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.
It's been a season where there were predictions Carlton could even slip from their 14th placing of 2016, for it was felt the need to blood more emerging talent could see a step back with a view to the long term.
It may be fair to ask if Alastair Clarkson has something against those who have spent time at the "glamour" end of the field.
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin stands to earn more than $6 million over the next six years as part of a revised offer from the Tigers in a year he could become the first uncontracted man this century to win the Brownlow Medal.
Tom Hawkins provided only the one goal - and three points - against Adelaide on Friday night in a heavyweight clash the Cats needed a solid contribution in. This came a week after Hawkins was held goalless against Hawthorn, prompting questions as to whether the power forward was struggling.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says fighting wins over the past fortnight won't influence the call on Nathan Buckley's future, declaring the coach's full body of work will determine whether he is reappointed.
Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert has resigned from his post at the AFL club.
When it comes to the feel-good story of the season, Jarryd Roughead's return from cancer cannot be beaten. That was a battle which had far greater implications than what may or may not happen to a sporting career.
The AFL's Irish contingent in Victoria have become a surrogate family to each other as the players forge, or look to forge, a career in football.
Motivations of many a kind can go into the make-up of an AFL coach. Whether it's from a desire to taste the spoils of club, team or personal success, or from the more darker recesses of proving critics wrong, there's much a coach can call on.
The influence Irish male players have had on the AFL over the decades is clear, and there is no reason not to think this won't stretch into AFL Women's competition.
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