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.
Ladder
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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?
‘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.
Draft Intel: Potential No. 1 ‘unicorn’ ready to impress Richmond
An athletic tall, likened to Luke Jackson and Tom De Koning, will be the main attraction in a key early-season showcase. But he won’t be the only prospect recruiters will be watching closely.
‘It wasn’t us’: Nicks responds to Crows’ horror final term
Did the five-day break hurt the Crows on Thursday night? Matthew Nicks isn’t hiding behind his side’s preparation, instead highlighting where it all went wrong.
SuperCoach: Key takeaways from Adelaide v Geelong
Geelong’s stars stole the Gather Round show, while a pair of Crows midfielders disappointed SuperCoach owners. Recap the key news and more here.
‘Treated differently’: Wizard opens up on free kicks
Hawthorn’s smallest forward is difficult to tackle and even harder to umpire – admitting he’s ‘treated differently’ by whistleblowers. He opens up on how he plays.
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