Kevin Sheedy delivers a football half-century of distinction

In more than 1000 games and 50 years' involvement with league football, Kevin Sheedy has had a long roll call of memorable moments. For him, however, the most significant didn't even happen during a game.

The Staker incident: Hall sorry 'a thousand times over'

Barry Hall and Brent Staker admit they still feel uncomfortable watching footage of that infamous punch in 2008, which has cast long shadows on both men's AFL careers.

Will Schofield's eagle-eyed mum helped to beat the tribunal

"Mum probably studied about eighteen hours of tape and there's about 20 seconds of vision so put that into your calculators!"

AFL appeals Houli's 'manifestly inadequate' penalty

• UPDATED

The AFL has taken the unprecedented step of appealing against its own tribunal's decision to give Bachar Houli a discounted two-match ban because of his impeccable character for the intentional strike that knocked out Carlton's Jed Lamb.

Blues tagger out with bruised larynx

Adelaide star Rory Sloane's task of returning to form has been made easier after Carlton's No. 1 tagger was ruled out of the Blues' clash with the Crows on Saturday at the MCG.

Swans ready for fierce test against injury hit Demons

Melbourne's dwindling forward stocks have left Sydney with a selection quandary heading into the crucial clash at the MCG.

Houli deserved longer ban - Johnson

Giants forward Steve Johnson believes Bachar Houli's two-match ban for striking Jed Lamb is not long enough.

It's absurd the PM's words helped get Houli's suspension cut

• COMMENT

There's no question Houli is an outstanding character. But two weeks for deliberately hitting someone and knocking them out?

Watts, Garlett ruled out for Demons

In-form Melbourne will be without Jack Watts and Jeff Garlett as they fight for a spot in the top four against Sydney at the MCG on Friday night.

No ceiling for Bombers, says Worsfold

Essendon expect key position star Cale Hooker to return this Sunday against Brisbane, as coach John Worsfold refuses to put a limit on what the Bombers can achieve this season.

Lyon: Freo tried to turn Bennell into Superman

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon admits the club may have pushed Harley Bennell too hard earlier this season, saying they were trying to turn him into AFL's version of Superman.

Stevie J ready for clash with Cats

​Greater Western Sydney veteran Steve Johnson expects Geelong captain Joel Selwood will be fit for Saturday's crunch clash that will shape the AFL's top four.

Gold Coast's Gary Ablett is not the best player to ever play AFL: Hardie

There are some people in the industry saying Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett is the best 300-plus game player to ever play in the VFL/AFL.

Watts, Garlett ruled out for Demons

In-form Melbourne will be without Jack Watts and Jeff Garlett as they fight for a spot in the top four against Sydney at the MCG on Friday night.

Fyfe and Sandilands set to return for St Kilda clash on Sunday

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has baulked at a guarantee that rising young star Sean Darcy will hold his Dockers starting berth, with a return of champion ruckman Aaron Sandilands for Sunday's clash with St Kilda in Perth.

MRP's Nathan Burke unhappy with character discount for Houli

References from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Waleed Aly were a key part of the jury's penalty deliberations, much to the consternation of AFL match review panel member Nathan Burke.

Houli penalty halved thanks to PM and Waleed Aly

• UPDATED

Character references from Malcolm Turnbull and Waleed Aly persuade the AFL tribunal to halve the Tiger's penalty for knocking out Carlton's Jed Lamb.

Schofield wins challenge for strike on Oliver, found not guilty

The AFL tribunal has found West Coast defender Will Schofield not guilty of striking Melbourne's Clayton Oliver.

Collingwood: The puzzle that no one can solve

• Podcast

Our AFL experts tackle Collingwood and Scott Pendlebury's 250th, diving and elbows, and the battle between Melbourne and Sydney's midfield "bulls".

Buddy urged to keep the faith during lean goalkicking run

Lance Franklin has been urged by a former goalkicking great to continue taking long-range shots despite his accuracy this season dipping to the lowest point of his career.

Come dine with me: what's on the menu at Gillon's house?

It might not be glitz and glamour and there won't be a blue carpet, but have no doubt, Tuesday night in late June is set to be the biggest date on the AFL calendar this year.

Clubs 10 times more likely to increase ticket prices

Clubs are 10 times more likely to raise ticket prices under the AFL's controversial pricing system, according to an AFL Fans Association investigation.

Experts pick the grand finalists - take 2

Who'll play off in September? Our experts reconsider their pre-season predictions.

New deal imminent for Suns gun May

The AFL's bumper pay deal is having an immediate impact, with Gold Coast's Steven May set to become the latest player to extend his contract.

Baby Hawks are ready to fly: Gunston

Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston says that despite the Hawks languishing in 16th position on the ladder, the future of the club is in good hands with the side's young crop performing well on the big stage this year.

West Coast to challenge Schofield ban

West Coast will take defender Will Schofield's controversial striking charge to the AFL tribunal.

Walker signs 3-year extension with Crows

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker has signed a three-year contract extension, extending his stint at the AFL club until at least the end of the 2021 season.

Ebert, Hombsch re-sign for Power

Port Adelaide have locked away tough midfielder Brad Ebert and key defender Jack Hombsch on new AFL deals.

Tom Boyd to return via VFL

Western Bulldogs premiership hero Tom Boyd is set to return via the VFL as he makes his way back from calf tightness.

Old McDonald? What should Dees do with Tom?

• ANALYSIS

Tom McDonald went forward because they needed him to. Tom McDonald went in the ruck because they needed him to.

Daniher feels 'lucky' as he re-signs with Dons

Essendon star forward Joe Daniher says he feels "lucky" to be continuing his career with the club he grew up supporting, after officially putting pen to paper on a three-year contract extension.

High fives as Demons cleared

Melbourne's medical report cost Will Schofield with the Match Review Panel but might have helped young Demon Clayton Oliver escape punishment for staging.

Hogan a 'sneaky chance' to return for surging Demons

Already brimming with confidence, Melbourne could have another reason to buoy spirits, with Jesse Hogan a "sneaky chance" to make his return in a Friday night blockbuster.

Taranto latest Giant to miss AFL games

Ladder-leading Greater Western Sydney have suffered yet another long-term injury, with emerging star Tim Taranto to undergo ankle surgery which will sideline him for up to 10 weeks.

Who got Lade? Port did

Brendon Lade is returning to Port Adelaide after seven years as an assistant coach at AFL rivals Richmond.

Dogs won't be hoodoo gurus

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.

Hogan departure won't be 'catastrophic': Schwarz

Melbourne great David Schwarz says the potential defection of Jesse Hogan would not be "as catastrophic" now as it would have been last year.

Football romance, or the road to the future?

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.

Chris Judd: It's time to deny the top four clubs access to free agents

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.