After a divisive and challenging week in footy news it's a relief to get back to some on-field action.

It's going to be another big weekend.

Six pointers: Your guide to round 14 of the AFL
Things to look out for this week: another test of North's premiership credentials, Nathan Buckley under the microscope again, Hawks closing in on familiar territory and Bryce Gibbs' 200th game.
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We're here to help.

Footy Tips & AFL Tipping
Tipping deadlines will be early this week with another Thursday night game. Not sure who to tip this week? See who our expert AFL tipsters picked.
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Cloke has been dropped twice this season but was among the best for the Pies' VFL team against Casey.

Cloke recalled to the Pies for Freo game
Out-of-favour forward is among three inclusions for Collingwood.
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Eddie McGuire may have got something right with his plan for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) precinct, says retiring Melbourne Cricket Club boss Stephen Gough.

Stephen Gough to leave MCC
Long-time sport administrator Stephen Gough has announced his retirement from the Melbourne Cricket Club after 17 years in the job.
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"It's still tough ... you can't put it into words, the sort of time that was," says Adelaide Football Club's Tom Lynch.

Crows still healing after coach's death
Adelaide's win over West Coast two weeks ago was an emotional one for the players.
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Sam Newman used his appearance on The Footy Show to weigh into the controversy surrounding Eddie McGuire's comments about Caroline Wilson.

'You're an embarrassment, Caro': Newman weighs in
As Eddie McGuire was apologising, Sam Newman decided to double down.
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It took Tom Lynch some time to find his place in football, but he has found it with Adelaide Football Club.

Tom Lynch, from the Saints to security
Tom Lynch played six games in two years when he was at St Kilda. He played two weeks in a row just once.
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North Melbourne Football Club's game against Adelaide Football Club tonight is the next in a series of major obstacles facing the Kangaroos, writes Rohan Connolly.

Roos' rocky run home will tell the truth
The sceptics have been dismissive of North Melbourne all season. With the Roos now up against it, the next few weeks may tell us once and for all whether they're the real deal or not.
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Some good news for the Hawthorn.

Mitchell signs for 2017, Hodge expected to play on
The future of the Hawks veterans is taking shape.
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Essendon is the latest to be assessed for a mid-year report and is given D-minus.

Essendon failing, but trying hard
There was no precedent for the situation the Dons found themselves in this season.
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It's been a sorry week for footy leadership, but it's odious to compare how the league handled the very different Scott and McGuire incidents, writes Caroline Wilson.

After the apologies, lessons to be learnt
The AFL knew it faced a thankless task as it simultaneously tackled two major public issues in a week which brought with every new day a new apology.
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‪#‎Breaking‬ Secret meeting: Caroline Wilson and Eddie McGuire come face to face after a torrid week of anger and recrimination.

Eddie McGuire and Caroline Wilson: McGuire to sit out Fox Footy broadcast
An "emotionally and physically flattened" Eddie McGuire has asked to be removed from Fox Footy's coverage of Thursday night's match between Adelaide and North Melbourne, following the controversy surrounding his comments directed at senior football journalist Caroline Wilson.
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More developments tonight ...

McGuire benches himself for Thursday night footy
An "emotionally and physically flattened" Eddie McGuire has asked to sit out Fox Footy's coverage of Thursday night's Adelaide-North match.
brisbanetimes.com.au|By Sam McClure
Eddie McGuire and Caroline Wilson: Eddie's unlikely ally as Holden keeps Pies waiting
Car manufacturing giant Holden is refusing to rule out dumping Collingwood as a major sponsor, with the two parties yet to meet, as Mick Malthouse comes to Eddie McGuire's defence.
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Riolis to miss matches for family funeral
Hawks, Tigers give stars leave to farewell Rioli patriarch in Northern Territory.
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AFL chief Gillon McLachlan throws his support by Richmond FC's ban of Triple M Melbourne, as the radio station offers an apology.

McLachlan backs boycott, Triple M apologises
Radio station Triple M will not take disciplinary action against any of its employees who were involved in a controversial discussion surrounding senior football journalist Caroline Wilson. 
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Holden is yet to meet with Collingwood Football Club to discuss Eddie McGuire's controversial comments, but there has been some support from other quarters for the embattled president.

Eddie's unlikely ally as Holden keeps Pies waiting
Car manufacturing giant Holden is refusing to rule out dumping Collingwood as a major sponsor, with the two parties yet to meet, as Mick Malthouse comes to Eddie McGuire's defence.
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Tanya Hosch talks to Fairfax Media about her goals for the new role.

Indigenous leader Tanya Hosch named as AFL's head of diversity
Tanya Hosch, one of Australia's highest-profile Indigenous women, has been appointed to lead the AFL's campaign against domestic violence.
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