AFL
Why Mayne man’s time at Freo was up
MOVING across the Nullarbor was a “daunting experience” for Chris Mayne. But after what he endured in 2016, it was a move that needed to happen.
Free agent Fyfe: Captaincy won’t change contract call
NAT Fyfe says being named captain ‘doesn’t change anything’ in relation to his free agency decision and has welcomed the ‘chaos’ of constant contract speculation.
Round 3 AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
THE Western Bulldogs have been dealt a major blow ahead of their clash against Melbourne while GWS has regained a marquee midfield. SEE THE TEAMS
JLT Squads Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
WESTERN Bulldogs have named Bob Murphy and Travis Cloke for its opening JLT Community Series game while a host of teams showcase their young talent.
JLT Series Mackenzie to captain young Eagles
WEST Coast defender Eric Mackenzie will take the first important step on the road back into his club’s best 22 when he leads the Eagles in their JLT Community Series game against GWS at Narrandera on Saturday.
New deal ‘Mum wanted me to come home’
ST KILDA ruckman Tom Hickey has resisted the pull of home — and defied his mum — to sign a two-year contract extension.
Court allegations Bombers rookie released from contract
ESSENDON rookie Yestin Eades will return home to WA to deal with a matter before the courts after he was released from his playing contract.
Launch pad Your club’s player to watch in JLT series
IT HAS been a long summer. And with the JLT Community Series starting on Thursday, these are the players you must keep an eye on from your club.
AFLW Video: Pacemaker McCarthy’s five-bounce stunner
BRISBANE midfielder Kate McCarthy has given a whole new meaning to pacemaker, with a running goal that sent tongues wagging against Collingwood.
Thumbs up Still got it: Dogs nail first banner for 2017
THE AFL’s reigning premiers are also the reigning premiers of creative banners. And Bob Murphy was greeted with an absolute classic for his return game.
Midfield star Parker turns the page on 2016
HEADING into his seventh year at Sydney, midfield star Luke Parker did something completely different this pre-season — he read a book.
Expert Opinion
Jon Ralph Only one way to avoid coaching ‘death spiral’
AS SOON as players smell blood, it’s all over for a senior coach, according to a man who knows exactly what Damien Hardwick and Nathan Buckley are going through.
Mark Robinson Amazing opener heralds new dawn
THE AFL wanted groundbreaking from the first ever women’s match for premiership points. It got something even better, writes MARK ROBINSON.
Cameron Mooney Put Jimmy selection talk to bed now
CHRIS Scott has had the chance time and again over the last fortnight to put the Jimmy Bartel debate to bed. That hasn’t happened, writes CAMERON MOONEY.
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
Sloane out with fractured eye socket
CROWS star Rory Sloane will miss the Adelaide Crows pre-season games and undergo surgery after fracturing an eye socket at training today.
AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
THE Western Bulldogs have been dealt a major blow ahead of their clash against Melbourne while GWS has regained a marquee midfield. SEE THE TEAMS
Finals disaster still burns for Sloane
FIVE months after a semi-final loss to Sydney which made his “blood boil”, Rory Sloane says the anger is gone but he hasn’t forgotten the lessons of defeat.
- Inspired Crows hungry for success
- Flawless pre-season sets up Tex for big 2017
- Moment I realised AFLW is about more than us
- Lynch to help lead by example
- Betts, Lynch added to Crows leadership
- Crows playing for GF hosting rights
- Perkins proving a point for Crows
- Re-live: Crows set for flag favouritism
- Luckless Crows mid suffers injury setback
McCarthy the star as Lions down Pies
BRISBANE’s Kate McCarthy was electric in her team’s four-point win over Collingwood to keep its unbeaten start to the AFLW in tact, kicking an incredible goal.
Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
MELBOURNE captain Daisy Pearce and forward Alyssa Mifsud have lead the Demons to a big win over the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. RECAP
Zorko returns to old stomping ground
THINGS have certainly changed for Brisbane star Dayne Zorko since the last time he kicked a ball in anger at Kombumerri Oval, Broadbeach.
- Who wins battle of sporting dynasties?
- AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
- Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
- Lions poach Suns talent expert
- Lions brace for AFLW fan crush
- Lions’ hilarious Valentine’s Day stitch up
- What the lady Lions need now
- Young gun Lion, Demon named Rising Stars
- VIDEO: Harris’s huge match-sealing mark
AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
THE Western Bulldogs have been dealt a major blow ahead of their clash against Melbourne while GWS has regained a marquee midfield. SEE THE TEAMS
Blues undefeated, Dees claim first win
MELBOURNE has stormed home to claim its first win of the AFLW season after Carlton came from behind to beat GWS. Re-live the day here!
Trust got Blues home, says Arnell
TRUST is Carlton’s greatest asset and paid dividends in the team’s hard-fought win on Saturday, skipper Lauren Arnell believes.
- Simpson craves success before the end
- Blues escape the clutches of hungry Giants
- Blues’ top pick to miss pre-season
- Gibbs ‘here for business’ as Blues move on
- AFLW Teams: Dockers to debut Olympian
- Game move sets up AFLW double-header
- Cult figure adds leadership role to his bow
- Blues star rocked by Twitter hacking
- Ex-Matilda declares: Footy’s No.1 for me
McCarthy the star as Lions down Pies
BRISBANE’s Kate McCarthy was electric in her team’s four-point win over Collingwood to keep its unbeaten start to the AFLW in tact, kicking an incredible goal.
Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
MELBOURNE captain Daisy Pearce and forward Alyssa Mifsud have lead the Demons to a big win over the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. RECAP
Luckless Sinclair set for surgery
BEN Sinclair just can’t catch a break. The defender will undergo surgery on his left hamstring after injuring it in his side’s JLT win against Essendon.
- Can’t take a trick: Luckless Pie struck down
- VIDEO: Umpires got deliberate wrong
- Woosha rapt with banned Bombers
- Plenty to smile about for Bucks
- AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
- Pies sink Bombers in JLT opener
- Casey apologises for brutal bump
- After 8622 days Daicos wait is over
- McGuire promises to repay fans’ faith
Heppell admits to nerves in return
NEW Essendon captain Dyson Heppell was one of the Bombers’ best in their preseason opener against Collingwood but he admits he was very nervous ahead of his return from doping ban.
VIDEO: Umpires got deliberate wrong
THE AFL has tried to help players get their heads around the new crackdown on deliberate rushed behinds, but it seems the umpires also need assistance.
Woosha rapt with banned Bombers
ESSENDON coach John Worsfold was all positive after last night’s first JLT Series game while Nathan Buckley laments his first injury of the year.
- Jobe polished, poised in return
- Goddard not backing down on Fitzpatrick whack
- Pies sink Bombers in JLT opener
- Bombers rookie released from contract
- Return a ‘pretty exciting time’ for Hurley
- Goddard’s crack at departing chairman
- Bombers big guns back, key Pies rested
- Ankle blow for young Bomber
- The mystery of Jobe’s medal solved
GWS, Freo play out historic AFLW draw
BOTH GWS and Fremantle are yet to register their first win of the AFLW season but have made history by playing out the competition’s first ever draw on Saturday.
Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
MELBOURNE captain Daisy Pearce and forward Alyssa Mifsud have lead the Demons to a big win over the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. RECAP
Shorts confusion forces GWS costume change
GWS has been forced to change shorts mid-match after both the Giants and their opponents Fremantle ran out for their AFLW clash in similar attire.
- AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
- Fyfe: Captaincy won’t change contract call
- Lions unbeaten as Freo slump to second loss
- AFLW Teams: Dockers to debut Olympian
- Ross rules luckless Docker out of Round 1
- Dogs run riot to stake flag claim
- Do these Dogs need a new song?
- AFLW teams: Round 1 line-ups revealed
- Cripps says trade rumour is ‘pretty funny’
Cats add to history of worst jumpers
VOTE: IF public opinion is to be believed Geelong has added another chapter to the worst guernseys in AFL history. CHECK OUT THE CONTENDERS
Roughy: ‘This is a small step’
HAWTHORN have won a close battle against Geelong after the Cats fought back strongly in the second half. Jaegar O’Meara impressed and Jarryd Roughead kicked an early goal. RECAP
Roughy, Jaeger in for Hawks, Danger fit
FULL SQUADS: Hawthorn names Jarryd Roughead and Jaeger O’Meara for its pre-season clash against Geelong, which has included Patrick Dangerfield.
- I knew it was the last time: Enright
- Cats move early to lock in Scott
- Jimmy Bartel’s car ‘crushed’
- Dangerfields expecting first child
- Motlop shows off leaner physique
- Tomahawk family celebrates first baby
- Footy’s newest nicknames revealed
- What your club must improve for 2017
- Thurlow stronger, Selwood flying for Cats
Bigger Bowes ready for JLT debut
HE has been one of Queensland’s most decorated juniors of recent times and now a bigger, stronger Jack Bowes is ready to play against the big boys.
Barlow out to impress in Suns debut
HE is a veteran of 129 games but Gold Coast recruit Michael Barlow will take the mindset of a first-year player into his debut for the Suns against Brisbane.
Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
WESTERN Bulldogs have named Bob Murphy and Travis Cloke for its opening JLT Community Series game while a host of teams showcase their young talent.
- Gold Coast wants Swallow to wing it
- Suns lock up young gun Martin
- Suns go from tin shed to ‘a fair dinkum club’
- Suns confident of keeping star trio
- The star forwards Rocket thinks Gaz can emulate
- No Gaz in new-look Suns leadership group
- Ablett’s Gold Coast home up for sale
- What your club must improve for 2017
- Your club’s 2016 Christmas wish
GWS, Freo play out historic AFLW draw
BOTH GWS and Fremantle are yet to register their first win of the AFLW season but have made history by playing out the competition’s first ever draw on Saturday.
Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
MELBOURNE captain Daisy Pearce and forward Alyssa Mifsud have lead the Demons to a big win over the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. RECAP
Shorts confusion forces GWS costume change
GWS has been forced to change shorts mid-match after both the Giants and their opponents Fremantle ran out for their AFLW clash in similar attire.
- Giants to own spotlight across three codes
- AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
- Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
- Blues undefeated, Dees claim first win
- Blues escape the clutches of hungry Giants
- ANZ Stadium still in play for finals
- AFLW high standard ‘no surprise’
- Giants marquee hamstrung again
- AFLW Teams: Dockers to debut Olympian
Mitchell sets sights on leadership role
HAWTHORN recruit Tom Mitchell has set his sights on a leadership role at his new club as he hopes to be ready to make his first appearance as a Hawk in the second preseason game.
‘Cooked’ Roughy glad to be back
ON-FIELD niceties can be few and far between in football, but Jarryd Roughead was heartened by the reception he received from his opponents on Friday night.
Roughy: ‘This is a small step’
HAWTHORN have won a close battle against Geelong after the Cats fought back strongly in the second half. Jaegar O’Meara impressed and Jarryd Roughead kicked an early goal. RECAP
- Roughy, Jaeger in for Hawks, Danger fit
- AFL rule tweak helps Hawks sign Kenyan-born ruck
- Expectations still high for revamped Hawks
- Jaeger, Roughy shine in Hawks hit-out
- ‘He’s probably the most competitive I’ve seen’
- The ‘genius’ Clarko move Tigers failed to make
- Roughy ready to lead new-look Hawks
- Comeback forward to lead Hawks
- Roughead reveals football return hopes
Pearce leads Demons to win over Dogs
DAISY Pearce has led Melbourne to a crucial win over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, a victory that keeps the Demons’ AFLW season alive.
Win over Dogs just the start for Dees
NEW Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has labelled Saturday’s performance against the Western Bulldogs a good “starting point” for how his side wants to play in 2017.
Downie determined to come back stronger
MEG Downie has emerged from one of the toughest weeks of her life unbeaten and determined to pull on the red and blue of Melbourne next AFLW season.
- Flag hangover or a side on the rise?
- Still got it: Dogs nail first banner for 2017
- Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
- Dogs, Dees honour women’s footy pioneers
- AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
- Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
- Casey apologises for brutal bump
- KO’d Dee to miss season, but for different injury
- Young gun Lion, Demon named Rising Stars
Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
WESTERN Bulldogs have named Bob Murphy and Travis Cloke for its opening JLT Community Series game while a host of teams showcase their young talent.
Daw: ‘We don’t all commit crime’
WITH Victoria in the grip of a youth crime crisis, AFL rising star Majak Daw has spoken of the power of football in breaking down barriers and the stigma surrounding young people in the Sudanese community.
Ziebell urges Daw to grab his chance
NORTH Melbourne will look to give versatile big man Majak Daw more opportunity this year after he was dropped on four separate occasions last season.
- Young Roos fire in spiteful intra-club
- Premiership pain to drive Hrovat
- Hrovat shines, Roos’ gen next on show
- More injury bad luck for Anderson
- Kangaroos, AFL mourn premiership star
- Roos not concerned about injured forwards
- ‘Higgo has a massive head ... and snapped’
- Boomer shows young Roos the way
- Daw gets positive update on knee injury
Suns to wear China colours against Power
GOLD Coast will wear its traditional red and gold guernsey - the national colours of China - when it plays Port Adelaide in Shanghai.
Port has no regret for putting China first
PORT Adelaide is making no apologies and nor does it have any regrets for putting its China experiment ahead of establishing an AFL women’s team — which remains a long-term dream.
Port boss helps highlight a big issue
PORT Adelaide is usually trying to sell memberships — but Power chief executive Keith Thomas took time out to help one of the club’s members sell something important to them.
- Wingard calls for more indigenous support
- Grand slam champ considered AFL career
- The day Lleyton considered shock sport switch
- Port Adelaide 2017 SuperCoach preview
- What your club must improve for 2017
- Your club’s 2016 Christmas wish
- Who is leading the membership race?
- Who is leading the membership race?
- ‘AFL looks foolish, stop ruining the game’
Cotchin lifts lid on Tiger team photo
LASER-like focus is the hallmark of Richmond player preparation — for their team photo, at least. All is revealed in a sneaky video by skipper Trent Cotchin.
Tigers committed to game plan revamp
IT’S early days but there were positive vibes at Richmond’s intra-club with Dion Prestia excellent again and Ben Lennon starting to live up to his promise. SEE THE PICTURES
Caddy, Prestia shine in Tiger colours
LONG-suffering Richmond fans got out of bed early in the morning in the hope of seeing three things from the Tigers’ intra-club hit-out, and that’s what they got. PICS + VIDEO
- Dion nominates veteran Tiger for promotion
- Rance: We’re here to support Dusty
- Riewoldt leading from the front again
- Pies star gives Tigers some Dusty advice
- Jack ready to be an unofficial leader
- The ‘genius’ Clarko move Tigers failed to make
- Martin puts contract talks on hold
- Riewoldt, Prestia step up training
- Footy’s newest nicknames revealed
Draftee upstages Saints stars
JAKE Carlisle took another step towards his AFL return and Jack Billings starred but it was a second-round draft pick who stole the spotlight in St Kilda’s intra-club. SEE THE PICS
‘Mum wanted me to come home’
ST KILDA ruckman Tom Hickey has resisted the pull of home — and defied his mum — to sign a two-year contract extension.
Brown gets ‘kick up the bum’ he needed
ST KILDA recruit Nathan Brown is loving life at his new club and the ex-Collingwood full back says his off-season move has been the “kick up the bum” he needed to reinvigorate his career.
- The returning Saint who’s all grown up
- Luckless Saint powering towards 2017 debut
- What your club must improve for 2017
- Your club’s 2016 Christmas wish
- Who is leading the membership race?
- ‘AFL looks foolish, stop ruining the game’
- Saints marching to 2017 success
- Bulldogs inspire Saints to dream
- Saints ‘buzzing’ for finals charge
Parker turns the page on 2016
HEADING into his seventh year at Sydney, midfield star Luke Parker did something completely different this pre-season — he read a book.
Buddy set for pre-season comeback
LANCE Franklin’s recovery from shoulder surgery is near complete, with Sydney confirming his participation in the AFL’s pre-season competition.
Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
WESTERN Bulldogs have named Bob Murphy and Travis Cloke for its opening JLT Community Series game while a host of teams showcase their young talent.
- ANZ Stadium still in play for finals
- Swans and Reid sizzle in intra-club game
- Alcohol ban lifting Swan to the top
- Why Jack really gave up Swans captaincy
- Deadlock could’ve cost ex-Swan career: Longmire
- Tim Watson’s awkward Buddy wedding moment
- Swans coach’s message to umpiring department
- Why we don’t have full-time umpires
- Swans young gun placed on long-term injury list
Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
MELBOURNE captain Daisy Pearce and forward Alyssa Mifsud have lead the Demons to a big win over the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. RECAP
Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
WESTERN Bulldogs have named Bob Murphy and Travis Cloke for its opening JLT Community Series game while a host of teams showcase their young talent.
Nic Nat may not return in 2017
STAR West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui has detailed his mental battle after a knee reconstruction and admits he might not return to the field until 2018.
- ‘Absolutely no excuses’ for Eagles pair
- What your club must improve for 2017
- Your club’s 2016 Christmas wish
- Who is leading the membership race?
- Eagles will be fine without me: Nic Nat
- ‘AFL looks foolish, stop ruining the game’
- Ricciardo trains with Eagles, denies Mercedes move
- 2017 will be the year of the Giants
- Top players deserve to cash in like Gill
Pearce leads Demons to win over Dogs
DAISY Pearce has led Melbourne to a crucial win over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, a victory that keeps the Demons’ AFLW season alive.
Flag hangover or a side on the rise?
THAT is the big question after Melbourne secured a hard-fought six point win over the Western Bulldogs in its JLT Community Series opener.
‘He can be a game-wrecker’
THERE was plenty of talk in the lead up but Travis Cloke wasted no time showing exactly what he’s made of in his first outing for the Western Bulldogs.
- Still got it: Dogs nail first banner for 2017
- Dogs sweat on Roughead’s knee
- Pearce, Mifsud lead Demons to win
- Dogs, Dees honour women’s footy pioneers
- AFLW teams: Dogs lose Brennan to injury
- Bob’s back, North, Eagles, Swans go young
- Facial surgery won’t stop Picken
- Wood slams gambling in the AFL
- Re-live: Crows set for flag favouritism