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opinion
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opinion
Life about to get real for new AFL draft crop

As draftees around Australia prepare for their first days on an AFL list, life as they know it is about to change dramatically. Fremantle’s Cooper Simpson reflects on his first 12 months.

Craig O'Donoghue

AFLPremiumNephew of motorsport icon gets Eagles training call-up

Sandy Brock, the nephew of late Australian motorsport legend Peter Brock, will train with West Coast this pre-season.

Samantha Rogers

The NightlyOverlooked AFL draftee’s frank message to rival clubs

The teenager was in tears when the first night ended without his name being called.

Glenn Valencich

opinion
opinion
AFL CommentsPremium
opinion
RYAN DANIELS: Father-son nostalgia ain’t what it used to be

The father-son rule is fantastic, it’s romantic, it’s one of the truly unique and nostalgic elements of our game. But for the love of God can we make these clubs pay the correct price?

Ryan Daniels

opinion
opinion
AFLCommentsPremium
opinion
Draftees and a debutant bringing sporting joy to the world

Sport can be a high-pressure industry, but the joy that is produced by an AFL draft and a Test cricket debutant is a reminder that fans are so passionate, and players sacrifice so much to reach the top.

Craig O'Donoghue

AFLCommentsPremiumEx-Bomber reckons Bolton will make Dockers ‘scary’ in 2025

Former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has declared Richmond premiership star Shai Bolton’s arrival at Fremantle will have opposition teams fearing the Dockers next season.

Craig O'Donoghue

AFL DraftPremiumEagles recruiting boss touts spearhead as potential backman

West Coast national recruiting manager Duane Massey says exciting draftee Jobe Shanahan has the potential to play at either end of the ground.

Mitchell Woodcock

AFL Draft CommentsPremiumEagles draftee out to prove rivals wrong after shock slide

West Coast draftee Hamish Davis says he’s determined to prove every club that didn’t pick him wrong after he was a shock slider in the AFL Draft. 

Samantha Rogers

AFLCommentsPremiumFREO TRAINING NOTES: Carr revs up, Darcy on deck

A Fremantle new recruit celebrated his first day as part of an AFL program, while several senior players made appearances as the Dockers ramped up their pre-season preparations. Here’s what we saw.

Ben Smith

AFLPremiumGunston rejoins Hawks, Suns swing AFL rookie surprise

Gold Coast pounced on delisted Fremantle ruckman Max Knobel, while another 14 players rejoined their AFL clubs through the pre-season or rookie drafts.

Shayne Hope

AFL DraftPremiumNarkle to complete Dockers list for 2025 season

Fremantle will complete its list on Monday morning when they officially add Quinton Narkle when the pre-season supplemental selection period officially opens.

Mitchell Woodcock

AFLCommentsPremiumA not-so-noble cause as Suns steal ruckman from Freo’s grasp

Fremantle promised Max Knobel that they’d return him to their squad at the rookie draft after delisting him - but Gold Coast decided to squash that plan by swooping in to snatch him.

Mitchell Woodcock

AFLPremiumEagles Training Notes: Flynn back as Eagles get physical

While there was plenty of attention down the road at Optus Stadium for the West Test, West Coast players hit the track for a solid session at Mineral Resources Park. Here’s what we saw.

Mitchell Woodcock

AFLPremiumJack-ed up! Eagles unveil latest big-name recruit

The last of West Coast’s off-season trade acquisitions has hit the training track, with Jack Graham getting to work alongside his new teammates at Mineral Resources Park on Friday morning.

Mitchell Woodcock

AFL'Daunting and exciting': AFLW rivals steeled for prelim

Facing off against rivals Adelaide in a preliminary final, Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich is keeping a lid on their charge towards a third AFLW premiership.

Joanna Guelas

AFLPremium‘Clear strategy’: Pies’ profit soars despite finals miss

Its premiership defence faltered, but Collingwood enjoyed another bumper financial year following a controversial call in 2023.

Ed Bourke

AFLHow Kearney's return has boosted Roos' bid for glory

North Melbourne are feeling stronger than ever with the return of star defender Emma Kearney for their preliminary final against a plucky Port Adelaide side.

Joanna Guelas

AFLPremiumPNG trailblazer wants Pacific Cup to launch AFL careers

Hewago Paul Oea made history in the AFL, now Papua New Guinea's trailblazer wants to help more youngsters make the leap from Pacific Cup to the elite level.

Steve Larkin

AFLPremiumKangaroos defend bold AFL draft call to grab Whitlock

North Melbourne have defended the most heavily scrutinised move of the AFL draft, after trading away a future first-round pick to secure key tall Matt Whitlock.

Shayne Hope

AFLVideoCommentsPile on! Epic draft reactions for new Docker, Eagle

WATCH: A pair of new WA-based players sparked two of the draft’s best celebration videos, with friends & family of Dockers father-son pick Jaren Carr and Eagles recruit Tom Gross reacting to the news in style.

Chris Robinson

analysis
analysis
AFLCommentsPremium
analysis
ANALYSIS: Talent trumps postcode as Freo look interstate

Eight of Fremantle’s past 10 picks at the national draft have come from interstate, with their history telling us that they are happy to focus on talent instead of worrying about the go-home factor.

Craig O'Donoghue

analysis
analysis
AFLCommentsPremium
analysis
ANALYSIS: Hungry for young talent, Eagles feast on sliders

West Coast might have been late to the party, but they still walked away with a goodie bag of unexpected delights, writes Glen Quartermain.

Glen Quartermain

AFL DraftCommentsPremiumWest is best! WA kids fly off the shelf on second night

Hugh Boxshall is about to cut his ‘leavers’ celebrations short as he prepares for life under Ross Lyon at St Kilda, with the midfielder among eight West Aussies snapped up at the draft.

Mitchell Woodcock & Samantha Rogers

AFL DraftCommentsPremium‘Heartbroken’, then heading west: New Eagle’s wild 24 hours

Jobe Shanahan was one of the surprise players overlooked on the opening night of the AFL Draft, watching as 27 other players were picked around him. But it didn’t take him long to find redemption on night two.

Mitchell Woodcock