment of the past 17 seasons. Today, they look at the coaching departures that rocked footy.
The best AFL coaches of the century
FROM the best coaches to the ultimate team, Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have worked through the biggest moments and key players of the past 17 seasons. HAVE YOUR SAY
Back from the brink — The Liam Jones story
IF you think you know the Liam Jones story, think again. The long-time AFL whipping boy is now an unstoppable force. He spoke to JON RALPH about his remarkable comeback.
Why the Swans can win the flag
ON the evidence of the past 10 weeks the only conclusion that can be drawn is the Sydney Swans should be favourite for the premiership. So why aren’t they?
AFL scandal: Could Bucks restore integrity?
COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has been touted as a left-field option to join the AFL executive and he ticks every box, writes JON RALPH.
Medal Man: Hodge in a league of his own
AS Luke Hodge starts his farewell tour, the list of accolades are so immense they begin to blur into each other, writes Jon Ralph. Yet, one stands out from the pack.
Maligned Vickery never far from headlines
WHEN Tyrone Vickery was drafted he was Richmond’s great white hope, but what has followed has been a career that has never lived up to the hype, writes JON RALPH.
Why Nathan Buckley should polish his CV
COLLINGWOOD’S board would be negligent to reappoint Nathan Buckley without canvassing all available options, writes JON RALPH.
Bombers launch into debt demolition
ESSENDON could slash more than $3 million off its $10 million debt this year in the greatest financial turnaround in AFL history. How have they done it?
How the AFL tore apart Tigers’ Houli defence
JUSTICE was served when Bachar Houli was handed a four-week ban, writes JON RALPH, even if took the first ever AFL appeal to rectify a decision so bad it was one-in-one-hundred-years awful.
AFL can take lead on gender debate
THE AFL is about to break new ground again as a transgender woman prepares to try out for the AFLW but the competition has helped promote mature conversations about sexuality.
The under-appreciated art of the kick-in
FORGET lining up for goal. Defenders are in the gun every time the opposition scores a behind. JON RALPH reveals secrets kick-in strategies and who does it best at your club.
Tigers must match any Dusty deal
RICHMOND won the free agency lottery by trading Brett Deledio early last year and should now threaten to match any offer for star free agent Dustin Martin.
Why Bucks is right … and wrong
AFTER Nathan Buckley’s lively debate on the role of the media in footy, JON RALPH writes the Collingwood coach made a valid point, but were double standards at play?
Should Rance be reported for staging?
ALEX Rance’s diving act after his tussle with Lance Franklin ticked all the boxes for a report under AFL rules, JON RALPH writes.
Bolton, Blues haven’t put a foot wrong
BRENDON Bolton is putting on a coaching masterclass as Carlton continues to show how far it has come since the former Hawks assistant took over and Liam Jones’s rebirth is just one example.
High hopes for Lions after big week
BRISBANE enjoyed its best week in a long time with a morale-boosting win and key re-signings, and with some exciting academy prospects the wheel is slowly turning, writes JON RALPH.
Jog on: AFL should get rid of runners
IF we got rid of the runner overnight would anyone care? And more to the point, Jon Ralph asks, would the standard of football be impacted at all?
Fasolo lauded for brave admission
WAYNE Schwass backs Alex Fasolo’s return and believes his admission will be “liberating” ahead of a huge Queen’s Birthday clash against Melbourne.
Dogs playing like second-rate team
LUKE Beveridge says his Dogs have “stagnated”, but that’s being generous. The team and several players have taken a huge step backwards this year, writes JON RALPH.
Injections saved premiership dream
TED Richards says he would have missed the chance to play in the Swans’ 2012 premiership without the assistance of a dozen painkilling injections.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/jon-ralph/page/5