afl

afl   November 4, 2023

Jack Riewoldt’s The Bright Side

Far from offering thoughtful insight into the venerated career of Richmond full-forward Jack Riewoldt, his new memoir, The Bright Side, is a dull cover letter for future employment.

afl   September 16, 2023

The battleground of sports concussion

Controversy in the AFL Tribunal follows a Senate report into head trauma in sport, and raises further questions about the willingness to risk bodies – and minds – for the sake of victory.

afl   May 27, 2023

Quitting time for Damien Hardwick

The media sideshow that followed Damien Hardwick’s resignation as Richmond coach this week was yet another demonstration of the obsessive scrutiny and lack of perspective that dogs the AFL.

basketball   May 20, 2023

Heroes, villains and the booing of Buddy Franklin

One legend endured a hostile Magpies fan base, another backflipped her way to FA Cup glory, and a third turned the LA Lakers into genuine contenders. Here, a look at the latest heroes and villains in sport.

afl   May 13, 2023

Interpreting the lores of war and football

When the author feared his four-year-old daughter would never share his love of the AFL, he didn’t anticipate that her allegiance might fixate on a club he loathed during a commemoration of something he could not explain.

afl   September 25, 2021

The big dance

Despite a hectic, Covid-influenced season, the AFL grand final is back in its traditional September slot. As fans await the opening bounce, two stories sum up the essence of the game.

afl   July 31, 2021

Tom Atkins’ unconventional AFL journey

For Geelong Cats player Tom Atkins, the path to AFL success has been paved with graft and grind. But his patience and hard work has paid off, earning him another two years at the Cattery.

afl   April 24, 2021

Hawthorn’s Changkuoth Jiath

Born in an Ethiopian refugee camp, Changkuoth Jiath was raised in rural Victoria and, after picking up the oval Sherrin, soon spotted by talent scouts. Now the 21-year-old is one of Hawthorn’s most exciting players and a firm crowd favourite.

afl   April 17, 2021

AFL diversity consultant Rana Hussain

For Rana Hussain, being a young Muslim and an Aussie rules fan was a tough match. Instead of turning away from the game, she forged a career fighting for inclusion and diversity.

afl   February 6, 2021

Collingwood and racism in the AFL

After a long history of AFL players of colour being abused and left unsupported by the league, it was not surprising when a report into Collingwood FC this week found systemic racism. Can Eddie McGuire start the process of doing better?

afl   January 30, 2021

AFL footballers playing concussion roulette

John Barnes retired from a 200-plus-game AFL career thinking it had set him up for a comfortable future. Instead he now suffers from epilepsy and watches debilitated from the sidelines as former greats succumb to CTE brain injuries.