Essendon could bring in big gun Tom Bellchambers for its blockbuster with Collingwood, but Hawthorn didn’t quite “shoot Bambi”, even though retiring great Jarryd Roughead won’t make the trip to WA. EVERY CLUB’S INJURIES
Hawthorn needs to defeat reigning premier West Coast in Perth and have other unlikely results go its way to play finals. But with Alastair Clarkson at the helm, can we really rule the Hawks out? LADDER + RUN HOME
Some players milked free kicks but a few got away with murder. Mark Robinson on the Patrick Cripps grapple, a red-hot Dusty, the heat in Adelaide and the damning stats for Mason Cox. LIKES AND DISLIKES
This game was between one team with finals on the line and another that kicked one goal last week. So of course North Melbourne destroyed Port Adelaide from the opening bounce.
PREMIERS Hawthorn warehouses some “Next Generation” kids as North Melbourne also safeguarded its key position stocks.
BRENT Harvey’s dramatic victory at the AFL tribunal was a win for the theatre of September and the prospect of an epic final against Sydney.
WHEREVER Leigh Tudor has gone as coach, success has followed. And for North Melbourne, having him this Friday could not be more timely.
UNDER the current rules it is hard to see Brent Harvey lining up for North Melbourne in the preliminary final, Bruce Matthews says.
NORTH Melbourne has won its first final since 2007, defeating Essendon by 12 points in the second elimination final at the MCG.
EVERY player is equal — but some are more equal than others.
ESSENDON midfielder Dyson Heppell is among a host of young AFL stars selected in the AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 squad.
IS North Melbourne coach Brad Scott tough enough on his players and can the club take the next step under the current leadership, asks Mark Robinson.
AS THE footy world tries to make sense of North Melbourne’s roller coaster season, the answer is staring us in the face.
FOR all North Melbourne’s promise mixed with fragility, the key to its success still rests on the shoulders of a 36-year-old.
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