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AFL learns not to bite the hand that feeds it; no more 'exceptional circumstances'
This week's Six Points features an important lesson for the AFL, Sydney's correct Errol Gulden call, the less-than-perfect record of Scott Pendlebury, and Patrick Cripps' claim to being the league's worst shot for goal.
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AFL overreactions: Disaster?! The Swans just lost their most important player
Is the Swans' season under threat after Errol Gulden's serious shoulder injury? Are the Dogs top four locks? In the AFL overreactions this week, we judge the biggest takeaways as legitimate or irrational.
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Michaels: AFL must 'fall on its sword', scrap Opening Round
4:40
ROUND 1 IN REVIEW
AFL Stocks: When you single-handedly win the game ... for the opposition
Has a player ever polled best and fairest votes ... for the other team? One player could go close this week, while one former coach might have allowed himself a little smile. Here's whose stocks are up and down after Round 1.
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Four goals better: The Dogs may have fixed the only flaw they had
The Western Bulldogs were possibly the best team to ever miss finals in 2025. But their offseason tweaks have resulted in two excellent wins over finalists from last year, and they're looking like a scary prospect, writes Rohan Connolly.
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Michaels: AFL must 'fall on its sword', scrap Opening Round
4:40
IWD: Fairer, safer and more equitable sporting culture for women? Not just yet
ESPN AFL
We're misty, optically: Paying tribute to Dennis Cometti, a footy icon
Top Headlines
- AFL Round 2: Teams, tips, news, and more
- Devils pledge to embrace historic VFL outing
- Mitchell warns Hawks of 'false sense of security'
- Magpie great Pendlebury avoids first ever ban
- Swans admit 'error of judgment' on Bondi tribute
- Sydney star set for surgery, out for months
- 'Just the beginning': Devils ready for VFL return
- Pies' McRae left with plenty to ponder over bye
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Expert tips, best tips for Round 2 of the AFL
Who should you be tipping in Round 2 of the 2026 AFL season? 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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We're misty-optically: Paying tribute to Dennis Cometti, a footy commentary icon
It's inevitably the witticisms which first spring first to mind when think of Dennis Cometti, but, more broadly, he was Australian football's greatest ever caller and will be sorely missed, writes Rohan Connolly.
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The 50 best AFL players heading into season 2026
It's that time of year when ESPN's Jake Michaels counts down his 50 best players in the AFL. Spoiler alert: two-time Brownlow medalist Patrick Cripps has made the cut.
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Hold your horses: AFL's Origin revival was real, but its long-term future is not
AFL Origin's return was a clear success, but one brilliant night is not enough to prove it's truly back for good.
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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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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.
