Ice man stone cold: Who lifted, flopped in epic prelim?
A hero of so many Collingwood close finishes couldn’t break free in the preliminary final. Who else struggled? Check out our player ratings and have your say.
Afl
Shattered McStay out of GF, who comes in?
It’s heartbreak for Dan McStay as Collingwood confirm he will miss the grand final through injury, now the race is on to replace him.
McGuane: If I were the Blues…
The matchups, the tactics and the key tagging role. Mick McGuane breaks down how the Blues can give themselves a red hot crack at making the grand final.
Robbo: De Goey, Maynard and the Toby match-up dreamt up in hell
Jordan De Goey has long been compared to a certain superstar from Tigerland who dominated finals, and the Magpie once again showed why the comparisons are valid, writes Mark Robinson.
Pies’ options if knee injury blow sidelines McStay
All eyes will be on Dan McStay at Pies recovery after he was subbed out of last night’s thrilling win over GWS. Where will Craig McRae turn if the forward can’t recover from a knee injury?
Ultimate clock killers: 120 seconds that saved Pies’ season
A ‘stop’ sign was held aloft on the bench, Scott Pendlebury went full traffic cop and eight back-to-back stoppages followed. It was clock killing at its best and this is how the Magpies did it.
Deni opens up: Fear, the reason and why I’d do it all again
Deni Varnhagen made national headlines in 2021 after she became the first top-level footballer to resist the Covid jab. For the first time, she opens up on her reasons – and the fallout.
Dog days, Lion’s pitch, mateship: Is Dunkley Brisbane’s flag key?
Josh Dunkley is already a premiership player, but a merging of past and present has truly set in place how crucial Brisbane’s flag push is, and how he may be the final piece of the puzzle.
Tears, grief, heartbreak: Inside Giants’ rooms after brutal exit
The Giants exceeded every expectation set of them in 2023. But that didn’t make the pain of a one-point preliminary final loss any easier to swallow.
How Dons can pull off blockbuster free agent triple play
The Dons are opening up the war chest in the hope of securing three free agents. How can they pull it off? Get the latest on the off-season signing spree.
Trade buzz: Hawks’ next move after missing out on McKay
They went hard at Ben McKay but ultimately missed out. Who else in on Hawthorn’s off-season radar. Get all the latest trade news here.
Voss: Lions links irrelevant with GF spot up for grabs
There’s plenty of romance with Michael Voss returning to his old stomping ground for a place in the last game of 2023, but the Blues coach was fairly blunt when quizzed about coming home.
Generational reset? Wines wouldn’t take captain snub personally
Ollie Wines is the leading candidate to succeed the retired Tom Jonas as Port Adelaide captain – but talk from the club suggests things might be changing. The current deputy has his say.
Revealed: Killer line in Yze’s interview that won over Tigers
Adem Yze had three near coaching misses before winning Richmond’s job. It was obvious since an under-16s game he was destined for big things. Go inside his footballing journey.
The hidden acts of kindness by Ron Barassi
From Scrabble marathons to championing women’s football. How Ron Barassi transcended the sport he loved.
Yze grilled on expectations, McQualter, Ratten, top four
Adem Yze has addressed the media for the first time since being appointed Richmond coach. Find out what he had to say on the club’s future and his plans for finals success.
The club that could secure three of the drafts top five picks
Draft picks two, three and five is a full house for any AFL club, and it could be a reality to one team to bring in three future stars – or make a play for Harley Reid.
Koch’s ‘data’ that kept Ken in charge at Power
David Koch says Ken Hinkley is the best coach to take the Power forward, despite voicing his concerns surrounding Port’s form when the big games come around.
Why it wasn’t ‘talent or luck’ that got Walsh back in the groove
Sam Walsh had to watch on in both 2022 and 2023 as his side pressed to make finals, and now that they’re on the big stage, he’s making all the difference after a tough road back.
McGuane: Who the Pies must send to Toby Greene
Toby Greene sees the play unfold better than any forward in the AFL, so which Pie goes to him? Mick McGuane analyses who get’s the job and where tonight’s preliminary final will be won.
Crows’ Modra ‘curse’ strikes again: What’s next for No. 6?
Since Tony Modra left the Crows, nine players have donned the famous guernsey, but none have lasted long. Now Graham Cornes wonders if it should be temporarily put in mothballs.
Draft Intel: 10 top prospects to watch in Coates League decider
AFL recruiters will have eyes on an ‘electric’ forward who shapes as a top-10 pick. But some late draft bolters will also be a close watch in this weekend’s Coates Talent League grand final.
Dees favourite son wins race for Tigers top job
The race for the top job at Tigerland is over, with a famous Dee receiving the happiest of birthday gifts, chosen as the man to lead a new era at Richmond.
Teams, tips: Blues shock as Voss swings axe, Daicos wait over
The Blues have axed four starters from their win over Melbourne for their trip to Brisbane, as a big name returns to the Pies’ line-up. See the full teams and our expert tips for this weekend.
Shorter breaks, mid-season trades: all the CBA details revealed
AFL footballers will be able to be traded mid-season under the new CBA agreed to by all players while AFLW players will receive a pay rise of almost 30 per cent. All the details revealed.
Download your ultimate Brownlow Medal form guide
Can anyone catch Nick Daicos? Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count is set to be a nailbiter. Get expert analysis on every game of all the favourites in our traditional form guide.
Gambling powerhouse rocked by star’s departure
One of racing’s biggest wagering companies has been rocked by the sudden departure of a major star on the eve of the spring racing carnival. See the details in Media Street.
‘Stop wasting your time’: Mummy’s brutal early advice to ruck star
The Giants’ breakout ruckman of 2023, Sydney native Kieren Briggs, has come a long way since he was ‘wasting his time and the club’s time’ when he arrived at GWS.
Will Lions great get another deal?
Ahead of the club’s preliminary final against the Blues, Dayne Zorko has declared his intentions for 2024. But are the Lions on the same page? He speaks on his future.
Track watch: Moore takes no risks with prelim niggle
Darcy Moore has dismissed concerns about a wrist injury but he wasn’t taking any chances at Thursday’s captain’s run. Get the latest intel from Magpies training.
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