Essendon

Watson primed for more attacking role

FORMER Essendon skipper Jobe Watson looks certain to spend more time forward of centre as the club defers a decision on its 2017 captain.

What it takes to be an AFL mascot

FITNESS and creativity are a must. An AFL club is looking for a new on-field talent but applicants be warned ... like the game itself, one must be able to perform when the heat is on.

Watson still in running for Dons captaincy

ESSENDON expects to know by mid-February who its captain will be for 2017 and there is no shortage of candidates, including Jobe Watson.

Bombers play it safe with Hooker

ESSENDON will take a cautious approach with Cale Hooker’s hamstring problem to guarantee his availability for the Round 1 match against Hawthorn.

Jobe shines in Bombers intra-club

ESSENDON captain Jobe Watson has sparkled in his first competitive hit-out in more than a year, while Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett also impressed.

Mixed injury news for Bomber talls

ESSENDON ruckman Tom Bellchambers faces a delayed start to 2017 after knee surgery but the news is better for Joe Daniher and Josh Green.

Claim AFL boss ruled out Hird return

FORMER Essendon football boss Danny Corcoran claims AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick told him fallen Bomber champ James Hird would “never get back into football”.

Williams helping old enemy

CARLTON champion Greg Williams has joined Essendon’s coaching ranks to help fast-track the Bombers’ resurgence this season.

Bomber rookie stood down

ESSENDON has stood down rookie Yestin Eades after he was involved in an alleged incident which is currently before the Courts.

Essendon 2017 SuperCoach preview

IS Essendon a team full of SuperCoach bargains or one big trap? For the second straight year there are several question marks. We’ve got the best, and worst, buys this season.

Sheedy: ‘It’s a very sad situation’

ESSENDON great Kevin Sheedy has not yet spoken to James Hird following his overdose but has called for patience as the Bombers champion receives treatment.

The stories behind footy’s best nicknames

BUDDY, Plugger or Yabby? Countdown the 30 best VFL-AFL nicknames — and find out the interesting, surprising and sometimes bizarre tales behind them.

More Footy

AFL retirements and delistings: every club’s list changes at the end of the 2016 season

UPDATE: BRISBANE Lions midfielder Jaden McGrath has walked away from football with two years still to run on his contract. EVERY CLUB’S LIST CHANGES

AFL tips: Herald Sun experts pick their winners for round 23

THE home and away season is coming to a close and while one man leads the pack, our tipsters will continue the chase throughout the finals. See our experts’ tips for Round 23.

AFL finals 2016: Top eight teams set, all that’s left to play for is a home final

THERE’S one game left but plenty to play for for the top eight. We’ve done the maths and look at each club’s best and worst case finals scenarios.

Dangerfield wins Herald Sun Player of the Year

Herald Sun Player of the Year: All the votes from every round of the AFL 2016 season

PATRICK Dangerfield is the 2016 Herald Sun Player of the Year, defeating Richmond’s Dustin Martin by a massive seven votes. SEE THE VOTES, LEADERBOARD

Retiring Collingwood star Dane Swan has provided endless highlights on and off the field

DANE Swan was never far away from the action on the field. He also has a reel of endless highlights off it. Here are some of his best moments.

Jimmy Bartel will grow beard for entire 2016 AFL season to raise awareness about domestic violence

JIMMY Bartel is growing a beard throughout the 2016 AFL season in a bid to raise awareness and increase the conversation around domestic violence. We’re going to track his progress.

Richmond’s Sam Lloyd kicked the winner after the siren, something even champions have failed to do

WHERE does Sam Lloyd’s bomb to win Richmond the game on Saturday night rate among the great after-the-siren winners? THE HITS AND THE MISSES

What did Lance Franklin, Dane Swan, Dustin Martin and Nathan Jones look like before the tattoos

DO you remember Dane Swan without tattoos? How many did Dustin Martin have on his first day at Punt Road?

Trade News

Analysis: Cats, Blues, Pies win in trades

ON THE surface it appears Carlton are big losers of the trade period but delve deeper and you’ll see different. GARY BUCKENARA’S ANALYSIS AND TOP 5 TRADE PERFORMERS

Trade report card: Winners and losers

GEELONG and Collingwood have been praised for their trades but what do we make of the Blues? See every deal and draft pick and replay Gary Buckenara’s live chat.

Tigers frustrated by Yarran standoff

A GAME of cat and mouse forced Richmond to wait until the final 30 minutes of the trade period to secure a deal for Chris Yarran.

Essendon

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