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Four Points

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Justin Longmuir after Saturday’s game.

Any fixture changes should be primarily focused on fixing inequities, not creating new ones

The AFL coach didn’t raise the problem of the distortion and avoidable inequities that opening round creates, but he was clearly glad someone noticed there was an elephant sitting in the corner.

  • Michael Gleeson

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Same old BLues after their Opening Round loss to the Swans.

Curse it all, Docherty was right: How the ex-Blue opened the door to Carlton’s locker room

The point of Docherty’s exasperated rant was that Carlton players have been having these conversations amongst themselves for years. But one question was left hanging.

  • Michael Gleeson
Chris Scott and Chris Fagan will go head to head in a grand final for the first time.

By Saturday night, one of these two coaches will be an undisputed great. So will their footy club

Chris Scott and Chris Fagan have been the two best coaches this decade, winning a premiership apiece. Who will prevail?

  • Peter Ryan
Mason Cox of the Magpies looks on.

The Magpies made a massive call at the selection table to free Mason, and it paid off big time

Mason Cox’s days at Collingwood looked numbered, but it was a masterstroke to call him back into the team against Adelaide, and now it looks like he’s there to stay … at least for this premiership campaign.

  • Michael Gleeson
Skipper Marcus Bontempelli leads the bedraggled Bulldogs off Marvel Stadium, with their finals prospects hinging on the slim hope Essendon can beat Gold Coast.

Bulldogs get what they deserve with another loss to a top-eight rival

If Essendon do the unthinkable and upset the Gold Coast Suns, the Bulldogs will creep into the eight courtesy of their ridiculously high percentage. But they would be undeserving finalists because their record against top-flight teams is poor.

  • Michael Gleeson
Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates a goal.

What a Gun-Ston: Neither team nor player could have expected this level of investment return

Veteran Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston should have been waving to the crowd and disappearing into fading MCG light like Luke Breust.

  • Michael Gleeson
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Steven May is facing scrutiny after his clash with Carlton’s Francis Evans on Saturday night.

Whatever happens to Steven May, response to bump shows language and attitudes are changing

It’s now up to the tribunal to decide Steven May’s fate after his sickening collision with Francis Evans. But there was ample evidence in the aftermath that attitudes about these types of incidents have changed across the AFL.

  • Michael Gleeson
Essendon’s injury woes continued with Nic Martin hobbling from the ground.

The Bombers’ dive bomb: The explanation, not excuse, for their appalling slide

Brad Scott has played 41 different players in his senior side so far this season. Essendon’s list has 47 names on it.

  • Michael Gleeson
Darcy Moore and his Magpies are all smiles atop the ladder.

Why Friday night will shine Sun-light on the question about Collingwood’s defence

This Friday night’s clash against Collingwood will be the biggest game in Gold Coast’s history. Pies coach Craig McRae will be uneasy about the opponents they confront.

  • Michael Gleeson
Richmond’s Tom Lynch was put on report for this hit on Jordon Butts.

0 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks, 0 tackles, 5 frees against: Tom Lynch’s damning half of football

Why the Richmond spearhead must be sent straight to the tribunal.

  • Michael Gleeson