AFL 2024
AFL Briefing
Collingwood Magpies
The star Pies racing the clock to face Bombers; Umpiring standard is as good as ever, says AFL boss
Collingwood have two premiership players in doubt this week, but there is relief on the injury front for Carlton and Hawthorn, while AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has defended the league’s under-pressure umpires.
- by Andrew Wu
Latest
Analysis
For subscribers
How the AFL review became an orgy of club self-interest
There have been some sober, intelligent suggestions on potential changes to the AFL competition, but certain issues have been dominated by self-interest, point-scoring and whingeing.
- by Jake Niall
Opinion
West Coast Eagles
Eagles’ third straight home defeat was not far off peak embarrassment
With the return of the club champion and the rising star this was meant to be the best version of West Coast in 2024. What eventuated was so far from it.
- by Paddy Sweeney
Analysis
Collingwood Magpies
Magpies try one great escape too many; Hawks back in the box office
Craig McRae’s team has pulled off a number of death-defying comebacks, but on Saturday its luck ran out. Meanwhile, the Hawks are now among the league’s greatest showmen.
- by Andrew Stafford
No Tom, no worries: Blues back depth, trump Tigers without in-form ruck
The Blues planning for a premiership tilt is in full swing, so they took the cautious approach and made in-form ruckman Tom De Koning sit out the match against Richmond.
- by Peter Ryan
Hawks, Blues make it five wins on the trot; Hinkley emotional after ‘hard week’
Hawthorn finished the round one win outside the top eight after claiming their fifth straight win, while Carlton consolidated their top two spot and Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley got emotional following the Power’s response at Marvel.
- by Marnie Vinall
Four Points
For subscribers
Dons sit in the top four, but here’s why their issues go far beyond a few controversial umpiring calls
Umpiring decisions went against Essendon in the loss to Geelong, but coach Brad Scott seemed rightly less interested in what the umpires did or didn’t do than what his players didn’t do.
- by Michael Gleeson
Stengle stays: Geelong secure crafty forward for next five years
The dynamic small forward has decided to remain at the Cats, knocking back a big offer from St Kilda.
- by Peter Ryan
This Collingwood comeback wasn’t quite enough; Bulldogs win but still ‘on edge’
On a frenetic day of footy, Sydney were pipped by Fremantle, there was a shock for Collingwood and Marcus Bontempelli shone for the Doggies. Geelong regained their form to take down a disappointing Essendon with Brad Scott frustrated by a lack of composure.
- by Roy Ward, Jon Pierik, Andrew Stafford, Andrew Wu and Malcolm Conn
Analysis
For subscribers
Who are the iron men of the AFL? The names and numbers behind them might surprise you
They are not necessarily speed demons or endurance beasts, but these players give their coaches tactical flexibility. And at a time when the tag is back, their importance is greater than ever.
- by Andrew Wu
Analysis
Essendon Bombers
How the Bombers ‘dropped the bundle’ in horror second half against Cats
It takes a lot to build trust, and a lot less for it to be lost. The credibility the Dons had slowly built in 14 games was eroded in one miserable half, vindicating why sceptics had not rushed to endorse the club’s finals credentials.
- by Andrew Wu