Match review
Four Points
AFL 2024
Hotshot Hawks prove they’re prime-time talent, even if Pies are not the scalp they once were
Sam Mitchell’s entertainers are taking football in a different direction. His main challenger for coach-of-the-year honours might be the coach of another team that started the season slowly. Meanwhile, the Bombers are wobbling and the AFL needs to get fair dinkum on the real issues of player safety.
- by Peter Ryan
Latest
Updated
AFL 2024
Why the AFL cleared Crow, Bombers over head knocks
The AFL has gone to extraordinary length in explaining why it cleared three players from Friday night’s Essendon-Adelaide clash for incidents involving head knocks.
- by Danny Russell
Updated
AFL 2024
AFL insists tackles were dangerous after appeals board overturns player bans
While the AFL said it understood the appeal board’s call, it backed the original bans, and shared video of dangerous tackles to the 18 clubs just hours before round 19 began. Watch it here.
- by Jon Pierik and Danny Russell
Opinion
AFL 2024
As confusion rules in the AFL, there is urgent need for a rewrite
In trying to minimise concussion, the AFL has tied itself into knots and the players are tripping over them. There is an urgent need for a fresh look.
- by Greg Baum
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
‘Genuinely confused’: AFLPA hits out at tackling bans; Saint gets six matches for homophobic language
St Kilda’s Lance Collard has been suspended for six games for using homophobic language while playing in the VFL, while Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford will continue to fight against the three-match bans they received for tackling offences.
- by Andrew Wu, Marnie Vinall and Peter Ryan
Opinion
AFL 2024
Were these AFL bans correct, or the suspensions that broke footy?
Debate is raging over the three-match bans upheld by the AFL tribunal for Toby Bedford and Charlie Cameron’s tackles. Is the reaction hysterical hand wringing, or is the game under threat?
- by Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
How Essendon could benefit from the rule that gave Jamarra to the Dogs; three-match bans stand for Cameron, Bedford
Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford have both failed in their bids to overturn three-match bans for rough conduct, while Essendon could benefit from a rule tweak come draft time.
- by Jake Niall and Peter Ryan
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Bedford, Cameron handed three-match bans; fears grow over the return of ‘the chicken wing’
Lions star Charlie Cameron and Giants tagger Toby Bedford have been handed three-match bans. Meanwhile, Leigh Matthews is among those concerned at the increased prevalence of the “chicken wing” tackle.
- by Jon Pierik and Vince Rugari
Why a player suspended for seven matches this year is still eligible to win the Brownlow
Isaac Heeney can’t win the Brownlow after an off-ball incident with St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster. But, ironically, Webster – who was handed a seven-match ban earlier this year – is still eligible to win the coveted award.
- by Peter Ryan
Hawks coach backs Simpson to return; Swans defend ‘unlucky’ Heeney
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and Kangaroos counterpart Alastair Clarkson hope Adam Simpson finds a way back into the AFL system when the time is right.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Simpson not coaching but will say goodbye to fans; Swans to appeal Heeney decision
West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson has decided against a farewell game as coach; Sydney will challenge the tribunal decision to uphold Isaac Heeney’s one-match ban at an appeals board hearing on Thursday, while Collingwood forward Josh Carmichael has retired at just 24.
- by Amelia Nordio, Peter Ryan, Jonathan Drennan and Danny Russell