Numbers prove Ross has bigger problems than the crowd – just
After Thursday night’s drubbing, Ross Lyon was involved in a tense exchange about the crowd – but, as JOSH BARNES finds out, the other St Kilda numbers are more concerning.
AFL
Surviving the ‘s***storm’: Shaw’s darkest days, Roo regrets
Rhyce Shaw calls himself a “footy sicko”. But there was a long period where he stopped loving the game which has shaped his family for decades. He opens up to Callum Dick.
The self-confessed ‘role player’ brought in to clean the AFL’s mess
He’s a footy fan from South Australia who became a premiership-winning captain, but Tom Harley describes himself as a role player. And he’ll be a vital cog in the AFL machine facing plenty of change.
Rampant, ruthless Dogs put Saints to the sword in Darcy’s return
The Dogs have been known to feast on bottom-10 teams, and their second clash with the Saints in 2025 was no different, celebrating Luke Beveridge’s re-signing in style.
Trade intel: $1.8m for Harley? Worpel, Starcevich latest
Whichever Victorian club wins the Harley Reid sweepstakes is going to have to pay a lot — in salary and trade — to drag him out of West Coast. And, that has some reconsidering.
Hawks ‘clicked’ without Sicily? Mitchell defends under-fire skipper
Sam Mitchell is adamant the best 2025 version of captain James Sicily will appear when he returns from injury, dismissing talk the Hawks backline finally clicked last week without the skipper.
Pies star turns back on Roos to sign new deal
North Melbourne went hard at Brayden Maynard but in a significant coup for the Magpies, the star defender has recommitted on a bumper deal.
Crows’ 20-year first: Stunning numbers driving finals push
Adelaide’s forwards or midfielders have got much of the credit for the club’s rise up the ladder. But stunning statistics show how the Crows’ low-profiled defensive unit has become an AFL leader.
Wiz, Josh and Ginni: The Friday night battle no one wants to miss
Nick Watson. Jack Ginnivan. Josh Rachele. Izak Rankine. Launceston has never seen Friday night entertainment like this. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon dissects the battle of the human highlight reels.
Editor's Picks
Hawks racism saga may be over but the damage is everlasting
The fallout of the Hawthorn racism saga has claimed 40-year friendships and left those at the heart of the allegations still reeling. Jay Clark investigates.
‘What do I do now?’ The lonely reality of life after football
Cooper Hamilton’s whole identity was football — until it couldn’t be anymore. The former GWS player opens up on the challenges he’s faced and mental health battles during his AFL career.
The top 75 AFL Draft prospects for 2025
From highly-rated academy and father-son prospects to No. 1 pick contenders and this year’s bolters, AFL Draft guru Kevin Sheehan exclusively reveals all the names recruiters are targeting in 2025.
The Baz text that shocked Cats legend
When Bailey Smith was handed the famous Geelong No. 3, club great Jimmy Bartel reached out – and what ‘Bazlenka’ did next proves there is so much more to his very public image.
SACKED: AFL
Some of the biggest names in AFL reveal the true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.
The SuperCoach AFL Podcast
In this podcast, listen to AFL SuperCoach advice from our panel of experts every week to ensure you’re always ahead of the game.
The Herald Sun Footy Podcast
Join the Herald Sun’s Lauren Wood and the team as they talk through the big news of the week, and what’s set for the weekend of footy.
SuperCoach expert trades: Who is not buying Butters?
Zak Butters is the hottest property in SuperCoach but one expert is passing on the Port Adelaide star. See who’s coming in and who’s getting the boot here.
Stats reveal who gives up most points, top SuperCoach captains
Exclusive Champion Data numbers show many points every team concedes in every position – vital intel when picking a SuperCoach captain. See our top picks.
Trade grades: Experts rate best, worst SuperCoach moves
Zak Butters gets a big tick, but who else should SuperCoaches be trading in and out this week? Get verdicts on 20 players on the trade table.
SuperCoach intel: Experts rank 9 mid-price game changers
Cut-price premiums have shown up just when we need them in SuperCoach. But who will score the most points – and who can we trust? Plus this week’s top rookies.
The unfathomable risk attached to Dees’ $12 million Kozzie coup
Forget the million dollar row at Carlton – Melbourne will have the riskiest list profile in football, writes Jon Ralph. Was offering the AFL’s richest deal to Kysaiah Pickett the right call?
Carr weighs in as Bergman decision drags on
Senior-coach-in-waiting Josh Carr has had his say on Miles Bergman’s future as the Port Adelaide star makes the club sweat on whether he will sign a new deal.
Kozzie on brink of signing fresh nine-year mega deal
Melbourne’s latest play to keep Kysaiah Pickett looks to have worked with the star Demon set to re-sign with the club on an extraordinary pay packet.
Blues in ‘retention mode’ as TDK looms over salary cap squeeze
Despite a tight cap and looming giant payday for Tom De Koning, the Blues have officially ruled out moving on from their big names as they await the official takeover of Graham Wright.
Future pick swaps, rule changes: What’s new for AFLW 2025
AFLW clubs will soon be able to trade future picks as part of the evolution of player movement, as the league looks to reduce congestion with its latest set of rule changes for the 2025 season.
Essendon at war as Windy Hill stoush blows up
An incensed Essendon Cricket Club is considering legal action amid a growing stoush with Essendon Football Club over the use of the iconic Windy Hill.
‘Off the charts’: AFLW prospect shatters WAFLW records
Jack Schwarze says every AFL club that misses out on Juliet Kelly will rue their mistake after the Claremont star pressed her draft claims by shattering the WAFLW disposals record.
AFLW shock in fixture release
There’s a few standout omissions in the 2025 AFLW fixture that has been finally released just months out from the start of the season.
AFL defies Seven’s GF request, locks in 2025 start time
The AFL Fans association has urged the league to end its annual guessing game around the start time of its biggest game of the season, with the 2025 Grand Final starting time locked in.
Dons set for 51-year first, McKay still missing for Blues’ trip west
Bailey Smith is back, Harry McKay is still out and the Bombers have somehow found two more debutants to unleash ahead of their clash with the Cats. FULL TEAMS.
Mid-year crystal ball: Daicos v Dawson, top eight already set?
This AFL season has already thrown up some huge curveballs. Are there more to come — or are Nick Daicos and Collingwood destined for glory? Our experts have their say.
Nicks responds to week of Tex, Wanganeen-Milera talk
Taylor Walker’s 2021 racism incident was back in the spotlight this week amid reports around Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s future – now Crows coach Matthew Nicks has had his say.
The truth about ‘extraordinary’ Bevo’s new deal
At the start of the year, the Bulldogs made the decision to delay the call on Luke Beveridge’s future. What was the reason? What changed? President Kylie Watson-Wheeler opens up.
Saving the Swans: Sydney’s path to putting rivals on notice again
The next seven weeks will define Dean Cox’s first year in charge of the Swans. And while finals are still a possibility, it might be even more important to set Sydney up for a 2026 flag charge.
The nine true flag contenders – and why each can win it
Forget nine teams in this year’s premiership race completely, writes Mick McGuane. But, of the other nine, who are the true contenders? Find out here.
Swans boss, Cats legend to become Dillon’s 2IC
The shake-up at AFL House is set to take its next step, with Andrew Dillon landing his 2IC and likely successor in a former Geelong premiership captain.
NWM’s call to Walker amid report of racism angst
In-demand Saints star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has refuted claims he won’t join Adelaide due to Taylor Walker’s 2021 racism scandal by making a personal call to the Crows forward.
Revealed: The three clubs who almost convinced Lyon to coach
By his own admission, Garry Lyon was never “brave enough” to become an AFL senior coach. But three clubs almost talked him into making the jump from the media to the coaches box.
Riewoldt’s footy daze: I couldn’t remember my sister dying
Nick Riewoldt can’t remember the last time he went for a run and sleeps with pillows under his legs. He tells Jay Clark about the brutal toll footy took on his body.
Inside the HoF: Buddy, Bana and the man who stole the show
No event brings football royalty together like the Australian football Hall of Fame. Josh Barnes takes you behind the curtain of one of footy’s most prestigious nights.
Freo CEO’s brutal take-down of Dees after Jackson trade talks
Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick has fired a shot across the bow at Melbourne for its role in fuelling Luke Jackson trade speculation.
R14 tips: Hawks backed to shut down high-flying Crows in Tassie
Some finals-shaping games await footy fans in round 14 as the races for both the top eight and top four continue to heat up. And Friday night’s blockbuster looms large for the latter of the two!
Shock Jamarra Bulldogs return could be ‘just weeks away’
In the most positive development for months, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will sit down with the Western Bulldogs as a potential return looms.
‘Big O’ must prove his fitness in reserves
While two players won’t be required to return for the Brisbane Lions via the reserves following lengthy lay-offs, Oscar McInerney will play in the club’s VFL team.
‘Got it wrong’: Leaders sit down after spat
What started off tense at Melbourne after a clash between senior players finished on a high with a superstar’s long-term deal.
Devil in the detail for new Wildcats logo that has fans seeing double
The Perth Wildcats unveiled a new logo this week – and fans are saying the similarities with the AFL’s Tasmania Devil are a little close for comfort. Are the two too similar? Have your say.
Ch7 star raises eyebrows over X-rated video
A football great couldn’t hold his tongue after Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli was stitched up by some revealing footage.
‘Fantasy land’: Bulldogs can’t rely on Darcy alone
He’s arguably the most special talent in the AFL and made a brilliant return from injury and Sam Darcy could be the difference for the Western Bulldogs in 2025.
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