‘That’s the risk’: Star Blue backs himself on long deal
Carlton star Sam Walsh has shunned free agency in favour of signing a bumper eight-year contract extension with the Blues and is adamant his body can hold up.
Australian rules football
Magpies, Cats back big guns’ fitness for opening round
Geelong expect Jeremy Cameron to be fit for AFL opening round, while Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore is bullish on his own fitness.
Curnow v Carlton clash could get spicy: Cripps
Superstar Swans recruit Charlie Curnow looms as a huge threat to his old side Carlton, who are set to unveil a new-look forward line in the AFL's season-opener.
Lions pick co-captains for three-peat premiership push
After Lachie Neale stepped down as Brisbane co-captain, the Lions have turned to three stars to co-captain their bid for an AFL premiership three-peat.
‘It’s laughable’: Suns’ gun on ‘Brand Petracca’ critics
Christian Petracca has taken a shot at critics about off-field pursuits he says have helped improve his mental health and prepared him to flourish at the Suns.
New dawn under King after Demons’ dark hour
Max Gawn's optimism entering the Steven King era at Melbourne is fuelled, in part, by the club's unexpected rise to the 2021 premiership under his predecessor.
‘Unbelievably important’: AFL opener here to stay
The AFL's Opening Round concept has split fans, but league heavyweight Tom Harley believes it is crucial to the competition's growth in northern markets.
‘Go time’: Riewoldt wants injured Saints to step up
Former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt is looking to two injured-plagued players to have productive seasons as the Saints aim to start moving up the ladder.
Injured Brownlow medallist to miss Suns’ season start
Reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell will have surgery on a broken finger and miss the start of the AFL season for Gold Coast.
‘Heal the wounds’: Selwood optimistic on bruised Cats
For all their consistency, Geelong are coming off a poor second half in last year's grand final and Joel Selwood says the start of the season will test them.
Arch-rivals’ bid fails as AFL young gun re-signs
Hawthorn have secured Josh Weddle on a four-year contract extension, after Essendon put a monster seven-year offer to the Hawks young gun.
‘Doesn’t faze me’: Pies star happy to be among best
Collingwood star Nick Daicos wants to spend more time playing out of the goal square, but says he's no Dustin Martin.
Port gun’s scare as injury woes worsen for GWS
A Port Adelaide star has a fresh injury worry while Greater Western Sydney's pre-season woes have continued with more players added to their injury list.
Giants expect ‘worst-case scenario’ for midfield gun
Star GWS midfielder Tom Green is in "shock" and unlikely to play this year, after suffering a serious knee injury during pre-season training.
Bill Walker gives Vics a kick on way to legend status
WAFL great Bill Walker says it will be an honour to become just the 34th person to be elevated to legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
No room for Mickey Mouse as AFL State of Origin revived
The best of the best will go head to head as Western Australia and Victoria renew their rivalry in a blockbuster AFL State of Origin showdown.
Hogan heroics fall short as Victoria beat WA in Origin
Jacob Weitering was taken to hospital and several other players suffered injuries in a brutal but entertaining State of Origin showdown in Perth.
Weitering taken to hospital after scary Origin injury
Jacob Weitering has become the first player to suffer an injury during the AFL's State of Origin rebirth, with the Victorian stretchered off in a neck brace.
This will become big: Chris Scott backs Origin to stay
The return of State of Origin was a runaway success despite a glut of injuries and initial doubts about how invested the AFL's biggest stars would be.
No regrets: Injured Weitering keen to play Origin again
Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering has been discharged from hospital and will fly home after being cleared of any neck, spinal or internal injuries.
Injured star Matt Rowell won’t give Origin the finger
Star Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell hopes State of Origin will thrive into the future despite injuring a finger in Victoria's 24-point win over WA.
He’s a steam train: Why Charlie Cameron rates Waterman
West Coast forward Jake Waterman looks set for a big season after playing an important cameo in WA's State of Origin loss to Victoria.
Surgery setback for star Demon forces new-look midfield
With Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, recruit Jack Steele is set to slot into new coach Steven King's midfield.
Midfield star Serong inks long-term Dockers deal
Already locked in at Fremantle for two more seasons, Caleb Serong has become the equal longest-contracted player in the AFL after signing a new deal.
A different hunger: Crows note shift from finals flop
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says there's a different hunger among his players after crashing out of last year's finals with consecutive losses.
Three hits of GF heartbreak still driving Swans star
Three AFL grand final defeats remain as raw as ever for Isaac Heeney ahead of Sydney's second season under senior coach Dean Cox.
Bruise-free footy banished for State of Origin war
The AFL's biggest stars are promising to put their bodies on the line when Western Australia take on Victoria in a blockbuster State of Origin clash in Perth.
‘Old soup’: AFL footy boss brushes off speculation
A key AFL appointment says speculation about problems in his department are frustrating and it's a function of people not having any games to discuss.
St Kilda star injured again, Port ruck’s season over
The only positive for one of the AFL's most injury-cursed players is that his latest setback isn't the knee problem that kept him out all of last year.
AFL players’ millionaires club more than doubles
A few days after Chris Fagan expressed concern about St Kilda's big spending, the AFL has released figures that outline how much the top stars are earning.
Top pick Duursma endures ‘pretty brutal’ AFL pre-season
West Coast second No.1 draft pick in three years, Willem Duursma, has endured a "pretty brutal" first pre-season in the AFL after moving to Perth.