Brisbane Lions chairman Andrew Wellington says the club could soon outgrow its Gabba home with record membership and attendance numbers pointing to a not-too distant future in which a larger venue is required.
Zach Merrett will spearhead Essendon’s quest to end a 20-year finals victory drought after being appointed captain for a second straight year, with Andrew McGrath to again support the midfielder as vice-captain.
Collingwood youngster Fin Macrae has been talked up as an ambidextrous midfielder who was “on track for world-record numbers” in an intra-club performance that dazzled teammates.
Football hardman Campbell Brown says exiled former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett has been “completely vindicated” by the off-field crisis that is now engulfing the club.
Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper says the addition of teammate Thomson Dow this season will improve the Tigers’ on-ball brigade as he expects a host of senior players to return for next week’s practice match against Collingwood.
The Sydney Swans and GWS Giants are set to be two of the most watchable teams in the AFL this year and both clubs will be dreaming of premiership glory.
Controversial North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas will not be suspended yet but AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has flagged the penalty for his latest misdemeanours could be “potentially quite severe”.
Carlton could make its trip north to face Brisbane in Opening Round without six of its first-choice players as the club leaves a decision on Sam Walsh’s fitness until the last minute.
North Melbourne’s coaches have stopped factoring Tarryn Thomas in to season planning as youngster George Wardlaw says the Roos players “don’t know as much as we would like” about the investigation into the midfielder.
Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said he is “at ease” with the contract situation of in-demand speedster Max Holmes as he enters the season without a deal.
Spearhead Nick Larkey has franked his Coleman Medal credentials with a dominant haul of five goals in three quarters as his Roos pushed past an undermanned Collingwood.
Players at the Gold Coast Suns are embracing new coach Damien Hardwick’s declaration that qualifying for a maiden finals series is the bare minimum expected this season, revelling in the three-time premiership-winning mentor’s “clean slate” approach with the group.