Less than a fortnight ago, Marlion Pickett stood in the Tigers’ gym and spoke with great pride about the jumper he and his partner Jessica Nannup had designed for the Dreamtime at the ’G match. Family and football had combined for the quietly spoken but resilient pair as they created a guernsey that told, through art, their intriguing journey from […]

Brad Fittler would baulk at picking a player for Origin with just 18 games of NRL experience – but also knows players like Selwyn Cobbo “do not come along every day”. Fittler has no interest in getting involved in the Queensland selection debate, but said NSW would have their work cut out if the Maroons opted for the powerhouse Broncos […]

Geelong speedster Gary Rohan is likely to make an earlier than expected return for his first senior match of the season when the inconsistent Cats seek to rebound against Port Adelaide on Saturday. Rohan, the dashing medium-sized forward, has not played a senior match this season as he dealt with a sciatica issue in his back and hip that derailed […]

A severe bout of the flu kept Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Luke Thompson away from training as Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson said the players took full responsibility for coach Trent Barrett’s demise. Six Bulldogs players were told to stay home from interim coach Mick Potter’s first day at Belmore as Canterbury’s preparations for the bottom-of-the-table clash against the Tigers […]

Craig Bellamy has agreed to continue coaching Melbourne next year. The premiership-winning mentor had already committed to the club until the end of 2026, but he had the option of doing so as head coach or in another capacity. Bellamy has now decided to continue with the clipboard into a 21st season in a boost to the team ahead of […]

The AFL has allowed a further eight players to nominate for the mid-season rookie draft – all state league players – after the deadline, with the backing of interested clubs. One of those who has been given an exemption and allowed to enter the draft, Jake Florenca, has already played for the depleted West Coast as a top-up – raising […]

Out-of-favour big man Mason Cox is closing on a return to Collingwood’s senior team. When he does make a comeback, it will be as a ruckman first and foremost not a forward. Cox is a strong chance to come back into the team as soon as this week as the Magpies manage the exposure of teenage ruck forward Aiden Begg […]

Des Hasler’s endorsement of him as a State of Origin contender has lifted Haumole Olakau’atu to new heights, but it is a blue and gold snubbing that will be front of mind for the Sea Eagles second-rower when he steps out on Friday night. Olakau’atu is one of several Parramatta juniors who have pulled on the maroon and white in […]

West Coast’s miserable season has taken another turn for the worse despite averting a total annihilation against Melbourne, who continued their unbeaten start to their premiership defence on Sunday. The 74-point victory – the Dees’ highest winning margin over the Eagles – may have come at a cost for the flag favourites, who lost midfielder James Harmes to what appeared […]