THE Western Bulldogs’ upswing in AFL form has continued with a hard-fought 16-point win over Brisbane at a cold and wet Mars Stadium in Ballarat. Aaron Naughton didn’t reach the heights of his stunning breakout performance against Richmond, but the exciting youngster overcame a quiet first half on Saturday afternoon to...

CARLTON’S week of soul-searching, scrutiny and off-field drama has ended in heartbreak at the MCG, failing to overcome bitter AFL rivals Collingwood in an agonising 19-point defeat. In one of the most gripping contests of the season, the Blues led by 11 points midway through Saturday afternoon’s final term and threatened...

SYDNEY has clambered off the bottom of the AFL ladder in dramatic fashion at the SCG, pipping Essendon by five points when David Myers’ after-the-siren shot at goal fell short. Co-captains Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker both led from the front in the middle, while Nick Blakey and a stack of young...

COLLINGWOOD star Dayne Beams is in doubt for the Magpies’ AFL clash with Carlton, having failed to take part in Thursday’s main training session. Beams is battling a sore hip and could be set to join Mason Cox, already ruled out with an ankle injury, on the sidelines for Saturday’s encounter with...

COACH Alan Richardson is refusing to use injuries or the opposition for St Kilda’s faltering AFL form, saying they need to look in their “own backyard” as they prepare to take on premiers West Coast on Saturday night. After a surprisingly bright start to the season the Saints have dropped their past...

GARY Ablett’s illustrious record remains unblemished after the AFL tribunal overturned the Geelong star’s suspension for striking Essendon’s Dylan Shiel. The tribunal jury on Tuesday night took just three minutes to find Ablett not guilty of intentional conduct, instead classifying the two-time Brownlow Medallist’s conduct as careless. It means Ablett will be free...

MELBOURNE recruit Steven May will front the AFL club’s leadership group after breaching the Demons’ strict policy of no drinking while out injured. Vice-captain Max Gawn said he didn’t know the full details of May’s indiscretion after he was seen spending Sunday afternoon drinking at a bar on, but it would...

CARLTON co-captain Patrick Cripps is taking some of the blame for their AFL thumping from North Melbourne, saying he did not fire early. The 58-point loss is a major setback for the young Blues and it’s sparked an inevitable backlash from frustrated and impatient Carlton fans. After some signs of life in...

PORT Adelaide co-captain Ollie Wines says he deserved his public roasting from coach Ken Hinkley. Wines was subjected to a Hinkley verbal spray, caught by television cameras, at quarter-time of Port’s AFL loss to Collingwood last Friday night. Hinkley’s barrage directed at Wines and ruckman Scott Lycett came after the Magpies booted seven...

ADELAIDE has downed Fremantle by 17 points in a hard-fought scrap to climb into the AFL’s top eight for the first time this season. The Crows won 7.9 (51) to 5.4 (34) in a high-pressure battle on Sunday at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide began the round in ninth spot but the gritty triumph...