Hot shots: Michael Klein selects his best AFL photos of 2024
Award-winning photographer Michael Klein was on the spot for all the big AFL moments of 2024, from a Jamie Elliott speccy to a Dusty tear. See his top shots here.
Match Centre
Predictions, best 23: Can Carlton stay fit enough to contend?
After a disappointing end to 2024, can Carlton sort their fitness issues to contend in 2025? JOSH BARNES names their best side, breakout star, player under pressure and much more.
Cripps, Ken, Pendles: Who were the AFL’s 24 winners for 2024?
It was another year full of twists and turns in the AFL world. Who can look back on the last 12 months with a smile? We look at the 24 winners of 2024.
The touching tribute Cats great received in his final days
Geelong legend Michael Turner was honoured by the AFL just days before losing his two-year battle with pancreatic cancer in a touching tribute.
Predictions, best 23: Patient Port back Hinkley as last stand looms
Port Adelaide have kept the faith in Ken Hinkley for 12 years without a grand final to show for it. Could this be his last hurrah? MATT TURNER previews the Power’s season.
Predictions, best 23: Giant hole ‘The Package’ could fill at GWS
GWS have no issue with contending at the pointy end of the year, but close finals losses have hurt the club. Can Jake Stringer change that? LACHLAN MCKIRDY previews the Giants’ season.
How Hawks fit star recruits in best side as big names miss out
Hawthorn have plenty of work to do at the selection table as they attempt to squeeze Tom Barrass and Josh Battle into an already strong side. Who swings forward and who misses out? Find out here.
AFL premiership hero locks in next club
A local footy club in Melbourne’s west has landed the best recruit of its competition’s off-season with a retired AFL star signing for 2025. And he could face another premiership hero in round 1.
Hill backs Saints for finals return, next gen to fire
St Kilda’s finish to 2024 has given Brad Hill plenty of confidence in their pursuit of finals footy next year. Plus he tells GLENN MCFARLANE the next gen stars impressing this pre-season.
Dees’ resurgence hinges on star duo they forced to stay
They both wanted out, but Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were held to their contracts. It’s obvious why, as the Dees’ fortunes hinge on their two stars firing. We preview their 2025 here.
Make or break: Time is now for Roos with LDU at stake
North Melbourne simply must avoid another bottom-two finish in 2025. The future of their best player depends on it. Check out the full Kangaroos’ season preview here.
Ex-Don backs injury-hit Bomber to shine in 2025 and beyond
The Bombers have been searching for more key back support for Ben McKay and Jordan Ridley. One Essendon great says an injury-plagued high draft pick will be the man to chip in.
The young Bomber tipped for 2025 breakout
Essendon fans will be crying out for more output from this young forward next season, and he might just deliver. See our season preview for the Bombers here.
Richmond great weighs in on Tigers’ bold off-season moves
There was a mass exodus of stars at Richmond within just two months of Neil Balme leaving the club. The former Tigers administrator has his say on the trade and draft strategy.
New recruits, young guns: Heroes of December at every AFL club
If the pre-season is anything to go by, then these players are set for massive campaigns in 2025. From young guns to new recruits, check out the heroes of December from your club.
RIP Redders: Call that nearly made Aussie Test great a Cat
Test great Ian Redpath was honoured at a funeral service, where it was revealed he passed up the chance to play for his beloved Geelong Cats. See the heartfelt tributes to the man known as ‘Redders’.
‘Competitive buggers’: AFL greats align for India’s top contact sport
Dyson Heppell thought he was about to have a relaxing summer after retirement, that was until Campbell Brown came calling. Now, he and a host of AFL greats are set to play India’s top contact sport.
Dees or Suns? Famous Melbourne name opens up on ‘tough’ call
Kalani White, the son of Demons great Jeff, is one of the top prospects in next year’s draft. But will he pass up the father-son option altogether? A complicated, difficult decision awaits.
Full injury list: Every club’s biggest Christmas concerns
The first chunk of the pre-season is over, with plenty of players racing the clock to prove their fitness before the start of the new campaign. We run the rule over who is fit at every club here.
The decline: Are these numbers a sign of things to come?
Brad Hill’s numbers were down 25 per cent in the final six rounds of 2024. Is it sign or just a slump? Similar questions are being asked across the league. See every club’s data here.
Rookie Bible: The must-have SuperCoach cheapies of 2025
The most important part of any SuperCoach team is nailing the rookies – but which ones do you pick in 2025? The Phantom and Dan Batten deliver all the intel on every cheapie to consider.
‘2025 is my year’: SPP fires up ahead of return to ‘play for Kenny’
Sam Powell-Pepper describes the moment he tore his ACL as ‘the worst pain ever’ – but, the Power livewirew knows 2025 will be his year, as he talks MATT TURNER through his tough 2024.
Set up to fail? Every AFL club’s nightmare 2025 fixture slot
When the 2025 fixture arrived, most looked straight at the marquee games, but every club footy boss went for the day breaks between clashes. Which game is your team set up to fail in?
‘Pure sludge and rubbish’: Hird Sr slams Dons over glory days barb
Does David Barham want to expunge the club’s successful past because under his watch the Essendon Football Club is afraid of success? Allan Hird asks big questions of the Bombers boss.
Dees injury shock: Gawn suffers painful pre-Christmas fracture
Melbourne captain Max Gawn is set to miss most of January after suffering a painful blow in the final week of pre-season training before Christmas.
‘I don’t want to go to Geelong’: Dons fan anger boils over at AGM
Essendon has played in Geelong twice in the past 31 seasons — outside of the Covid years. But that didn’t stop fan anger boiling over about being sent down the highway in 2025 at the club’s AGM.
Regional Victoria pitched as home of AFLW Gather Round
The AFLW could soon have its own AFLW Gather Round and Geelong has launched its bid to host the event alongside another major regional Victorian city.
Barham: Any Dons living in past ‘working against the club’
Essendon president David Barham has told Bombers faithful the club must look to the future instead of being caught up in the glory days of the 80s and 90s and disunity of the past 20 years.
11 SuperCoach AFL bargains that could win you the 2025 season
Next season could be the year of the SuperCoach value pick. With the team picker open exclusively for subscribers, we reveal 11 eye-catching names for 2025 to start building your squad around.
Heart wrenching update on AFL flag winner
Aaron Shattock’s family has released an update after the premiership winner’s freak accident just before Christmas.
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