AFL
SportAustralian Associated PressSuns take Rowbottom first in AFLW draft
1 AFLW draft pick Charlie Rowbottom has shunned up to eight clubs in her home state of Victoria to head north and play for Gold Coast.In a huge coup for the battling Suns, the powerful midfielder chose them and the expansion club had no hesitation in taking the teenager first in Tuesday night's virtual draft.
SportAustralian Associated PressDocker Nat Fyfe undergoes shoulder surgery
Nat Fyfe's AFL season is officially over after the Fremantle skipper underwent shoulder surgery in Melbourne, while goalsneak Michael Walters is highly unlikely to play again this year.Fyfe dislocated his right shoulder in the round-12 loss to the Western Bulldogs on June 6, but was keen to delay surgery until after the season in a bid to be part of his team's finals push.
SportAustralian Associated PressBrisbane Lions brace for big AFL road trip
The Brisbane Lions will head straight to Perth after their hit-and-run mission in Tasmania against Hawthorn as they brace for what could be a season-defining stretch.After boosting their hopes of a top-four finish with a memorable comeback victory over Gold Coast, Chris Fagan's men will go on the road again before finishing the regular season with two home games at their Gabba fortress.
SportAustralian Associated PressNo Victoria AFL crowds for two more weeks
Hopes of Melbourne being able to host AFL finals games and the premiership decider remain in limbo after it was announced fans will be barred from attending matches in Victoria for at least two more weeks.Victoria premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the easing of lockdown restrictions in the state will begin at 11:59pm on Tuesday, but large gatherings are still barred.
SportAustralian Associated PressSwans star Franklin successful at tribunal
Sydney superstar Lance Franklin has successfully challenged his one-match AFL ban for striking and is free to play against Essendon on Saturday night.Franklin was caught in a Luke Ryan tackle during the Swans' win at Metricon Stadium on Sunday when he flung back his left elbow, making clear contact to the Fremantle defender's head.
SportAustralian Associated PressMagpies' Howe in line for AFL return
Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe is set to play his first AFL game in more than three months after being cleared to return from a hamstring injury against West Coast.Howe has been restricted to just five games this season - initially suffering a hamstring injury against the Eagles in round five, then requiring surgery to treat aggravated scar tissue in May.
SportAustralian Associated PressSwans star Franklin banned for high elbow
Sydney AFL superstar Lance Franklin has been handed a one-match suspension for his high elbow on Fremantle's Luke Ryan.Franklin was caught in a Ryan tackle in the second quarter of Sydney's win at Metricon Stadium on Sunday when he flung back his left elbow, making clear contact to the Docker's head.
SportAustralian Associated PressNo-fuss Eagle Hurn keen to go around again
The decorated AFL career of Shannon Hurn is set to continue in 2022, as the West Coast veteran prepares for another special occasion this weekend.Hurn, who broke Dean Cox's games record earlier this season, will become the first Eagles player to reach the magical 300-match milestone when he runs out for Sunday's clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
SportAustralian Associated PressMore injury trouble for Carlton in AFL
Zac Williams and Eddie Betts have been ruled out of Carlton's AFL crunch clash with St Kilda, while Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay is only an "outside chance" to return this week.The news is a hit to the Blues' football department, which is under the blowtorch of a wide-ranging external review that began this month.
SportAustralian Associated PressBulldogs hope Keath's back for AFL finals
Alex Keath may not return to action before the AFL finals, with a hamstring injury set to sideline the Western Bulldogs defender for up to four weeks.Keath hobbled off the ground during the first quarter of the Bulldogs' win over Melbourne on Saturday night, which saw them replace the Demons on top of the ladder.
SportAustralian Associated PressColeman Medal race not on Walker's radar
Taylor Walker's charge into Coleman Medal contention this season has been one of the AFL's great career revival stories, but the Adelaide veteran insists he won't be distracted from his main goal.Walker's playing future hung in the balance at the end of 2020, before the Crows eventually handed him a one-year contract extension.
SportAustralian Associated PressKangaroos, Hawks take AFL games to Tassie
The AFL has confirmed most of its fixture-list for round 20, with Tasmania to host two games amidst strict COVID-19 protocols and struggling Carlton handed a surprise return to prime time.Essendon and Sydney were initially set to kick off the round on Friday night, but the prized slot will now see St Kilda and Carlton face off at Marvel Stadium.
SportAustralian Associated PressRatugolea gives Cats cause for optimism
Esava Ratugolea only needed six disposals to kick an AFL career-high four goals in a telling contribution to Geelong's 38-point win over Richmond.But what impressed Cats coach Chris Scott was what the gradually improving ruck-forward produced on Sunday that didn't register on the stats sheet.
SportAustralian Associated PressGWS beat Bombers, jump into AFL top eight
Coach Leon Cameron has lauded GWS' character after the Giants returned to the AFL top eight with a 13-point comeback win over Essendon.The Giants were kept at arm's length early by the fast-starting Bombers, before flicking the switch after halftime to prevail 9.
SportAustralian Associated PressTigers not giving up on AFL finals dream
Richmond's hopes of an AFL premiership three-peat appear shot, but coach Damien Hardwick isn't ready to put the cue in the rack just yet.With superstar Dustin Martin (lacerated kidney) already sidelined for the rest of the season, a comprehensive 38-point defeat to Geelong on Sunday was the latest blow to the Tigers' finals hopes.
SportAustralian Associated PressCats dismantle struggling Tigers in AFL
Geelong have surged into second spot on the AFL ladder with a comprehensive 38-point win over Richmond, driving another dagger into the reigning premiers' finals hopes.Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie and Tom Hawkins were at the heart of the Cats' dominance in the second quarter as they piled on five unanswered goals to set up the 15.
SportAustralian Associated PressDockers blow with Fyfe season likely over
Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe's AFL season is almost certainly over after re-injuring his right shoulder in Sunday's 40-point loss to Sydney.The two-time Brownlow Medallist fell awkwardly while contesting for the ball shortly before halftime at Metricon Stadium and didn't return for the second half.
SportAustralian Associated PressAlex Rance rules out AFL comeback
Alex Rance has emphatically ruled out an AFL comeback after starring in a one-off appearance at state-league level.The one-time Richmond premiership defender suited up for Essendon's VFL side against Southport on Sunday to help fill out the team sheet.
SportAustralian Associated PressBuddy in hot water as Swans thump Dockers
Sydney's 40-point AFL win over Fremantle on the Gold Coast has been soured with Lance Franklin in hot water after catching an opponent in the face with an elbow.The Swans superstar was penalised after connecting with his left elbow to the head of Fremantle's Luke Ryan in the second quarter of the 14.
SportAustralian Associated PressRichmond AFL star Martin out of hospital
Richmond will allow superstar Dustin Martin to remain in Queensland as he begins his rehabilitation from a lacerated kidney.Martin was discharged from hospital on Sunday, nine days after an on-field collision with Brisbane's Mitch Robinson ended his season.
SportAustralian Associated PressSliding down draft doesn't concern Crows
Building a winning culture is more important to Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks than the prospect of missing out on the Jason Horne sweepstakes.The Crows went a long way to avoiding a second straight wooden spoon with a 19-point victory against fellow cellar dwellers Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
SportAustralian Associated PressGoodwin keeps faith with Demons' AFL hopes
Melbourne have lost top spot on the AFL ladder and could slip as low as third by the end of the round, having won just two and drawn one of their last six matches.But Simon Goodwin isn't ready to hit the panic button just yet.
SportAustralian Associated PressBulldogs reinvent Schache as AFL defender
2 draft pick Josh Schache has opened a "new chapter" of his AFL career as a defender in a Western Bulldogs team that's firming as this year's premiership favourites.Schache was recalled for his second game of the season - just his fourth in two years - and played a key role in the back line as the Bulldogs posted an impressive 20-point win over Melbourne on Saturday night.
SportAustralian Associated PressEagle Jeremy McGovern to the ruck rescue
He' a four-time All-Australian defender and the best intercept marker in the league, but is Jeremy McGovern the answer to West Coast's ruck riddle.McGovern impressed as a back-up ruckman to Nic Naitanui in Saturday's eight-point win against St Kilda.
SportAustralian Associated PressCrows clip Hawks' wings in 19-point win
The Adelaide Crows have survived a late scare to snap a four-game losing streak, defeating Hawthorn by 19 points at Marvel Stadium.Crows midfielder Rory Laird was outstanding with 36 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals, while former skipper Taylor Walker continued his resurgent season, booting four goals in Saturday's clash.
