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Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps is still pushing for his chance to hold the premiership cup aloft on the final day of the season.

‘Deserving counts for little’: How Cripps has overcome the blues

Patrick Cripps heads into his 13th season still chasing an elusive flag, but a fellow champion says there are no guarantees, no matter how good you are.

  • Jon Pierik

Latest

AFL star Izak Rankine was suspended for a homophobic comment.

‘I’m done’: Rankine reveals how his homophobic slur pushed him to the edge

Izak Rankine has revealed he pondered walking away from the AFL after he was thrust into the public spotlight for a homophobic remark. Plus, there was plenty more news from AFL captain’s day.

  • Jon Pierik, Sam McClure, Peter Ryan and Scott Spits
Zak Butters and Tom Barrass get up close and personal.

Butters ‘won’t be rushed’ on future after fiery Origin debut; Weitering cleared of serious injury

Zak Butters was at his fiery best in the State of Origin game, and now his attention is turning back to Port and his future there, while there’s been good news in relation to Jacob Weitering’s injury concerns.

  • Danny Russell
Nick Daicos in action on Saturday night.

State of Origin player rankings: Was Nick Daicos snubbed for best-afield honours?

On a night Origin returned to the AFL landscape, there was controversy over who should have been named best afield for Victoria. Here are the player rankings for both teams.

  • Jon Pierik
Jeremy Cameron, Gary Ablett jnr and Jack Riewoldt in their draft years before they became AFL stars.

From teens to titans: How 16 of the AFL’s biggest names looked in their draft year

Some are unrecognisable, others haven’t changed a bit. We revisited these stars to see what they looked like and what was said about them as AFL wannabes.

  • Greg Dundas
Football has a number of influential people.

Dons players raised concerns over meeting where illicit drugs policy was discussed

Senior Essendon players approached the AFLPA after club leaders spoke to the playing group at a meeting before the mid-season bye where information relating to the AFL’s illicit drugs policy was discussed.

  • Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
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The Saints will welcome Tom De Koning in 2026 and welcome back Max King after another injury-riddled season.

St Kilda’s recruiting splurge: The one real risk behind aggressive strategy

St Kilda are perfectly placed to land five new players and may get a handy pick for Rowan Marshall who wants to be traded to Geelong. There might be some risk but only to the reputation of those in charge.

  • Peter Ryan
Geelong

Geelong stars court controversy with Mad Monday costumes

Some of Geelong’s biggest names have courted controversy with their Mad Monday costumes, just days after their crushing grand final loss to the Brisbane Lions. 

  • Hannah Kennelly
Patrick Dangerfield is aiming to become a premiership captain on Saturday.

‘It’s so sick’: Dangerfield played one of the best finals on record, then the real performance started

The Geelong superstar’s teammates have some stories to tell about their captain.

  • Marc McGowan
Zach Merrett.

How Zach Merrett and Essendon can salvage their relationship

There was a different path for Zach Merrett to take, although it would have taken patience.

  • Peter Ryan