In the AFL coaching hot seat, a Critical Friend helps
Four AFL clubs have changed their coaches for this season and despite their different circumstances, they will feel the same blowtorch at some point.
Australian rules football
Blues back De Koning, give MCG surface green light
Carlton have done their due diligence to ensure the MCG playing surface is safe and backed young gun Tom De Koning to tackle Geelong's ruck division.
North Melbourne, AFL great Ron Joseph dies aged 77
North Melbourne legend Ron Joseph has died aged 77, with club president Sonja Hood saying his name would be "ingrained in the club's history".
Crows recruit Rankine relishes return to Adelaide
Former Gold Coast forward Izak Rankine says he's buzzing at the prosect of playing for the Crows at Adelaide Oval for the first time.
Don’t compare Buddy’s bump to other hits: Longmire
Sydney coach John Longmire has encouraged pundits not to lump Lance Franklin's high bump in with two other controversial incidents from round one.
Stringer fit, but clouds form over Bombers forwards
Essendon can recall Jake Stringer for Sunday's AFL clash with Gold Coast, but Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Sam Weideman are in doubt.
Strong Port win won’t change coach Hinkley’s approach
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says not even a stunning round-one win has changed his outlook as he continues to wait on new contract talks.
Greene fires as brave Giants overrun Crows in AFL
GWS have overrun Adelaide to secure a rousing 16-point victory on a day of injury carnage in Giants coach Adam Kingsley's first game in charge.
High hits means suspensions for Franklin, Pickett
Sydney star Lance Franklin and Melbourne utility Kysaiah Pickett face rough conduct bans for their high bumps.
‘Walla’ thrills Bombers in big opening win over Hawks
The biggest cheer of Essendon's win over Hawthorn came when Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti ran onto the ground in the last quarter.
Saints upset Fremantle to mark Lyon’s return as coach
Ross Lyon was all smiles after leading St Kilda to a stunning 15-point upset of Fremantle in the first game of his second stint in charge of the Saints.
Snapshot for round one of the AFL season
A look at round one of the AFL season, where a Richmond-Carlton draw was one of several surprise results as Melbourne and Collingwood made big early statements.
Adelaide’s McAdam sent to AFL tribunal over bump
Adelaide forward Shane McAdam will head to the AFL tribunal after being charged with rough conduct for his bump on GWS' Jacob Wehr.
Demons back Pickett to fire on return from AFL ban
Kysaiah Pickett starred in Melbourne's season-opening win but won't play again until round four after he was hit with a two-match suspension for rough conduct.
Rookie talent Sheezel shines in Roos win over Eagles
Alastair Clarkson has enjoyed a winning start to life at North Melbourne, with the Kangaroos beating a lacklustre West Coast by five points in their AFL opener.
Brisbane coach perplexed by heavy AFL loss to Port
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has questioned a lack of effort in his side's 54-point loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Port coach trying to temper Horne-Francis excitement
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is trying to temper excitement over Jason Horne-Francis' brilliant debut for thr club.
Pickett under fire for high bump in Dees’ win over Dogs
Kysaiah Pickett will come under scrutiny for a high bump that flattened Bailey Smith during Melbourne's 50-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
Buddy’s boot sets tone as Swans thumps Suns
Lance Franklin has kicked the game's first two goals and Dane Rampe dominated early to set up a 49-point Sydney AFL win on the Gold Coast.
Goodwin urges Pickett to keep playing on instinct
Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett has copped a two-match ban for a high bump on Bailey Smith but Simon Goodwin doesn't want the speedster to change his approach.
Stuart Dew blasts his soft Suns after Swans hiding
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has accused his side of looking for the easy options after a 49-point loss to Sydney in their AFL season opener.
GWS coach Kingsley sounds ‘tsunami’ warning for Crows
GWS coach Adam Kingsley hopes his back-to-the-future game plan will have Adelaide panicking at Giants Stadium in round one.
Saints land AFLW leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw
Seven players have moved across five AFLW clubs in a trade headlined by Brisbane star Jesse Wardlaw joining St Kilda.
Wright dislocates shoulder in major Bombers blow
On the same morning his new four-year contract was announced, Essendon key forward Peter Wright suffered a dislocated shoulder at training.
Howe stretchered off as Collingwood beat Geelong
Collingwood key defender Jeremy Howe has been stretchered off after a horrifying collision in the Magpies' 22-point win over Geelong.
Magpies’ Howe has surgery on broken arm
Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe faces an extended period on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on the left forearm he fractured against Geelong.
Scott blames ‘rust’ for Cats fade-out against Magpies
Geelong coach Chris Scott expects his team to improve after losing to Collingwood, but Tom Stewart will be sidelined with a knee injury.
Clarkson still unsure on racism investigation timeline
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has no line of sight on how long the investigation into racism allegations from his time at Hawthorn will take.
Swans ready for next AFL step, says skipper Rampe
Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe believes last year's thumping grand final loss will only make his emerging side better as they prepare to open their AFL campaign.
Tom Hawkins to play as Geelong rule out Duncan, Bowes
Geelong have mixed injury news ahead of their round-one AFL blockbuster against Collingwood, with Tom Hawkins back and Mitch Duncan and Jack Bowes sidelined.
Quiet McCarthy a different type of leader for the Lions
Lincoln McCarthy was one of five to interview for the Brisbane Lions captaincy after establishing himself as one of the AFL club's most respected leaders.