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AFL overreactions: Lions more likely to go out in straight sets
Are the Crows or Lions more likely to go out in 'straight sets'? Will a 'last touch' rule work in the AFL? It's time to react -- or overreact -- to the big talking points of the week.
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TOP HEADLINES
FINALS IN REVIEW
AFL finals: Captains live up to the billing; Docker's shocker
More than one skipper showed true leadership, and an electric winger sent a message to AA selectors. But one Docker had a shocker, and what was up with the Adelaide crowd? Here's whose stocks are up and down after the first week of finals.
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How Shaun Mannagh is hitting his straps when it matters most
If another Geelong premiership is realised, one of the game's smartest small forwards, not to mention its oldest "young player", is going to have had plenty to do with it.
PLENTY OF FAILS IN 2025...
Pass or fail? How each club fared in season 2025
At the start of the 2025 season, our footy writers came up with a pass mark for each club. So how did your club fare? Was it a fail, did they pass with flying colours, or something in between?
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EF2 - Fremantle vs Gold Coast SUNS
Resilient, clutch Suns prevail in all-time great final
Gold Coast walked into Optus Stadium having never played a final in the club's history. They walked out with one of the best finals wins we've ever seen. Here's three things we learned.
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EF1 - GWS GIANTS vs Hawthorn
Hawks' composed start was the difference vs. Giants
The Hawks are through to a semifinal against Adelaide after defeating GWS in a thrilling elimination final on Saturday. Here's three things we learned from Hawthorn's win.
QF - Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions
What we learned: It's Geelong's flag to lose; Rayner's 'weak' flop
Geelong has surged into yet another preliminary final after dismantling Brisbane at the MCG by 38 points in an eyebrow-raising qualifying final performance. Here's what we learned from the game.
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QF - Adelaide Crows vs Collingwood
What we learned: Pies' finals pedigree invaluable against inexperienced Crows
Collingwood fought their way into a preliminary final off the back of their finals experience. And boy, did the Crows miss Izak Rankine! Here's what we learned from the Magpies' gripping qualifying final win.
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PRIDE INITIATIVES
Will the real allies please stand up? Why it's time to evolve Pride in AFL, NRL, A-Leagues
Pride initiatives in sport are well intentioned but, with a string of anti-gay slurs dominating the headlines, the question needs to be asked: What's next?
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Top Headlines
- AFL finals W2: Teams, tips, news & more
- AFLW Round 5: News, tips, results & more
- Young Lion expected to fill void left by Neale
- GWS pair eye exit door after finals heartbreak
- 'Fine them $10,000': JL wants AFL to end staging
- Fyfe: Freo have 'five or six' more cracks at flag
- Season over for Lions stars Neale, Hipwood
- De Goey sanctioned after incident vs. Crows
- Crows disappointed in crowd's booing of Magpie
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Expert AFL tips, best tips for week two of finals
Who should you be tipping in the second week of AFL finals? Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPN Footytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
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Listen to the ESPN Footy Podcast
Join ESPN's footy team for some of the best AFL and AFLW analysis and insight on the ESPN Footy Podcast.
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ESPN's ultimate Brownlow Medal predictor and tracker - every vote for 2025
The Brownlow Medal is the highest individual honour in the AFL. In 2025, ESPN is giving you an advantage with our one-of-a-kind predictor.
- AFL injury list
AFL injury list: Every team's casualties for season 2025
Stay across all of the latest AFL injury news, suspensions, timetables and expected return dates with our comprehensive list.
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The AFL's best at everything: Picking the top players at 61 different skills
Best kick on the run? Most elusive player? Boundary line specialist? Best swingman? We named the AFL's standout in 61 specific skills.
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The AFL's Competition Committee is coming back. Here's what it must fix
The AFL's Competition Committee is set to return for the first time since 2022. It's a good move by Andrew Dillon, because there's plenty that needs fixing, writes Rohan Connolly.
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The AFL desperately needs to scrap its farcical 'Opening Round'
The AFL doesn't often admit fault, but this week's season launch disaster is proof the 'Opening Round' concept needs to be scrapped for good, writes Jake Michaels.
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'Exactly what we need': How Aussie Rules helped make ESPN a live sport juggernaut
When ESPN was a fledgling station without any meaningful TV rights, it needed content. Enter Aussie Rules football and the VFL, and a partnership which left a lasting impact on both league and broadcaster, writes Shannon Gill.
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AFL player record holders, statistical leaders, and more
Who has played the most AFL games? Who has kicked the most AFL goals? Here are the league leaders in history for all the stats that matter.
