Heartbreak Hawks back on the hard road

• COMMENT

This is Hawthorn we're talking about. They aren't done with yet, and the Cats may not have seen the last of them.

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.

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.

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.

Martin's year of drama ends with best and fairest

Despite enduring a 12-month period featuring a police investigation, the deportation of his father and the alarming tumble down the ladder of his team, Dustin Martin's ability to maintain focus on his own game was underscored on Thursday night as he added a maiden Richmond best and fairest to the All-Australian selection he gained a week earlier.

Hardwick goes in to bat for O'Neal

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has thrown his support behind embattled president Peggy O'Neal and chief executive Brendon Gale.

Pies offer new deal to veteran forward

Travis Cloke's request to leave Collingwood may have saved Jesse White, with the Magpies offering the journeyman a contract for 2017.

'I got a bit bitter': Whitecross

Brendan Whitecross says he was "bitter" late last year, and not many current AFL players have had more of a right to feel that way.

Saints rising but no guarantees

Massive ground has been made and had they edged a closely fought Mother's day game against North Melbourne, the Saints would be preparing for their first final in five years.