AFL 2023
Melbourne coach Goodwin angered by unfounded drug rumours
Simon Goodwin was angered and frustrated at rumours circulating about him using illicit drugs when senior Melbourne Football Club officials raised them with him on the eve of the 2021 season.
- by Peter Ryan
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Hawks face massive financial settlement to Clarkson
Hawthorn are facing a significant financial settlement with Alastair Clarkson, while he and his former football boss Chris Fagan also want public apologies from the club over the impact of the cultural safety review on their professional and private lives.
- by Caroline Wilson
AFL Briefing
Hawthorn Hawks
Spurred towards victory? Hawks coach Mitchell to spend time at Tottenham
After a busy trade period, Hawthorn coaches Sam Mitchell and Adrian Hickmott are in the UK to visit Tottenham Hotspur.
- by Peter Ryan
Max Gawn defends Demons culture after Smith’s positive drug test
Melbourne are facing scrutiny after forward Joel Smith returned a positive drug test, but Max Gawn is confident the club will overcome the adversity.
- by Peter Ryan
Why top AFL draft prospect put a media ban on himself
Daniel Curtin might be the most talked-about AFL prospect this side of Harley Reid in the talented 2023 crop – and he admits it is nigh on impossible to ignore the hype.
- by Marc McGowan
Updated
Spring racing carnival
Star Tigers’ hopes riding high; Gold Trip not guaranteed to start; Nonconformist withdrawn due to lameness
Between them, they have a swag of AFL premiership medals, best and fairest awards, Coleman Medals and All-Australian blazers, but to own a Caulfield Cup winner, well, that would be an entirely different thrill for six Richmond footballers.
- by Peter Ryan
Updated
AFL off-field behaviour
Demons player Joel Smith tested positive for cocaine; new Blues player faces drug possession charge
Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after he returned a positive test for cocaine. Separately, Carlton revealed Elijah Hollands has been served with a notice to face court in relation to possession of an illicit substance.
- by Jake Niall, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan
Opinion
For subscribers
Entrecote, Oliver, and now Smith: Do the Demons have a culture problem?
Whatever the fate of Joel Smith, and whatever an examination of the evidence in his case brings, the Demons should not avoid an examination of themselves.
- by Jake Niall
‘Dream come true’: Hawthorn unveil Ginnivan, jarring image for Pies fans
As a Collingwood premiership player, Jack Ginnivan will forever have a connection to the Magpies, but he now gets to realise a childhood dream of playing for the club he barracked for.
- by Andrew Wu
Analysis
AFLW
Up for grabs: The blockbuster AFLW round that will shape the premiership
With just three rounds left of the current AFLW season there are five teams pushing for a top-four finish and 13 clubs who could make finals. This weekend will shape the end-of-season ladder.
- by Marnie Vinall
Analysis
Trading and drafting
Only two As: Who dominated the AFL’s swap-fest, and who were the big losers?
We rate every club’s trade and free agency period – and rank the teams from best to worst – as the draft picture takes shape.
- by Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan