AFL

Daniel Cherny

Daniel is an Age sports reporter.

Keep it simple: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is sticking to basics after an unpredictable season 2017.

Dees close on finals despite 'ruthless competition'

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin still won't dare look ahead to September despite the Demons closing in on their first finals berth in 11 years, having all but ended St Kilda's 2017 hopes in the process on Sunday.

James Harmes was a standout for Melbourne.

Demons withstand scare to all but eliminate Saints

There was a worrying collision of heads at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, but the Demons landed the real knockout blow, their victory over St Kilda all but snuffing out the Saints' hopes of a fairytale ending for veterans Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna.

The umpire awards a free kick for holding the ball

Umpires boss says Geelong free kick count no issue

AFL umpires chief Peter Schwab says he won't buy into talk umpires are swayed by crowd noise after Richmond coach Damien Hardwick pointed to Geelong's home ground advantage for a free kick discrepancy in the Cats' 14-point win over the Tigers at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

Back firing: Jaeger O'Meara.

Hawk O'Meara stars on return

Jaeger O'Meara made a terrific return to football on Saturday with a dominant showing in Box Hill's six-point VFL loss to Essendon at Windy Hill.

Toby Greene incident

Giant calls for early MRP following Greene report

Heath Shaw hinted that teammate Toby Greene should avoid suspension for placing his foot to the face of Western Bulldogs midfielder Luke Dahlhaus but has urged the AFL to change the system so that players don't need to wait until Monday to learn their fate over contentious incidents.

The rest is history: Daniel Menzel is back for Geelong.

Rest is over: Depleted Cats call up Menzel and Motlop

Depleted Geelong have recalled forward Daniel Menzel and livewire Steven Motlop for Saturday's blockbuster clash with Richmond at Simonds Stadium despite previously flagging the possibility of longer rests for the pair.