AFL
SportAustralian Associated PressBrown close to AFL flag after torrent toil
It was on a miserable summer's day in Tasmania that Melbourne recruit Ben Brown made a statement of intent, even before starting work at his new AFL club.Brown is one win away from capping his first season at the Demons with a premiership.
SportAustralian Associated PressWines grateful for Power's show of faith
Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines says the realisation that he's not a "silky smooth mid" helped propel him to the 2021 Brownlow medal, and he's glad the Power didn't let him leave two years ago.Wines became the first Port player to win the AFL's most coveted individual award when he polled 36 votes in Sunday's thrilling count to edge out Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli (33) and Melbourne star Clayton Oliver (31).
SportAustralian Associated PressMcLachlan issues COVID-19 jab call to arms
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has issued a vaccination call to arms, urging the football community to have COVID-19 shots.McLachlan used his welcome speech at Sunday night's Brownlow Medal count in Perth to implore players and fans.
SportAustralian Associated PressWines wins Port's first AFL Brownlow Medal
Port Adelaide's Ollie Wines admitted to mixed emotions after winning his club's first AFL Brownlow Medal, saying the award and their disastrous end to the season have him rattled.In a pulsating count on Sunday night that was one of the most entertaining in Brownlow history, Wines polled 36 votes to finish three clear of Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.
SportAustralian Associated PressCousins returns to AFL fold at Brownlow
Ben Cousins is back in the AFL fold, attending the Brownlow Medal count in Perth.The 43-year-old former West Coast star, who arrived at Optus Stadium with Kellye Fergus, is at his first Brownlow function since retiring as a player in 2010.
SportAustralian Associated PressDees star backs AFL premiership medal push
Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney has thrown his weight behind calls for the AFL to award premiership medals to players of the winning club who miss out on the grand final.The suggestion has been a talking point during the extended build-up to this year's grand final, but won't be implemented for the September 25 decider unless the league makes a late decision to break with tradition.
SportYahoo Sport Australia'He's coming': AFL boss confirms huge Ben Cousins move
Despite backlash from some sections of the AFL world, Ben Cousins will make his first appearance at the Brownlow Medal in years. Read more here.
SportAustralian Associated PressSpargo good for AFL grand final: Viney
Jack Viney has eased fears over Melbourne teammate Charlie Spargo after the small forward sent an injury scare through the camp just seven days out from the AFL grand final.Spargo twisted an ankle in a tackling drill during the Demons' training session on Saturday night, casting doubt over his availability for the September 25 decider against the Western Bulldogs.
SportAustralian Associated PressLuke Beveridge's rise to AFL master coach
Luke Beveridge never forgets where he came from. Nor should he when you consider his rapid ascension to become one of the AFL's greatest coaches.
SportAustralian Associated PressWomen's footy pioneers set for AFL glory
If fortune favours the bold, then to Debbie Lee it comes as no surprise Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs are on the verge of AFL glory.The Dogs and Demons have embodied the spirit of fearless football throughout their different paths to this year's grand final.
SportAustralian Associated PressInjury-free Wood eyes second AFL flag
Five years after leading the Western Bulldogs to a breakthrough premiership, Easton Wood still can't quite believe his body's held up for another crack at the AFL's biggest prize.The 2016 premiership skipper, Wood passed the captaincy baton to Marcus Bontempelli ahead of 2020 - and has spent the past two seasons battling injuries.
SportAustralian Associated PressWoewodin keen to pass on Brownlow baton
Twenty-one years since the greatest night of his football life, Melbourne's most recent Brownlow Medal winner says he doesn't expect to hold that title for much longer.Shane Woewodin, who claimed the game's most coveted individual award in 2000, has backed Demons hard nut Clayton Oliver to salute at Sunday night's medal count.
SportAustralian Associated PressNorth defender Tarrant switching to Tigers
Veteran defender Robbie Tarrant has knocked back a two-year contract from North Melbourne and will make a late-career switch to AFL powerhouse Richmond.Tarrant has played 174 games for the Kangaroos, after being taken with pick in the 2007 draft.
SportAustralian Associated PressFlexibility on GF venue unlikely: AFL boss
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan doesn't expect rotating the grand final venue to become a trend but other big games could easily be taken to Perth.Perth's Optus Stadium will host the season decider for the first time, a year after the Gabba did the same, with general public tickets selling out within nine minutes.
SportAustralian Associated PressDogs skipper, Dees stars set for Brownlow
Whether Marcus Bontempelli claims the Brownlow Medal or not, his former skipper Easton Wood is backing the Western Bulldogs superstar to take a busy pre-grand final schedule in his stride.Bontempelli, Port Adelaide bull Ollie Wines and Melbourne duo Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca - who 'The Bont' will face in next Saturday's season decider - headline the favourites.
SportAustralian Associated PressDemons confident about May's fitness
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is "really confident" star defender Steven May will be fit to play in the AFL grand final.The All-Australian fullback is racing the clock to be available for the September 25 decider against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
SportAustralian Associated PressDemons AFL coach Goodwin out of quarantine
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has recovered from a bout of food poisoning and is back with the rest of the club as the Demons ramp up their preparation for the AFL grand final.Goodwin and assistant coach Adem Yze fell ill on Friday and were forced into quarantine as a precaution.
SportAustralian Associated PressBulldogs to cautiously exit quarantine
The Western Bulldogs are about to be let off their hard quarantine leash but Easton Wood doesn't plan on stretching his freedoms beyond enjoying a coffee on the beach.The Bulldogs' long haul in hotel quarantine, which has stretched beyond three weeks and through Tasmania, Perth and Brisbane, is due to end on Sunday.
SportAustralian Associated PressCarlton secure Cook as CEO in AFL boost
Carlton tumultuous off-season has received a timely boost, with highly-respected AFL administrator Brian Cook confirmed as their new chief executive.New Blues president Luke Sayers hailed Cook as the perfect person to take the club forward.
SportAustralian Associated PressBombers to welcome back exiled figures
Essendon will attempt to welcome estranged past Bombers figures, including David Evans and Mark Thompson, back for the AFL club's 150th anniversary celebrations.The Bombers on Friday launched a new logo in preparation for next year as they look back to when the club was founded in 1872.
SportAustralian Associated PressStephens, McLean among Swans re-signings
Former first-round draft pick Dylan Stephens and promising tall Hayden McLean have re-signed with Sydney for the next two AFL seasons.South Australian midfielder Stephens, 20, has played 15 games over two seasons since being taken at pick No.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFL Tigers' Soldo signs three-year deal
AFL premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo has re-signed with Richmond until the end of 2024 in a timely and important boost to the Tigers' ruck stocks.Richmond's tall stocks are set to take a serious hit this off-season, with Mabior Chol to join Gold Coast as a free agent and Callum Coleman-Jones tipped to also depart via a trade to North Melbourne.
SportAustralian Associated PressDemons insist 9pm curfew is a 'loose' time
Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin is adamant the club hasn't imposed a hard curfew on the player group leading up to next week's grand final against the Western Bulldogs.The Demons have been out of quarantine since last weekend, and reports have emerged of the players being told to be back in their Joondalup accommodation by 9pm each night.
SportAustralian Associated PressCats legend Enright joins Saints staff
Geelong legend Corey Enright has jumped ship to St Kilda as an assistant coach after 22 years with the Cats.After ending his illustrious 332-game AFL career in 2016, Enright moved straight into coaching at Geelong.
