Rohan Connolly
And the winner is... Geelong
Rohan Connolly Despite recent losses, the Cats’ game plan brings all sorts of natural advantages.
No Blues in loss to Pies
![Gripping: Carlton's Andrew Walker battles with Collingwood's Harry O'Brien.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/16/2497946/th-svWALKER-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly There was much anxiety among many Blues in the lead-up to MCG blockbuster.
On the road to recovery
Rohan Connolly Coaches tread fine line by conceding their sides might have psychological issues at play.
Short on talls
![Carlton's Jarrad Waite](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/16/2496737/th_320x214_waite-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly With a couple of key-position players out, Carlton is struggling to keep up with the AFL's big guns.
Rookies in pay push
![rookies](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/14/2493795/rookies-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly Rookie-Listed players stand to receive a 43 per cent pay rise under a proposal by the AFL as part of a new collective bargaining agreement with the AFL Players Association.
It's official: subs rule has brought back more marks and goals
![Rohan-Connolly-sport-dinks](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/05/17/2367274/Rohan-Connolly-sport-dinks-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly THE AFL has won a major philosophical battle over the controversial substitute rule, with its latest figures showing that greater player fatigue is enhancing the game as a spectacle.
Live footy blog: Getting there was half the fun
Rohan Connolly I can't help but feel a bit sad for the kids I see jumping out of the family car in the underground car park at Etihad Stadium before taking a lift up to their reserved seat.
Crouching Tigers take slow but steady path
Rohan Connolly Not a Richmond defeat goes by without a stream of radio talkback callers venting their spleen.
Hawks, Eagles shaking up finals
Rohan Connolly It's 20 years since Hawthorn and West Coast played off for a premiership.
Getting there was half the fun
Rohan Connolly Football's facilities may have improved, but once upon a time the journey made the day.
Cats purr but need to find claws
![Fly like an Eagle: Nic Naitanui rises above Geelong's Nathan Vardy.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/09/2483456/th-svNAITANUI-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly Geelong's forward line is proving to be its weakest link.
Let's get this straight
Rohan Connolly AFL coaches taking back control of one crucial element - kicking for goal.
Keeffe set for debut
Rohan Connolly Former Queensland soccer player selected for clash with North Melbourne.
Bold Bulldogs' new tricks
![Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/07/2476576/th_320x214_eade-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly The Western Bulldogs have worked themselves back into the finals race. But the team which has crept within two points of the top eight after a shocking start to the season is doing so with a...
Live blog with Connolly from 12pm Thursday
Rohan Connolly You sometimes get an underperformed side capable of far more than it has delivered bobbing up late in a season to throw a cat among the finals pigeons. You rarely get two.
Saints, Dogs up ante for pretenders
![North's Scott Thompson is tackled by Saint Clint Jones.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/03/2469413/th-svNORTHRC-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly At times, an underperforming side can bob up late in a season and do well.
Bombers show style, now for substance
Rohan Connolly James Hird's demeanour has been the one constant in Essendon's fluctuating season.
Doggies know the score
Rohan Connolly Clubs have found it difficult to get a handle on exactly how they're going this year.
Dogs feast at picnic
![Double trouble: Melbourne's Jack Watts has to contend with Bulldogs Dale Morris and Bob Murphy just to get a kick away.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/07/01/2467030/th-svDOGS2-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly In the end, it was a picnic. Actually, in the beginning it was a picnic, too.
Essendon maintains faith in Ryder
![Patrick Ryder](http://web.archive.org./web/20111113103507im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2011/06/30/2464025/th_ryder_0107-90x60.jpg)
Rohan Connolly Essendon continues to stand by out-of-sorts big man Paddy Ryder, last night dumping No.1 ruckman Tom Bellchambers instead for a second time in three weeks.