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.
Australian rules football
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.
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.