AFL

Footy flashbackHow Modra helped clip Crows wings

Adelaide’s loss to Fremantle in 1999 ended the Crows’ hopes of a premiership hattrick. It was Tony Modra, and a young Brodie Holland, that turned the match for the Dockers.

Mitchell Woodcock

New position‘Versatile’ Brander bides his time on Eagles wing

At 195cm, Brander was drafted as a key-position prospect who had plenty of promise and could play at either end of the ground. Now he has found a home on the wing.

Mitchell Woodcock

EXCLUSIVEChapman is the right man for the time

This is the Adelaide Crows’ defining hour under chairman Rob Chapman, amid the COVID-19 pandemic which threatens to financially hit the club.

Richard Earle

Puppy playNeale credits trusty training pal for keeping fit

Harley the puppy was thrust into the role of Lachie Neale’s training partner when the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Murray Wenzel

Safety firstCan clubs afford to have fans at games?

The AFL is close to finalising a plan to allow fans to attend matches this season. But clubs aren’t completely sold on the idea, with one main issue giving them cause for concern.

Lauren Wood and Chris Cavanagh

Tough adviceBuddy told to lose weight to beat injury woes

“The biggest thing that a lot of guys do that prolongs their career is actually getting lighter.”

Oliver Caffrey

Right call?Night Grand Final ‘odds-on’, MCG set to host

The MCG will almost certainly host this year’s Grand Final, but will it be at night? One sports marketing expert reckons it’s ‘odds-on’, but we might have to wait a few months for the answer.

Glenn McFarlane

Bounce back?‘We are a different group’: Key Blue’s restart warning

The rest of the competition has been warned. This is a new Carlton in 2020, with the Blues’ head of performance saying a desire to win has helped drive an across-the-board improvement in training standards.

Glenn McFarlane

Lost medalLycett’s ‘starring role’ in wild 2018 celebrations

West Coast star Jeremy McGovern has lifted the lid on former teammate Scott Lycett’s wild post-premiership celebrations in 2018.

Season restartMcGovern won’t take young family to live in hotel

West Coast star Jeremy McGovern says he is prepared to leave his young family behind in WA for a lengthy period to ensure the AFL season can restart in 2020.

Catherine Healey

Extended stayWA teams will be on Gold Coast until winter’s end

Langdon: I wish the AFL would come out and tell the players the truth, so that they can work with their own families for the best physical and mental outcomes.

Karl Langdon

Legend lostTasmanian football loses one of the greats

John Leedham, a tough and talented player who is widely regarded as the best Tasmanian footballer never to play in the VFL/AFL, has passed away aged 92.

JAMES BRESNEHAN

‘Overblown’Man in Bomber fight claims declines to talk to police

A man involved in claims of a fight with footy great Mark “Bomber” Thompson has declined to make a police statement after Bomber laughed off reports he had stuffed the man into the boot of his car.

Mark Buttler and Michael Warner

Footy CountdownStory behind Richo’s Melbourne Cup omen bet

Matthew Richardson isn’t much of a punter. But year after year on Melbourne Cup day, he places the same bet on the same runner – and usually gets the same result. But he won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Lauren Wood

Sacked podcastFooty ‘chewed me up and spat me out’: Cloke

He was a premiership player, best and fairest and one of the most powerful forwards in the game. But late in his career, Travis Cloke cut a vastly contrasting figure as he sat crying in the changerooms following a training session.

Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph

Hub lifeAnymore than six weeks in hub is unfair: Redden

West Coast midfielder Jack Redden is prepared to spend up to six weeks in an interstate hub, but anymore is unfair to the players and their families.

Mitchell Woodcock

MY STORYHow ‘Human Meatball’ nickname really came about

Dion Prestia is known as the ‘Human Meatball’, the nickname gathering speed from commentator Brian Taylor. But he wasn’t the person who came up with the monicker. Prestia opens up on that, his move to Richmond and the best he’s played with.

Dion Prestia

Jesse HoganHogan becomes real chance for round two return

Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan’s chances of playing round two will take a big step forward Monday when he joins his teammates in match simulation for the first time.

Mitchell Woodcock

Country footy‘It was too hard’: SA league with Vic club pulls pin on 2020

The state’s border closure is a huge roadblock to resuming for SA country footy leagues with Victorian clubs or coaches. Now, one comp has cancelled its season and three more are up in the air.

Matt Turner

SACKED PODCASTPlayers seek validation from ‘kids behind a computer screen’

Travis Cloke reveals entire teams ignore club directions by checking social media platforms and even KFC SuperCoach to validate their performances - within just 10 minutes of games. And he says it has a dangerous impact on players.

Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph

ExclusiveRenewed push to bring AFL games to NT this season

THE Northern Territory has renewed its push to bring AFL games — played in front of crowds — to Darwin and Alice Springs this season

MATT CUNNINGHAM, Exclusive

Crowd catchPlans to partially fill Optus Stadium hit a snag

West Coast are daring to dream of playing in front of reduced crowds at Optus Stadium later this year. But it could prove more financially viable to leave the stadium empty.

Mark Duffield and Lauren Wood

WA Footy 101The Eagles fightback that changed 2018

Defender Jeremy McGovern got to live out every young boy’s dream, becoming the third Eagle to kick the winning a goal after the siren.

Mitchell Woodcock

Starring roleWA’s premiership hero granted AFL assistance

There’s good news for WA’s grand final hero Marlion Pickett with the AFL approving his application to work part-time to supplement his restricted income.