Boom recruit Smith exceeds Cats’ great expectations
High-profile recruit Bailey Smith has bounced back from a serious knee injury to star in Geelong's run to the grand final amid a series of controversies.
Sport
The short wait to scratch Ashcroft’s grand-final itch
Grateful to get a grand-final shot at his first attempt, Levi Ashcroft reckons the love for producing in big AFL moments runs in the family.
The O’Connor triplets of County Kerry are no more
Mark O'Connor has "a few suspects" back in Ireland after the Geelong defender's Wikipedia page was giving a whole different picture of his family life.
England make shock Ashes squad pick as Brook promoted
Occasional spinner Will Jacks has been included in England's Ashes squad with Harry Brook made vice-captain and several players needing to prove their fitness.
Lion king Fagan wins again at annual AFL coach awards
Chris Fagan's ongoing success at Brisbane and his extensive career have been honoured at the AFL Coaches Association annual awards.
Hawthorn’s Chol cleared by AFL tribunal for Cat tackle
Hawthorn's Mabior Chol has successfully challenged a proposed three-game ban for the tackle that will force Geelong's Tom Stewart to miss the AFL grand final.
Fellow Bombers captains hope Merrett will stay
A fortnight after the revelation that Zach Merrett had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, two former Essendon captains have offered their support.
PVL wants Nawaqanitawase in Ashes, even with rugby move
The ARL Commission will not stand in the way of Mark Nawaqanitawase playing for Australia in the rugby league Ashes, despite his move back to union for 2027.
Wallabies look to insider knowledge in Bledisloe quest
While Will Skelton will return for the second Bledisloe Cup Test, the Wallabies need a win in Auckland and hope some additional Kiwi insight proves beneficial.
Reynolds back to answer critics, Mam’s new Broncos role
Brisbane playmakers Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam return from injury for the grand final qualifier against Penrith, with Mam set for an X-factor bench role.
Cleary the daytime king, unbeaten since 2019
A fast track at Suncorp Stadium should suit Brisbane in the NRL preliminary final, but they are up against a Penrith side who just don't lose in the daytime.
Sharks do it for McInnes after ‘heartbreaking’ injury
Fallen skipper Cameron McInnes will be in Cronulla's hearts and minds when they face Melbourne for a spot in the 2025 NRL grand final.
Dockers rising star Murphy Reid plotting his next move
After a stunning debut season as a half-forward, Fremantle's Murphy Reid hasn't been shy about his desire to spend more time in the midfield next year.
Bledisloe Cup mission spurring on bruised All Blacks
New Zealand suffered a thumping 43-10 loss to South Africa the last time they played, now they want to make amends against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup.
Taste of finals leaves Brownlow winner wanting more
After playing in his first finals series, Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell is desperate to help take Gold Coast to their maiden AFL premiership.
‘Bit of banter’: To’o stands by Instagram comments
Penrith officials have told Brian To'o his Instagram comments were not a good look but the gun winger says he's unsure what the fuss is about.
Storm include injured star with grand final on the line
Melbourne have recalled three big guns, led by star half Jahrome Hughes, as their NRL title hopes go on the line in their preliminary final against Cronulla.
Inside the honest talks that saved Sharks’ NRL season
Cronulla's year was spiralling with players "at each other's throats" in a mid-season loss to Brisbane. Then a little bit of honesty put the Sharks on track.
Essendon president stands down amid Merrett turmoil
Essendon president David Barham has quit the role as the Bombers deal with multiple problems, including captain Zach Merrett's desire to leave for Hawthorn.
Great Scott: the two sides to Geelong’s coach
Geelong's Chris Scott displays a markedly different personality as a coach than he did during his AFL playing career.
‘At least I got the heads up’: Gallop in fine company
Ty Gallop has company at Brisbane as the teenaged forward learns his AFL craft on the run, and on the biggest stage.
Cats forward heeds lesson for Andrews grand final duel
Geelong forward Shannon Neale felt he let his teammates down opposed to Brisbane star Harris Andrews earlier this year and is desperate to make amends.
Neale trains as Lion’s grand-final return gathers pace
Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has trained strongly in front of thousands of Lions fans to enhance his chances of a grand-final return.
How Brownlow winner Rowell learnt from setbacks
The genesis of Gold Coast star Matt Rowell's Brownlow Medal success can be traced back to an injury-plagued first two seasons in the AFL.
‘Turning the screws’: Cats rallied after big injury
While Tom Stewart's concussion was a massive blow to Geelong, his fellow defenders quickly adapted in their preliminary final win.
Former Wests Tigers bigwigs buy netball franchise
Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis have accelerated their sports ownership portfolio, purchasing the Sunshine Coast Lightning off the Melbourne Storm.
‘Hopefully’ Jahrome Hughes makes rapid-fire recovery
Melbourne are hoping to have Jahrome Hughes back for their grand final qualifier but Xavier Coates has warned the halfback won't be returning underdone.
Hunt on for Broncos as Mam mind games begin
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire continued to experiment with his halves combinations on Monday as Ezra Mam took another key step towards a return from injury.
Rivalry to fire in overdue date after dominant decades
Hugh McCluggage reckons the spicy rivalry should be viewed as a compliment as the AFL's two dominant outfits of this decade finally meet in a final.
Brailey and Grant could be best of teammates or rivals
Blayke Brailey's brilliant 2025 season could have him in contention for a spot in Australia's Ashes squad, but the door is also open to England for the No.9.
Dunkley primed for fifth grand final despite sore ankle
Despite an ankle injury in the preliminary final win over Collingwood, Brisbane star Josh Dunkley says he is in no doubt to play Geelong.