Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
So, here we are again – the Tigers on a five-game surge to start the season. The last time they began this well was 1995: back then they made a preliminary final. This year, who knows? Could they? Might they? Or are they not that good?
Mature-age forward Tim Smith remains in hospital with a punctured lung and ruckman Jake Spencer faces shoulder surgery as the Demons deal with the fall-out of a third-straight defeat.
Richmond coach praises team's ability to remain unfazed in tough times ahead of a tough challenge against the Crows on Sunday.
Join us for live coverage as the Tigers host the Demons at the MCG.
When Alastair Clarkson returned to work in the first week of January of 2014, he addressed his players - just months removed from a second premiership for many of that group - in the club's lecture theatre.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says the focus on injured recruit Jaeger O'Meara has been "mind boggling", insisting the trade for the former Gold Coast Sun should be judged only in the long term.
Geelong coach Chris Scott says more debate is needed over protecting the man on the mark.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson expects Hawthorn to "bounce back" - although many Saints supporters will be hoping that's not the case.
St Kilda midfielder David Armitage may require surgery on his groin after complaining of soreness following last weekend's win over Collingwood.
One of the great modern rivalries is over. The last time Hawthorn lost by a bigger margin to Geelong was in 1937.
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