Damien Hardwick makes his way through the Tiger crowd.

Hardwick takes a swipe at Victorian premier over Balta comments after Tiger cubs snare a thrilling win

The three-time premiership coach had some choice words for Jacinta Allan ahead of Noah Balta’s sentencing on Tuesday.

  • Danny Russell,Scott Spits andRussell Bennett

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Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.

Bontempelli officially back for the Bulldogs:AFL experts’ tips and teams

It’s official:the star Western Bulldogs player has been named to return this week after a calf injury. Here are the teams for round six.

Bailey Smith interacts with a member of the crowd at the Adelaide Oval after Geelong’s win. The AFL has confirmed it is investigating the incident.

What a Crows fan said that prompted Smith’s double bird;Dangerfield reveals Cameron’s pep talk

Bailey Smith says he was flying the flag for Patrick Dangerfield when he interacted with an Adelaide footy fan,while the Geelong skipper has explained what he and Jeremy Cameron said to each other before kicking the first four goals of the last term.

  • Andrew Wu andPeter Ryan
Geelong’s Bailey Smith.

Scott rapt with win in ‘finals-like’ environment;‘Body is feeling great,’ says Dangerfield

Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron have kicked four goals each as Geelong opened Gather Round in style with an entertaining 19-point win over Adelaide.

  • Scott Spits
Alex Neal-Bullen was a fan favourite at Melbourne

‘I’m forever grateful:’ Why Simon Goodwin didn’t stand in this departing Demon’s way

As he prepares to open Gather Round with the Adelaide Crows for the first time,it’s obvious why Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen is so missed at the Demons.

  • Peter Ryan
Matthew Nicks.

‘It had an impact:’ Why it took so long for Crows to recover from camp,grand final disaster

The Adelaide chairman,a former premier of South Australia,on the future of coach Matthew Nicks,and how the Crows will chase out-of-contract stars.

  • Jake Niall
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AFL umpires walk out onto the MCG for Melbourne’s match with GWS earlier this year.

Umpires hit out at AFL,claiming Scotch College facilities not up to scratch

Tensions have been building for years within umpiring ranks over the league’s refusal to offer them a permanent training base. They’ve even had to train at local soccer grounds underneath the West Gate Bridge.

  • Sam McClure
Sam Darcy’s five goals wasn’t enough for the Bulldogs to win in Perth.

Darcy snags five as Dogs fall short;Saints’ win defies history;AFL admits Rankine mistake

The Dogs were brave in their loss to Fremantle,with Sam Darcy starring again. The Saints firmed up their spot in the top eight with a mature performance on the road in Adelaide,and the AFL admits an umpiring error hurt the Crows.

  • Andrew Wu,Peter Ryan andSteve Barrett
Luke Parker of the Kangaroos and Isaac Heeney of the Swans embrace post game.

Roos take a leap back in huge loss to Swans;Yze hints at Balta’s return;Marvel crowd issue explained

Confusion reigned as crowds were temporarily prevented from getting to their seats before North’s clash with Sydney.

  • Roy Ward,Jon Pierik andDanny Russell
Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman,Carlton’s Tom De Koning,North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke and Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell are yet to commit to their clubs for 2026.

Inviting drama:Should an AFL captain be meeting a rival coach?

These players are yet to sign on the dotted line,and they’ll be at the centre of trade talk in 2025. And with a club captain among their number,the chase is on.

  • Peter Ryan andMarc McGowan