On night one of the new season, it doesn't really matter who is playing, only that after the long phoney war, someone is. Richmond and Carlton it has become, because they are notionally grand rivals. But they haven't really been contemporaneous contenders since Kevin Bartlett's heyday, and he is now 70 and newly cast in bronze at the MCG. Nonetheless, more than 73,000 came for their fix.
Playing a style of football as bold as the new shade of yellow on their jumper, Richmond began a fork-in-the-road season with a win over a Carlton side that provided a fair share of excitement too, as well as a brief scare for Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has suggested that club great Jimmy Bartel did not handle contract negotiations perfectly during his final year at the club.
There will be a mix of the old and the new for Essendon in their captivating round one clash against Hawthorn with No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath joining six previously banned Bombers in the line-up.
AFL season 2017: Round one teams
Forgotten West Coast defender Eric Mackenzie is back in favour at the Eagles with the backman picked for the round one clash against the Roos at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
There will be a mix of the old and the new for Essendon in their captivating round one clash against Hawthorn with No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath joining six previously banned Bombers in the line-up.
The Western Bulldogs are holding their ground as the only AFL club unwilling to share GPS data with rivals.
Sam Naismith has won the Swans ruck battle, Kieren Jack is fit and Oliver Florent will debut against the Power.
The myth-busting dominance of Brisbane, undefeated AFLW grand finalists despite a lowly pre-season rating, has continued at the All Australian selection table.
Essendon vice-captain Zach Merrett believes his club can contend for the 2017 AFL premiership, following the fairytale story of the Western Bulldogs last year.
AFL powerhouse Hawthorn must pay $66,838 to charity for operating poker machines without a gambling licence.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says it will take a few games to gauge whether the players are psychologically switched on.
Luke Breust has put a stressful post-season behind him by turning his back on free agency and signing a brand new four-year contract with Hawthorn.
The 2017 AFL premiership season is just hours away from kicking off and it appears as though "new" will be the theme of the opening round.
Ex-Fremantle utility Tendai Mzungu is on the verge of making an earlier-than-expected debut for the Giants.
Footy's back for 2017! Officially. The home-and-away season begins with the traditional Carlton v Richmond clash at the MCG.
Ground staff are working furiously to get the Etihad Stadium surface ready in time for the ground's AFL season-opener.
More police will be patrolling the MCG for Thursday night's AFL season opener following the terror attack in London.
The scary thing about the Western Bulldogs is that, on paper, they are categorically a better team than last year. But how prepared are they mentally for season 2017?
The AFL has imposed a significant rule change for the inaugural women's grand final, mandating time-on after points and for out of bounds for the first time all season.
AFL is well and truly under way for 2017 - the heat is on for coaches and we haven't even bounced a ball yet.
Former ASADA boss Richard Ings has weighed into the debate surrounding West Coast's 2006 premiership win.
Carlton is pondering handing a third youngster his AFL debut ahead of tonight's season-opener against Richmond at the MCG.
Supporters are being slugged more for reserved seats in the opening round of the AFL under the dynamic pricing system.
On cusp of the 2017 season opener, a crack (pot) panel assembled by WAtoday.com.au gazes into the crystal ball and comes up with some (hopefully) insightful and entertaining predictions for what promises to be another intriguing AFL season.
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Befitting the dawn of a new season, Carlton and Richmond will unveil a combined eight fresh faces when they clash in Thursday night's season opener at the MCG.
Round one is only days away and with the Western Bulldogs set to face Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, new Dog Travis Cloke won't have to wait very long to face his old side.
After 403 games – 200 at the MCG – Kevin Bartlett is immortalised on the MCG's Avenue of Legends.
The beauty about being a fan is knowing the legion of doubters have got it absolutely, completely, totally wrong.
Toby Nankervis will play his first senior game as a Tiger on Thursday night but after just a few pre-season games he is already a fan – and coach and player – favourite.
The last epic showdown between Brownlow medallists Nat Fyfe and Patrick Dangerfield set tongues wagging around the AFL - well everyone's except Fremantle coach Ross Lyon it seems.
Introducing The Age Real Footy Podcast, a brand new weekly show that will take a look at all the biggest news and issues in football.
With all of the intrigue and speculation surrounding Richmond's leadership group in the build up to round one, Carlton's high profile captain has flown under the radar.
Brendon Lade is returning to Port Adelaide after seven years as an assistant coach at AFL rivals Richmond.
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.
Melbourne great David Schwarz says the potential defection of Jesse Hogan would not be "as catastrophic" now as it would have been last year.
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.
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.
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