AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
AFL reveals the start time of this year’s grand final
This year’s grand final will remain in its traditional Saturday afternoon time slot. The AFL Commission has signed off on league chief Andrew Dillon’s recommendation today.
- by Andrew Wu and Jon Pierik
Latest
Magpies boss backs Kelly against ‘very serious’ racism claims
Lawyers say the allegations raise questions about the Magpies’ willingness to improve their culture.
- by Jon Pierik
Collingwood in danger of proving the dream of back-to-back flags can turn ugly
A season after enjoying the ultimate success, the Magpies are now battling to make the top eight, joining a list of clubs who have endured a rocky road after a premiership.
- by Jon Pierik
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Blues hit by another injury; Giant reprimanded over tribunal rant; Carlton breached concussion protocols
Carlton will be forced into at least three changes after an important midfielder was ruled out, while the AFL reprimanded a star Giant for a scathing assessment of the league’s crackdown on dangerous tackles.
- by Andrew Wu, Jon Pierik and Vince Rugari
Analysis
AFL 2024
The run home: Where the contenders stand in the race for the AFL top eight
While the Swans appear to have top spot locked up, the race for the top eight is well and truly on as we head into the home stretch of the AFL season. Where will your team finish?
- by Jon Pierik
Why the Hawks aren’t worried about Ginnivan and the ‘rascal pack’; Blues hit with another injury blow
The surging Hawks have become the league’s most exciting team, and skipper James Sicily has praised Jack Ginnivan, while Carlton have lost another key player in a further blow to their bid for a top-two finish.
- by Jon Pierik and Andrew Wu
‘I am so proud of you and I love you’: Mum’s words of joy for Oscar the great
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri may be flying high after getting his first Formula 1 race win, but he will still make time to give his proud mum a call back home in Australia.
- by Jon Pierik
Analysis
AFL 2024
The quick fixes Carlton must make as they march toward finals
Carlton have taken major strides towards their first flag since 1995, but there are two key issues Michael Voss must address. One crucial question - are they better with two frontline ruckmen or not?
- by Jon Pierik
More top eight intrigue as Dogs win in the mud; Magpies ‘right on the edge’ of being ‘losers’
On an uber-soggy day in Melbourne, Hawthorn had a landmark win over reigning premiers Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs dumped Geelong in the mud. In the early game St Kilda beat up on lowly West Coast.
- by Roy Ward, Jon Pierik, Andrew Wu, Danny Russell and Steve Barrett
Updated
Match review
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
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