Coach John Longmire and chief executive Tom Harley – both former AFL players – have been quick to distance themselves from explosive claims made by federal MP Andrew Wilkie.
Prioritising the re-signing of players is part and parcel of every club’s list boss’ job description, but some - such as Western Bulldogs, Essendon, Richmond and St Kilda - have a bigger task ahead than others.
The last time Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom played Brisbane, they tasted grand final victory. Three games later, they’re both out of form, and the coach is weighing up whether to give the veterans a rest.
Essendon young gun Archie Perkins has stood up for Peter Wright after the spearhead was criticised for his clash with a Swans favourite son. Meanwhile, the Demons received good news on the injury front for a pair of star defenders; and Saints big man Max King is headed to the tribunal.
As Collingwood coach Craig McRae looks for a spark for his winless team, his former coach Leigh Matthews says the reigning premiers are lacking energy, and the stats show five of their key midfielders are not performing at last year’s standards.