Essendon chairman says Hird will return 'a better person'
CAROLINE WILSON 10:32pm Essendon chairman Paul Little concedes he faced a difficult task convincing Hird to move on from the handling of Essendon's drugs saga.
Demons' deep scars
MICHAEL GLEESON 12:01am Roos expected some 'scarring' at Melbourne. But he was shocked by what he found.
Roos favours a minimum cap for clubs
Moorabbin still heartland for Saints
Judd to miss start of season
Winning and losing is all in the mind
Riewoldt continues as Saints captain
AFL makes big call on mobile phones
League steps in on Crows jumper
Injured Tiger on front foot
Chapman setting the standard
Roy Masters: WADA hears tall tales
Swans coach is looking forward
Jack Ziebell works to boost fitness
Are Bombers in the clear?
Latest sport news
Coaches' pressure index
Jon Pierik and Matt Murnane Which coach will feel the heat most from club and supporters this season?
Right man for Australian of the Year
ANDREW WEBSTER Let's silence any ripple of discontent with a litany of reasons why this is a top choice.
A testing pattern
ROHAN CONNOLLY TV doesn't seem to care about the golden years of footy - so it's up to others to preserve.
ASADA probe delivers angst not answers
Bid to expose doping and corruption brings mixed response from industry chiefs.
Players who need to step up in 2014
MATT MURNANE With a fine line between good and great, certain players can make the difference
Challenging new pre-season format
The NAB Cup had a fraction of credibility and interest for fans.
What the AFL can learn from the NFL
WILL BRODIE The Australian game is unique and operates under very specific conditions.
Taking fantasy to a whole new level
The only AFL footy fantasy game to put you completely in control is back for 2014.
The leap into top the four
MATT MURNANE The effect of a new coach has been a kicker for three ''bolters'' in the past.
AFL recruits top crime fighter
JOHN SILVESTER Top detective to work as anti-corruption investigator .
The 2013 AFL grand final
Full coverage All the news, player ratings, photos, videos, polls and plenty more as the season concluded.
VIDEOS
Essendon supplement plans ran to 2013
Emails between senior staff reveal Essendon's plans to continue its supplements program until 2013, including injections of an anti-dementia drug.
Nathan Buckley takes the high road
Darren Jolly still dealing with "his footy mortality", says Collingwood coach, following the former player's bitter parting shots calling Buckley a "coward".
Lance Franklin gets hero's welcome
Sydney Swans recruit Lance Franklin was mobbed by fans outside his new club after he made his first press appearance wearing red and white.
Hawks sink determined Dockers
Hawthorn too strong for Fremantle, winning the 2013 AFL grand final by 15 points despite a spirited late fightback from the Dockers.
VOTES
Age Footballer of the Year
Round 23 votes for the Age's major award.
Hawks fans' luxury of losing count
GREG BAUM A Hawthorn supporter can still be of working age, and claim to have seen 11 flags.
PHOTOS
Boots and all
The Age, in association with Coles and Linfox, launches Boots for Kids, a special community project to help football-living children in northern Australia.
