Dees’ $12 million man kicks crazy goal, clashes with Butters
Fresh off a huge new contract, Kysaiah Pickett is lighting up Adelaide Oval as tempers flare in a fiery contest against the Power. FOLLOW LIVE
AFL
Behind the myths, making and life cycle of an Australian icon
Iconic Sherrin footballs are used every day all across Australia. But where do they come from? And what happens to them after AFL games? We take you behind the scenes to find out.
Intolerance and impatience: Cook opens up on the ‘Carlton DNA’
Brian Cook’s contract at Carlton ends in October, but the CEO admits if the time is right he could hand the reins to Graham Wright earlier, with change on the horizon at the Blues.
Clarko’s swipe at Pies’ fixture ‘gifts’ as WA experiment ends for 2025
North Melbourne’s first year playing home games in Western Australia has come and gone, and Alastair Clarkson says while it may have cost them a win against the Dockers, it’s a necessary risk.
Early Tackle: Will baby Bombers win another game?
The loss itself result wasn’t a surprise – but the way an uncompetitive Essendon was pulled apart was, writes Glenn McFarlane. And it all points to a long second half of the year.
Ross’ restoration project: Clayton’s possible $200k sacrifice to move
There’s some red flags surrounding a possible St Kilda move for Clayton Oliver, starting with his massive wage. But could the Demon take a pay cut for a fresh start?
The YouTube clip that kick-started Port recruit’s rapid rise
Just three years ago, Joe Richards was playing country footy in Wangaratta, working as teacher’s aide. On Sunday, he plays game 21 at his second AFL club. The 25-year-old opens up on the ride.
Frantic Freo survive: Wake-up call or warning sign for a pretender?
The Dockers tried hard to lose and North did everything they could to win. But there’s still some shining lights for the Dockers, even if they only thing they should be feeling is relief.
Brutal Baz and Cats sink Bombers to new low
When Bailey Smith and Max Holmes are at their best together, there aren’t many who can keep up – but what Essendon fans saw at the MCG on Saturday was another crushing blow.
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.
Right Jai, right time: Hawks snatch Launceston thriller from nowhere
Hawthorn has come from the clouds to defeat Adelaide in Launceston as late goals from Jai Newcombe and Connor Macdonald made the Crows pay for their wastefulness.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Premiership bookends gone, so where do the Lions turn?
In career-best form, premiership defender Jack Payne had his 2025 campaign cut short, so who’s available to replace him to help defend the Lions’ crown? Latest round 14 injury news here.
Young Giant arrives on dark day for reigning premiers Brisbane
Aaron Cadman has arrived – and the rest of the competition is on notice. But what will the league think of Brisbane after another day of wasted opportunities and a shattering injury blow?
‘No place for that’: AFL captains condemn racist, sexist vilification
The AFL’s 18 captains have united to front a powerful new anti-vilification campaign reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance at every level of the game. Watch the powerful footage here.
Another road scalp goes begging for close-enough Crows
Genuine top four hopes don’t let chances to beat the top teams on their home decks slip away, but the Crows have made a habit of it in recent years. So what does that mean for Adelaide’s flag credentials?
Numbers prove Ross has bigger problems than the crowd
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.
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.
Jamarra timeline becomes clear as key meeting looms
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has made clear to the Bulldogs he is keen to return to the club and has ambitions to quickly play VFL football – but how soon will that be? Here’s the latest.
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.
Buckley: The scariest thing about Will Ashcroft
Winning the Norm Smith Medal was just the start for Will Ashcroft, writes Nathan Buckley. The Fox Footy expert previews every Super Saturday clash from round 14.
Wizard to cash in on cult hero status as Hawk talks ramp up
Talks are ramping up over a new deal for Nick Watson at Hawthorn and could be set for a huge boost thanks to the AFL’s marketing fund.
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.
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.
Sunday teams: Port’s huge plan to stop Gawn masterclass
Port Adelaide will unveil another debutant this round and has unveiled a two-pronged ruck plan to stop Max Gawn. SEE FULL ROUND 14 TEAMS HERE.
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.
Selwood’s incredible final act for late brother
After losing two siblings in the matter of months, Scott Selwood’s incredible final act in honour of his late brothers has come to light.
Bailey Smith at centre of huge betting plunge
Fresh off his latest impressive performance on the field, Bailey Smith earned a jaw-dropping comment from one of his star teammates.
‘Gross’ mum, daughter act shocks footy fans
A mother-daughter duo came to the Gabba armed with a bizarre proposal for a Lions star, leading to a strong reaction from footy fans.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl