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.
Australian rules football
Lions coach keen for AFL pre-finals bye shake-up
The pre-finals bye allowed Brisbane to regain Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry for their qualifying final, but it hasn't changed coach Chris Fagan's opinion of it.
Hawk defender’s comeback confirmed, mixed news for GWS
Hawthorn defender Josh Weddle's long-awaited return has been confirmed, while GWS have had mixed news on the injury front ahead of their AFL elimination final.
Maverick, master coach: how Hardwick helped Suns rise
Given Damien Hardwick's AFL influences, it is little wonder that the Gold Coast coach is unafraid to speak his mind - or is so successful.
The AFL’s second qualifying final at a glance
A guide to the AFL's second qualifying final between Geelong and the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.
15 minutes of magic as Collingwood win qualifying final
Collingwood have defeated Adelaide by 24 points in the first AFL qualifying final with the victory created by a stunning quarter-hour of football.
How even ping-pong brings out the beast in Freo forward
Patrick Voss was delisted by Essendon in 2023 without even playing an AFL game, but he has become a cult hero, a menace, and a proven match-winner at Fremantle.
Silvagni makes free agency call, turns down Magpies
Carlton father-son Jack Silvagni has turned down the Blues' arch-nemesis Collingwood, deciding to move to St Kilda as the Saints' recruiting spree ramps up.
Cagey Adelaide coach keeps Collingwood guessing
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has hinted he could be playing mind games with Collingwood ahead of their qualifying final.
Cats young gun takes positives out of second-year blues
Geelong defender Lawson Humphries concedes he's found his second year in the AFL system challenging but believes it holds him in good stead.
‘A few punch-ons’: Hawks primed if GWS final gets fiery
A star Hawthorn player admits aggression got the better of him at training on the weekend, as they build up to an elimination final against GWS.
‘It’s a no-brainer’: why Irishmen flourish in the AFL
Adelaide defender Mark Keane opens up on his journey from a small town in Ireland to the AFL finals.
Lions’ ‘goldfish’ just keeps swimming towards finals
Kai Lohmann admits the Lions' emphasis on staying in the moment, rather than worrying about what's happened in the past, has served him well this season.
Hardwick inspiring Hunt, 13 years on from ‘that’ goal
Karmichael Hunt left Damien Hardwick in despair with his 2012 after-the-siren winner, but the AFL coach is now inspiring the cross-code star's next endeavour.
‘We missed him’: banned Crow apologises to teammates
Adelaide star Izak Rankine has apologised to his teammates after pledging to regain their trust after being banned for four AFL games for a homophobic slur.
Banned Crows star ‘deeply sorry’ for homophobic slur
Adelaide's Izak Rankine has returned to Australia and issued a public apology for a homophobic slur that led to his four-game ban in the AFL.
‘The man will play’: retiring Swallow in finals recall
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has surprised with an early selection declaration, saying retiring veteran David Swallow will face the Dockers.
Cats star not carrying any ‘baggage’ into AFL finals
Geelong star Max Holmes has been desperately unlucky with hamstring injuries in big finals and has spoken about how he'll handle this year's campaign.
‘Emotional arousal’: how finals will get Lions going
Simon Black expects the Brisbane Lions to hit top gear when the defending champions begin their AFL finals series in an MCG qualifying final against Geelong.
Hill to miss again, Magpies ponder big forward call
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has put a line through Bobby Hill returning for the Magpies' first final, but admitted a bold forward switch could happen.
AFLW superstar learns extent of ankle injury
Defending AFLW premiers North Melbourne have learned how long an ankle injury will sideline brilliant captain Jasmine Garner.
America’s Cup comeback inspiring Freo’s AFL flag push
Just like Australia's triumph in the America's Cup in 1983, Fremantle are aiming to buck the odds and win this year's AFL flag.
Hawks’ hopes grow of big recall for Giants final
Hawthorn captain James Sicily has spoken of how confident he is about Josh Weddle's return and the "dial-up internet" when his own confidence was down.
Headbutting walls, honesty part of Cat’s unique appeal
Geelong boom recruit Bailey Smith's raw insight about his previous mental health struggles came as no surprise to his new Cats teammate Tom Stewart.
From ‘walking laps with a broken fib’ to finals: Rioli
Daniel Rioli has detailed his push to return from a broken leg to act as Gold Coast's undisputed finals expert in the club's maiden September campaign.
Blues coach adamant on response to Curnow trade offers
Michael Voss wants Charlie Curnow to see out his long-term contract with Carlton despite the key forward indicating his desire for a fresh start elsewhere.
Worry turned to hope as Fyfe eyes final hurrah for Freo
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe is now only a bit-time player who features mostly as a supersub, but he shapes as one of the big stories of the AFL finals series.
Key Blues fire in AFLW upset of Lions
Abbie McKay and Tara Bohanna delivered as Carlton steamrolled Brisbane in the second quarter to set up a surprise AFLW win on the road.
Garner hurt in Roos’ record-breaking win over Dockers
North Melbourne set multiple AFLW records in their belting of Fremantle, but lost star midfielder Jasmine Garner to an ankle injury in the process.
Hawk skipper not thrilled by low-scoring win over Dogs
Hawthorn defender Jenna Richardson has taken a clutch late mark to ensure the Hawks walked away with a four-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
Big guns on target as Port power past injury-hit Suns
Port Adelaide have recorded the AFLW's highest ever score, with star talls Matilda Scholz and Gemma Houghton firing in a 68-point thumping of Gold Coast.