Initial AFL rejection still driving Hawks gun
Jai Newcombe was overlooked by every AFL club before Hawthorn took a punt on him in the mid-season draft, and the move is paying serious dividends.
Australian rules football
‘Thank God’: Hawks forward winning confidence battle
One of the heroes of Hawthorn's elimination final win over GWS has spoken candidly of his struggles with self-confidence.
Giants pair eye exit door after finals heartbreak
GWS pair Leek Aleer and Jacob Wehr are set to depart the club following the Giants' tough elimination final loss to Hawthorn.
‘Rips your heart out’: Dockers reveal misery over Fyfe
Fremantle players were left crushed after their one-point loss to Gold Coast officially ended the glittering career of Nat Fyfe.
Lions break Adelaide hearts in AFLW thriller
The Brisbane Lions kicked three unanswered goals in the final quarter to steamroll Adelaide in a titanic AFLW tussle at Norwood Oval.
Geelong silenced ‘haters’ with Lions win: star Cat
Geelong's lead-in to the AFL finals was under scrutiny but midfielder Max Holmes believes their stunning qualifying final performance silenced those doubts.
Briggs brilliance stunned Hawks star Meek in finals win
Hawthorn ruck Lloyd Meek says being able to rally and win after giving up a 42-point lead showed some of the Hawks' work coming to fruition.
‘Fine them $10,000’: Longmuir wants AFL to end staging
Cam Rayner's flop against Geelong has thrust the topic of staging for free kicks back into the spotlight, and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has a quick fix.
Lions midfield ready to lift in Neale’s absence
Brisbane's premiership defence is hanging by a thread after several crucial injuries, but star midfielder Josh Dunkley is refusing to panic.
Time to knock Big Brother off Gabba perch: Hardwick
Gold Coast have lost their past 10 games at the Gabba, but they are confident they can buck history in the QClash semi-final against Brisbane.
Dockers have five or six more cracks at the flag: Fyfe
Fremantle great Nat Fyfe says he was left feeling numb after his AFL career was brought to a close in a heartbreaking one-point loss to Gold Coast.
Hard to Swallow: Dockers sunk late by Suns in thriller
Gold Coast will take on Brisbane in a blockbuster QClash semi-final at the Gabba after kicking a late behind to sink Fremantle by one point in Perth.
Hawks star bounces back to form as Saints outclassed
Injury-hit Hawthorn have hit their straps on a windy night in Cairns and proved too good for St Kilda, who didn't kick a goal until well into the last quarter.
Next year, who knows?: Giants defiant after finals loss
The chase of a maiden premiership is over for GWS after a loss to Hawthorn, but coach Adam Kingsley already has his sights on next year.
Hawks respond to Mitchell’s message, book spot in semi
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has praised his side for responding to a simple three-quarter time message after they powered past GWS and into a semi-final.
Suns secure breakthrough win for new coach Rhyce Shaw
Gold Coast have recorded their first AFLW win under new coach Rhyce Shaw, dominating GWS in the middle en route to a crucial 19-point victory.
‘Amazing what happens when valued’: Suns’ missing piece
John Noble has a complicated relationship with AFL finals but still played enough of them to be a source of wisdom this week for Suns teammates.
Season over for two Lions premiership heroes
The Brisbane Lions' premiership defence has been dealt two huge blows after Eric Hipwood and Lachie Neale were ruled out for the rest of the finals series.
Geelong’s ‘marvel’ could ruck ‘n roll his way to glory
Versatile big man Mark Blicavs has stepped up massively in the ruck in Geelong's AFL qualifying final win over Brisbane, but that doesn't mean he'll stay there.
Umpiring controversy revved up red-hot Geelong
Geelong star Max Holmes has revealed two controversial umpiring calls that led to Cam Rayner goals "pissed off" the Cats and motivated them against Brisbane.
Scintillating Cats topple Lions in AFL qualifying final
Geelong have beaten reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions by 38 points in the second AFL qualifying final to charge into a 14th preliminary final in 19 years.
Ablett injury that set Suns back 11 years
Current Suns player Bodhi Uwland was in the stands when Gary Ablett Jnr was tackled on a wing in 2014, a moment that's taken the club years to recover from.
‘It’s bulldust’: Dockers doing it for Longmuir
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has been heavily criticised across the season, but his players say they are right behind him through thick and thin.
Young Sun playing through pain as expectation shifts
Bailey Humphrey is managing a knee issue as the game-breaking Sun plans to make an impact in his and the club's maiden AFL finals campaign.
Rachele return looms as Crows pick up finals pieces
Adelaide's tough loss to Collingwood has thrust the minor premiers into a knockout semifinal, with Josh Rachele's looming return a possible boost.
Zorko sight that set Lynch off as modern Lions aim up
Alastair Lynch thinks a modern-day Brisbane Lions three-peat is realistic, seeing plenty of similarities in this crop to his that dominated two decades earlier.
‘Refuses to be beaten’: how new captain changed Suns
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick believes first-year captain Noah Anderson has led by example to drive the Suns into their first AFL finals series.
Bring on the rain, Suns: Freo buoyed by final forecast
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is backing his team's on-ball brigade to get the job done against Gold Coast's "bulls" in Saturday night's elimination final.
‘Ruthless’ Giants ready to unleash the beast in finals
GWS star Toby Greene is primed to bring the X-factor in finals as coach Adam Kingsley urges his side to maintain their ruthless edge against Hawthorn.
Cats’ late bloomer takes ‘interesting’ award in stride
Geelong late bloomer Shaun Mannagh has gotten his head around winning an AFL award as best young player at 28 years of age.
Smith doesn’t train, coach expresses pride for star Cat
Geelong star Bailey Smith has failed to appear for the cameras at training, but coach Chris Scott has shut down any speculation over his fitness.