Best of times, worst of times – Gee, Dickens knew his footy
The Swans and Lions are flirting with utter jubilation and complete devastation in Saturday’s AFL decider at the MCG. This isn’t a clash either club wants to lose.
Afl
GF Track Watch: Key Swan ‘won’t be at 100 per cent’, Lions’ flex
While the Swans ruled out Callum Mills due to his hamstring injury, a key tall was on light duties today and will go into the grand final not quite at full fitness. Plus Brisbane’s flex at the ‘G.
How ‘Little Tarzan’ became king of the AFL jungle
Isaac Heeney was born and bred in the quiet NSW country town of Maitland, where even the flies wore Newcastle Knights’ rugby league jerseys. To go from Maitland to the MCG for an AFL grand final is the unlikeliest and most imaginative of life stories.
Hang on, Joe, grandma’s on her way
The Danihers are Australian sporting royalty. Joe is on the cusp of another AFL flag for the tribe. He’s making his way to the MCG for Saturday’s grand final between Brisbane and Sydney. So’s grandma.
Freo holds off St Kilda in arm wrestle
Fremantle has its fourth win of the year after accounting for St Kilda in a low-scoring arm wrestle. Meanwhile, the Bombers snared a September win and the Pies broke their drought.
Fort v Grundy: Inside the battle that could decide 2024 premiers
It’ll be a 35-gamer against a two-time All-Australian when Darcy Fort and Brodie Grundy collide in this year’s AFL Grand Final. But one premiership big man isn’t willing to write off the underdog.
‘Unfinished business’: The country mates plotting Lion premiership
That Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry turned their backs on free-agency riches to re-sign with Brisbane together is no surprise given they’ve been mates since under 18 days. Now they’re plotting a Lions premiership.
AFL Grand Final sweep: How to get yours today
Grand Final day just isn’t the same without a sweep between family and friends. Find out how to get easy access to yours for the 2024 decider here.
Grand Final Parade: Neale’s injury admission, star Swan’s tears
Stand-in Sydney captain Dane Rampe has revealed he ‘had a cry’ with Callum Mills after his great mate was ruled out of the AFL Grand Final. Watch all the parade highlights here.
Rivals green with envy at the red and the white
Sydney’s beauty and glory are mirrored by the Swans — the richest, most popular and arguably most successful team in the league. Melbourne (and Brisbane this weekend) can only dream of such exalted status.
Influencers, trends and ‘Hokball’: How AFL is keeping up with Gen-Z
A new study has found the AFL is Australia’s favourite sports league, yet the challenge of keeping relevant with Gen-Z will determine whether it can retain the crown, SHANNON GILL reports.
‘Highly regarded’ Power big calls time on AFL career
After spearheading Port Adelaide’s forward line for nine seasons, big man Charlie Dixon has called time on his career, one that began as an inaugural Gold Coast Sun.
The compelling case for a bigger MCG as AFL crowds soar
Footy at the MCG is in its Taylor Swift era – a record number of blockbusters are drawing bigger crowds than ever before. SHANNON GILL writes the numbers are compelling the stadium to get bigger.
Lions add triple premiership hero to board
Brisbane has welcomed a triple-premiership defender to its board as the club looks to add some more silverware, with the elevation strengthening the Lions’ links to Fitzroy.
Fagan’s fearless five: Quintet of young Lions key to GF redemption
Forged in the fires of finals football, these five young cubs are showing the competition what they’re made of. And Chris Fagan will need them all at their best in Saturday’s grand final.
AFLW Agenda: Longer season can’t be at the expense of player safety
From a clutch effort after the siren to widespread fixture criticism, Eliza Reilly runs through the hits and misses from Week 4 in the AFLW Agenda.
1899 rewind: When South and Fitzroy met in a grand final
Things were different the last time Sydney – then known as South Melbourne took on Brisbane – then Fitzroy for an AFL – then VFL premiership. Glenn McFarlane takes a look back 125 years at the 1899 grand final.
Fourth time lucky? Lloyd out to sink grand final hoodoo
Pia Lloyd has a favourite number, and it’s a big one for a two-year-old: her dad Jake’s 44. Ahead of his grand final, he tells LACHLAN MCKIRDY about family, freedom on the wing and aiming for redemption after three losses on footy’s biggest stage.
Where they started: Junior clubs who made 2024 AFL GF stars
The stars of this year’s AFL Grand Final started their football careers in six Australian states, the Northern Territory and Ireland. Find out where Sydney and Brisbane’s heroes hail from.
Not done yet: Mitchell determined to repay Pies in 2025
Tom Mitchell is determined to get back to his best for a successful Collingwood swansong after an injury-ravaged campaign where he was restricted to six AFL games.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/page/5