Updated
AFL 2024
Daniher walks away, but his biggest challenge now awaits: Explaining his retirement to Grandma
Lions premiership forward and ex-Bomber Joe Daniher has called time on his AFL career just days after winning a flag with Brisbane.
- by Marc McGowan, Michael Gleeson and Roy Ward
Latest
Hip injury derailed Demon’s season, but he could play Davis Cup for Australia in November
Alex de Minaur has not given up on playing again this year, with a goal to return from his hip injury during the upcoming European indoor season, which would be in time to help Australia’s Davis Cup title assault.
- by Marc McGowan
Analysis
AFL 2024
The ultimate club-by-club preview for the AFL trade period
The home-and-away season has been won and lost. Now comes the second season. We take a club-by-club look at out-of-contract players, those on the move, trade and draft targets and more.
- by Marc McGowan and Jon Pierik
Analysis
AFL grand final
A secret meeting, deadline trade and a crack medical team: How Brisbane transformed from perennial strugglers into AFL premiers
The Lions were not always so good, but a series of factors – from brilliant recruiting to a heralded medical team – helped turn them into the AFL’s best.
- by Marc McGowan
The two clubs that will shape trade period fortunes of Melbourne teams
Port Adelaide contracted back-to-back All-Australian Dan Houston’s wish to return to Melbourne is the biggest potential deal this year.
- by Marc McGowan
Why the next move of the AFL’s greatest enigma is anyone’s guess
Joe Daniher made an instant beeline behind the netted area in the bowels of the MCG to escape the same reporters all keen to ask him the same question: “Did you just play your last game?”
- by Marc McGowan
We love you ’cause you’re Victorian: Why you might have a connection to this year’s grand finalists
This grand final will be the first without a Victorian club for almost 20 years, but there will be plenty of players on the field who come from Victorian schools and junior clubs.
- by Marc McGowan
Money Talks
AFL 2024
The state of play for key targets ahead of trade period, and the players at your club without a deal
In-demand defender Dan Houston has asked Port to trade him to Victoria, and two clubs in particular are leading the race for the All-Australian.
- by Marc McGowan and Peter Ryan
The 12 players most under the pump in the 2024 AFL grand final
The ghosts of grand finals past will occupy the minds of several Lions and Swans this week desperate for a do-over. Certain players will have more pressure on them than most.
- by Marc McGowan
‘Imagine if it was in prime time’: Record TV audience tipped for non-Victorian grand final
A Brisbane-Sydney AFL grand final might be a tough pill for Victorian fans to swallow, but could prove a TV ratings hit for host broadcaster Channel Seven.
- by Marc McGowan
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
‘A lot of people wrote us off’: How Lions proved footy world wrong
Charlie Cameron said the Lions had taken pleasure in silencing those who wrote them off after their slow start.
- by Peter Ryan, Jake Niall and Marc McGowan
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/marc-mcgowan-p536ku