Latest AFL news

North's Thomas won't change despite ban

Daniel Cherny 4:59 PM   Lindsay Thomas says he hasn't changed the way he plays despite his suspension for a coathanger on Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter earlier in the season.

Deliberate rushed behinds were the right call, says AFL umpires coach

The AFL umpires coach says Jack Hombsch of Port Adelaide is one player who should have been penalised for a delibrate ...

Jon Pierik 4:48 PM   AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy insists there has not been a crackdown on the deliberate rushed behind rule, declaring the umpires were only adhering to the rules.

Turner fronted North teammates after drink-driving incident

Remorseful: Kayne Turner will be sanctioned by the Kangaroos' leadership group.

Daniel Cherny 4:19 PM   A disappointed Kayne Turner has fronted his North Melbourne teammates following his drink-driving episode in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Thompson ready to spoil Buddy's love

Swans v Kangaroos

Jon Pierik 3:46 PM   North Melbourne full-back Scott Thompson faces one of the most mentally taxing tests in football on Friday night when he attempts to find a way to curb the brilliant bursts of Lance Franklin.

Charlie Curnow set to resume running

Young Blue Charlie Curnow

Jon Pierik 3:19 PM   Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow says his brother has made a steady recovery from glandular fever and is expected to resume running this week.

I'm not an AFL thug: Port's Tom Jonas

Port Adelaide v West Coast

Steve Larkin 2:36 PM   Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas says he's prepared to be given an inevitable AFL suspension on Tuesday after knocking out West Coast's Andrew Gaff in Saturday's match.

Rohan Connolly: The Last Word

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Ben Reid, Alan Toovey, Mason Cox, Travis Varcoe and Jack Crisp of the Magpies sing the ...

Rohan Connolly 1:16 PM   For three quarters against Melbourne, you couldn't question the Lions' effort. What left much to be desired, however, was execution.

Rejuvenated Swans can't wait for blockbuster against Kangaroos

Blockbuster: Heath Grundy was back to his best against Hawthorn but will need to repeat his efforts against undefeated ...

Sebastian Hassett 12:57 PM   Following the agony of losing to Richmond after the siren, the Sydney Swans hit back superbly to down Hawthorn last week - but even that will pale in significance to the task of halting the AFL's only unbeaten side this Friday night.

AFL 101: three things we worked out from round nine

AFL 101 thumbnail

Staff writers 12:45 PM   The West Coast Eagles won away (wait, what?), the Fremantle Dockers lost again (ho-hum), Richmond could realistically push for the eight and the Swans flexed their muscles against the Hawks.

Coach Roos bemused by umpiring calls

Paul Roos missed the memo.

Emma Quayle 11:12 AM   Melbourne coach Paul Roos has voiced his opposition to mid-season rule crackdowns, while also querying the goal review system.

The key to Giants' improvement

Giants skipper Callan Ward, centre, says the team is gelling.

Rohan Connolly 10:16 AM   GWS captain Callan Ward says contested possession is the key to the Giants' improvement in 2016.

Cameron haul inspires undermanned Giants

Lachie Whitfield of the Giants celebrates a goal.

Sebastian Hassett 10:04 AM   Despite losing two key players to injury the opening quarter, the Greater Western Sydney Giants have underlined their top four credentials with a gutsy 25-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium on Sunday night.

Neale set to stay at Fremantle, expects to decide in two weeks

Lachie Neale has give his biggest hint that he will stay a Docker.

Kim Hagdorn 10:03 AM   In-form Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale has given his clearest indication yet he is likely to sign a new contract to stay as a critical component in urgent plans for a Dockers revival from next season.

Saints relieved to win and quell doubt

Saints coach Alan Richardson.

Michael Gleeson 8:30 AM   Seven goals in the third quarter killed off Essendon and any doubts created by the humbling in Perth and a first half that St Kilda dominated everywhere but the scoreboard, Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

St Kilda reap rewards with win over Essendon

Saints alive:  St Kilda's Tim Membrey celebrates a goal against Essendon.

Michael Gleeson 8:13 AM   Saints return to form as forwards stretch depleted Dons defence.

Worsfold questions Gold Coast chairman

Bombers coach John Worsfold leaves the field before the start of the final quarter.

Daniel Cherny 8:09 AM   Essendon coach takes issue with Tony Cochrane's view on appointment of the Suns' inaugural coach.

Worsfold holds fire on Suns boss

Bombers head coach John Worsfold has blamed his team's bad starts for its poor showing this year.

7:12 AM   Worsfold resists urge to fire back at Gold Coast chairman.

AFL 2016: Improving Dees increase depth

Jack Watts helped Max Gawn in the ruck.

Emma Quayle 12:32 AM   Melbourne may make up to four changes for this week's trip to Alice Springs, with coach Paul Roos confident in the increasing depth his club has begun to build.

Age Footballer of the Year: Round nine votes

The Age Footballer of the Year

11:16 PM   Round nine votes for The Age Footballer of the Year award for the 2016 premiership season.

Improving Giants staying grounded

Good times: Giants Coach Leon Cameron speaks to Matthew Buntine after the match.

Sebastian Hassett 10:46 PM   Greater Western Sydney Giants coach Leon Cameron couldn't be prouder of his team after they overcame adversity to defeat the Western Bulldogs - just don't consider them premiership fancies just yet.

Perhaps it really is anyone's flag

On the hop: North Melbourne remain undefeated.

Rohan Connolly 10:38 PM   It's rare indeed you get to near the halfway point of an AFL season none the wiser about who might end up taking out the premiership. But 2016 might just be one of those years.

Melbourne push Lions aside

Jack Watts congratulates Jesse Hogan.

Emma Quayle 10:19 PM   The Demons did just enough to ensure what became a very comfortable win over the Brisbane Lions.

North Melbourne footballer charged with drink-driving

The Kangaroos' Kayne Turner may lose his licence.

Emma Quayle 7:29 PM   North Melbourne small forward Kayne Turner has been charged with drink-driving. 

Positive signs for Nathan Hrovat in return from injury

On the move: Nathan Hrovat played well for Footscray in their win over Essendon.

Brent Diamond   Western Bulldogs midfielder Nathan Hrovat made an encouraging return from an ankle injury, emerging unscathed in Footscray's 19-point win over Essendon at Windy Hill on Sunday.

Swans face giant task against tall timber

Ready for the onslaught: Heath Grundy.

Andrew Wu   Heath Grundy has scoffed at suggestions he is vulnerable in one-on-one contests as Sydney's defence braces itself for another fierce onslaught.

Live: Saints v Dons

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt.

Daniel Cherny   The pressure will ramp up on the Saints if they can't respond to last week's heavy loss to West Coast when they face Essendon in the round's final game.

Live: Giants v Bulldogs

Giants forward Rory Lobb flies for the ball against the Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium.

Lee Crossley   It's fourth versus fifth as the Giants host the Bulldogs in what shapes as the game of the round.

Cloke faces competition from Witts: Buckley

Four to the floor: Travis Cloke

Daniel Cherny   Four goals in the VFL may not be enough for Travis Cloke to earn a recall to Collingwood's senior side, with coach Nathan Buckley labelling the competition for the Magpies' tall forward and ruck spots "as combative" as any position at the club.

Cotchin understood wife's motive

Captain calling: Trent Cotchin returned in style

Daniel Cherny   Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has opened up about the controversial public comments about his wife Brooke, noting that "criticism doesn't just affect the people it's said about, it's the people that care about them as well".

Demons crush Brisbane's AFL women

Jess Cameron.

Melbourne have soundly defeated Brisbane in the women's AFL exhibition match at the MCG with the help of their latest multi-code wonder Jess Cameron.

Live: Demons v Lions

Nathan Jones of the Demons breaks free of a tackle by Taylor Adams of the Magpies

Follow our live match tracker with stats and scores as the Dees and the Lions go head-to-head.

Injury woes continue at Fremantle

Alex Pearce is assisted from the field.

Brad Elborough   Fremantle's injury toll continues to rise, with captain David Mundy and talented young defender Alex Pearce now added to the injury list.

Things are looking up for Richmond, but ...

Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt celebrate a Steven Morris goal.

Brad Elborough   Life has been breathed into the Tigers' season, but there are some potential pitfalls in their draw later this season.

AFL scouts eye Williamstown players

Sherrins by the score.

Brent Diamond   Reigning premier Williamstown have become the "hunted" by opposition teams in the VFL, and their players appear likely to also be the "hunted" by AFL recruiters.

Two decades since the Waverley blackout

Fans light a fire on the oval when the lights went out in a night football match: Essendon v St Kilda: AFL Park Waverley

Daniel Cherny   A behind the scenes look at one of football's strangest chapters.

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