Lambert's replacement deals with 'elephant in the room'

Andrew Crowell knew it, and so did Melissa Lambert. There was a "big elephant in the room to confront," and there was no point trying to sneak around it.

Bulldogs prepared to be the hunted

Western Bulldogs veteran Matthew Boyd says that he and his teammates are vitally aware that to achieve back-to-back flags his side will have to become accustomed to the unusual position of being the most hunted of teams this season.

Hodge one of footy's great captains

• ANALYSIS

Sam Mitchell best summed up Luke Hodge's leadership when recalling their captaincy handover after the 2010 campaign, a move which would soon spark a run of three-straight premierships.

Docker Harley Bennell fined for driving without licence

Fremantle Dockers player Harley Bennell has been fined $400 and disqualified from driving for nine months after being caught driving while suspended in December.

I want to live to be a dad, says new Hawthorn captain Roughead

While Hawthorn's major announcement on Friday was that Jarryd Roughead had been appointed as their new captain, the man himself deftly put the elevation into perspective.

Ex-Eagle Ben Cousins will stand trial in June over drug charges

Troubled former West Coast champion Ben Cousins is back in court again on Friday for an outstanding drug charge.

Why other clubs should beware of the Bulldogs

I am grateful to have been asked to write a book about the Bulldogs' grand final win of last year. I am grateful because it takes my mind off the fear and uncertainty surrounding the historical clock that has started ticking with the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Stanton: The initial shock will never go away

Essendon veteran Brent Stanton says the initial shock at receiving a one-year suspension for doping violations in January last year will never leave him.

Melbourne Stars WBBL side prepares for two pivotal matches in 24 hours

Emma Kearney isn't sure she'll get much sleep on Friday night but says that won't matter if her Melbourne Stars can clinch a place in the Women's Big Bash League finals.

Eddie Betts types vital for clubs to be competitive: Mooney

Adelaide player Eddie Betts has taken the position of a small forward to a new level, says Geelong premiership forward Cameron Mooney.

Dockers stew as Michael Johnson's kebab shop assault charge adjourned

Johnson, 32, was given $500 bail as the case was adjourned to a later date - with his lawyer requesting a copy of CCTV footage of the alleged incident.

Rising Adelaide star Mitch McGovern looms large on Dockers, Eagles radar

Emerging Adelaide utility Mitch McGovern is looming large in West Coast and Fremantle recruiting sights before a football has even been kicked in anger in a new AFL premiership race.

Betts a Crow until close to his 34th birthday

Three-year deals aren't commonplace for AFL players once they enter their fourth decade, but such is the quality of Eddie Betts that Adelaide envisage him playing until close to his 34th birthday - at least.

Which AFLW team should you support?

With only eight teams taking part in the upcoming AFLW season, many footy fans are going to have to pick a new team to support. But don't panic - we're here to help. By answering a few brief questions, you can find out just who to back in the 2017 season.

Bellchambers' pre-season slowed by surgery

A lack of match fitness is set to hamper Tom Bellchambers' AFL return from a year-long doping ban, with the Essendon ruckman's pre-season slowed by knee surgery.

Wallis back running after broken leg

Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis has taken a big step in his long road to recovery from a broken leg, running for the first time on an Anti-Gravity treadmill.

Renewed jostling for positions on Tigers board

There is renewed jostling for positions on Richmond's board after the resignation of a second director in three months.

Rockliff a possible Lions leader in 2017: Fagan

Tom Rockliff could be in the mix to be Brisbane's captain in 2017, with new coach Chris Fagan praising the midfielder's attitude and leadership over the summer.

Cats tackle tackling to gain advantage in 2017

After being blown off the park by Sydney in last year's preliminary final, Geelong have identified tackling as one of the major areas of their game to improve on in season 2017.

Month-long recovery for North's Daw after surgery

North Melbourne expect big man Majak Daw to recover from knee surgery in time for the start of the AFL season.

Blues big man out indefinitely

Carlton ruckman Andrew Phillips is out of action indefinitely after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot.

Standing room only: Back to the future for historic women's opener

It's a brave new world for the AFL, but it's likely to start in a very old-fashioned way.

Tigers great fractures ankle after collapsing on golf course

Richmond premiership great Dale Weightman has described his shock collapse while playing at Mildura Golf Club as a "wake up call" after his blood sugar levels dropped, leading to a fractured left ankle.

Anthony Morabito to extend career in the WAFL with Claremont

The gifted follower is originally from the Peel Thunder club, but is believed to have not contemplated staying at his home outfit and reigning WAFL premiers with the continued alignment with the Dockers.

WNBL legend becomes a Giant leader

Former Canberra Capital Jess Bibby is the "wise, old head" that's played two games.

Patton ready to join AFL's goalkicking elite

GWS Giants big man Jonathon Patton is shaping up as one of the AFL's dominant forwards in 2017.

Local lady to lead Giants

The GWS Giants have announced their leadership group for the inaugural AFL women's season.

Serious sport requires serious people

Today there is more discouragement to express an opinion, than at any time in my memory. Sport, however, remains immune to this trend.

Mum never far away from new Pie's mind

Even as Henry Schade settles into his new life in Melbourne, preparing to move into an apartment in Toorak this week, his mother is never far from his mind.

Hird had post-traumatic stress disorder 'for years': Corcoran

Former Essendon football boss Danny Corcoran believes ex-coach James Hird has been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder for years as a consequence of the four-year battle over the notorious Essendon supplements saga.

Essendon rookie Yestin Eades stood down over legal incident

Essendon rookie Yestin Eades has been stood down indefinitely as he defends allegations in court.

Knee setback: Daw has arthroscopic surgery

North Melbourne big man Majak Daw is in doubt for the start of the AFL season after suffering another injury setback.

Young Demons forward escapes serious ankle injury

Melbourne forward Liam Hulett has been cleared of major structural damage to his ankle after he was hurt at training on Friday.

Saints move a 'kick up the bum' for Brown

Moving to St Kilda was the "kick up the bum" premiership defender Nathan Brown needed after 10 seasons at Collingwood.

Who got Lade? Port did

Brendon Lade is returning to Port Adelaide after seven years as an assistant coach at AFL rivals Richmond.

Dogs won't be hoodoo gurus

The Western Bulldogs won't look back at their painful history of preliminary final losses in the lead up to their Saturday night clash with GWS Giants.

Hogan departure won't be 'catastrophic': Schwarz

Melbourne great David Schwarz says the potential defection of Jesse Hogan would not be "as catastrophic" now as it would have been last year.

Football romance, or the road to the future?

There’s two very contrasting narratives developing heading into the penultimate weekend of the AFL season. And sentimentally, they’re at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Chris Judd: It's time to deny the top four clubs access to free agents

The thing that AFL fans love about the game is risk and the unknown outcome accompanying it: the risk players take when they commit to a physical contest, when they launch three deep in a pack to stand on someone's shoulders in a marking contest, when they have a shot from the boundary. All are weekly features on highlights reels.