Sport

AFL

Suns coach Damien Hardwick vented his frustration after Friday night’s game.

Updated

AFL 2026

Hardwick escapes fine for umpire criticism, Gold Coast still face sanction

Gold Coast coach Damian Hardwick has been put on notice about his criticism of umpires, but his club is still facing a fine over a separate incident arising from Friday night’s game.

by Michael Gleeson

Former Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo could return to the Dons.

Four Points

AFL 2026

Why the return of this former Essendon official would be a smart move in coach search

by Michael Gleeson

The battle with misinformation affecting the AFL.

AFL 2026

AFL stars are being targeted by ‘AI slop’. There’s a sinister motive behind it

by Scott Spits

Liam Ryan had a day out for the Saints, following last week’s bag of five goals with another six on Sunday against GWS.

AFL briefing

AFL 2026

Ryan, Nas star in Saints win; Roo Curtis offered ban; Lions’ miracle goal buries Tigers; Hardwick under fire

by Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan

Collingwood rolled out their biggest gun in their pitch for Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters.

Exclusive

AFL 2026

Dogs, Cats still the frontrunners, but Daicos joins Pies’ chase for Butters

by Jake Niall

Insight & Analysis

We asked Essendon fans if James Hird should coach again. Everyone had the same answer

We quizzed about a dozen Essendon supporters outside the MCG if they wanted James Hird to return as coach. Their answers differed vastly to our poll findings.

Hannah Kennelly

Sports reporter

I’ve had coaches I’d run through walls for. These are the five questions Essendon, Carlton and Tassie should ask

Fans want hope. Boards want credibility. The media wants a headline. But the most important question any club looking for a new coach should ask is, what are their players looking for?

Libby Birch

AFL columnist

The Bombers and Tigers will be keeping an eye on these young guns ahead of the draft

Recruiters will be out in force to try to unearth the AFL’s next stars when the under-18 championships begin this weekend across the country.

Marc McGowan

Sports reporter

Latest in AFL

Dean Solomon has plenty of work to do as interim Essendon coach.

AFL Briefing

AFL 2026

Solomon’s dire warning for the Bombers; player contact with an umpire could cost one club $50,000

Melbourne crushed a sorry Bombers outfit at the MCG, but Essendon’s interim coach insists they are not being affected by the spectre of James Hird.

by Danny Russell and Andrew Wu

Angus Sheldrick and Chad Warner of the Swans celebrate a goal.

AFL 2026

Swans superstar Heeney reveals Cox’s rev-up to their leaders before furious comeback

After Melbourne were a clear class above Essendon at the MCG, North Melbourne and Sydney survived interstate thrillers against West Coast and Port Adelaide respectively.