Inside the Lions and Cats’ race to five premierships
Geelong and the Brisbane Lions have each won four premierships this century, but the two AFL powerhouses have taken different paths to this year's grand final.
Geelong and the Brisbane Lions have each won four premierships this century, but the two AFL powerhouses have taken different paths to this year's grand final.
While Tom Stewart's concussion was a massive blow to Geelong, his fellow defenders quickly adapted in their preliminary final win.
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.
Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has trained strongly in front of thousands of Lions fans to enhance his chances of a grand-final return.
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.
Ty Gallop has company at Brisbane as the teenaged forward learns his AFL craft on the run, and on the biggest stage.
Geelong's Chris Scott displays a markedly different personality as a coach than he did during his AFL playing career.
James Sicily is on board with Hawthorn's aggressive recruiting, insisting the club would be crazy not to go after talents like Essendon skipper Zach Merrett.
The irrepressible Dayne Zorko has his eye on more AFL records and revealed coach Chris Fagan's "super power" ahead of a fourth-straight preliminary final.
Many AFL players would kill for just one preliminary final. This Geelong player has had them as a matter of course throughout his career.
A key utility wants out of the Gold Coast, while the Western Bulldogs will persist with an injury-plagued veteran.
A stadium attached to one state's dream for an AFL side has failed to score in a highly critical planning assessment, plunging the project into further doubt.
First-year Magpie Dan Houston has leaned on fellow former recruits Lachie Schultz and Dan McStay as he navigates through a testing first year at Collingwood.
There's good news at Hawthorn after several players pulled up sore from last week's barnstorming semi-final win over Adelaide.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is comfortable with how he's being portrayed in the media as Essendon captain Zach Merrett pursues a trade.
Former Lions champion and Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis reckons those critical of Charlie Cameron's barren season in front of goal are missing the point.
Five years after he was dropped during the finals, one of Geelong's top midfielders says the setback continues to drive him.
A day after a report recommended a divisive AFL stadium not go ahead, the project's developer has fired back with a warning over already rising costs.
Forward Lachie Schultz believes his testing first year at Collingwood was an outlier as he plays a key role in the Magpies' bid for an AFL premiership.
All-Australian newcomer Zac Bailey is in career-best form and the star Lions attacker looms as a key in Saturday's preliminary final against Collingwood.
Bobby Hill has run out of time to force his way into Collingwood's line-up for their preliminary final against Brisbane, but could still feature this season.
Melbourne are keen to trade Steven May, Adelaide veteran Brodie Smith has retired, while tagger Marcus Windhager has re-signed with St Kilda.
In a 36-minute press conference, Geelong coach Chris Scott has expressed his regret for a run-in with an AFL employee, and addressed star Bailey Smith's antics.
Coach Craig McRae says there's plenty of positives for Collingwood to take from their last clash with Brisbane, apart from the disappointing scoreline.
Jai Newcombe is in supreme form but Geelong coach Chris Scott believes Hawthorn have far more weapons than just their midfield bull.
After a week off, Collingwood's Ned Long is ready for the challenge of record-breaking Brisbane midfielder Josh Dunkley in the preliminary final.
Logan Morris epitomises the confidence and effectiveness of the Lions' young brigade that's lifted the injury-hit premiers within two wins of another flag.
Lachie Neale is ahead of schedule from injury with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan acknowledging he could have a big decision to make on his star midfielder.
North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin has become increasingly frustrated at his lack of midfield minutes, but Harry Sheezel is imploring the 27-year-old to stay.
Led by Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong have rallied to dominate Hawthorn and progress to next week's AFL grand final against Collingwood or Brisbane.
Geelong's Tom Stewart will miss the AFL grand final after he was substituted out of the Cats' win over Hawthorn with concussion.