Essendon 'embarrassed' us: Richardson

• 1 hr ago

A frustrated St Kilda coach Alan Richardson says his side was "embarrassed" by Essendon on Friday night, in a performance where he said the Saints "couldn't stop" the Bombers run.

'Definitely no love lost': Swans, Giants set for bruising derby

The ingredients are there for what stands to be the most spiteful Sydney derby seen yet.

Bombers soar as Saints sink

Essendon have defeated a listless St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, in a dominant performance that will remind the competition of the Bombers' very real finals credentials.

AFL boss comes of age with a string of tough calls

• COMMENT

For Gillon McLachlan, coming to the realisation on Thursday that he would be forced to terminate not one but two senior executives as a result of in-house affairs, was comparable to the various stages of grief.

Top billing for big clash in the Top End

Everything you need to know about Round 17 of the AFL premiership season.

AFL Live: St Kilda v Essendon

There's plenty at stake for both teams but Essendon are likely to lose touch with the top eight if they go down to resurgent St Kilda.

Power call on Austin to play first game of the year

Ken Hinkley hailed Logan Austin "a young leader" after calling on him to return to the AFL.

Pies rush back Wells for Suns clash

Collingwood have ushered back Daniel Wells ahead of schedule for Saturday's clash away to Gold Coast as under-fire coach Nathan Buckley and the Magpies attempt to snap a four-match losing streak.

Tigers wield axe for Lions clash

Richmond have reacted strongly to their thrashing at the hands of St Kilda last weekend, dropping four players for Sunday's date with the Brisbane Lions.

Clarkson backs Hird to present Norm Smith Medal

Three years after Alastair Clarkson blasted the Essendon supplements debacle for ambushing the AFL, he says it's time to welcome back James Hird.

Footy ops: Support for Buckley, Bains and Prendergast

Nathan Buckley has emerged as a left-field candidate, while Ameet Bains and Ian Prendergast are set to be sounded out to fill the AFL's most senior football position.

Where does Hodge rank? Hawks greats have their say

Ian Dicker got to know Luke Hodge pretty well through his time as Hawthorn president. But there was always one element of mystery about the Hawks great. "I could never tell when he was injured," Dicker said this week.

Two senior AFL staff quit after 'inappropriate' relationships

The two senior AFL officials who have quit after it emerged they had each had an affair with younger female staff members admit they were in the "wrong" and are "truly sorry".

Clarkson: I won't be joining Magpies

Alastair Clarkson has dismissed speculation he could replace Nathan Buckley at Collingwood, declaring he is intent on remaining at Hawthorn.

Josh Thomas: the crime, the time and the chance to shine

Josh Thomas's first thought on the fateful day early in 2015 was that he hadn't cheated, so he couldn't be banned. He and Collingwood teammate and fellow Queenslander Lachie Keeffe had knowingly and foolishly used an illicit drug while on a pre-season club trip to New Zealand without knowing that it was contaminated with the proscribed drug Clenbuterol.

Rischitelli: I'm playing for my future

Michael Rischitelli admits he'll be playing for his AFL future for the rest of the year in a Gold Coast team currently fighting to revive their season.

Clarkson rapt with Hawthorn's rebuild

​Memo to the rest of the AFL - we're already on our way back.

Fremantle champion Nat Fyfe ends speculation and signs new Dockers deal

Fremantle superstar Nathan Fyfe has finally agreed to terms on a lucrative new contract, ending speculation he could walk out as a free agent this year.

From sledging to philosophy, Mackie still enjoys footy

As Andrew Mackie takes in the spectacular sight that is the Charles Brownlow stand redevelopment at Simonds Stadium, it's clear he takes pride in how the club has transformed on and off the field since he walked in as a young lad from South Australia in 2002.

When Cats legend wanted to adopt Hodge

Geelong great had a novel plan to get a teenager from Colac into the Cats' colours

Tigers coach Hardwick feeling the love

Ash from the Coolaroo recycling plant fire wasn't the only thing circling above Richmond training on Friday morning.

Crows say no danger in Lynch's return

Adelaide insist there's no danger in forward Tom Lynch returning to AFL action just over a fortnight since being in intensive care with a viral illness.

Scott wants finals stability at Cats

​Come September, high-flying Geelong will be chasing the AFL flag.

Big guns back for Sydney derby

GWS are set to field one of their strongest sides for the year after naming three big guns for the Sydney derby, as Swans young gun Isaac Heeney declared the Giants would provide a gauge for the surging club's premiership hopes.

Griffiths set to return after concussion scares

Richmond are buoyed by the return of high-flying forward Ben Griffiths who is set to play in the VFL this weekend after some serious concussion fears.

Ablett’s path back to Geelong hits hurdle

A significant stumbling block has emerged in the path that would lead Gold Coast champion Gary Ablett back to Geelong to complete his illustrious AFL career.

Hird open to presenting this year's AFL Norm Smith medal

• UPDATED

The AFL is unsure whether James Hird will accept the invitation to present the Norm Smith medal at this year's grand final.

Ins and outs: AFL round 17

The selected teams for AFL round 17.

Eagles power forward Josh Kennedy back for crucial Western Derby clash

West Coast power forward Josh Kennedy is back for the Eagles crucial clash with Fremantle in Sunday's  Western Derby.

Billings close to Saints deal, ignores 'Bont' comparisons

Young St Kilda star Jack Billings is on the verge of signing a new contract with the club, as he declared the comparisons between himself and the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli "don't fuss" him.

Carey: Carlisle having more influence every week and set for a big one against his former teammates

If there's one player at St Kilda who has made those around him better this season, it's Jake Carlisle.

'1995 pie prices' on offer to boost sagging Western Derby ticket sales

Both sides are currently out of the eight and have failed to draw expected crowd numbers.

Pie in the sky: Scott dismisses Collingwood speculation

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has dismissed speculation linking him to Collingwood, insisting he is "fully committed" to the Kangaroos.

Saints call schoolboy into AFL battle

​St Kilda teenager Josh Battle is making the most of his school holidays after being called into their AFL side to face Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

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.