Essendon ruckman Todd Goldstein says he expects Sam Draper to return after a turbulent week following his podcast comments.
Ed Bourke
West Coast coach Adam Simpson is optimistic star Elliot Yeo’s latest soft tissue injury is only minor, but fears the worst for second-year forward Noah Long.
Mitchell Woodcock
A season of promise for star Elliot Yeo may have unravelled in his milestone match, with the midfield bull sustaining another soft tissue injury in West Coast’s heartbreaking six-point loss to Essendon.
West Coast fought back to almost steal the game off Essendon but injuries could prove to be far worse than the loss. Relive all the action below.
Jake Santa Maria
Essendon defender Nic Martin says the players have “wrapped their arms” around injured ruckman Sam Draper in the wake of a bizarre podcast rant.
Glen Quartermain
Making Optus Stadium a fortress once again is the ‘first step as a team’ for West Coast in their rebuild according to Adam Simpson as they look to win three consecutive games on their home turf.
West Coast’s Jack Williams spent months on the sidelines last season with a ruptured spleen but the work he did to get back on the field is now paying dividends.
Craig O'Donoghue
A West Coast premiership star and an off-season recruit have been squeezed out as the Eagles prepare to welcome back No.1 draft pick Harley Reid and unveil a third debutant this season.
Fast-starting Jake Waterman is on the brink of matching an AFL goalkicking feat that’s occurred just once in the past half-decade as he looks to spearhead an upset over Essendon on Saturday night.
Chris Robinson
Two minutes of extra time to decide a result would not affect the broadcasters and would be a much better way to finish an AFL game, writes Glen Quartermain.
It looked like either side were the winners in the final quarter, but in the end Essendon and Collingwood could not be split.
Jake Stringer’s coach says the Essendon star deserves credit for his off-field improvement after he revealed he was exploring a new religion.
Essendon have sensationally bounced back from a Port Adelaide thumping to remarkably fly full speed into the top eight.
Essendon coach Brad Scott has addressed the availability of four high-profile Bombers ahead of a blockbuster clash against Sydney.
Essendon burned off Hawthorn in the last quarter at the MCG, but young defender Zach Reid could have another hamstring injury.
Roger Vaughan
Essendon will have a new look against Hawthorn on Saturday with a raft of traded-in players set to make their club debuts.
The shock of racism allegations against legendary AFL coach Kevin Sheedy has prompted a strong defence from a legend of the game.
News Corp Australia
Essendon’s final practice match selection has all but ruled two stars out of playing in round 1 as a Cats forward misses through injury.
A senior Essendon midfielder hopes his “mountain of work” on a persistent injury problem can set up a career best year.
Fremantle has added former Essendon tall forward Patrick Voss to its list days before the pre-season signing deadline.
Jackson Barrett
Essendon captain Zach Merrett says his out-of-contract teammates “wouldn’t be human” if their futures didn’t play on their minds during 2024.
A one-two ruck punch didn’t work at Melbourne in 2023 but Essendon big man Sam Draper says it will at the Bombers this season as he closes in on a Round 1 return.
He was picked up by Essendon as a forward, made a hugely successful move to the wing and now, West Australian utility Nic Martin is set for another positional switch at the Bombers.
Samantha Rogers
Carlton players weren’t the only ones to rub shoulders with NFL legend Tom Brady and he left a lasting message.