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AFL Phantom Draft 2025: 27 picks, 9 bids make up a chaotic first round
TOP HEADLINES
AFLW LATEST
The final round of AFLW: A crucial week for fresh finals faces
In many ways, the story for the Eagles and Saints this week is similar; new lists, emerging leaders, high expectations, and the feeling that they are on the brink of making history for their club.
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2025 DRAFT
AFL Draft 2025: Bolters, sliders in post-combine power rankings
With the AFL Draft combine wrapped up and more intel for clubs to go by, ESPN releases its October power rankings featuring the top 40 junior prospects from around the country in 2025.
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AFL Draft Combine 2025: The biggest takeaways from the weekend
Sixty-nine of the best junior talents around the country converged on Melbourne for combine testing as we approach November's AFL Draft. These are the four big takeaways from the weekend.
AFL ORIGIN
FEB. 14 IN PERTH
AFL State of Origin: ESPN's teams for Victoria and Western Australia
State of Origin is set to return in 2026, and the coaches have been announced. But what about the teams? Our footy writers have turned selectors for both Western Australia and Victoria ahead of February's clash.
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ARE WE OVERREACTING?
AFL overreactions: Ross the coach under most pressure for 2026
St Kilda made the biggest splash in the trade and free agency window, so it's only natural that Ross Lyon -- soon into his fourth year at the helm of the Saints -- is the most under-pressure coach going into 2026 ... right?
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TRADE AND FREE AGENCY
Every AFL club's trade and free agency period graded
And just like that the 2025 AFL trade and free agency period is over. Some teams improved, some stagnated, and others, well, got worse. Here's how every team fared over the last two weeks:
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Ranking every AFL free agency move from 2025
The 2025 AFL free agency period is now complete. We've ranked every move that has been made, factoring in positional needs and their likely impact for season 2026.
AFL overreactions: Players who break contracts must be financially penalised
PREDICTING 2026
Way-too-early predictions: Our picks for 2026 premier, Brownlow, and more
Can the Lions make it a three-peat? Does Nick Daicos finally break through for Brownlow Medal? Can the Eagles get off the bottom of the ladder? It's time for ESPN's way-too-early predictions for the 2026 AFL season.
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GF - Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions
It's a dynasty: Lions join footy's all-time greats, and are only set to get better
It's now undeniable, Chris Fagan and the Brisbane Lions have built an enviable dynasty that isn't showing signs of slowing down any time soon, writes Jake Michaels.
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'We'll be back': Geelong hell-bent on casting aside rare shocker
It was a rare shocker from the Cats, who suffered their worst defeat for the year on the biggest day of the year. But they'll be back, with experience under the belt, writes Rohan Connolly.
Top Headlines
- AFLW Round 12: shock results as finals locked in
- Port sack premiership captain from club board
- New Blues reflect: 'Could've been handled better
- Veteran AFL duo charged over alleged brawl
- AFL confirms rule changes for 2026 season
- Boak joins Blues in leadership capacity
- Back surgery ends AFLW season for Swans star
- Giants skipper: Saints did Leek Aleer 'dirty'
- 'Big change': Allen opens up on Eagles move
- ESPN
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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Every AFL club's best and fairest winner for season 2025
The 2025 AFL season might be done and dusted on the field, but now it's time to crown each club's best and fairest winner. So, who was your team's top performer of the year?
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Ranking every AFL after-the-siren winning goal since 2000
Since the turn of the millennium, there have been 32 after-the-siren goals kicked which have won the game. We've ranked them -- taking into account shot difficulty, context of the match, conditions, and more to determine which clutch kick rules them all.
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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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'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.
