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Trading and drafting

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

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

The Magpies and Tigers – both viewed as trailing the Western Bulldogs and Geelong, in the race for Butters – have held face-to-face meetings with the Port Adelaide superstar.

  • Jake Niall

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Australian football’s under-18 championships start this weekend, showcasing the brightest prospects in the game, including Ethan Matthews, Harry Van Hattum, Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane.

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
Ben King, Jed Walter and Joel Amartey are three key forwards kicking goals and out of contract at season’s end.

The big men set to cash in with the Hawks, Magpies and Bombers circling

Hawthorn, Collingwood and Essendon are after key forwards and seven of the best remain out of contract. But where are they likely to be in 2027?

  • Peter Ryan
Can Chris Fagan and his Brisbane Lions fight back to win their third straight premiership?

A disease has crept into the Lions’ den. Can Fagan and his men find the cure in time?

The Lions’ ledger has looked significantly worse than 6-6 from 12 games at the season’s midpoint, but their un-Brisbane-like behavioral signs began post-season.

  • Caroline Wilson
Lachie Neale has interest from at least three clubs.

Why Collingwood’s interest in Lachie Neale is growing

Neale’s future is linked with that of fellow premiership Lion Zac Bailey, with one club prepared to offer Bailey a mammoth $1.4 million to move.

  • Peter Ryan
John Longmire is yet to be approached by either the Bombers or Blues for their coaching vacancies.

The Bombers and Blues are eyeing new coaches. Neither have yet spoken with John Longmire

Sydney’s 2012 premiership coach is expected to be on the radar of both Melbourne powerhouses in due course.

  • Jake Niall
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Josh Fraser and Patrick Cripps after Carlton’s third win in a row.

Suddenly in form, the Blues have what it takes to make another late finals run

A month ago, the journey ahead seemed almost as arduous as that facing Essendon and Richmond. Today, the Carlton coaching role shapes as one of the competition’s more attractive propositions.

  • Jake Niall
There is a groundswell of support, inside and outside Essendon, for James Hird to return as senior coach.

Who even wants the job? Hird is now a political problem for Essendon

James Hird’s pitch is tribal. The brilliance of the campaign, intended or not, is that it creates momentum for him, may dissuade other candidates and is founded in Essendon patriotism.

  • Jake Niall
Andrew Welsh addressed the media on Tuesday.

It looked like a favourite son’s return. Then Scott’s authority started to unravel

Externally, the Bombers continued preaching patience and development. Internally, impatience was beginning to creep in.

  • Sam McClure
Nate Caddy (Essendon) and Harry Dean (Carlton) are integral to their sides’ futures.

Carlton or Essendon: Which team would you rather coach?

Both “power” clubs are hunting for a new coach. We examine the spine, midfield, upside and short-term prospects of each to declare which team actually has most to work with.

  • Peter Ryan