Ross Lyon has taken a swipe at the VFL’s fixturing.

Ross Lyon savages ‘broken’ tribunal;Blue’s ban overturned;AFL warns clubs of rule crackdown

Lyon hit out at the system that handed a young Saint a six-week ban for a four-match sanction. Meanwhile,Blues star Adam Cerra is free to play on Saturday after having his striking ban overturned.

  • Angus Delaney andJon Pierik

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Christian Petracca had a tumultuous 2024 but recommitted to the Demons for this season.

Petracca helped Melbourne realise a need for change. Can they keep it going?

Christian Petracca lines up on Thursday night with six matches under his belt after last year’s horrific injury. He is ready to bounce on prime time and show footy is – as it’s always been – his priority.

  • Peter Ryan
Noah Balta has been sentenced to a three-month curfew.

The magistrate who sentenced Noah Balta has embarrassed the AFL

The magistrate has effectively doubled the Richmond player’s suspension,and exposed the AFL for failing to read the play in terms of community sentiment on the case.

  • Jake Niall
Nick Watson admits there’s something extra spurring his side on this Sunday night.

‘I knew exactly what it meant’:Why the Hawks stewed all summer over a pair of aeroplane wings

Hawthorn’s star small forward says his side will “have a bit more anger going into this week”. This is the story behind the AFL’s newest rivalry.

  • Scott Spits
Noah Balta at Richmond training earlier this year.

Jacinta Allan joins calls for Noah Balta to sit out of football until his sentencing

Balta won’t return to the Richmond senior side this weekend,and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan wants him to sit out until he is sentenced for his attack on a man in NSW.

  • Roy Ward andRachel Eddie
Being a professional AFL player can be tough and a life that is not for everyone.

Why the ‘personal issues’ label is doing some AFL players a disservice

A player who is suffering from poor mental health should be given the space to work through their issues,with all the support the AFL system can offer. But if a player’s behaviour is contributing to their issues,clubs should be able to call out that behaviour.

  • Mathew Stokes
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Noah Balta’s four-match ban is now complete and there’s a couple of weeks before he gets sentenced in court.

Imagine if that assault happened on the field. Why the AFL failed with Noah Balta ban

Had Balta committed the same act against someone on a football field instead of outside a pub,the tribunal would have banned him for half a season. Maybe it’s only players’ heads they worry about.

  • Michael Gleeson
West Coast Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen at his press conference.

How the Allen situation shows the AFL’s outrage machine is out of control

The reaction to West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen’s in-season meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and his wife Lyndall in Perth has bordered on embarrassing.

  • Marc McGowan
Bid for redemption:Banned former Melbourne forward Joel Smith wants another shot at the AFL.

‘I won’t make the same mistake again’:Banned ex-Demon wants shot at AFL redemption

Former Demon Joel Smith has opened up on his four-year ban for cocaine use and trafficking,but insists he is a new man and wants another shot at AFL glory.

  • Jon Pierik
Barlow,pictured here coming up against legendary forward Lance “Buddy” Franklin in the 2013 grand final,always put his body on the line.

The podcaster,coach and ball magnet guiding some of the AFL’s most exciting talent

Michael Barlow was shunned through draft after draft. Now he’s guiding a group of players with some of the brightest futures in the league. He knows what it takes to do things the hard way.

  • Peter Hanlon