AFL

Latest AFL News

Shaun Higgins makes his feelings known to umpire Robert Findlay.

AFL lifts ban on showing shot clock late in quarters

The AFL’s controversial shot clock will remain visible on scoreboards for the entire duration of quarters, the league reversing previous practices following last week’s incident involving North Melbourne’s Shaun Higgins.

Mills and bloom: The Swans and Callum Mills have turned their season.

Swans find extra edge with season on the line

While hardness at the ball and the ball-carrier have been part of Sydney's trademark in the 21st century, they have not been associated with less sociable aspects of the game. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Tough Demon: Jack Viney compares favourably with Joel Selwood.

Is Viney becoming the new Selwood?

It may seem sacrilegious to compare Joel Selwood's attack on the contest with anyone in the league, but there is one young Melbourne bull more than heading in that direction.

Dejected: The Bombers after losing the "unlosable" match against Sydney.

Roos: Evenness and youth causing defensive capitulations

Premiership coach Paul Roos believes the unprecedented evenness of the competition and the proliferation of young players getting regular game time have led to an epidemic of teams failing to hang onto small leads late in games.

Jamie Elliott has recovered from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since round 11.

Elliott set to enliven Magpies' attack

High-flying Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott is set to return this Sunday against Hawthorn, in a clash coach Nathan Buckley says the Pies are "not even contemplating losing".

Richmond's Bachar Houli's two-match ban for knocking out Jed Lamb will be reviewed.

Matthews fears Goodes-like booing of Houli

Bachar Houli's perceived special treatment by the AFL tribunal could prompt booing of the Richmond star comparable to that which marred the late stages of Adam Goodes' career, according to Leigh Matthews.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull chats with Bachar Houli.

AFL appeals Houli's 'manifestly inadequate' penalty

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.

Cale Hooker at training on Wednesday.

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.

Sidelined: Ed Curnow

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.

The Demons will be without Jeff Garlett against the Swans

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.

Steve Johnson comes up against his former side for the third time on Saturday.

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.

The Demons will be without Jeff Garlett against the Swans

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.

Who got Lade?: Brendon is back at the Power.

Who got Lade? Port did

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

Dale Morris celebrates on the final siren.

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.

Switched: Sydney Swan Lance Franklin moved from Hawthorn to Sydney as a free agent in 2013.

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.