AFL

Jon Pierik

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.

Still smiling: Blues head coach Brendan Bolton on Friday.

Blues have Rising Stars but are they on the improve?

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.

The price is rising: Dustin Martin has been offered $6 million by the Tigers.

Revised offer: Martin to be Tigers' $6 million man

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' scoring accuracy has dropped significantly.

Is Hawkins' form a concern for Cats?

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.

Simon Goodwin says small forward Jeff Garlett is ready to go.

Trengove return one of the AFL's feel-good stories

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.