The Tackle: Champs, chumps and coaches with questions to answer
Week one of September action is done and dusted. MARK ROBINSON looks through whose legend grew and who was a let-down over week one of the finals in The Tackle.
Sydney
‘Saved his life’: Star’s act blows world away
The mum of Swans gun Isaac Heeney has sent a message to a rival star with his classy act of quick-thinking getting attention overseas.
AFL investigates McCartney-Papley clash, MRO hands out fines
The AFL is investigating a confrontation between a Giants official and Swans livewire Tom Papley, with the MRO handing down fines for on-field clashes during Saturday’s tense final.
‘For grandad’: Swans gun’s family heartache ahead of electric cameo
Braeden Campbell would talk on the phone to his grandfather Jim before every AFL game. He didn’t get that call this week, but the Swans gun did hid his grandad proud in the qualifying final.
Hold the beers: How Swans spoiled GWS party plans
As GWS surged toward a home preliminary final, the call was made to SCG catering to have the beers on ice. LACHLAN MCKIRDY unpacks what happened next after Sydney’s stirring come-from-behind win.
‘Robbed’: Farcical AFL rule torn to shreds
Swans superstar Isaac Heeney has sent the footy world into meltdown after taking one of the great marks to put the AFL to shame.
Heeney proves the true giant as Swans soar to famous finals win
There’s Giants. Then there’s Isaac Heeney. The Sydney superstar went from match-saver to matchwinner in an epic qualifying final victory which underlined Heeney’s superstar status.
Breaking hearts with a broken nose: Inside Heeney heroics
When Sydney needed saving, it turned to Isaac Heeney. Then when it needed a matchwinner, Heeney soared again. LACHLAN MCKIRDY breaks down his qualifying final heroics.
Swans stun Giants in all-time AFL classic
The Sydney Swans have roared home to steal an extraordinary victory over fierce rivals GWS and storm into a preliminary final.
Player ratings: The other Swans who helped steal epic final
Isaac Heeney was the star at the SCG on Saturday and he had plenty of help as the Swans came storming home in an all-time classic. But it wasn’t all pretty. Every player rated.
‘Should be suspended’: GWS boss in strife
Renowned agitator Tom Papley and the GWS footy manager clashed at the SCG in an unusual moment the AFL will review.
Parker focused on finals for now despite ‘flattering’ Clarko interest
Luke Parker’s future might still be up in the air but September is his favourite month of the year and he only has one thing on his mind as he prepares to put his tough season behind him.
Robbo: Midfield concerns? Cats still have trump card to play
The Cats midfield looks like being exposed by Port Adelaide — but they still have an important card to play, writes Mark Robinson. Robbo previews who whill shape the finals series.
Accept the burden: History awaits Swans’ ‘Fab Three’ this finals series
With three All-Australian selections and a dominant minor premiership, is a flag the only thing standing in the way of this current midfield being the Sydney Swans’ best of the modern era?
‘Ramp it right up’: Swans’ key finals boost
Four big ins at the Sydney Swans for their local derby final with GWS means big decisions for coach John Longmire about who misses out.
Selection axe hovers over Adams as Swans cavalry returns
John Longmire is adamant Taylor Adams will have a role to play in Sydney’s premiership tilt, despite looming as a hardluck story for the second finals series running.
‘Keen to change that’: Swans coy over Giant finals stumbling block
The Swans are yet to win a final against their cross-town rivals GWS. For some players, that means nothing. For others, it’s extra motivation as they hit the track ahead of the derby.
Ultimate finals guide: The key factors that will decide every final
Who’s racing the clock, who needs to lift and what weaknesses could be exposed in week one of AFL finals? ED BOURKE runs the rule over each match in our ultimate finals guide.
Stop Errol: Can Giants end Gulden’s golden run?
Errol Gulden has been the difference in the past three Sydney derbies, winning three successive Brett Kirk medals. Did Collingwood provide the blueprint Adam Kingsley needs to stop him?
Rising Swan ready to put injuries behind her, take AFLW by storm
After becoming the No.1 draft pick for the Swans’ inaugural season, Montana Ham has had two years plagued by injury. Now her time has arrived to announce herself.
AFL looking at fixture change to avoid AFLW clash
The AFL player union has expressed its disappointment at the fixture clash between the Western Bulldogs men’s and women’s games next Friday, with a change of plan on the cards.
Star’s September warning for reborn Swans’ rivals
Swans superstar Chad Warner has sounded a warning to the club’s premiership rivals, revealing the secret to Sydney’s form resurgence as it chases its first premiership since 2012.
‘Still the VFL’: Outrage over AFL finals draw
Scheduling the opening round of the footy finals should be relatively simple, yet somehow AFL HQ managed to get it very wrong.
Best rivalry in the AFL? Giants, Swans have Final say
Ahead of GWS and Sydney’s fourth finals clash in eight years, Giants star Josh Kelly wonders whether the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ is the most fierce rivalry in the AFL.
Swans leave Crows asking — is Rachele really the problem?
Adelaide sent Josh Rachele to the SANFL in a statement about its standards. But if Saturday night’s heavy loss was any indication, Rachele is far from the Crows biggest issue.
AFL clubs, star throw support behind ‘State of Origin’ charity
A charity event between local footy sides from Victoria and Sydney is going to be bigger than ever, with three AFL clubs and GWS captain Toby Greene getting involved.
Docker shocker timely wake-up call in Swans’ flag tilt
Sydney is confident its shock home loss to Fremantle can serve as a wake-up call after a sluggish first half came back to haunt the AFL’s ladder leader and allowed the Dockers to clinch a huge upset.
McDonald shank, Draper brilliance earn Dockers win for the ages
Josh Draper stood tall in the absence of skipper Alex Pearce, helping lift Fremantle to a last-gasp win victory over Sydney as West Australian Logan McDonald — who has been linked with the Dockers — missed a late chance to snatch the game.
‘Tripped him’: Villain’s errors cost Swans
Sydney’s long winning streak is over, with a maligned Swan committing two costly errors in a shock one-point loss to Fremantle.
Melican’s decade of injury pain turns to premiership dream
Lewis Melican is finally living up to his potential after a career riddled with injuries. He reflects on 10 years at the Swans and how Sydney kept his love for the game alive during the dark periods during the past decade.
AFL move to pave way for Pies’ mega bid for rising Swan
The AFL is set to usher in a huge change which will give Collingwood’s pursuit of one of the league’s best young forwards a huge boost.
How Sydney’s AFL love affair has boosted Swans’ flag bid
Record crowds. Record membership. And a home record which is the envy of the AFL. LACHLAN MCKIRDY lifts the lid on how the AFL’s growth in New South Wales has propelled Sydney to flag favouritism.
‘No one will beat us’: Swan’s warning to the AFL
After the best performance of his career, James Rowbottom believes there’s even more improvement to come from the ladder-leading Swans.
Swans’ stranglehold on 2024 cup becomes tighter after Derby win
The Sydney Swans have sent another ominous warning to the rest of the competition after a comprehensive victory over the Giants. LACHLAN MCKIRDY has the analysis.
Key Giant’s ‘strange’ Swans past in Sydney rivalry
In Saturday’s Derby, Jack Buckley will be masterminding Sydney’s downfall – but, strangely, he was once on the other side. Plus, Taylor Adams on Brodie Grundy and the AFL’s New South Wales ambush.
Teams: Draper back – but Dons make surprise call
Ruckman Sam Draper will play his first game since ANZAC Day, but the selection squeeze is well and truly on at Essendon. Plus, there’s good news for SuperCoaches. See the full round 15 teams.
$1.6m-a-year plot to poach Swans superstar
An 18-month plan has been floated for Fremantle to land a Swans superstar on the most lucrative salary the AFL has ever seen.
‘Would be really folly’: Swans boss comes out swinging at AFL
As the Swans celebrate two of the most significant milestones in the club’s history, their CEO Tom Harley has had his say on talks there might be changes to the process of matching bids on Academy players.
Swans’ weakness? The stat Sydney is last at in the competition
The Sydney Swans have bested every challenge in front of them in 2024. But with September looming large, there is a key area where they actually rank worst in the AFL.
Coach wants ‘runway’ for big AFL rule change
The coach of one of the clubs most impacted by pending AFL rule changes has asked the league to quickly clarify its plans.
Buddy pearls behind Swan’s surging form
A young Sydney key forward says he’s learnt from the best as he emerges as a shock contender for the Coleman Medal.
How Grundy can take ultimate revenge over Gawn
New Sydney big man Brodie Grundy is making a compelling case to take the All-Australian blazer of the man who kept him out of a Melbourne finals side less than 12 months ago.
‘Sit down’: Swans coach explains bizarre benching
If nine-goal hero Joel Amartey had one tiny gripe after his nine-goal haul against Adelaide, it was that he spent the last two minutes on the bench.
AFL shaken up by ‘worst thing I’ve seen’
The footy world is in meltdown over a divisive act that sparked wild scenes during five minutes of madness between the Swans and Crows.
‘Making progress’: Nicks insists Crows are on right course
Adelaide have lost three on the trot and sit 4-1-9 heading into the bye, but coach Matthew Nicks believes the club is actually making progress despite what results suggest.
‘Isn’t on’: Swans called out amid ‘insane’ feat
Swans forward Joel Amartey has put his hand up to be Buddy Franklin’s heir apparent, tearing the heart out of Adelaide in stunning scenes.
How Hayward changed footy in South Australia forever
Long before he was one of the hottest small forwards in the AFL, Will Hayward sparked a major change to how football is played in his home state. LACHLAN MCKIRDY finds out how.
Better than Ablett? Where Swans mids rank against AFL’s top trios
Geelong had Ablett, Kelly and Selwood. Collingwood had Pendlebury, Swan and Didak. But Sydney’s midfield trio of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden might have them both covered. Here’s why.
‘Just nonsense’: Footy figures slam AFL draw
AFL coaches are all saying the same thing about a baffling draw that’s left some teams enjoying two byes before others have one.
Swans coach at odds with chairman over AFL’s bye problem
John Longmire expects the AFL’s bye disparity to be addressed next season amid suggestions the ladder-leading Swans have benefited from having two byes before other clubs have had one.
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