The most immediate task for Collingwood is to handle the older players in a manner that maximises performance in 2024 and also begins the task of transitioning to 2025 and beyond.
When Carlton are up and about,they are a scary prospect,and it’s not just on the field. Behind the scenes,the Blues draw big business.
This was Essendon’s greatest test since Brad Scott took over a club that was divided,if not broken in key respects.
Geelong free agent Jack Henry is close to coming to terms with the Cats on a long-term contract,after strong interest from rival clubs,headed by North Melbourne.
While Toby Greene’s action was right on the edge of acceptable,the bump we saw a month earlier from Peter Wright was different on several fronts.
Dustin Martin’s seven-year mega contract at Richmond expires this year,and since 2022,if not earlier,Gold Coast have been mooted as the logical destination for Dusty if he wanted out. But does he?
In AFL data with potential ramifications for how the game is coached,this masthead can reveal that of the concussions reported in 2023 – for all games including finals – the largest share came in marking contests.
With shallow talent spread across 18 clubs and the Tassie Devils about to eviscerate the drafts,Richmond’s Liam Baker has picked a good time to be up for grabs.
The players’ union has accused the AFL of having double standards after Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three matches for using homophobic language on the field.
Jeremy Finlayson’s three-match ban is the first time an AFL footballer has been suspended for homophobic comments. It is to be hoped that it also will be the last,although the game’s experience with racism suggests that would be optimistic.
The Magpies used all of their guile to survive Hawthorn’s stunningly unlikely and spirited surge,winning by just five points. Jack Ginnivan said there was plenty to be optimistic about,and explained how he would make himself a better player.