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Andrew Stafford

Andrew Stafford

Andrew Stafford is a columnist.

Robert Walls was one of the football’s most respected figures.

The pale, raw-boned boy who became an AFL legend

Uncompromising as a player, coach and commentator, Robert Walls was a respected and influential figure in Australian football for more than 50 years.

  • Andrew Stafford

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The Lions celebrate a crucial Cam Rayner goal in the final term.

‘Dicey situation’: Lions roar with pride over grand final berth after dire mid-season plight

Brisbane Lions come from behind for the second final in a row to reach a grand final showdown against the Sydney Swans. The Lions will strive to win the flag after finishing fifth.

  • Danny Russell, Andrew Wu, Andrew Stafford and Roy Ward
Man of the moment: Cam Rayner.

Cam Rayner had nothing to lose. That’s when he broke the Cats’ hearts

Cam Rayner had been the rabbit in the headlights all week. On Saturday night, his moment came: a 55-metre kick on his left to finally break Geelong in the preliminary final and seal a grand final berth.

  • Andrew Stafford
Caiden Cleary is a chance to earn a recall to the Swans team.

The two Swans in between Adams and a shot at September glory

After two years of finals heartache, Taylor Adams is in danger of enduring more pain in September, no guarantee to replace injured Swans skipper Callum Mills, who hurt his hamstring last week.

  • Andrew Wu and Andrew Stafford
The AFL must now tell the players’ union that the game’s reputation demands transparency.

$50,000 deductions for grand final travel: AFL’s club cash plan explained

AFL clubs have had mixed reactions to the increase in the soft cap limiting spending on coaches, with several initially underwhelmed by changes.

  • Michael Gleeson and Andrew Stafford
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‘He was shaking’: Brisbane’s famous finals win from 44 points down that the coach will never forget

In a crazy finals result which propels Brisbane to the final four, spearhead Joe Daniher slotted the final two goals as the Lions came from the clouds to stun GWS Giants by five points.

  • Jon Pierik, Jonathan Drennan and Andrew Stafford
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Cam Rayner celebrates a goal during the Lions’ elimination final victory over Carlton last weekend.

Can Lion star finally live up to the sky-high expectations?

Brisbane Lions half-forward Cam Rayner has had a career-best year. For the first time, he was picked in the All-Australian squad, even though he wasn’t selected in the final team.

  • Andrew Stafford
Vice-captain Sam Walsh and captain Patrick Cripps lead the dejected Blues off the Gabba after their elimination final loss.

‘Too inconsistent’: Walsh laments Blues’ demise as Voss delivers frank assessment

The disappointment of finals defeat was all too familiar for Carlton, but Sam Walsh and Sam Docherty are promising the team will learn from the experience and come back stronger.

  • Andrew Stafford and Peter Ryan
Harry McKay of the Blues marks the ball.

AFL finals 2024 elimination final: Carlton sent packing at the Gabba as Lions set up clash with Giants

Follow along as the Blues and Lions battle to keep their finals campaigns alive after Swans beat Giants in an unforgettable qualifying final.

  • Roy Ward, Marnie Vinall, Jon Pierik, Andrew Stafford and Jonathan Drennan
Dyson Heppell of the Bombers runs out for his last game.

Lions hold off late Bombers charge as Heppell says farewell; Swans seal minor premiership

Sydney, Hawthorn and Geelong had thumping wins while Dyson Heppell, Dustin Martin and Dylan Grimes all said emotional goodbyes.

  • Roy Ward, Marnie Vinall, Andrew Wu, Andrew Stafford and Malcolm Conn