Vote: Which AFL club has the best crop of young guns?
How are your club’s under-23 players tracking? GLENN MCFARLANE looks at the young guns across the AFL, have your say on who’s future looks the brightest.
Teams
Lions 2025 preview: Fagan’s tough call on premiership hero
Brisbane will be battling up forward without Joe Daniher in 2025, but perhaps the toughest call for Chris Fagan might be what happens down back. Callum Dick previews their season.
Predictions, best 23: 2025 has to be the year the Suns rise, right?
Is 2025 finally the year? In Damien Hardwick’s second season on the Gold Coast, finals will once again be the expectation for the Suns. CALLUM DICK previews their season.
Matt Rowell opens up on Dimma, his Suns future and Victorian interest
Suns midfielder Matt Rowell has spoken about his long-term future heading into the final year of his contract amid strong Victorian interest.
Sorry Pies: Flying Keane shows what Collingwood missed out on
Collingwood circled Mark Keane for much of last year, only for the defender to stay in Adelaide. And as SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON reports, the Irishman looms as a key figure as the Crows chase a finals return.
Track Watch: Draper still managed, Rachele impresses upon return
Crows captain Jordan Dawson says he couldn’t have been more impressed by Josh Rachele’s 2024 dropping, as the Crows made their pre-season return with Sid Draper still being eased back.
Carlton boss urged to report ‘d*** pic’ to police
Carlton president Luke Sayers is being urged to report his lewd image incident to Victoria Police, as mystery surrounds the identity of the man in the picture.
Lewd photo, sext scandal rocks AFL
The boss of one of the biggest football clubs in Australia says he was the victim of a hacking attack as a lewd photo spreads across cyberspace.
Special Pies connection driving Eddie’s boy to gridiron glory
Joe McGuire — the son of ex-Collingwood president Eddie — is living the dream as a punter in the US. He speaks to JON ANDERSON about his experience and whether an NFL career is in his future.
Pies flag hero makes big call on contract talks
One of the heroes of Collingwood’s 2023 premiership was expected to seek a raise and an extension this summer. Now, those talks could be pushed past the 2025 season.
James Hird splits from wife after 27 years
AFL legend James Hird and wife Tania have reportedly separated after keeping a secret for more than a year.
Track watch: Young Bomber makes match sim statement
A fringe Essendon midfielder has torn match play to shreds during a Saturday morning session where several of Brad Scott’s tweaks for 2025 were revealed.
Track watch: Forgotten Docker shines in bruising session
One of Fremantle’s biggest stars came off second best after being crunched during a bruising training session on Monday. ELIZA REILLY looks at who impressed and brings you the latest intel.
Predictions, best 23: Bolton deal makes Dockers top four favourites
Fremantle were a premiership smokey midway through 2024 before an unmitigated disaster struck. ELIZA RELLY identifies who needs to step up for the Dockers to make the leap.
The little white lie that secured Cats an Ablett family dynasty
Revered Geelong figure Bill McMaster passed away this week, and perhaps his greatest achievement in footy was recruiting Gary Ablett. Before his death, McMaster recounted how it happened.
End of an era: Famed Cats premiership hero’s final farewell
The Geelong Football Club is mourning the death of the last surviving member of the iconic premiership teams of 1951 and 1952 and the man who helped snare club legends including Gary Ablett Snr.
‘A class above’: Breakout Giant that can push GWS’ flag chase
GWS have no issue with contending at the pointy end of the year, but haven’t been able to reach their ultimate goal. Which young guns can change that? Lachlan McKirdy previews their season.
‘Honest chats’: Why Giant said no to Bulldogs
Xavier O’Halloran bucked the trend when he decided to spurn rival interest and remain in western Sydney. He tells LACHLAN MCKIRDY why he chose to stay despite an uncertain role.
How Hawks fit star recruits in best side as big names miss out
Hawthorn have plenty of work to do at the selection table as they attempt to squeeze Tom Barrass and Josh Battle into an already strong side. Who swings forward and who misses out? Find out here.
First Smith sighting? Cats to face off against rivals in practice match
Geelong is already facing Essendon at Kardinia Park, and now the Cats will face another familiar foe on their home turf in what may be Bailey Smith’s first hit-out as a Cat.
Track Watch: Petracca up and running days after cracking ribs
Christian Petracca’s pre-season took a major hit at Dees training last Friday, but the superstar midfielder appears to have shaken off his latest rib injury as Melbourne hit the track on Monday.
Demon’s worst nightmare comes true
The Demons have announced sad news surrounding Christian Petracca in the last thing Melbourne fans wanted to hear
Make or break: Time is now for Roos with LDU at stake
North Melbourne simply must avoid another bottom-two finish in 2025. The future of their best player depends on it. Check out the full Kangaroos’ season preview here.
‘Very rare’: AFL star’s call on loyalty
The business of success in the AFL could lead to the end of the game’s romantic traditions according to a star veteran who was forced to move clubs.
Devastating blow for Power young gun
Port Adelaide has suffered a huge blow to its new-look forward line with key forward Todd Marshall suffering a devastating injury in training.
Track Watch: International voyage aids Power’s young guns
Two Port Adelaide young guns hope a trip to the USA might be enough for them and the club to get past nagging soft tissue injuries, as the Power made their pre-season return on Thursday.
Predictions, best 23: What’s realistic for depleted Tigers?
Richmond have undergone a serious makeover since their dynasty, and with so much turnover in talent, what can we truly expect? MATT TURNER breaks down where they are at.
Richmond great weighs in on Tigers’ bold off-season moves
There was a mass exodus of stars at Richmond within just two months of Neil Balme leaving the club. The former Tigers administrator has his say on the trade and draft strategy.
Predictions, best 23: How Saints can fill huge Battle void
St Kilda has the salary cap room to continue its search for a big fish in 2025. But, can the Saints deliver the on-field results to make them an attractive destination? SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON examines their prospects.
‘90 per cent mental’: Why second-year blues don’t worry young gun
Young Saints star Darcy Wilson played every single game in his first season, and now it is mental not physical preparation he is focusing on to avoid the second-year blues.
Predictions, best 23: Swans’ poisoned chalice in Warner race
It’s a new era in Sydney, with Dean Cox now leading the charge for that elusive premiership. But all eyes will be on the future of a budding superstar. Lachlan McKirdy previews their season.
‘He’ll be Riak’s brother’: New Swan’s taunt to footy’s $14m man
Riak Andrew arrived in Sydney not long after his brother signed one of the richest deals in AFL history. He speaks to LACHLAN MCKIRDY about sibling rivalry and forging his own path in footy.
Look out, Eagles: Harley not the only star on rivals’ radars
West Coast’s new coach, Andrew McQualter has a big job ahead of him – but first, he needs to lock down their biggest stars. ELIZA REILLY previews West Coast’s season.
Eagles blindside veteran recruiters in off-field scouting cull
West Coast has quietly axed veteran recruiters – two of whom had been at the club three decades – after the Eagles traded out pick 3 ahead of the draft, with new list boss Matthew Clarke now in full control.
What does Dogs’ list overhaul mean for Bevo’s future?
There’s been a slight changing of the guard at Whitten Oval in recent times, could it extend to the coach if this list fails to deliver in 2025? Lachlan McKirdy previews their season.
Track watch: Dogs talls to ease into training as draftees impress
The Western Bulldogs’ three talisman forwards have a date they will return to the track from injury, while the Dogs have been impressed with the form of fresh faces. See the full training notes.
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