A former Bomber with an elite kick and pace to burn is among the most eye-catching inclusions in this year’s All-Australian squad.
Some of the AFL’s biggest stars delivered when their clubs needed them in round 24;the Saints and Roos had contrasting finishes;we pinpoint the moment that sank Fremantle’s season;and Carlton reap the rewards of a canny call.
It’s Mad Monday for 10 AFL clubs that failed to reach the finals. But behind that frivolity will be serious soul-searching as they come to terms with what went right,what went wrong and why they failed to meet their own expectations.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is backing Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters to play on next year,and he’s confident Sean Darcy can get on top of his injury concerns.
After a wild home-and-away season,we now have our final eight.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is ignoring Fremantle’s finals permutations ahead of Sunday’s fixture in Perth – a game they must win if they want any chance at keeping their finals hopes alive.
The Dockers no longer have their finals fate in their own hands. And a sense of occasion should have brought a third straight win for the Eagles – but did not.
The frenetic push for AFL finals spots hit fever pitch on Saturday. Collingwood came from the clouds to beat Brisbane and,remarkably,keep their flag defence alive. Geelong might have sabotaged their top four spot by slipping up against St Kilda.
Six goals from full forward Jesse Hogan has allowed the Giants to beat finals hopeful Fremantle by nine points and continue their charge towards the finals.
The GWS Giants are chasing another finals campaign this season but are still struggling to make an impact with Sydney’s sports fans.
The AFL ladder has come to resemble a footballing version of snakes and ladders,so let’s have a bit of fun and forecast exactly how things will look in 10 days’ time.