Once again it's clubby at the top of the AFL tree
So, another year of Geelong and Hawthorn, and another year of Sydney.
Latest AFL News
Live AFL finals: Swans v Giants
Join us for the biggest AFL match Sydney's seen. The battle-hardened Bloods vs upstart GWS on neutral ground. Tough to pick, plenty to savour. Bring it on.
How Adelaide's newest recruit learned how to play, NT-style
Moving from Shepparton to the top end made Angela Foley the footballer she is today
Sports psychologist: Here's how Isaac Smith should handle his emotions
Isaac Smith has been urged to discuss the emotions he has experienced over his botched match-winning goal against Geelong but a sports pyschologist says the moment should not leave him crushed.
Hawks v Cats epic: Five massive moments
Both coaches agreed that Hawthorn and Geelong's clash at the MCG was so close, with the lead changing so many times, that it could have been either team's game.
Heartbreak Hawks back on the hard road
This is Hawthorn we're talking about. They aren't done with yet, and the Cats may not have seen the last of them.
Cats, Hawks thriller year's most-watched
Geelong's stunning two-point qualifying-final victory over Hawthorn on Friday night was the most watched match on free-to-air broadcaster Channel Seven since last year's grand final.
Docker Chris Mayne looks set to join Pies
Fremantle Dockers free agent Chris Mayne looks headed for Collingwood.
Selwood says epic win just a step back to 'being relevant again'
After missing finals last year, no-nonsense Geelong skipper is not carried away by blood-and-guts win against Hawks.
How the Cats got the cream
Author and former Age journalist James Button convinced most of the important people at Geelong to speak to him for Comeback, his book on the Geelong era - which was launched this week - but not footy manager Steven Hocking.
Carlton's Jacob Weitering signs four-year contract extension
No. 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering has made a long-term commitment to Carlton, signing a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2021.
Cats v Hawks about as good as football gets: Chris Scott
Only luck separated Hawthorn and Geelong at the final siren, their coaches agreed.
Cats take cream in a thriller
It's September. It's finals. It's that archetypal new season, on elevated terms, before heaving crowds. It's Hawthorn time. It's Geelong time. It's time for Geelong-Hawthorn. If ever there were two teams to awaken one another to their vocations, it is these two.
A game to remember as Cats beat Hawks
What a beautiful thing, when finals football between two great rivals not only lives up to, but exceeds expectations.
Docherty claims John Nicholls Medal
Sam Docherty enjoyed not only a strong personal season but became an on-field extension of the coaching panel in claiming his first John Nicholls Medal on Friday night.
Live AFL finals: Geelong v Hawthorn
Highly anticipated hostilities resume in one of footy's most intense modern-era rivalries. One side will advance to a preliminary final, the loser to a clash with the pumped-up Bulldogs.
Perth glory up with Dogs' finest wins
Western Bulldogs boss Peter Gordon has stopped short of declaring his club's mighty elimination final triumph the greatest on-field result in his football memory, but ranks it in his top two.
Sicily a late out with illness
Hawthorn have been dealt a significant blow ahead of Friday night's qualifying final clash with Geelong after tall forward James Sicily was a late withdrawal through illness.
Good bye, but now we need a grand finish
The bye was good, I thought. The women's game got the focus it required. The vitality of women's football, and the way it has burst into the public consciousness, is the best good-news story the AFL has.
Swans v Giants: The burning questions
A landmark day for football arrives on Saturday as the two Sydney teams square off in a final at ANZ Stadium. We look at the big issues.
Gray Port Adelaide's best for third year in row
Classy midfielder Robbie Gray on Friday night became the first Port Adelaide AFL player to win three successive club best and fairest awards – the John Cahill Medal.
Monster crowd to watch Swans v Giants
More than 60,000 fans will watch the last AFL game at ANZ Stadium, the code's first all-Sydney final.
Johnson's Giant love affair
It took three interviews before GWS were convinced Steve Johnson was a good fit at the young club.
Conditions perfect for Bartel
There is a scene in the Seinfeld episode "The Subway" in which Kramer is sitting on the train and overhears a conversation about a racehorse.
Refreshed Goldstein ready for finals
Todd Goldstein is yet to reflect on an AFL season in which he relinquished an All-Australian spot, preferring to focus on finishing it off with a flag.
Western Bulldogs president 'devastated' if Lin Jong departs
Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon says he will be "personally devastated" if out-of-contract and out-of-action Lin Jong, cruelly sidelined in Thursday's elimination final thriller, has played his last game for the Dogs.
Haynes embracing Swans challenge
Nick Haynes has been transformed into a defender and is now one of the most important players at GWS.
Why the Swans need to strike while Buddy is hot
The question asked when Lance Franklin came to Sydney was whether he would see out the nine years. The more pertinent question is how long the Swans will have the finest forward of his generation at his peak in their quest to win the flag that will silence critics of the deal.
Watson's back, but 'still not sure' of his future with Bombers
Essendon are preparing for their suspended players to return as early as next week but Jobe Watson, should he play on, will not be officially allowed to reunite with the club for a further week.
Swans, Giants share appetite for contest
Sydney and Greater Western Sydney come into the first all-Sydney AFL final in cherry-ripe form.
Crows learn early AFL finals lesson
Adelaide have learnt one lesson already from the AFL finals – there is no such thing as favourites.
Bulldogs midfielders line up for a chance at AFL finals
Western Bulldogs assistant coach Ash Hansen says midfielders Koby Stevens, Nathan Hrovat and Toby McLean will have an extra incentive to perform in Sunday's VFL semi-final for Footscray against Essendon at North Port Oval.
Boyd buoyant although future unclear
Matthew Boyd continues to show his value to the Bulldogs' young playing group and was one of their best, again, in their destruction of West Coast in their elimination final win on Thursday night.
Hawkins hails 'best ever' Bulldogs win
Western Bulldogs legend Doug Hawkins has described his former team's against-the-odds victory over West Coast in Thursday night's elimination final as the best in the club's history.
So long, Lin Jong? Bulldog's tears stain triumph
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge hopes Lin Jong's tears on Thursday night were not a sign that the tough midfielder had played his last game for the club.