AFL

Tom Lynch is set to return for Dustin Martin’s 300th match.

Injured Tom Lynch will be back for Dusty’s 300th

After half a season of carnage and struggle on the field, champion forward Tom Lynch is slated to return for Dustin Martin’s 300th game.

by Jake Niall

Mason Redman gets a handball away against Gold Coast.

AFL Briefing

Redman out of Essendon’s blockbuster against Blues; Martin’s 300th game delayed

by Jon Pierik and Andrew Wu

Josh Smillie could be the No.1 pick in the 2024 AFL draft.

A 50-disposal gun, an almost flawless prospect and Cripps 2.0: AFL draft hopefuls to watch

by Marc McGowan

Harry and Ben McKay are preparing to play each other at AFL level for the first time.

Playing t’win: After eight years in the AFL, the McKays prepare to clash for first time

by Greg Baum

Ellie Blackburn of the Western Bulldogs.

Analysis

Wasting talent: Why 11 games a year is not enough for AFLW players

by Marnie Vinall

Insight & Analysis

Horne-Francis is emerging, but not yet ready to come to grips with Cripps

In key takeouts this week: Carlton’s big dog hands Port’s young pup a lesson, the race for this year’s Rising Star award gets blown wide open and forget the premiership for the moment; Melbourne simply need to focus on making the finals.

Marc McGowan

Sports reporter

Bring it on! Why I can’t wait for AFLW pre-season training to start

I’m not the only one who has an exciting new challenge ahead of them this AFLW season. While pre-season training promises to be testing, I can’t wait for it to start on Monday.

Libby Birch

AFL columnist

Darcy, Daicos brilliance shows why father-sons must cost more

Nick Daicos is a generational footballer and Sam Darcy has the tool kit to become one. They show the inadequacies of the father-son rule, which is to be reformed.

Jake Niall

Chief football writer, The Age

Latest in AFL

AFL Briefing

AFL 2024

Jamie Elliott on track to return; West Coast to challenge Reid ban; Veteran Hawk expects fellow forward to stay

A mercurial Collingwood forward is making progress from a frustrating injury; while West Coast will argue for Harley Reid’s suspension to be reduced for his “sling” tackle on St Kilda’s Darcy Wilson.

by Michael Gleeson, Marnie Vinall and Jon Pierik

Max Gawn leads the Demons off the field after being thrashed by Fremantle.

AFL 2024

‘Don’t look hard and fit’: Demons under fire, but Gawn promises response against Pies

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn has promised a response against Collingwood after his team’s “unacceptable” loss to Fremantle, while a league great has questioned the Demons’ fitness.