Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age.
We track the injury situation of each club locked into playing finals in 2025 in the build up to a huge opening week.
Brisbane have defied another dose of the Gabba wobbles to edge past Hawthorn and lock in third place in their premiership defence. But there was late controversy when Hawthorn were penalised for insufficient intent. Earlier on Sunday, Freo sealed a finals spot in a horror loss for Western Bulldogs.
Carlton don’t expect Tom De Koning to be at the club next season, but they hope he informs them of his intention soon so they can get on with planning for 2026.
Brad Scott revealed the extent of his skipper’s injury after the game, and just how badly he was impacted in his 250th game.
Rankine was initially offered a five-match ban. However, the Crows fought for three matches and included an expert submission on the player’s mental health.
The Crows had been due to present their case on Wednesday afternoon but were granted a 24-hour extension by the league.
Both South Australian clubs made serious offers to attract Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who signed a two-year deal at the height of his form to be the AFL’s first $2 million player.
The Crows and their star are still awaiting the outcome of the league’s investigation, which could rule him out of this year’s finals series.
The AFL is expected to hand down its finding in the coming days, with the Crows bracing themselves to be without Rankine for multiple matches if the allegation is proven as they push for their first premiership since 1998.
The Saints have secured their star midfielder for the next two years after he rebuffed generous offers to return to South Australia.