Every Hawk rated: The ’scary’ reason flag threat is real
Hawthorn came from the clouds last season – but is Hok Ball really here to stay? GLENN MCFARLANE and JON RALPH run the rule over the list and rank every Hawk.
Ladder
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.
Five midfielders who should be in your SuperCoach plans
The midfield is the engine room of our SuperCoach sides. If you don’t nail it, you risk falling behind. PATCH names the big guns and bargains you need to consider.
The steal of the century? 25 draft calls that will go down in history
Booms, bargains, busts and backflips. The past 25 years have been filled with draft decisions that have shaped the direction of clubs – in both directions. We rank the biggest calls of the century.
Bad Blues blood: Toll of Tuohy’s ‘stinging’ Bolton attack laid bare
Ex-Blue and Cat Zach Tuohy didn’t hold back in his book about former coach Brendon Bolton. Bolton may not have bit back, but that doesn’t mean Tuohy’s criticism didn’t impact him.
Tarryn Thomas pushing for mid-season draft after footy lifeline
After being dumped from the Kangaroos, Tarryn Thomas now has permission to begin a long road back to AFL football, following a string of complaints about his behaviour towards women.
Port’s Pandora’s box: Malthouse’s fear for Power succession plan
Coaching great Mick Malthouse, who went through a controversial succession plan at Collingwood, has questioned why Port Adelaide would announce its handover so close to round 1.
The coaching search that had alarm bells ringing in AFL world
Senior coaching gigs were once the most coveted job in footy, until something unusual occurred in 2024 that had alarm bells ringing at the AFL, which could prompt major change.
Track Watch: Lions bolter emerges as possible Daniher replacement
All eyes at Brisbane match sim were on one recruit looking to fill a Joe Daniher-sized hole for the premiers. Turns out, a 19-year old young gun might be ready to take on the unenviable task.
Every Magpie rated: Risers, fallers, which star’s got Pies fans nervous?
A premiership contender oozing with experience, or a team racing toward the cliff? GLENN MCFARLANE and JON RALPH run the rule over Collingwood’s list and rate every Magpie.
Track watch: Smith SuperCoach warning, three key Cats ruled out
Bailey Smith is the second most popular player in SuperCoach, and Geelong’s midfield coach has outlined his role. Plus, three important Cats face delayed starts to the season.
Hurt locker: Every club’s injury list, return dates for sidelined stars
With just three weeks until Opening Round, how long is your club’s injury list? Check out who is fit, who’s not and when they will return.
‘Hit home’: Cats coach’s message after AFL tragedies, health scare
Geelong assistant coach Steven King feels the devastating past week in football has put the health and wellbeing of the AFL industry into the spotlight.
End of Ken: Inside the moment Hinkley’s Power reign ended
Defiance and emotion have defined Ken Hinkley’s reign at Port Adelaide. After fighting for so long, the Power coach finally has an Alberton end date. Matt Turner takes you inside a historic day.
Moorabbin to the Tiwis: Parker reignites his love for footy
Matt Parker burst onto the AFL scene as a high-flyer at St Kilda. Six years later — and after stints at Moorabbin and Punt Road — he’s rediscovering his love for the game in one of Australia’s most remote areas.
Premium rankings: The Phantom makes big 50-50 SuperCoach calls
Not sure which big dollar stars to pick in SuperCoach? The Phantom predicts the best scorers in defence, midfield, ruck and forward line.
Champion Data’s Ultimate SuperCoach Draft spreadsheet
From SuperCoach scores to CBAs, kick-ins and more, this is the only resource you need to dominate your draft. Download, sort and edit now!
Foundation shakers: Behind the biggest moves, trades this century
When the big names move clubs, it tips the AFL world on its head. JON RALPH picks out the 25 biggest trade and free agency moves of the 21st century. See the full list and have your say.
Larger-than-life AFL legend’s new role
A former AFL goalkicking guru has taken on a specialist coaching role to mentor the next wave of forwards.
Track Watch: Key Dee ruled out for first chunk of 2025
An important Demon had to be carted off the training track after going down with a painful injury, as the Dees count the cost of some stars being MIA during pre-season.
‘Ours will work’: Hinkley on why Port’s succession will be different
Not all coaching succession plans work, but Ken Hinkley is adamant his handover to Josh Carr will be a success. Why? Because Port have proven the doubters wrong before according to Hinkley.
Star Eagle’s sad admission as contract call looms
Indigenous All Stars midfielder Tim Kelly admitted he’s fallen out of love with football in the last two years amid stalled contract talks with West Coast.
AFL closes ‘Charlie Cameron defence’ tribunal loophole
Players will no longer be able to use their good record to get themselves out of trouble at the tribunal this year. Plus the AFL has made another change regarding the match day football.
First year wrap, contract latest: Where 2023 draft’s top 30 sit
With season two ahead, check out how the top 30 players picked in the 2023 AFL Draft are tracking — including a contract update.
In demand Pies star scares off potential future buyers
Chased by North Melbourne in the 2024 trade period, Pies star Brayden Maynard looked to be one to watch during this season. But not if you ask the man himself about his future.
‘Pretty scary’: How key Saints reacted to pre-season injury curse
Brad Hill has revealed the fears St Kilda’s players held after a pre-season session where three players — including spearhead Max King — went down with injury.
‘Don’t want him to feel pressure’: Bont unclear on Jamarra return
Marcus Bontempelli says football is secondary to Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s health and there is no clear timeline on when the star forward will return to full training.
Succession stunner: Hinkley reveals he considered quitting
Ken Hinkley has revealed he considered not coaching in 2025 after agreeing to a succession plan to make Josh Carr Port Adelaide’s next senior coach.
Dons star suffers another setback
One of Essendon’s star midfielders is racing the clock to be fit for the start of the AFL season after suffering another setback.
‘We can do a lot better’: Calls mount for AFL mental health round
There are increasing calls for the AFL to introduce a mental health round as the league reels from a tragic few weeks including the deaths of two past players.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ladder