Category: AFL – Australian Rules

Walls, who has died aged 74, will be remembered as a teacher, a competitor and a hard but fair man after he chose voluntary assisted dying over a second cancer fight

The Walls family statement was succinct: “Robert did it his way and chose to end a fight that had seen him spend more than 250 nights in hospital in the past two years.” He always did it his way. But there were other influences that shaped the way he played, the way he coached, the way he lived and ultimately, the way he died. It was the uncompromising ways of Ron Barassi. It was the imperial Carlton of the 1970s. It was the pitiless, often violent sport of that era. It was the wretched death of his wife, Erin, who succumbed to lung cancer in 2006. It was the Brunswick he grew up in. It was the French village he retired to.

As a 15-year-old, he was gawky, gangly and nervous as hell as he rode his bike to training at Princes Park. But he had good timing. It was the summer of 1966 and Carlton was poised to be a powerhouse. Ron Barassi – much like Walls himself as a coach later on – was not a man to be trifled with. He demanded perfection and total commitment. He had some of the greatest footballers of the generation at his disposal. But he also had young players like Walls – players who were malleable, who would run through brick walls for him and who could be relied upon on the big stage.

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The two clubs that won all four AFL premierships between 2017 and 2020 squared off Sunday in a clash that didn’t look particularly enticing when the fixture was released last November. Heading into 2025, there were predictions of winless seasons and comparisons with the darkest days of Fitzroy. But the game between Richmond and West Coast boiled down to a last-gasp tackle. It was the kind of tackle that was supposedly given its last rites a fortnight ago, a tackle that saw a goal-bound but moribund fourth gamer ambushed like a cheetah on an impala. These things are a mix of technique, speed, luck and, most crucially, will. Tom Brown had all four in spades, and Richmond had another win.

Back in early March, if the Tigers’ coach, players and supporters had been offered three wins by Mother’s Day, they wouldn’t have hesitated in accepting. All they really wanted was to be as competitive as possible, to get some games into their draftees, and to steal four points here or there. They’ve achieved all of that already. Hell, they achieved that in their first game against Carlton. Throw in an unexpected victory over a not entirely beloved triple-premiership coach now at the Suns, and a hard-fought win over the Eagles, and the Tigers have much to be positive about.

This is an extract from Guardian Australia’s free weekly AFL email, From the Pocket. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions

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• Andrew Dillon says ‘we don’t react to media criticism’ after forward’s ban
• League CEO wants united front of players and clubs in ongoing battle

The AFL is appealing for the entire industry to unite and use the fresh Indigenous round as a landmark in the code’s fight against racism.

But AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says headquarters can’t fix the problem itself as fallout continues from the Willie Rioli case.

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The reigning Coleman medallist drags the Giants over the line to claim their fifth victory in as many matches at the Cats’ home ground

Jesse Hogan is one of those footballers who could easily have been lost to the game. He could be kicking bags and collecting cheques in local and country footy. He gradually fell out of favour at Melbourne. He was miserable at Fremantle. He was a worrier and catastrophiser. The key forward was a speculative pick up for GWS Giants.

All the things that were missing in his life – a clean bill of health, a sound body, a quiet mind, a stable home life, a good team and a coach who believes in him – have aligned at the Giants. Against Geelong, Hogan kicked seven goals and helped drag his team over the line. He’s had some big hauls in recent years – he kicked nine on a West Coast debutant a month ago – but this was in a hot game, in front of a hostile crowd and against one of the best backlines in football. Sam De Koning, a fine player and athlete, had no answers.

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Inconsistency at head office has resulted in a tedious, toxic, utterly avoidable mess. The whole thing could have been handled so much better

After a week of threats, statements, weasel words, revelations and negotiations, the AFL finally landed on what they do best – a sanction. Willie Rioli can seize a dead ball, swivel his backside, slalom through a trio of defenders and slam home a goal in about 2.5 seconds. That’s how long it should have taken the AFL to deal with his alleged threats. Instead, in their eternal struggle between being progressive and punitive, they were caught in the middle, swinging in the wind.

There are a lot of factors at play here, the most glaring of which is the way the AFL responds to these incidents. The weekend’s controversy needed to be dealt with decisively and coherently. Indeed, in recent times, the AFL has been the most punitive of organisations. Last year, they suspended one of their umpires for dressing up as Osama Bin Laden. It begged a few questions. What sort of rollicking knees-up is an umpires’ dress up day? And given the state of umpiring at the moment, can we afford for one of their brethren to be in the sin bin for such an atrocity?

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• AFL hands one-game ban to Port Adelaide forward
• Player will miss Saturday night’s Showdown in Adelaide

Willie Rioli has made himself unavailable for Port Adelaide’s Showdown with the Crows, calling his threatening message to an opponent “unacceptable”. The Power forward will sit out Saturday night’s blockbuster at Adelaide Oval, telling the club on Thursday he was mentally in no position to play.

The AFL later released a statement, saying they were suspending Rioli for one game and requiring him to participate in “education on respectful/non-violent language and conduct”.

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A few days after they’d been trounced by an All-Indigenous team in February, Fremantle’s president addressed the faithful at Crown Perth. “This morning’s event is not just another routine AFL season launch,” Chris Sutherland said. “I think we are as ready as we’ve ever been to chase that cup. We definitely feel like the foundation is sound and we certainly think we’ve got nearly all the pieces in place. May the season be filled with moments of courage, connection and success. I’ve kept this speech very short because I’m actually done with talking. It’s time for action.”

The speech was short, but the message was clear – we’re ready, no more excuses, no more loser’s limp. It echoed thoughts of the CEO, the coach, the players and the wider commentariat. They were confident they had the right coach, the right list, the right age profile, and the right recruits.

This is an extract from Guardian Australia’s free weekly AFL email, From the Pocket. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions

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• Port Adelaide forward apologises after message for Bailey Dale
• AFL gives warning but will not take further action against Rioli

Willie Rioli has apologised for a threatening private message sent to a Western Bulldogs player that caused a stir and was referred to the AFL.

No further action will be taken by the league after the Port Adelaide forward contacted a teammate of Bulldogs opponent Bailey Dale.

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The Blues put a disastrous opening month behind them after adding the prized scalp of the Cats to wins over the Kangaroos and Eagles

There were signs in the last fortnight that Carlton’s game was back in order. Geelong at the MCG was, however, a different proposition than the atrocious North Melbourne and West Coast. For any team that fancies its chances, Geelong will show you exactly where you stand. They’ll give you the print out. They’ll expose every flaw. They’ll test your coaching. And they’ll probe your soft spots.

At various stages in the final term, it looked as though the Cats would run over the top of the Blues. It would have been a devastating loss, given how well the Blues had played for three terms. With a couple of goals in it, and the Cats pressing hard, the ball was in the hands of Patrick Cripps, who signalled his rather dubious intention to take a shot. The Blues skipper bought some precious seconds and spotted up George Hewett, who converted and effectively sealed the win. Hewett is one of those teammates that players like Cripps should thank on Brownlow night – a selfless, unobtrusive type, a footballing sherpa. He seized and deserved his moment in the spotlight after hitting a rich vein of form in recent weeks.

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Footy is full of soldiers who never found a war and on the 80th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, one of them was asleep in the birthing ward. Dermott Brereton was barrel-chested, chicken-legged, born for the big occasion and, on this day, a new father. He fused Frankston street smarts with Glenferrie conservatism; morning television affability with an Irish thirst for vengeance. At 30, his body was at war with itself. But as police escorted the team bus to the MCG for the inaugural Anzac Day game between Collingwood and Essendon, he heard the bugle call.

His apprentice that day was a mild-mannered discus thrower from Reservoir. A fortnight earlier, Saverio Rocca was playing in the reserves. “He was just a nice, well groomed, well cared for Italian boy whose mum probably cooked his dinner every night of his life,” Brereton later said. He was constantly in Big Sav’s ear that day – blocking, encouraging, gesticulating, cajoling. Rocca had the game of his life, and Brereton hasn’t stopped talking since.

This is an extract from Guardian Australia’s free weekly AFL email, From the Pocket. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions

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• Richmond footballer fined $3,000 after pleading guilty to attack
• Premiership defender also pays victim $45,000 in compensation

AFL star Noah Balta has walked free from court and instead been handed a night-time curfew and alcohol ban as part of his punishment for assaulting a man outside a regional venue.

Richmond defender Balta was sentenced at Albury Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to repeatedly punching Thomas Washbrook, 27, outside the Mulwala Water Ski Club, in the NSW Riverina, on 30 December.

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• Premiership star to play against Gold Coast on Saturday
• Tigers backman faces court after pleading guilty to assault

Richmond premiership star Noah Balta returns to an AFL field against Gold Coast on Saturday, three days before fronting court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to assault outside a NSW Riverina club on 30 December last year.

Prison time – his charge in NSW carries a maximum five-year stretch – appears unlikely, but Balta’s return to football has become a political football.

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Earlier this year, Melbourne invited several dozen journalists and broadcasters to a breakfast in the MCC committee room. The club felt they had botched their messaging in recent years and were keen to shift the narrative. They spoke about “cleansing” and “trauma”. They locked down a new theme for the year: “Love. Play. Celebrate.” “Soul-searching was prioritised over Sherrins,” News Corp said.

At that point in the pre-season, there were grounds for optimism. There were still 16 premiership players on the list, several champions who seemed certain to leave had stayed, and some excellent young players were coming through. Despite losing to GWS Giants in round one, they gave every indication that they were a team for the long haul. They were clearly emotionally invested, their team defence was solid and they blooded five debutants, all of whom looked capable. The Giants, semi-finallists in 2024, played outstanding football in the final term but were arguably fortunate to pinch it.

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After a Gather Round win over Hawthorn filled with energy and dash, it’s worth asking – where has this been all year for Port Adelaide?

It was marketed as a grudge match. It pitted the then-premiership favourites against what had been a ghost of a team. But for the first hour or so, it was a procession. Few saw it coming, least of all Hawthorn. Port Adelaide were in attack mode, they flew the gates and they annihilated the Hawks. Early in the second term, it was torrential, and it was surely all over.

At one stage, Port led by 71 points. “We need to pull our head out of our arses” James Sicily told Channel 7 at half-time. And to their credit, the Hawks finally got their hands on the ball, and for a fleeting moment in the final term the biggest comeback in the history of the sport was very much in play. But when Willie Rioli’s taunt of Changkuoth Jiath earned him a face full of turf and a follow-up free kick, he booted the ball into the Barossa and the Power were home, winning 18.13 (121) to 14.7 (91).

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Brian Cook was in charge at Geelong during one of the most tumultuous years in the club’s history. In 2006, the atmosphere at games, around town and in the boardroom was poisonous. The nadir came when they squandered a nine-goal lead at home to the eventual premiers, West Coast. Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr played two of the great individual halves, the late Adam Hunter kicked the sealer, and the local fans nearly tore the grandstand down.

After every loss, Cook would receive thousands of emails and handwritten letters. Fans would send RIP notices. They’d enclose photos of players passed out in nightclubs. One offered free acupuncture and energy meridian flow assistance. Cook collated them all, including the pro bono acupuncturist, in a file labelled “assassins”.

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