Patrick Dangerfield
- Four Points
- AFL 2026
Where the bloody hell are Hugh? The AFL’s two-time champs are waning before our eyes
Hugh McCluggage’s form drop has been the most perplexing. The All-Australian is in a funk this year that is difficult to understand. He had three handballs, 0 marks, 0 clearances and 0 tackles after half-time against Fremantle.
- Michael Gleeson
Latest
- Four Points
- AFL 2026
Pendlebury is still so important to Collingwood at 38. Who are the other players demanding his place?
Scott Pendlebury prompted more debate about how and when he is being used and whether marketing decisions took priority. But the criticism that his imminent record-breaking game is overshadowing football decisions is glib.
- Michael Gleeson
- Updated
- AFL 2026
Scans confirm the worst as Sam Darcy’s injury leaves Dogs’ flag hopes on knife edge
Geelong thrashed the Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, but there was more pain on Saturday when the extent of Sam Darcy’s knee injury was revealed.
- Peter Ryan and Jon Pierik
‘Deserving counts for little’: How Cripps has overcome the blues
Patrick Cripps heads into his 13th season still chasing an elusive flag, but a fellow champion says there are no guarantees, no matter how good you are.
- Jon Pierik
- Updated
- AFL 2026
‘I’m done’: Rankine reveals how his homophobic slur pushed him to the edge
Izak Rankine has revealed he pondered walking away from the AFL after he was thrust into the public spotlight for a homophobic remark. Plus, there was plenty more news from AFL captain’s day.
- Jon Pierik, Sam McClure, Peter Ryan and Scott Spits
Butters ‘won’t be rushed’ on future after fiery Origin debut; Weitering cleared of serious injury
Zak Butters was at his fiery best in the State of Origin game, and now his attention is turning back to Port and his future there, while there’s been good news in relation to Jacob Weitering’s injury concerns.
- Danny Russell
State of Origin player rankings: Was Nick Daicos snubbed for best-afield honours?
On a night Origin returned to the AFL landscape, there was controversy over who should have been named best afield for Victoria. Here are the player rankings for both teams.
- Jon Pierik
From teens to titans: How 16 of the AFL’s biggest names looked in their draft year
Some are unrecognisable, others haven’t changed a bit. We revisited these stars to see what they looked like and what was said about them as AFL wannabes.
- Greg Dundas
- AFL Briefing
- AFL 2025
Dons players raised concerns over meeting where illicit drugs policy was discussed
Senior Essendon players approached the AFLPA after club leaders spoke to the playing group at a meeting before the mid-season bye where information relating to the AFL’s illicit drugs policy was discussed.
- Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
- Analysis
- Trading and drafting
St Kilda’s recruiting splurge: The one real risk behind aggressive strategy
St Kilda are perfectly placed to land five new players and may get a handy pick for Rowan Marshall who wants to be traded to Geelong. There might be some risk but only to the reputation of those in charge.
- Peter Ryan