Sporting rules
Leigh Matthews lashes AFL ‘bozos’ after key Cat Stewart ruled out of grand final
Prominent footy figures join the push for a pre-grand final bye after a devastating concussion ends Tom Stewart’s season. Leigh Matthews says it’s only matter of time before the AFL’s “slow-moving bureaucracy” rethinks the situation.
- Danny Russell
Latest
The AFL’s ticking time bomb: The damning numbers forcing the league’s new footy boss to act
The AFL’s incoming football supremo Greg Swann is determined to shave seven minutes off matches, bringing them back to 120 minutes - or the same levels as 2016.
- Peter Ryan and Jon Pierik
‘Just be more transparent’: New AFL footy boss wants a more public role for MRO
Greg Swann says there needs to be more transparency around the league’s post-match system for identifying punishable on-field offences.
- Hannah Kennelly
- Updated
- AFL 2025
Cerra had his back turned to the umpire. He’s now the first player to fall foul of AFL crackdown
The tribunal hearing next week looms as a test case for the AFL in its quest to protect umpires from injuries suffered in collisions with players.
- Andrew Wu
Curnow’s return questioned; AFL says Hawks should have got more than a warning for 19-man breach; Rooke case stalls
The spotlight has shone on Charlie Curnow’s inclusion in the Carlton side on Thursday night, while the AFL has conceded Hawthorn should have received more than a warning for the “major breach” of fielding 19 players on the ground.
- Sam McClure, Scott Spits and Jon Pierik
Who’s the best player in the AFL?
Have your say on the hottest topics in footy and we’ll share the findings in an upcoming article.
- Analysis
- AFL 2025
Movers and shake-ups: Your guide to each AFL club’s positional changes
New year, new beginning. On the eve of a new season, every AFL club is managing changes of personnel. Catch up on all the positional moves, potential or otherwise, with our club-by-club guide.
- Andrew Wu, Marc McGowan, Jon Pierik, Michael Gleeson, Scott Spits and Peter Ryan
‘That’s the dream’: This high school PE teacher wants to make AFL history
Kaitlyn Barr is one of seven female umpires recently promoted to rookie positions within the 2025 senior AFL umpire list.
- Hannah Kennelly
AFL draft first round as it happened: Tigers’ ‘Dusty-like’ pick; Blues like Jagga; Kangas make move on twin
AFL top-draft pick Sam Lalor has put his hand up for Dustin Martin’s famous No.4 jumper and taken early comparisons to the retired Richmond legend in his stride.
- Scott Spits and Roy Ward
- Opinion
- Real life
I thought winning wasn’t everything. Then my netball team made it to the grand final
After a 30-year break, all I cared about was being back on the court. But against the Boyfriend Team, I found myself wanting to claim victory more than anything.
- Carolyn Webb
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/sporting-rules-1mo7