Latest AFL news
CBA talks can't forget fans: Madden
![Justin Madden](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/c/b/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbc9u.png/1457165455811.jpg)
Daniel Cherny 7:10 PM Former AFL players' association president Justin Madden has urged the AFL and players not to forget fans when they sit down this year to negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement.
Shaun Burgoyne powers ahead as a Hawk
![Silky skills: Burgoyne in action during the 2015 grand final](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/b/8/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb8oq.png/1457164995681.jpg)
Jon Pierik 7:02 PM When Shaun Burgoyne arrived on crutches upon joining Hawthorn after the 2009 campaign, it was understandable why some supporters had initially questioned whether the Hawks had made the right call.
Live NAB Challenge AFL: North Melbourne v Collingwood
![Roos v Magpies](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/i/g/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbba3.png/1457164736092.jpg)
Ronny Lerner 6:56 PM Footy is heading to Wagga Wagga for this week three NAB Challenge match between the Kangaroos and Magpies.
Paul Couch remained an important part of Geelong family
![Familiar smile: Paul Couch will be remembered as a joker.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/b/f/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbgkp.png/1457162423221.jpg)
Larissa Nicholson 6:20 PM Paul Couch was a practical joker who cared deeply about Geelong, the club's assistant coach James Rahilly said.
It's been a big week in art... with Jim Pavlidis
![For Essendon, 2016 may be "just a flesh wound".](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/7/2/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb739.png/1457162090749.jpg)
Jim Pavlidis 6:14 PM You can be sure that when the news broke of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision on the Essendon drugs verdict, nervous coaches at every other AFL club rushed to examine the 2016 fixture
Couch one of the best midfielders: Blight
![Malcolm Blight coaching Geelong](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/g/4/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbdku.png/1457164874497.jpg)
Jon Pierik 6:02 PM Former Geelong coach Malcolm Blight says Paul Couch will be remembered as a "jovial character" and one of the best midfielders of his time.
Thurlow goes down as Cats thump Dons
![Geelong's Jackson Thurlow goes down with a leg injury during Saturday's NAB Challenge match against Essendon in Shepparton.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/f/q/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbfg9.png/1457165789830.jpg)
Larissa Nicholson 6:00 PM High-intensity heat training was the preparation method of choice for AFL clubs this season and the punishment continued for the Bombers against Geelong in Shepparton on Saturday.
Paul Couch dies after a heart attack
![Paul Couch](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/b/g/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbblc.png/1457161931198.jpg)
Jon Pierik 5:47 PM Former Geelong champion Paul Couch, the 1989 Brownlow Medallist, has died from a heart attack.
Seven, Nine will be big players in next AFL, NRL deals: Fox executive
![The rising costs of sports broadcast rights may force free-to air channels to show fewer major competitions.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/b/a/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbf8f.png/1457165146702.jpg)
Mark Fogarty 4:46 PM Seven and Nine will remain major players in the multibillion-dollar bidding for the next AFL and NRL broadcast rights deals despite declining free-to-air audiences and revenue, according to pay TV's most senior sports executive.
Bombers v Cats: as it happened
![Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/c/u/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbcge.png/1457156264759.jpg)
Daniel Cherny 4:37 PM The Cats thrashed the Bombers, but appear to have lost a backman for the rest of the year.
Mackay cops deluge ahead of AFL match
![Mackay City Council's instagram post of this week's flooding.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/e/b/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbe1y.png/1457153776292.jpg)
Lisa Yallamas 3:56 PM Mackay's rain-sodden Harrup Park will host the pre-season AFL game between Brisbane Lions and St Kilda on Sunday - despite ex-cyclone Winston drenching the city and districts with 200-300mm over the past few days.
Cut Boyd some slack, says Carey
![Big expectations: Tom Boyd must focus on what he has control over, says Wayne Carey.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/e/7/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb8s6.png/1457164702480.jpg)
Jon Pierik 3:49 PM AFL great Wayne Carey has urged the football world to cut Tom Boyd "some slack", declaring the Western Bulldogs' $6 million man is ahead of other forwards his age.
Can Princes Park rise again?
![Should consideration be given to restoring Princes Park as an AFL venue?](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/d/k/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnbdi0.png/1457163650457.jpg)
Tim Lane 2:58 PM Last Sunday's NAB Challenge match between Carlton and Essendon drew a crowd in excess of 18,000 to the Blues' old home.
Whitten set to bump Etihad, MCG for female centrepiece
![Space invaders: The Bulldogs and the Demons could play their September showpiece at the Whitten Oval.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/0/j/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb9gz.png/1457147714517.jpg)
Samantha Lane 2:15 PM Footscray's Whitten Oval has emerged as the venue of choice for what's set to be the most watched women's AFL match in history.
Burgoyne hopes 'lesson learnt' from Goodes controversy
![Lessons: Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli celebrate 2015 flag.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/b/a/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb8pm.png/1457165188365.jpg)
Jon Pierik 1:02 PM Hawthorn star Shaun Burgoyne hopes there have been lessons learnt from the manner in which Adam Goodes was treated by some in the footballing public last season.
Giants' delight with Stevie J's start tempered by Mumford concern
![On the charge: Steve Johnson put in an impressive performance in his first outing for the Giants.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/6/2/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb6lr.png/1457141483290.jpg)
Sebastian Hassett 12:31 PM Greater Western Sydney Giants coach Leon Cameron couldn't be happier with how his star recruit Steve Johnson performed in his first outing since leaving Geelong, starring in the 34-point win in Friday's Sydney derby at Drummoyne Oval.
GWS Giants switched on in derby demolition
![On the charge: Steve Johnson put in an impressive performance in his first outing for the Giants.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/6/2/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb4az.png/1457133504220.jpg)
Sebastian Hassett 10:10 PM After some hesitation about whether this NAB Challenge match would even proceed, the lights eventually came on at Drummoyne Oval – and Greater Western Sydney had no trouble shining in the season's first Sydney derby, running out easy 34-point winners.
Fremantle Dockers, West Coast Eagles to battle for women's side
![The success of the Western Bulldogs' clash with Melbourne last year has helped provide the impetus for a new AFL women's ...](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/0/7/s/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnajq2.png/1457089005649.jpg)
Kim Hagdorn 9:56 PM An off-field western derby style battle is brewing for arch rivals West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers to win historic rights to have the first AFL women's team from Western Australia.
Ultimate Footy: The four Rs for the NAB Challenge
![Ultimate Footy](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/2/b/w/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb4xp.png/1457087734153.jpg)
Rob Dauth, Footy Prophet 9:35 PM The Bombers have come under plenty of scrutiny over the pre-season, with many forecasting an ugly year for the red and the black. With the caveat that pre-season games are always to be taken with a grain of salt, Essendon's patchwork side put on an impressive performance in their 10-goal win over Carlton.
Essendon chides Sheedy about WADA comments
![Eccentric: Kevin Sheedy.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/c/x/o/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnaeeo.png/1457081908024.jpg)
Daniel Cherny 7:58 PM Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell says he spoke to Kevin Sheedy following the four-time premiership coach's controversial comments earlier in the week about the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Essendon doping saga: ASADA chief reveals the 'scary' part
![Essendon supporters have been left devastated by tyhe outcome of the ASADA probe.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/0/l/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnakb9.png/1457096493934.jpg)
Jon Pierik 7:55 PM Australian anti-doping chief Ben McDevitt says the "scariest" aspect of the Essendon "injecting regime" was that he still does not know what, if any, potential long-term health implications there could be for the players.
Magpies prepared for intense Wagga heat
![Greenwood says the Magpies are prepared for the scorching conditions after a gruelling pre-season campaign, which ...](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/4/3/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb42j.png/1457081091688.jpg)
Xavier Mandling 7:44 PM Collingwood midfielder Levi Greenwood says the Magpies are well-placed to handle the expected heat in Wagga.
Anderson can't remember the toughest six days of his life
![North Melbourne recruit Jed Anderson with his son Jasiah, 1.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/a/f/7/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gna74a.png/1457080498595.jpg)
Emma Quayle 7:34 PM Jed Anderson has been through a lot in the first three years of his AFL career. He will start the fourth as a North Melbourne player, after making the tough decision to leave Hawthorn.
AFL enacts heat policy for Saturday matches
![Keep your sunny side up: The Dons can expect heat in Shepparton on Saturday.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/0/k/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnb08b.png/1457075160431.jpg)
Daniel Cherny The forecast for temperatures in the high 30s has led the AFL to enact its heat policy for both of Saturday's NAB Challenge matches.
AFL women attracting heavyweight commercial interest
![Jessica Wuetschner (L) and Moana Hope of the Bulldogs celebrate a goal.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/b/0/i/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnazuw.png/1457096292297.jpg)
Samantha Lane The AFL's game-changing women's league is attracting new heavyweight commercial interest. The Western Bulldogs are talking to four prospective major sponsors of the team they want to field in the competition that will launch next year after a series of preparatory AFL-sanctioned exhibition games this season.
AFL apologises after ticket meltdown
![Made to wait: AFL fans were left frustrated by a ticket system meltdown on Friday morning.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/2/j/3/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnagfz.png/1457079910112.jpg)
Daniel Cherny The AFL has apologised to fans after a Ticketek "system failure" caused sales for early season matches at the MCG and SCG to be delayed.
Lions open talks with Taylor after Zorko re-signs
![Dayne Zorko has re-signed.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/u/0/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gna9v5.png/1457079798664.jpg)
Andrew Stafford and Daniel Cherny The Brisbane Lions say they expect Daniel Rich and Josh Green to soon join Dayne Zorko in re-committing to the club, while talks are beginning with Lewis Taylor.
Magpies won't wilt in Wagga heat, says ex-Roo
![Collingwood midfielder Levi Greenwood.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/a/u/u/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnaujh.png/1457068504079.jpg)
Xavier Mardling Collingwood midfielder Levi Greenwood says the Magpies are well-placed to handle the heat in Wagga.
Watson's Brownlow: the decision the AFL didn't want to make
![Jobe Watson with the 2012 Brownlow Medal.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/a/r/r/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnarvn.png/1457076162533.jpg)
Caroline Wilson The most arduous task facing the AFL in 2016 — the stripping of Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal — was one the game's governors believed they would never have to make.
Freeman still five to six weeks away from return
![Conservative approach: Nathan Freeman (left) won't be seen until early in the season.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/9/r/m/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnakfb.png/1457081165869.jpg)
Daniel Cherny St Kilda coach Alan Richardson says Nathan Freeman is still more than a month away from returning to football.
Saints give Montagna one-year extension
![Leigh Montagna has signed with the Saints until the end of 2017.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/n/s/g/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gna6q5.png/1457081340057.jpg)
Daniel Cherny One day he's a free agent, and hours later he's not, with St Kilda announcing that star midfielder Leigh Montagna has signed a one-year contract extension.
Live NAB Challenge: West Coast v Gold Coast
![Matt Priddis of the Eagles](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/k/q/l/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gn9wa8.png/1457002068794.jpg)
Lee Crossley It's the second NAB Challenge match in 2016 for both West Coast and Gold Coast.
Lewis Jetta injured as Eagles pip Suns
![Daniel Currie of the Suns and Nic Naitanui of the Eagles contest the ruck.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/a/1/w/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gna22d.png/1457005361854.jpg)
Prized West Coast recruit Lewis Jetta is in doubt for the start of the AFL season after injuring his right leg in Thursday's three-point NAB Challenge win over Gold Coast in Joondalup.
O'Meara likely to remain at Suns
![Jaeger O'Meara has not played since April after rupturing his patella tendon in a practice match.](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/9/z/y/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gn9t6j.png/1456995016106.jpg)
Jon Pierik Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade says the "indications" are that Jaeger O'Meara, one of the club's key building planks, will remain with the club.
Pies have profile to pull major surprise
![Wildcard: Dane Swan is tipped to be force up forward this season](/web/20160305081834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/9/z/r/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gn9yh9.png/1457000397856.jpg)
Rohan Connolly Collingwood now have both the talent and the list demographics to cause more than a few surprises in AFL season 2016.