Trade latest: Blues’ back-up plan for TDK revealed
Carlton is war gaming Tom De Koning’s call — whatever it may be. Could they nab their biggest rival’s No. 1 ruckman? Plus, factors in the Lions’ quest for Oscar Allen and more trade news.
Teams
‘Reliable’ Lion backed to fill void
Jack Payne’s misfortune has opened the door for a long-time Lion to regain a spot in Brisbane’s defence.
Five clubs are waiting on a Matt Rowell call – who will he choose?
Four Victorian clubs – and the Suns – are waiting by the phone for Matt Rowell to make a call on his future. But the Gold Coast star isn’t a conventional target – Jon Ralph unpacks the latest.
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.
Crows are the real deal – but can they go all the way in 2025?
Forget the heartbreaking loss to Hawthorn, Adelaide is the real deal this season and can enter its mid-season break knowing it is right in the premiership race, writes Andrew Capel.
The Lowdown: Esava repays the Power faith
He was a whipping boy at Geelong and again when he moved to the Power, but Esava Ratugolea is proving he has the chops to be a top-line defender.
Blues brace for worst on McKay after Curnow’s calf scare
Michael Voss could be without both Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, with the former struggling with his knee and the latter injuring his calf against the Eagles. Plus, more on Oscar Allen.
Voss searching for answers despite win after another fade out
They got the four points, but that was about the only positive Michael Voss and the Blues were able to take out of their win over the Eagles, with yet another second-half fade out.
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.
‘Extraordinary’: AFL is officially cooked
Football commentators are blowing up after a series of controversial incidents during Collingwood’s win over the Demons.
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.
The Blues won — but is anyone convinced?
Carlton did what they needed to do against an injury-hit Essendon. But the performance wouldn’t have given their faithful much confidence 2025 will amount to anything special.
Can fresh-faced Freo emulate the Baby Bombers?
Fremantle’s average age this season is lower than both Richmond and West Coast, but they’re still lumped with huge expectations. Can they emulate the Baby Bombers’ 1993 run to the flag?
‘Mugshot’ in AFL dressing room causes stir
Fremantle has raised eyebrows with footage showing four mugshots posted up on the walls of the team’s dressing room on Saturday.
‘Ticking every box’: Cat backs injured gun to push for round 1
Geelong star Chloe Scheer missed the 2024 AFLW season through injury, and while off-season surgery has seen her start pre-season in the rehab group, a teammate has backed her in to push for an early season return.
Lions must make ‘statement’ against Cats
A Lions great says Brisbane needs to make a statement against Geelong following a dip in form to avoid a third successive defeat.
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?
‘Big O’ must prove his fitness in reserves
While two players won’t be required to return for the Brisbane Lions via the reserves following lengthy lay-offs, Oscar McInerney will play in the club’s VFL team.
AFL great brutalised, savage wife sledge
Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge has had to explain how he got his head split open after looking worse for wear on his TV footy show.
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.
Big split in Petracca review ahead of first findings
The long-running review into the handling of Christian Petracca’s horrific injuries during the King’s Birthday game last year has split in two. Josh Barnes has the details.
Power counting the cost of win as Horne-Francis, Aliir under clouds
Port Adelaide is sweating the fitness of Jason Horne-Francis and Aliir Aliir as they count the cost of their win over Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.
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.
The Bunbury oxymoron: An unmemorable piece of history
For North, it was the win they had to have. For the Eagles, it was the one that got away. But for the neutrals, it was an unmemorable day to kickstart North’s WA venture.
Hornet, Aliir injury clouds linger as ruck double team to continue
Port Adelaide looks set to continue its dual-ruck set-up as Brodie Grundy and the Swans loom, while Jason Horne-Francis and Aliir Aliir are under injury clouds.
AFL great loses the plot, career in danger
AFL great Warren Tredrea’s position on Port Adelaide’s board is under scrutiny after his bizarre comments sparked widespread concern.
Yze: Tigers’ horror show ‘not up to AFL standard’
Richmond coach Adem Yze has savaged his side’s woeful loss to Sydney in which the Tigers went almost two hours without kicking a goal. See full reaction here.
Heartbroken Ward inspires Giants to remarkable comeback win
At the final break, a major Richmond boilover looked a certainty. But then Callan Ward, on crutches and in tears only an hour earlier, spoke to the group – and something special happened.
How ‘phenomenal’ Saints helped grieving club after Laos tragedy
Beaumaris was left reeling last year when players Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died of methanol poisoning in Laos, but St Kilda’s men and women’s sides have stepped in to help.
His mum was a vet in Hong Kong, here’s how that makes him a Saint
The quirky nature of the AFL’s academy rules are again a hot topic after St Kilda gained access to an exciting NGA talent through a quirky loophole.
‘It is tough’: Inside Swans skipper’s injury battle
With just nine appearances since the start of last season, Sydney’s captain Callum Mills opens up about the toll of leadership from the sidelines as the Swans fight to salvage their season.
Saving the Swans: Sydney’s path to putting rivals on notice again
The next seven weeks will define Dean Cox’s first year in charge of the Swans. And while finals are still a possibility, it might be even more important to set Sydney up for a 2026 flag charge.
‘I thought I’d have pain for the rest of my life’: Hewett on injury battle
Elijah Hewett could barely walk and feared for the rest of his AFL career during the lowest point of his battle with a rare and debilitating foot injury. He opens up on how he fought through.
Reid, McVee escape bans from MRO
Both Harley Reid and Judd McVee are free to play after two incidents over the weekend saw them put under the MRO microscope.
Jamarra passes first big Dogs test – so, what’s next?
For the first time in months, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan trained with teammates at the Bulldogs main training session. How did it go? What did he do? What’s to come? Get the inside word here.
Ugle-Hagan still open to staying at Dogs, apologises to teammates
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s has returned to the Western Bulldogs, and the young superstar is open to the idea of staying and repaying the faith – while also apologising to teammates. SEE THE PICTURES.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/afl/teams