All tagged AFL
From the stocky little midfielder that nobody wanted to a Rising Star, Premiership Captain & Brownlow Medalist, the story of Sam Mitchell’s perseverance to make it to the very top of the game is now a well-worn tale. But as we now shake our heads in disbelief as to how Mitchell could have ever been overlooked in his draft year, has the AFL industry actually learnt its lesson?
In 2014 a furore erupted when it became evident that the Sydney Swans would pay minimal compensation for the acquisition of their academy graduate Isaac Heeney. 4 years on, is the academy system for NSW and Queensland clubs working? And is it fair?
It is now 9 decades since the peak of the Collingwood-Richmond rivalry. Over 3 consecutive Grand Finals between 1927-1929, the Collingwood Machine Team established it’s greatness despite the efforts of the competitive Tigers. But what was the key element to the success of the Machine Team? And can it be found in the present day Tigers?
The ruck battle is the last great head-to-head duel in modern football. And this week the two premier ruckmen in the AFL this season, Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy, will come face-to-face. But which one can lay claim to be the best ruckman in the league?
In tribute to the 2018 Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, The Weekend Preview reflects on how Michael O’Loughlin launched his career and investigates whether we have passed the peak of Lance Franklin.
Jake Lever faces his old side for the first time this weekend, but should Melbourne have got him in his draft year? And is Paul Seedsman the best winger in the competition this season?
West Coast were formidable at Subiaco, but they have looked similarly impressive at Optus Stadium. So was the home-ground factor of the Subiaco ground dimensions (long & narrow) over-hyped? And what about the Tigers playing away from their beloved short & wide MCG?
Stephen Kernahan may be Carlton’s Captain in their Team of the Century, but unfortunately for him, he is remembered for 2 things… And although the 2018 Carlton side is only a shadow of what was on show in the Kernahan era, on the bright side the Blues do have an evergreen halfback that is in career best form…
North Melbourne has missed out on Father-Son prospect Nick Blakey. In terms of the Father-Son rule, the Kangaroos are surely the most unlucky team in the AFL. As for Sydney, what will they need to give up to secure Blakey in the draft?
It was stability, on and off the field that ultimately formed the platform for Richmond’s 2017 premiership success. And whilst Dustin Martin ultimately took most of the individual award honours in Richmond’s premiership season, it was possibly Alex Rance that was the most irreplaceable Richmond player. Rance is the pre-eminent key defender of his generation, but is he still the best key defender in the AFL?
There were two moments that summed up the fortunes of Geelong in the 2008 and 2009 Grand Finals. And there was one player who was central to both moments - Cameron Mooney. He is also the only player that has celebrated both a birthday and a premiership on the same day for over 20 years. But does a footballer's birthday really matter? More than you think.
2018 represents the 10 year anniversary of Hawthorn's 2008 Premiership success and the coming together of the greatest ever left-footed team. But is it really true that left-footers are better kicks of the football? The Weekend Preview investigates.
Watching the Richmond and Carlton Football Clubs start the AFL fixture each year is usually a preamble to the season proper for most supporters. But this year (at last), it’s not just a cautionary tale on how to mismanage a club, it’s a cautionary tale on how to manage a premiership team. It has been over 2 decades since either team has faced the scenario of defending a premiership…
In 2017, both Adelaide and Richmond are celebrating Premiership anniversaries. Adelaide are celebrating 20 years since their maiden Premiership success in 1997. Whilst Richmond are celebrating 50 years since their drought breaking 1967 Premiership. And if you believe in omens their are some noticeable parallels between 2017 and the anniversaries both these teams are celebrating.
Pressure, Pressure, Pressure. Richmond's mosquito fleet of small forwards have been applying manic pressure on opposition defences all year. And now the Tigers are one win away from their first Grand Final in 35 years. The Weekend Preview has joined the bandwagon.
I see it, but I don’t believe it! Re-living the 2005 Semi Final between Sydney and Geelong through the words of the players and coaches. And what does history tell us about Week 2 of the Finals when the Qualifying Finals losers play the Elimination Finals winners?
The SCG has been a place of heartbreak for the Bombers. And although it feels like the Swans are unbeatable based on their current form, there is hope for the Bombers if they can achieve one thing.
The 8 teams playing Finals represent the 8 best defences in the AFL. And if defence wins premierships, then who will we see in the Grand Final in 4 weeks time? As a bonus edition, The Weekend Preview assesses the strengths and weaknesses of all 8 finalists.
Geelong's record at Kardinia Park is remarkable. But why are they so good at home? Is it because the umpires are being overly influenced by a boisterous home crowd? The Weekend Preview investigates.
In the age of Free Agency and million-dollar a season contracts there is still room for some romanticism in the modern game. The Father-Son rule provides a link between the suburban era of the VFL/AFL and the ultra-professional sport we see today. But which teams have gained the most from the rule since the introdcution of the draft system?
