CBA talks can't forget fans: Madden

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jon Pierik 5:47 PM   Former Geelong champion Paul Couch, the 1989 Brownlow Medallist, has died from a heart attack.

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Seven, Nine will be big players in next AFL, NRL deals: Fox executive

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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Essendon doping saga: ASADA chief reveals the 'scary' part

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.

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Magpies prepared for intense Wagga heat

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

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.