AFL
SportAustralian Associated PressInjury blow for North's Aiden Bonar in AFL
North Melbourne defender Aiden Bonar has aggravated an old wrist injury and will undergo surgery next week in a huge blow to his preparation for the 2022 AFL season.The 22-year-old's rehabilitation is expected to keep him out of full training for up to three months.
SportAustralian Associated PressThree AFL matches confirmed for NT in 2022
AFL premiers Melbourne will return to Alice Springs next year, hosting one of three matches to be played in the Northern Territory during the 2022 season.The Demons will take on an as-yet unnamed opponent at Traeger Park, with the league set to confirm its full fixture later this week.
SportAustralian Associated PressEagle Sheppard forced into AFL retirement
Star West Coast defender Brad Sheppard has been forced into early retirement, becoming the second Eagle in the space of four months to call it quits due to ongoing concussion effects.Sheppard was concussed in the round-12 win over Carlton and also the round-22 loss to Fremantle.
SportAustralian Associated PressMcDonald to skipper Cats AFLW again
Meg McDonald will lead Geelong for a second consecutive AFLW season in 2022, after a six-player leadership group was announced by the Cats.Nina Morrison has been elevated to vice-captain with Georgie Rankin, Julia Crockett-Grills and Chantel Emonson first time members, and Maddy Keryk returning for a second year.
SportAustralian Associated PressDockers move on from Lobb's trade request
Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy says the player group has moved on from Rory Lobb's botched trade request and he's expecting the big man to play a big role in 2022.Lobb requested a trade back to GWS in October, but a deal never got off the ground.
SportAustralian Associated PressSwans priming Franklin for AFL milestone
Lance Franklin is just five goals away from 1000 AFL majors and Sydney are confident they'll have the forward primed for his tilt at the magical milestone come the AFL season.After injury wiped out his 2020, Franklin bounced back with 51 goals in 18 games this year to close on becoming the sixth man to reach four figures.
SportAustralian Associated PressColeman Medallist McKay keen to kick on
Harry McKay is fresh off winning a Coleman Medal but the Carlton spearhead believes he's just getting started as he prepares to play a key role in the Blues' latest bid to turn their fortunes around.The 23-year-old claimed the AFL's leading goal kicker award with 58 goals in 19 games but conceded it left a hollow feeling, given Carlton's poor season that ultimately led to the sacking of former coach David Teague.
SportAustralian Associated PressHipwood on track in AFL boost for Lions
Chris Fagan has tipped Brisbane spearhead Eric Hipwood to return to AFL action before the halfway point of next season, in what would be a boost to the Lions' premiership hunt.Hipwood ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in round 17 last season, ending his campaign early and forcing Fagan to reshuffle his forward line heading into the finals.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFL flag fire reignited in Tigers' Cotchin
The unusual experience of watching an AFL finals series from his couch has "reignited the fire" in Trent Cotchin before his 15th season at Richmond.The Tigers' triple-premiership captain announced he would stand down from the leadership role in September, around the same time he witnessed Melbourne storm to a drought-breaking flag.
SportAustralian Associated PressMagpies' Pendlebury to have surgery on leg
Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury will be sidelined from training until next year with the skipper to undergo surgery after fracturing his leg.Pendlebury suffered a knock to his lower left leg at training on Friday morning with subsequent scans revealing a hairline fracture.
SportAustralian Associated PressAdelaide AFL coach Nicks signs new deal
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks baulks at predicting just when his AFL club can return to the promised land - finals."The famous question, the 'f' question," Nicks told reporters on Monday after signing a contract extension to remain as coach of the Crows until the end of 2024.
SportAustralian Associated PressLever grounded in scare for AFL premiers
All-Australian defender Jake Lever has been given the all clear by Melbourne medical staff after he fainted during the 2021 premiers' first full training session of the AFL pre-season.Lever sent a scare through the camp when he required assistance after a gruelling running session at Casey Fields.
SportAustralian Associated PressDemons celebrate AFL flag with supporters
Flag hero Jack Viney says Melbourne have turned the page on their drought-breaking AFL premiership and are now hell-bent on replicating their grand final success on home soil next year.More than two months since the historic Optus Stadium decider, the Demons were finally able to celebrate their first flag since 1964 with their supporters at the MCG on Sunday.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFL prepares for record crowds in 2022
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has raised the possibility of breaking the record for the largest home-and-away crowd ever when Melbourne unfurl their premiership flag.The Demons will open the 2022 AFL season with a blockbuster clash with the Western Bulldogs to kick off a March football feast in Victoria.
SportAustralian Associated PressMagpies' De Goey request to train denied
Jordan De Goey has approached Collingwood for permission to resume training with the Magpies but the troubled star's request has been knocked back by the AFL club.The 25-year-old arrived back in Australia on Tuesday after months away in the United States.
SportAustralian Associated PressRacism stain won't vanish: AFL star Walker
Adelaide's ex-captain Taylor Walker says the stain of his AFL racism suspension will never go away.Walker has served three games of a six-game ban for making a racist comment at a state league match last year.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFLW backs in 10-round 2022 fixture
AFLW officials have confirmed a 10-round fixture for the 2022 season but are braced for further COVID-19 curve balls amid the ongoing uncertainty concerning interstate travel restrictions.The schedule has been laid out for rounds one to nine - St Kilda and Richmond meet in the season opener on January 7 - while the round 10 match-ups will be revealed in coming days.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFL legend Barassi positive for COVID-19
Australian rules football legend Ron Barassi has tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of taking part in Melbourne's long-awaited AFL premiership celebrations at the MCG.The 85-year-old is understood to have contracted coronavirus at a 70th birthday party for former VFL player and media identity Peter "Crackers" Keenan last month.
SportAustralian Associated PressDees greats to join AFL premiership party
Melbourne icons Neale Daniher and David Neitz will take centre stage in the AFL club's official premiership celebration at the MCG, presenting the Jock McHale and Norm Smith medals.Former Demons coach Daniher will hand over the Jock McHale Medal to premiership coach Simon Goodwin on Sunday, while Christian Petracca will receive his best-on-ground award from former club captain Neitz.
SportAustralian Associated PressUgle-Hagan copying Weightman's AFL rise
Cody Weightman sees distinct parallels between Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's career trajectory and his own rise to prominence as the former No.1 draft pick seeks to stamp his mark on the AFL next year.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFL star De Goey lands back in Australia
Troubled AFL star Jordan De Goey has arrived back in Australia after months away in the United States as the Collingwood dynamo prepares to face court via video link.The 25-year-old landed at Sydney airport on Tuesday morning with his Magpies career in the balance.
SportAustralian Associated PressDogs commit to Ballarat AFL, AFLW games
The Western Bulldogs will play two AFL home games per season at Ballarat's Mars Stadium for a further three years after extending their agreement with the Victorian government.As part of a separate arrangement, the Bulldogs will also play an AFLW match in the regional city next year.
SportAustralian Associated PressRayner, Hipwood returns to boost Lions
Cameron Rayner has a glint in his eye, and an extra yard of pace, after missing all of the last AFL season with a knee injury.1 draft pick is optimistic he and Eric Hipwood, who could be back ahead of schedule as early as round five, can offer what's needed next year as the Lions stay on the scent of a premiership.
SportAustralian Associated PressNo AFL expectations on Mitchell's Hawks
Sam Mitchell is steering well clear of making bold predictions about Hawthorn's regeneration as he takes charge of the AFL club's new era.Mitchell oversaw day one of the Hawks' pre-season campaign on Monday as five new draftees joined a smattering of senior players, including Jack Gunston and James Sicily.
