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

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Jobe Watson on this week’s episode of Unfiltered.

‘I didn’t really want to participate’:Watson explains why he agreed to injecting program

After more than a dozen years,a reflective Jobe Watson is now relaxed enough to discuss why he took part in the club’s controversial supplements program and why he feels the 34 suspended players were hard done by.

  • Jon Pierik
The incident involving O’Connell and Rhyan Mansell.

Tiger’s ban stands;Blue to return from break via VFL;Injury heartbreak for Bombers recruit

Rhyan Mansell’s three-match ban stands;Elijah Hollands is expected to return through the VFL this weekend;and the AFL is “comfortable” in allowing Noah Balta to play before he’s sentenced in court.

  • Jake Niall,Scott Spits andAndrew Wu
Zak Butters has not played this season but will be back from his knee injury shortly,and is in high demand for the years ahead.

This Port star is contracted until the end of 2026,but Victorian clubs are already circling

At 24,Zak Butters is coming into the prime of his career. Hawthorn,Richmond,Essendon and Collingwood are among the clubs keen to lure him back home to Victoria.

  • Sam McClure
Jake Stringer is enjoying life at GWS and ready for his first game for the club.

‘All of a sudden,it was a big issue’:Stringer explains Dons exit,denies links to crime figure

Slimmer and still smarting from his exit at Essendon,Jake Stringer opens up in an expansive interview with this masthead – touching on everything from the constant critiques,to his new life in Sydney.

  • Sam McClure
Bombers defender Ben McKay chalked up the 20th win of his career after a tough week.

‘Get around him’:McKernan calls for caution after Essendon fans turn on McKay

A dual premiership star has rushed to the defence of Ben McKay,after the much-maligned defender appeared to wear the wrath of Essendon fans despite a breakthrough win over Port Adelaide.

  • Peter Ryan andJon Pierik
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Can you hear that? Sam Draper enjoys his goal.

Bombers down Port after final term burst;Scott comes to McKay’s defence

Under-fire Essendon have delivered a stirring last-quarter comeback,including the final four goals of the game,to beat Port Adelaide by 12 points and claim their first win of the season.

  • Scott Spits
Bailey Smith.

Big names return:AFL experts’ tips and teams for round three

All the ins and outs for round three,and how the experts see it all playing out.

Port Adelaide footballer Tom Cochrane (centre) is congratulated by teammates (L-R) Jack Whitlock,Benny Barrett,Joe Berry and Christian Moraes after the club named him to make his debut.

Footballer with Tourette syndrome to make AFL history;Bombers to debut El-Hawli;Reid’s punishment announced

Tom Cochrane,son of former Power player Stuart,will become the first player with Tourette syndrome to make his AFL debut. Meanwhile,Essendon have named attacking half-back Saad El-Hawli to make his debut on Thursday night.

  • Scott Spits,Roy Ward andAngus Delaney
Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy were close friends before they became Bombers. They’ve already shown glimpses of their star potential.

Bombers look to lock in young gun long term as red-and-black reset continues

Essendon are keen to offer an emerging star forward a long-term deal,while the in-form Hawks are facing a contract squeeze. Elsewhere,we look at some of the rising teens the Tasmania Devils will have access to.

  • Marc McGowan andPeter Ryan