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Ranking this year's most desirable Grand Final matchups, 1-4
Ahead of this week's massive prelim finals, there's four potential Grand Final matchups. And three of them are face-offs we've never seen previously in the premiership playoff. So which of them is likely to give us the Grand Final classic we all crave?
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Is losing a prelim worse than losing a Grand Final?
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TOP HEADLINES
ESPN AFL
AFL Draft: The biggest draft bolter in a decade emerges
AFLW
Kangaroo carnage: Is North's 'ruthless' dominance good or bad for the AFLW?
One thing has become vehemently clear in this AFLW season, and it's that the clubs who back their women's sides in with resources, money and proper personnel are seeing the return.
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'This one's different': The genuine rivalry between the Swans and Giants
Player poaching, raw emotion, and packed hillsides in a rugby league-dominated state. Sydney's two AFLW clubs battle for bragging rights -- but so much more -- writes Isadora McLeay.
TASSIE'S COACH HUNT
'Really odd': Is Buckley's openness about Tassie gig doing himself a disservice?
1:18
ESPN AFL
Brownlow Medal predictor: Smith in historic three-way tie
ARE WE OVERREACTING?
AFL overreactions: The AFL has an equalisation problem
Geelong simply must tag Jai Newcombe, Hawthorn's September specialist, right? And does the AFL have an equalisation problem? It's time to react -- or overreact -- to the big talking points of the week.
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Barca: Crows' season 'not a fail' despite straight sets exit
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SEMIS IN REVIEW
AFL semifinals: Footy's 'most selfless player'; vet's career at crossroads?
Brisbane's deep midfield stood tall without Lachie Neale, and a Hawthorn old timer showed no signs of his age. But could another club's veteran be at the end of his career? Here's whose stocks are up and down after two epic semifinals.
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Footy heartland set for biggest weekend in 15 years? It's not crazy
It's been a great year for the concept of a truly national competition, with teams from every state reaching finals. So there's irony in this week's two prelims giving Melbourne its biggest football weekend in arguably 15 years, writes Rohan Connolly.
SF2 - Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast SUNS
What we learned: Dimma was outcoached, 'Norm' built for September
Damien Hardwick didn't have the answers but Brisbane had all of them, as Will Ashcroft led the Lions through the middle in a barnstorming 53-point semifinal win over Gold Coast. Here's three things we learned from the game.
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PLENTY OF FAILS IN 2025...
Pass or fail? How Crows, Suns 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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Top Headlines
- AFL finals W3: Teams, tips, news, stats & more
- AFLW Round 6: News, tips, results & more
- Cats coach Scott regrets run-in with AFL staffer
- Dees keen to trade May, Windhager stays a Saint
- Bucks keen to coach Devils as stadium in limbo
- 'Get used to it': Sicily on Hawks' trade efforts
- Near impossible for Merrett to stay: Dons great
- Man gets lifetime AFL ban after Nazi salute
- AFL confirms State of Origin return in 2026
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Expert AFL tips, best tips for week three 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.
- ESPN
'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.
