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Libby Birch

Libby Birch

Libby Birch is a four-time AFLW premiership player.

Anaerobic athletes, such as Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, will find there’s little time to rest and recover for repeat efforts.

The hidden cost of footy’s new rules, and the players it will hit the most

Opening round has shown us what to expect from the AFL’s new rules. These are the players who will pay the price.

  • Libby Birch

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The teams line up for the national anthem.

AFL grand final player ratings: Which three triumphant Lions scored a perfect 10?

Who soared, and who flopped, on the AFL’s biggest stage? In a grand final in which Brisbane killed off Geelong’s spirit, their influential players were far easier to spot.

  • Libby Birch and Brendan McCartney
Brody Mihocek, Steele Sidebottom and Brayden Maynard after the Pies’ loss.

Preliminary final player ratings: From an injury-hit warrior, to an ‘unstoppable’ midfield force

In a pulsating final full of momentum swings in front of more than 96,000 fans, the Lions roared over the Magpies – earning the right to defend their premiership next week. Our experts rate every player.

  • Danny Russell and Libby Birch
Jai Newcombe.

Semi-final player ratings: ‘Mr September’ stands tallest, but Crows stars go missing yet again

Hokball was at its blistering best as Sam Mitchell’s men sent the top-of-the-ladder Crows packing in straight sets. We run the rule over every player and rate their performances after an eye-opening night.

  • Libby Birch and Marc McGowan
Nick Daicos of the Magpies (left) and Darcy Moore of the Magpies celebrate.

Qualifying final player ratings: From stars who went missing, to a record-breaking captain’s game

Our experts rate every player from the Pies and the Crows after the Adelaide Oval blockbuster.

  • Libby Birch and Jon Pierik
The AFLW captains launch the league’s 10th season.

10 reasons to watch AFLW in its 10th season

AFLW is closing in on its historic first decade, and the game has never been more compelling. Here’s why this year is the one to jump on board with your family and friends.

  • Libby Birch
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Contenders: The ladder has nine teams in the hunt, but the ladder doesn’t tell the full story.

The ladder lies. These are the true indicators of finals form

Nine teams are still in the hunt, but how they’re building – or scrambling – towards September tells a different story. These are the trump cards, red flags and fixture implications of a crucial final six weeks.

  • Libby Birch
Essendon have had a major injury crisis in season 2025, with the large number of injured players including (from left) Mason Redman, Kyle Langford and Sam Draper.

Where should the bad-luck Bombers look to find a cure for their injury curse?

The Bombers have used two full teams of players this season as their best and brightest continually topple over injured.

  • Libby Birch
Collingwood’s Bobby Hill bumps the Brisbane Lions’ Keidean Coleman during the 2023 grand final.

‘It’s not about courage’: Why I choose not to bump

The consequences of bumping are too great, so I opt not to do it and train accordingly, and there are plenty of other players like me at the top level.

  • Libby Birch
Some of the players picked in the Real Footy super draft.

We drafted three teams of current AFL players. Which is the best?

In our first Real Footy podcast episode of 2025, we sat down to take part in a super draft, going head-to-head in an attempt to pick the best possible team of current footballers. After round 11, we check back in on where the teams are at and who the frontrunners are. Vote on which team is the best.

  • Andrew Wu, Peter Ryan and Libby Birch