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San Francisco 49ers gained plenty of new fans in Melbourne.

analysis
analysis
NFLPremium
analysis
49ers’ savvy travel turned Rams from ‘home’ team to villains

It’s no secret Australians are suckers for an underdog, and the San Francisco 49ers’ play to win the fans over in Melbourne proved a stroke of genius as they made history on Friday.

Aaron Kirby

Sydney’s Joel Amartey has been strongly linked to Carlton. Phil Hillyard

AFLPremiumBlues to use ‘every mechanism’ for firepower

A ruthless Carlton list cull is only the start as the Blues’ hierarchy eyes an aggressive player movement period.

Tyler Lewis

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AFLPremiumLions’ plan to tame ‘three-headed monster’

Brisbane must silence a “three-headed monster” on Saturday, but Lions coach Chris Fagan warns past heroics offer no guarantee of survival.

Marco Monteverde

Hopes of another Lions three-peat go on the line in Brisbane against a confident Crows side. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremium'Fallen for the same thing': rebound kings remain wary

To think the Lions will bounce back at the Gabba against Adelaide because they've done it before would be repeating the errors of a week ago, Chris Fagan says.

Murray Wenzel

Cate Sayers said she intends to move forward “with dignity”.

CourtsPremiumBig update on bitter AFL d**k pic legal battle

Former Carlton president Luke Sayers and his ex-wife have made a huge call on their defamation dispute, a court has been told.

Liam Beatty

Brenna Tarrant's impressive start to the AFLW season has been cruelled by a serious knee injury. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumSydney AFLW defender suffers dreaded knee injury

Sydney defender Brenna Tarrant's AFLW season is over after the Swan ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament.

Anna Harrington

Action from the AFL qualifying final between Fremantle Dockers and Hawthorn. Dockers fans

opinion
opinion
AFLVideoPremium
opinion
Why Dockers fans must hold no fear for Cats

I’d never been a big subscriber to the idea that crowds impact games of football. But the Dockers’ past two home finals have swayed me and the Fremantle faithful must fire up on Friday night.

Jackson Barrett

Luke Jackson and Jordan Clark at training this week.

analysis
analysis
AFLVideoPremium
analysis
ELLIS: The key match-up that can turn Freo’s finals fortunes

Last week was a nightmare for the Dockers, and the bright lights may have been too bright for some. Xavier Ellis looks at three important factors as Freo look to bounce back.

Xavier Ellis

Luke Jackson will be crucial for victory.

analysis
analysis
AFLVideoPremium
analysis
The ultimate depth chart for do-or-die Dockers-Cats clash

The West Australian has ranked every Fremantle and Geelong player based on their ability to have an impact in Friday night’s do-or-die semifinal.

Josh Kempton

Patrick Dangerfield

AFLVideoPremiumDocker defender puts his hand up to play on Dangerfield

Patrick Dangerfield routinely dominates finals and was best on ground last week, but one Fremantle defender has spent the week preparing to play on him and cannot wait for the opportunity.

Craig O'Donoghue

The Dockers will be looking for a fast start after being stung by the Hawks' first-term flurry. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumFierce finals furnace burns on slow-starting Dockers

Fremantle's record-breaking season is in danger of ending in a whimper unless they can defeat Geelong in Friday night's semi-final clash at Optus Stadium.

Justin Chadwick

Luke Jackson of the Dockers handballs whilst being tackled by Mitchell Edwards.

AFLVideoPremiumFrom trainee to rival: Cat looking to stop action Jackson

Geelong ruckman Mitch Edwards wants to use the skills he took from Fremantle superstar Luke Jackson as a teenager to end the All-Australian’s season in the cut-throat semifinal at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

Mitchell Woodcock

Shai Bolton of the Dockers is tackled by Jai Newcombe.

AFL VideoPremiumTrio of flag stars tipped to help Freo’s finals fight

A trio of Fremantle stars who have all tasted premiership success at other clubs have been backed to respond with the Dockers promising finals campaign on the line. 

Samantha Rogers

Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats contests for the ball.

AFLVideoPremiumThe individual battles that will decide semifinal war

Finals footy often descends into man-on-man battles as we look at which key match-ups will be crucial for Fremantle’s and Geelong’s semifinal fortunes.

James Palumbo

Jesse Hogan will be in the black and white next season.

AFL VideoColeman medallist makes switch to fourth club

Key forward Jess Hogan will be at Collingwood next season, with the Giants confirming an end to his six-year stint in western Sydney.

Jake Santa Maria

Corey Wagner looks set to be charged with a big shutdown job.

analysis
analysis
AFLVideoPremium
analysis
Smith stopped! JL turns to Wagner as Cat tag looms

Justin Longmuir’s decision to recall Corey Wagner for their semifinal against Geelong looks all about stopping one crucial Cat, wrties Mitchell Woodcock.

Mitchell Woodcock

Nathan O'Driscoll has been axed.

AFLVideoPremiumDockers make midfield switch for semifinal clash

Fremantle have axed wingman Nathan O’Driscoll for their must-win semifinal against Geelong as coach Justin Longmuir opts for more experience for their cut-throat final. SEE THE FULL TEAMS.

Mitchell Woodcock

Buku Khamis will remain a Bulldog after signing a new five-year contract. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumDefender gives Carlton the blues as he stays a Bulldog

Western Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis has made a decision on his AFL future amid interest from Carlton.

Anna Harrington

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has told his players not to panic ahead of the must-win final against Geelong.

AFLVideoPremium‘Don’t panic’: Freo take calm approach to cut-throat final

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has implored his team not to panic despite their best chance ever at a maiden premiership being on a knife’s edge in their must-win semifinal against Geelong.

Mitchell Woodcock

Freo fans are desperate to watch a win on Friday night.

AFLVideoPremium‘We’ve got to give them something to cheer for’: JL on fans

On the eve of the biggest game of his coaching career, Justin Longmuir was asked if he had a message for the Purple Army. But the Fremantle boss instead pivoted to put the onus on his playing group.

Mitchell Woodcock

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has asked the recalled Judd McVee to back himself. (Adam Trafford/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumNo panic: McVee in as Dockers vow to right the wrongs

Fremantle players succumbed to Hawthorn's pressure in last week's AFL qualifying final flop, but Justin Longmuir is backing his team to right the wrongs.

Justin Chadwick

Geelong Cats train at Optus Stadium today ahead of their semifinal against the Fremantle Dockers tomorrow night. Max Holmes.

AFLVideoPremiumHandle with care: Old Cats keep stars on ice ahead of final

Geelong do not want to overburden their ageing stars, with Patrick Dangerfield one of more than a dozen Cats opting out of their Thursday captain’s run.

Jake Santa Maria

Tom Hawkins says key forward Jeremy Cameron offers plenty of upside, even if he isn't fully fit. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumHow Cats great would get the most out of hobbled star

Tom Hawkins believes there is a key reason why former teammate Jeremy Cameron can still fire for Geelong despite carrying injury concerns into their semi-final.

Shayne Hope

Justin Longmuir on Thursday.

updated
updated
AFLVideo
updated
Longmuir confirms key change for Dockers’ semifinal clash

Fremantle defender Brandon Walker won’t play in Friday night’s semifinal clash against Geelong. See who Justin Longmuir has confirmed as his replacement here!

Mitchell Woodcock