AFL
Battle for Eagles spots heats up
THE battle for positions among a healthy West Coast squad has started in earnest ahead of the club’s JLT Community Series opener against early premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney on February 18.
Recovery Eagles mid Duggan suffers pre-season hamstring injury
WEST Coast young gun Liam Duggan has been removed from full training after a minor pre-season setback.
Fresh faces No Gaz in new-look Suns leadership group
FORMER captain Gary Ablett has been left out of the Gold Coast Suns’ 2017 leadership group, which has been reduced to a seven-man team.
Deep analysis Max-imising your SuperCoach rucks
SUPERCOACH analyst Peter Higginbotham drills down on the impact the AFL’s ban on the 3rd man up in ruck contests will have in 2017 — and why one man is more valuable than ever.
Knee ops Roos not concerned about injured forwards
NORTH Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell concedes injuries to tall forwards Majak Daw and Ben Brown aren’t ideal but remains hopeful they will be ready for the pre-season competition.
Trent Dumont Charges dropped against AFL rising star
A ROBBERY charge against rising AFL star Trent Dumont and one of his friends has been dropped mid trial.
Expert Opinion
Dogs snare Tweedie as late rookie addition
WESTERN Bulldogs have signed former Hawthorn next generation academy youngster Tristan Tweedie, who slotted six goals in Round 1 before breaking down with injury.
Desire takes younger Clarke a long way
DYLAN Clarke describes it as the toughest pre-season running session he’s ever done, but his work ethic convinced Essendon to swoop on him in the national draft.
No limits as Blues grab a rookie steal
CARLTON has nabbed a steal in the rookie draft in a player Gary Buckenara had rated inside his top 50 draft talents and list boss Stephen Silvagni says Blues fans should have renewed hope.
‘I play like Cyril’: Rioli’s stunning makeover
WEST Coast recruit Willie Rioli boasts a bloodline of football royalty, but it wasn’t until he burned off the kilos that his AFL dream became a reality.
Silvagni more than a name for Blues
CARLTON has enlisted another Silvagni to help bolster its young backline after picking up former Fremantle defender Alex in the rookie draft.
Rookie draft: Who did your club pick?
ESSENDON has given Shaun McKernan another chance, Drew Petrie has an AFL lifeline and there is another Silvagni at Carlton. But not every hopeful found a home. SEE PROFILES OF EVERY PICK
‘I did it for my family and my mob’
NEW draftees are typically a little nervous. Shy, even. Not Collingwood recruit Kayle Kirby who spoke of his pride at getting drafted and representing his community.
Brown, Daicos to forge own paths
COLLINGWOOD father-son recruits Josh Daicos and Callum Brown are conscious of carving their own legacy as they prepare for “inevitable” pressure.
From Grand Final to AFL scrapheap
XAVIER Richards’ decision to walk out on Sydney has backfired spectacularly, with the Grand Final utility left without an AFL club after the rookie draft.
Video: Howe who? Meet Mitch Hannan
MELBOURNE fans, meet Mitch Hannan. The high-flying forward drafted on Friday night that might make you forget all about Jeremy Howe.
New Dog Young ‘stoked’
STURT forward Lewis Young only scraped into the national draft by 11 days and now he’s suddenly joining the AFL’s reigning premier the Western Bulldogs.
Top picks to own QClash spotlight
TOP draft picks Hugh McCluggage and Ben Ainsworth are set to engage in a career-long duel that will fuel QClash contests for years to come.
Dream come true for Brown, Daicos
COLLINGWOOD father-son recruits Callum Brown and Josh Daicos couldn’t be happier to join the club at which their fathers are champions in a dream come true scenario. WATCH THEIR REACTIONS
McGrath can be part of Bombers revival
ESSENDON believes No.1 draft pick Andy McGrath can walk into its best 22 next season along with the 10 superstars returning from drug bans. SEE THE TOP 10
Rewards go way beyond money
THE AFL’S women’s league won’t make players rich anytime soon. The real pay-off is building something bigger, stronger and more lucrative, says Crows co-captain Chelsea Randall. Replay Chelsea’s live blog here.
The day Lleyton considered shock sport switch
LLEYTON Hewitt will go down as one of Australia’s greatest tennis players. But it’s been revealed that he also could’ve been remembered as an Adelaide Crows traitor.
‘Women kicking balls, I’d like to see that’
IF the AFLW’s new ad is a guide, the historic first season is going to be eye-catching with a recreation of the iconic 1990s “I’d like to see that commercial”.
Sons of Lions guns push their draft case
SEVERAL sons of Lions guns have descended on the club’s academy this week as they push their respective cases to be drafted onto an AFL club list.
Murphy supported Gibbs’ trade move
IN a wideranging interview, Carlton skipper Marc Murphy spoke about great mate Bryce Gibbs’ bid to leave the club, his own efforts to silence critics and the excitement over a young Blue.
Venue switch an early win for Blues
CARLTON has had its first victory in the AFL Women’s league, winning an extra home game at the expense of arch rival Collingwood.
Venue switch an early win for Blues
CARLTON has had its first victory in the AFL Women’s league, winning an extra home game at the expense of arch rival Collingwood.
‘Women kicking balls, I’d like to see that’
IF the AFLW’s new ad is a guide, the historic first season is going to be eye-catching with a recreation of the iconic 1990s “I’d like to see that commercial”.
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.
Fyfe ominous as Freo flags 2017 intentions
NAT Fyfe’s bid to return to his elite best form has gathered further momentum, with the superstar on-baller impressing as Fremantle commenced training in 2017.
What your club must improve for 2017
THERE can be only one winner but each club will spend pre-season working on its shortcomings from last season. Here’s what your club needs to work on over summer.
Motlop shows off leaner physique
GEELONG livewire Steven Motlop is in the best shape of his career as he attempts to bounce back from last year’s form and fitness woes.
Tomahawk family celebrates first baby
SEE THE FIRST PICTURE: Geelong star forward Tom Hawkins and wife Emma have announced the birth of their first baby.
Ablett’s Gold Coast home up for sale
SPECULATION that champion Gary Ablett will leave the Suns at the end of 2017 is set to soar with news the 32-year-old has put his Gold Coast house on the market.
What your club must improve for 2017
THERE can be only one winner but each club will spend pre-season working on its shortcomings from last season. Here’s what your club needs to work on over summer.
De Boer, Mzungu in Giant revival
THERE were questions when GWS signed Fremantle duo Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu but they “won’t be making up the numbers” at their new club.
Thunder can build a westie wonderland
VICTORY over Adelaide will keep the Sydney Thunder’s Big Bash League hopes alive - and potentially kickstart what could be a glorious year for the sporting codes out west.
Comeback forward to lead Hawks
JARRYD Roughead will captain Hawthorn in 2017 in an extraordinary leadership handover from incumbent Luke Hodge.
Roughead reveals football return hopes
JARRYD Roughead is back — and the champion Hawthorn forward has revealed his hopes of a speedy return to competitive football.
‘Women kicking balls, I’d like to see that’
IF the AFLW’s new ad is a guide, the historic first season is going to be eye-catching with a recreation of the iconic 1990s “I’d like to see that commercial”.
Women players are tough and ready
IT was our first look at AFLW in match mode when Carlton hosted a practice game against Melbourne and ELIZA SEWELL answers the burning questions.
‘Higgo has a massive head ... and snapped’
VIDEO: WHEN North Melbourne pair Luke McDonald and Shaun Higgins tangled at pre-season training, Andrew Swallow had a hilarious explanation.
Boomer shows young Roos the way
SHOWING no signs of slowing down, club legend Brent Harvey has joined North Melbourne young brigade as the mercury hit 35 degrees on Tuesday.
The day Lleyton considered shock sport switch
LLEYTON Hewitt will go down as one of Australia’s greatest tennis players. But it’s been revealed that he also could’ve been remembered as an Adelaide Crows traitor.
Port Adelaide 2017 SuperCoach preview
IT was another year to forget down at Port Adelaide with several big names failing to stand up, which may make it hard for you to find SuperCoach value, says The Phantom.
Footy’s newest nicknames revealed
PIGEON, Daryl and Fridge. Catch up on the new nicknames of your club’s recruits and the hilarious and sometimes baffling stories behind them.
The top 10 most-read sport stories of 2016
THE AFL grand final, drug scandals, player retirements and Garry Lyon dominated the online sporting agenda in 2016. Here are the top 10 stories our readers clicked on.
The returning Saint who’s all grown up
AFTER a year away from St Kilda, Jake Carlisle is a changed man, according to a teammate, and is primed to reassert his influence on the AFL in 2017.
Luckless Saint powering towards 2017 debut
NATHAN Freeman’s desperate bid to make his long-awaited AFL debut is on track, with the St Kilda on-baller continuing to produce strong training results.
Xavier Richards finally finds a new club
XAVIER Richards walked away from a Sydney Swans contract in October. Now he has finally signed with another club, but it wasn’t what he had in mind.
The top 10 most-read sport stories of 2016
THE AFL grand final, drug scandals, player retirements and Garry Lyon dominated the online sporting agenda in 2016. Here are the top 10 stories our readers clicked on.
What your club must improve for 2017
THERE can be only one winner but each club will spend pre-season working on its shortcomings from last season. Here’s what your club needs to work on over summer.
Your club’s 2016 Christmas wish
FROM scandal free seasons to finals hopes or something as simple as a viable game plan. The AFL’s clubs have a big wishlist for Santa.
‘Women kicking balls, I’d like to see that’
IF the AFLW’s new ad is a guide, the historic first season is going to be eye-catching with a recreation of the iconic 1990s “I’d like to see that commercial”.
Flag heartbreak driving Wallis
MITCH Wallis has declared the Bulldogs’ breakthrough premiership is driving him and his luckless comrades who also missed the grand feat.
