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.
Australian rules football
‘Turning the screws’: Cats rallied after big injury
While Tom Stewart's concussion was a massive blow to Geelong, his fellow defenders quickly adapted in their preliminary final win.
How Brownlow winner Rowell learnt from setbacks
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.
Neale trains as Lion’s grand-final return gathers pace
Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has trained strongly in front of thousands of Lions fans to enhance his chances of a grand-final return.
Cats forward heeds lesson for Andrews grand final duel
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.
‘At least I got the heads up’: Gallop in fine company
Ty Gallop has company at Brisbane as the teenaged forward learns his AFL craft on the run, and on the biggest stage.
Great Scott: the two sides to Geelong’s coach
Geelong's Chris Scott displays a markedly different personality as a coach than he did during his AFL playing career.
‘Get used to it’: Hawks captain backs recruiting raid
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.
Lions coach’s ‘super power’ as Zorko eyes more history
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.
‘It was huge’: Lions scalp has Cats purring for prelim
Many AFL players would kill for just one preliminary final. This Geelong player has had them as a matter of course throughout his career.
Key Suns utility wants out, veteran Dog signs new deal
A key utility wants out of the Gold Coast, while the Western Bulldogs will persist with an injury-plagued veteran.
Report blow for AFL stadium but premier vows to kick on
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.
How fellow recruits helped new Pie’s teething problems
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.
‘Everyone’s healthy’: Hawks ready for Cats prelim final
There's good news at Hawthorn after several players pulled up sore from last week's barnstorming semi-final win over Adelaide.
‘It sits fine’: Mitchell unfazed after Merrett meeting
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is comfortable with how he's being portrayed in the media as Essendon captain Zach Merrett pursues a trade.
Aker’s Cameron verdict and how Lions purr without Neale
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.
‘The worst thing’: finals setback keeps driving Cat
Five years after he was dropped during the finals, one of Geelong's top midfielders says the setback continues to drive him.
Developer’s stark warning after critical stadium report
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.
Tough year makes Magpie’s resurgence sweeter
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.
Hit between the eyes: Star Lion cops hard truths
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.
Magpies make brutal call on star for preliminary final
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.
Demons keen to trade May, Windhager stays a Saint
Melbourne are keen to trade Steven May, Adelaide veteran Brodie Smith has retired, while tagger Marcus Windhager has re-signed with St Kilda.
Cats coach Scott regrets run-in with female AFL staffer
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.
Magpies coach McRae sees upside in last Brisbane loss
Coach Craig McRae says there's plenty of positives for Collingwood to take from their last clash with Brisbane, apart from the disappointing scoreline.
Hawks too reliant on Newcombe? Scott doesn’t think so
Jai Newcombe is in supreme form but Geelong coach Chris Scott believes Hawthorn have far more weapons than just their midfield bull.
Magpies’ unsung hero ready for Lions’ tackling machine
After a week off, Collingwood's Ned Long is ready for the challenge of record-breaking Brisbane midfielder Josh Dunkley in the preliminary final.
Sweat behind the swagger: what ignited Lion Logan’s run
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.
Lions star pushing for potential grand-final return
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.
Why frustrated Kangaroos skipper could be on the move
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.
Star hurt as Cats claw past Hawks into AFL grand final
Led by Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong have rallied to dominate Hawthorn and progress to next week's AFL grand final against Collingwood or Brisbane.
Geelong star to miss AFL grand final with concussion
Geelong's Tom Stewart will miss the AFL grand final after he was substituted out of the Cats' win over Hawthorn with concussion.