The search for the silver lining

Emma Quayle   If what happened to Essendon against West Coast on Sunday is how most game days will unfold in 2016, what good can come of their year?

Coast to coast, Rosa reads the play

Rohan Connolly   Matt Rosa has left a club for whom he just played in an AFL grand final for one with a lot of work to do on and off the field. But he's confident it's the right choice for him.

Are Pies building a powerhouse?

Jon Pierik   While it has only been two pre-season matches, there has been much to like about the Magpies in their wins over Geelong and North Melbourne. There has been quick and more direct ball movement.

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Riewoldt needs no title to lead 

Jack Riewolt will do what he can to help steer his Richmond teammates this year, despite not being included in leadership group.

Benchwarming with the Saints

Daniel Cherny   Tom Hickey looked like a man who wanted to get off the ground, but couldn't.

Can Princes Park rise again?

Tim Lane   Last Sunday's NAB Challenge match between Carlton and Essendon drew a crowd in excess of 18,000 to the Blues' old home. 

Blues erred against Dons

Caroline Wilson   Dismal performance by the undermanned Blues last Sunday raised eyebrows all the way to AFL head office.

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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.

Anderson can't recall tough days

Emma Quayle   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.

Salem kicking on - and in

Emma Quayle   Christian Salem is glad he returned from injury for the last three games of 2015.

Back to the future at Carlton?

Jon Pierik   Carlton chief says Blues are "open" to reactivating Princes Park as home-and-away venue.

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Burgoyne powers ahead as a Hawk

Jon Pierik   When Shaun Burgoyne arrived on crutches upon joining Hawthorn some supporters questioned whether the Hawks had made the right call.

VIDEOS

Paul Couch dead at 51

Geelong footy club champion Paul Couch has died suddenly from a heart attack.

Future of Etihad Stadium in the hands of AFL

Etihad Stadium could be bulldozed under Eddie McGuire's radical $1 billion proposal to revamp Olympic Park Precinct. Courtesy Seven News Melbourne.

Banned bombers players train in private

Jobe Watson among a small group of banned Essendon footballers spied training away from their AFL club's Tullamarine headquarters.

Longmire says Swans fans want team to play at SCG

Sydney Swans coach speaks to the media after Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert labelled the Swans and the AFL "disrespectful and ­unprofessional" for switching their round 1 game from ANZ Stadium to the SCG.

The greatness of Hawthorn

Greg Baum   How to measure the greatness of Hawthorn? With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, let us count the ways.

Fyfe the full football package

Rohan Connolly   Brownlow Medal winners are marked pretty harshly these days.

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Best grand final moments ever

Rohan Connolly   Any game of football can turn or be decided on a single moment.

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Adam Goodes: no fanfare, not enough fair fans

Greg Baum   Adam Goodes has chosen to fade out of the game, without fanfare.