Latest AFL news
Riewoldt OK despite early exit
Daniel Cherny 7:54 PM Club hose down injury rumours after Saints captain makes an early exit from NAB Challenge loss to Melbourne.
Demons finish preseason three from three
Emma Quayle 7:20 PM Flawless Melbourne head into season 2016 with three big green ticks after a comfortable win over St Kilda.
Live NAB Challenge: Eagles v Dons
Lee Crossley 7:06 PM Join us for live coverage as the Eagles and the Bombers close out the 2016 NAB Challenge series.
The X factor: Who's ready to make a difference for your club?
Matt Murnane 6:56 PM We take a look at a player from each club who used the NAB Challenge to show they could give their team something different in 2016.
Brown backs academies as key to battling 'go-home factor' for northern states
David Polkinghorne 5:37 PM Triple premiership player calls for AFL to bolster academies rather than restrict them.
Cameron, Zorko booked in Giants' win
4:51 PM Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals but faces a nervous wait after being placed on report in Greater Western Sydney's 39-point NAB Challenge win over Brisbane Lions at a rain-soaked Gold Coast.
Pies to push up Gault
Michael Gleeson 2:02 PM Collingwood will formalise the pathway for full-forward Corey Gault to play against Sydney in round one by promoting the rookie to the senior list this week.
The great Couch gag
Daniel Cherny and Jon Pierik 12:48 PM Among the stranger tales to have re-emerged about Paul Couch concerns the final game of the the '89 season.
Bennell no certainty for round one
Brad Elborough 12:05 PM Fremantle gun recruit Harley Bennell is no guarantee to make his debut for the Dockers in their Round 1 clash with the Western Bulldogs on Easter Sunday.
Hawk Shiels to have scans on wrist
Jon Pierik 10:10 AM Hawthorn small forward Liam Shiels will have scans on an injured wrist after he was hurt in the Hawks' final NAB Challenge clash on Saturday night.
There are no sacred cows in sports doping scandals
Tim Lane 1:32 AM When big fish are caught in modern sport's anti-doping net, there is cause for comfort. It confirms the anti-doping business is serious. When these big fish are then treated without fear or favour, there's cause for quiet celebration. It's not personal, but it states that sport is serious.
AFL Lions finally ready to play: Tom Rockliff
1:17 AM Not only is Tom Rockliff confident he will be ready for their AFL season opener. The Brisbane captain is certain his Lions team will finally be ready too.
Sam Mitchell stars as Hawks fine-tune preparation
Jon Pierik 10:16 PM While some clubs begin a rebuild and others embrace a renovation, for Hawthorn and North Melbourne it's about incremental growth this season.
Joel Selwood to play in warm-up game
10:13 PM Geelong captain Joel Selwood will play in a VFL practise match against Richmond on Friday night in preparation for the Cats Round 1 clash with Hawthorn on Easter Monday.
Dockers claim unlikely 12-point win over Cats
Brad Elborough Two late nine-point goals, from the boots of Danyle Pearce and Lachie Weller, and a regular six-pointer from Chris Mayne, handed Fremantle an unlikely 12-point NAB Challenge win.
Moore rises to lift Magpies out of the doldrums
Peter Hanlon Collingwood come from six goals down to pip the Western Bulldogs in an exciting end to pre-season.
Leuenberger, Grima shine, Ashby injured for Dons
Daniel Cherny Matthew Leuenberger appears to be squarely in the mix to make his Essendon debut in round one after impressing in Saturday's VFL practice match against Geelong.
Cripps delights but Blues to wait on two more
Jon Pierik While the Blues welcomed back Patrick Cripps with an impressive performance on Friday night, they will have to wait another month before two more building blocks take to the field.
Will Langford pushes his case for round-one selection for Hawthorn
Brent Diamond Hawthorn midfielder Will Langford is back on track to be considered for round one of the season proper after starring with 25 disposals on return from injury for the Box Hill Hawks on Saturday.
NAB Challenge: Collingwood v Western Bulldogs
Ronny Lerner It's the final hit-out before the season proper for Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Gawn can enter ruck elite: White
Daniel Cherny Former Melbourne best and fairest winner Jeff White says current Demons ruckman Max Gawn has what it takes to enter the top echelon of big men in the AFL.
Swans confident impressive Franklin can get better
Peter Hanlon Sydney's star forward rounds out an impressive pre-season in style.
Blues bounce back but Buddy sees Swans home
Peter Hanlon Carlton fans see plenty to restore their faith in a brighter end to the pre-season campaign.
Crows hold off Suns in humid affair
Andrew Stafford Adelaide Crows hold Gold Coast Suns off to prevail by 25 points in humid conditions on the Gold Coast.
Botched again: AFL chief tells Ticketek
Deborah Gough AFL chief Gillon McLachlan has again hit out at ticketing company Ticketek for the second time over fans frustrated attempts to buy MCG tickets.
Embrace the Weitering hype, Blues coach says
Peter Hanlon No.1 draft pick stars again for Brendon Bolton's new Blues.
Follow the signs to the exit
Greg Baum In Melbourne, no bigwig – elected, appointed or self-invested – dares to be the one who says we've got enough footy stadiums already.
Saturday Serve: Is the war on drugs fighting the wrong people?
David Polkinghorne The Maria Sharapova case raises the question, have we gone too far in the war on drugs in sport?
Giants may offer Graeme Allan role as paid director
Caroline Wilson Greater Western Sydney's outgoing football boss Graeme Allan has been approached to remain at the club.
Dons fans defy logic - again
Samantha Lane Essendon, still in reputation repair mode and consensus tip for 2016 ladder anchor, will hit 50,000 members in record speed this weekend.
GWS recruit a genuine giant
David Sygall Dawson Simpson is set upon making an impact at his new club. And only the bravest soul would stand in his way.
Saints benefit from AFL cancellation
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson sees last weekend's abandoned AFL pre-season match as a blessing in disguise.
Tigers protecting real season, not mocking pre-season
Michael Gleeson and Larissa Nicholson Richmond was not trying to make a mockery of the game but playing only 15 on the ground and leaving three fit players sitting on the bench infuriated Port Adelaide and the AFL.
Heat policy in force for AFL matches
NAB Challenge matches to be played in Perth and the Gold Coast this weekend will have longer breaks due to forecast hot weather.
